Once the sun had completely set, they wrapped up their work, and Zai and I packed up to leave.
Neither Valin nor RJ bothered to say bye; they just moved on to playing an online game together.
"See. Wouldn't you rather have stayed home?" Zai asked as soon as we were alone in the car.
"I like watching you all get so excited about your work, even if I can't understand everything. Sure, it's quiet most of the time, and my butt is numb from sitting, but I don't regret coming with you." I reassured him with a smile.
Zai's expression looked displeased, but he didn't say anything.
That's really not like him... Since he seemed grumpy even after we got home, I took the opportunity to flirt and say,
"Are you in a bad mood because you had to keep your hands off of me all day?"
His cheeks reddened, and he looked at me in shock...
I guess I don't say things like this often. He started to reply, but then there was a knock on our door...
"That's weird... did you order anything?"
"It's that girl... the one from the bar," Zai stated, staring at the door.
Oh! It must be Lisa! I opened the door and started speaking,
"Why didn't you call if you were coming...!?"
But the person standing there was Sarai.
"Um... why are you here?" I mumbled, confused.
"I'm sorry... I went through Lisa's work files to find your address."
My heart panicked, and not in a good way for once.
"That's... illegal, I'm sure."
"He won't call me back!" she screamed in her defense, "Is your brother here?"
She barged in and began looking around.
She has absolutely no idea how dangerous this is.
Even I could be a threat if she pushes me too far.
"No, but I'll tell RJ to call you..." I assured, reaching out to pat her shoulder, but she turned to me in confusion.
"Not him... your younger brother." ... Valin?!
"What?! Why are you looking for him?"
I glanced at Zai.
He hadn't spoken once.
He simply leaned against the wall with his arms folded, watching every word that passed between us.
"I... just need to see him..."
She was fidgeting, face flushed, and even sweating.
Like an addict going through withdrawals.
"Oh... so you hooked up with both of them..." I muttered.
As I spoke, it felt like the room was spinning.
"If that's the problem, tell Valin it meant nothing! He was a rebound at first, but I wasn't just using him! I really like him... so I just need him to talk to me, please... I'm sorry, I should go."
Her eyes were flooded with tears, then she ran out, slamming the door behind her.
...
THE HECK?!
Where does Valin find the time to be with all these women?!
In less than a week, it's been three already!
Is he a Casanova?!
Remembering how he used to look at me... if he looked at all these other women the same way...
There's no way they could have resisted.
How evil of him.
I feel really annoyed thinking about it.
And it took more self-restraint to resist strangling her than I like to admit.
A few seconds later, there was another knock at the door; once again, it was her, and this time she had a gas station receipt with a phone number hastily written on it.
"Just... so you can call me if he stops by..." I took the paper from her, then watched as she got into her car and left for good...
I should... talk to Valin.
Even for him, this seems excessive... maybe he's going through something and trying to keep himself distracted.
Lisa's Date (Her POV)
I'm so excited! It's been so long since I've been interested in someone.
I was a little tipsy when we met, so I hope I'm remembering our chemistry right... and I hope he still likes me when I'm sober.
My phone began vibrating on my makeup vanity, and when I saw it was him, I couldn't answer the phone fast enough.
"Hello..." My voice cracked a little because of nerves.
I'm so embarrassed, I hope he didn't notice.
"Hi... I just pulled up. Are you ready?"
He's here?!
"Yeah, I'll be there soon, just a sec!" I replied while hastily applying my lipstick and then spraying on some perfume before rushing downstairs.
My heels were by the front door, so I slipped them on, then opened the door and tried to pretend like I wasn't out of breath.
"Let's go!" I shouted.
He was standing on my porch, dressed in a dark green tuxedo, holding a bouquet of Gardenias.
His hair was slicked back, and his face showed he was as nervous as I was.
"I... saw you wearing earrings of this flower, so I thought you might like a bouquet. I would've asked, but... I wanted to surprise you," he mumbled as he handed them to me.
"Oh... thank you! I love it! No one has ever bought me flowers before!" I admitted while taking a big whiff of them.
"That's strange... you're so beautiful and yet no one has thought to bring you flowers."
I could tell he was sincere, and his face showed genuine confusion, for some reason that makes me want to blush even more...
"Thank you... for the compliment, um, come inside for a second. I'm going to put these in some water before we go!" I held the door open for him, and he stood in the entryway, with his hands in his pockets.
I only remember him being cute, but... he's sexy as h*ll! How was I so bold as to flirt with someone like him?!
I searched my kitchen for something that I could use as a vase and ended up putting the flowers in a glass pitcher, then I returned to him.
"All ready, now! I'll make sure they stay healthy as long as possible!" I declared, and I saluted him.
He tilted his head and stared at me, confused, then he snorted and laughed, putting his hand over his mouth.
"You're so weird!"
He said it so matter-of-factly that it somehow sounded like a compliment.
Then he held the door open for me, and outside I saw his car.
It looked like this year's model, a sports car, and it is bright red; it matches.
He also held the passenger door open for me. So far, this date is going well. I feel like a princess in a movie... that was until he started driving and I realized that he requires speed and considers all traffic laws as mere suggestions!
He was even smiling the whole time!
I'm surprised we weren't pulled over and that we made it to the restaurant in one piece.
I was hunched over, shivering, trying to regain my sanity and stop myself from throwing up for ten straight minutes in the hotel parking lot.
He drives like he thinks he's in a street race!
I can't deny he's skilled, but that was still terrifying!
Valin was patting my back, maybe trying to comfort me, but failing because I could hear him snickering the whole time.
Once I regained my composure, we entered the building together. It was a place I chose, I had been interested in it for a long time, La Maison Rose.
I thought he would refuse when I mentioned this place over the phone.
I really only mentioned it as a joke, but he agreed and didn't seem bothered at all over the phone when I mentioned the prices.
I also thought it would take forever to get a reservation, but he had one for us the very next day.
He must have incredible connections.
Our arms were hooked when we entered, and Valin gave his name and mentioned we had reservations.
It seemed to hurt him to speak to the host; he had to force a smile, and I could feel him shaking. He only relaxed again once we were at our table alone.
"Are you okay?" I whispered.
"Oh yeah... fine... what are you getting?" he asked to change the subject.
"I'm thinking the lamb! I had a friend who came here 2 years ago, and she still raves about it!"
He smiled softly and said,
"Then I'll try that too."
I moved my chair from the opposite side of the table and sat next to him.
"They pair wines here that best complement the food."
He glanced at me, his gold-green eyes seemed to sparkle in the dark as if they were filled with glitter, and then he smiled and placed his hand on mine, saying,
"I don't drink alcohol." I gasped, mainly from the fact that he was touching me,
"That's fine, totally fine! They have non-alcoholic options too, no worries!"
Then I grabbed a piece of the Socca, which was left by our server, and stuffed it into my mouth to help me relax.
"So... how long have you been writing songs?" he asked, eyes still on me, easily penetrating through all my defenses.
I was wrong, he's both cute and sexy.
Cute things are my weakness! Why are his eyes so big and gorgeous?!
His lashes are longer than mine!
It's not fair!!
"I have been writing songs since I can remember.
Well, they started as poems I'd jot down when I was bored, then I met a friend who added melodies to the poems, and I realized they had been songs all along. I would sing them in my head, but never out loud.
I'm an awful singer, people would tell me to shut up before I could get two notes out," I confessed.
Valin laughed.
"Wow, that's harsh!"
His eyes closed, as his laughing grew more intense, and I stared and admired him for being comfortable enough with me that he could laugh at that.
"I want to hear you sing now." He added, and I shook my head.
"Absolutely not! You'll hate it!"
"That's not true... Plus, I'm a pretty decent vocal coach. If you want to get better, I can help you."
I felt myself getting excited, so I leaned close to him.
"Really?! You're not lying, right?"
"No... I wouldn't lie to you..." I had never even considered getting training,
"I could kiss you right now!" I shouted, I didn't think about what I was saying till I had already blurted it out. I could tell my words flustered him; he's so adorable...
"Are you ready to order?" our server, Adam, asked, upon returning to the table.
Valin bit his lip, and his leg bobbed up and down in an agitated manner.
He's... uncomfortable with new people...
Adam looked mildly annoyed that I'd moved my chair, but wouldn't dare say anything about it.
"We're both having the lamb, and we'll have whatever sides are recommended with it," I answered.
The server wrote that down and asked
"And will you be having the wine?"
"Oh... a bottle of the non-alcoholic drink that's paired with it, please."
He nodded, then walked away, and I sighed.
"How about... when we're done eating, we just go back to my place and watch a movie and just get to know each other," I suggested.
He sighed and said,
"Okay..."
His response was short, but his voice sounded relieved.
After we ate, I asked for the bill, and when the server returned, he asked who was paying,
"I am," Valin said, speaking to Adam for the first time.
The server handed him the check, and Valin handed over his card.
After he got it back, he signed the receipt and left a tip, then we packed up to leave.
"Have a nice day," the host chimed as we were on our way to the exit.
Valin shot him a glare and flicked him off, then walked out.
"What was that for?" I half-whispered; half-yelled
"I don't know!" He buried his face in his hands. "I panicked!" I thought I was doing so well, but I knew I'd screw up!" he muttered while holding his head.
He looked really distraught, so I kissed his cheek to calm him and reassure him at the same time.
"You get a 9/10, that's still an A." He looked at me, and all the negative emotions drained from his face, and he smiled at me.
"That's a relief."
"I'll bump that up to a 9.5 if you let me drive us home," I added.
I would rather not experience his driving skills again so soon. He laughed,
"Will I lose a point if I call you a coward?"
I laughed in return and replied,
"Yeah, definitely. Maybe even two points."
Then Valin rolled his eyes, reluctantly handing me the keys.
I pecked his cheek to show my gratitude, and he blessed me with another shy grin.