Sophie's pov
I couldn't shake off the feeling that Liah is hiding something from me. I mean,I've known her for almost a decade now and we've been each other's support since then. I know almost everything about her, it would be strange if I didn't notice anything.
But what could she be hiding? Should I follow her? Why do I have a feeling it's concerning Dylan?
"Sophie, come help me peel some oranges" my dad said, bringing me back from my thoughts.
"Okay dad" I said with a smile. Well my dad's well-being is more important now. Although, I hope what she is hiding from me is not related to Dylan. I love her as a sister but I'm not generous enough to give up the guy I'm genuinely in love with for the first time .
Liah's pov
As I stepped outside the hospital, I was about to dial Dylan's number when my phone rang with him being the caller. I quickly answered the call.
"Hey, why haven't I seen or heard from you since today?" I shouted. Don't blame me. I mean, we were meant to have dinner together today but I didn't even see him talk more of hearing from him today. I'm so angry. As if the idiot couldn't sense my anger, I heard his laughter from the other side of the phone. What's so funny?
"Come on girl, just say you missed me" he said. I blushed at his words. Miss him? Is he crazy?
"Ugh, stop flattering yourself. Now stop joking around and tell me where you have been since today" I demanded.
"I'm really sorry, I went out with my parents and had to miss school today" he explained. I calmed down a bit after I heard his explanation.
"Are you free now?" I asked cautiously. I was scared of him saying he couldn't make it. It would sadden me deeply.
"Sure. Where are you? I'll come pick you up" he said.
I looked around. I had trekked a little distance from the hospital and now I was standing in front of a spa named Joey's spa.
"I'm in front of Joey's spa, near city life hospital" I said
"Alright, will be there soon" he said and hung up. I stood there for about fifteen minutes before his car pulled up in front of me.
He leaned towards the passenger door a bit without standing up from the driver's seat and opened the door.
"Get in" he said, winking at me. I rolled my eyes at him. What does he think he's doing winking at me? I got into the car, closed the door and put on my seatbelt before he started the car.
"So where are we headed to....boss?" He asked with a teasing grin. He looked so handsome and I could feel my ears turning red. I noticed his smile growing wider and I felt embarrassed, wishing I could give him a good beating.
I glared at him before turning to face the road ahead.
"Let's go to Sita's place. Do you know there?" I asked him.
"Sita's place? It sounds.... local" he said.
"Local?" I asked and turned to him.
"Isn't it?" He asked as if he was so sure. When did he start becoming this annoying?
"For your information mister, Sita's place may not be up to your standard, but it isn't so bad either. Now if you really want me to treat you to dinner, do a good job and get us there" I paused before adding "ASAP".
I noticed him frowning a bit before smiling again. What's his deal? Well, his problem.
Grrr .... My stomach growled. I turned to Dylan and saw him looking at me with raised brows making my face turn red with embarrassment. Now that I think about it, I haven't eaten anything apart from the spoonful I ate at home before my mom ruined my morning and I didn't eat lunch at school today because I wasn't in a good mood.
"Looks like someone is really hungry. Well, direct me to the place so we can get there faster, you know I don't know there" he said. I sighed before starting to direct him. Five minutes later, we were standing in front of Sita's place.
"Let's go in" I said pulling him along as I entered the building. The restaurant wasn't extravagant but it gave off a warm and cozy feeling making anyone who entered comfortable.
"Not bad" Dylan complimented. I smiled before dragging him to a random table by the window. I called the waiter over before facing Dylan.
"Make your order" I said to him.
He smiled mischievously at me before picking up the menu. Wait, what does that smile mean? Not long after, I understood what that smile meant. The guy ordered lots and lots of dishes. Soon, our entire table was filled with different mouth watering dishes making me open my mouth wide.
What does he think he's doing?
"Hey, how could you order all these? Firstly, we can't possibly finish all these dishes and couldn't you consider that I was paying. You might be filthy rich but hello, I'm not in anyway like you okay?" I said, fuming. Oh this guy will drive me mad today. I looked at the dishes on the the table again and subconsciously swallowed a mouthful of saliva. How could I possibly pay for all these?
Suddenly, he burst out laughing, pointing his index finger at my face and drawing attention from other customers. What's so funny? Is there something on my face? I quickly raised my hand to feel my face.
"Look at your face. You look like you've just drunk a whole bottle of vinegar" he said in between laughs. I glared at him but couldn't help smiling a little in the end. His laughter is contagious.
"Just eat. The food won't taste as good if it gets cold" I urged him. He finally stopped laughing but there was still an amused grin on his face. He picked up his spoon and started eating. I also quickly started eating. I don't want to get home late today again. I still remember my mother's reaction last night and this morning.
After eating to my fill, I looked up and saw that Dylan had also stopped eating. He sat uncomfortably on the chair with his back resting on the chair. I looked at the table and finally noticed that more than half of the dishes were eaten. I didn't eat much, that means he ate most of it. Oh my, that was too much. I looked at him with concern, asking
"Are you okay"
He belched before replying.
"Not really, I'm a bit stuffed. Can we take a little walk so the food can digest a bit" he looked at me with a pleading expression.
"Alright, but why did you eat that much when you knew you couldn't handle it?" I asked him. He didn't reply and just pouted his lips. I sighed and called the waiter over, pulling out my card from my bag. The almost weightless card felt so heavy. I know it would be a miracle if the money in the card could cover the bill but what could I do?
"How much is the food?" I asked the waiter.
"The bill have been cleared miss" he said and turned to leave. I gasped in shock. Who paid for our meal?
"Of course I paid. Did you really think I would let you pay for the food. Come on, you might just start spreading rumors that I'm bullying you by making you pay for so much food" he said with a forced smile, clutching his stomach.
"But I'm the one treating you. Why did you pay? I'm so angry with you" I said and folded my arms, pouting my lips even as I was a little happy inside. Heww, that was a close call. I was relieved but I couldn't let him find out my happiness.
"Please don't be, remember my condition now. You promised to go for a walk with me. Have you forgotten?" He asked.
"Hmph, you should have thought about that before making me angry" I said and stood up, picking my bag and heading out the door.
Dylan's pov
I stared at her delicate back, smiling before standing up to chase after her. How could I possibly tell her that I ate too much this time because she was the one treating me? I didn't even realize that I had overeaten until my stomach started to hurt. I stepped out the door and saw that she had already walked a distance from my where my car was. Guess she's taking the walk with me, the thought bringing a smile to my face. I ran to catch up with her and when I did, I took her hand in mine. She gasped in shock and tried to remove her hand but I held it tighter.
"It will help with the digestion" I said with a smile. She rolled her eyes at me but didn't attempt to unlink her hand from mine again.
We continued walking in silence but the moment felt so blissful. I wished it could be like this forever. I couldn't help but steal glances at her pretty face. I remembered the first time we met and the way she tried hard to stay away from me. I wonder what the reason for her action then could be. Maybe I can find out tonight.
"Let's play a game" I suggested.
"Huh?" She looked stunned for a moment before replying "Alright. What game?"
"We both ask each other a question and we must answer genuinely" I said. She looked at me as if to say 'what is he up to now?'.
"Alright, you go first" she finally agreed after a moment of contemplation.
"Ok. Remember the first time we met, why did you keep on avoiding me back then?" I asked. She stayed silent for a while and didn't respond. I didn't disturb her either.
"Can I tell you some other time" she said and looked at me with a pleading expression. I stared at her before I finally agreed. She must have a reason for not telling me now and I am willing to trust and wait for her till she's ready. I'm willing to take things slow as long as she's willing to open up to me.
"Alright. Can I ask you a question now. Hope you won't see it as unfair?" She asked me. I smiled at her before replying.
"Go ahead but remember you have to tell me the reason sometime" I said. She flashed me a sweet smile that melted my heart immediately. This girl.....
"I promise. Now my question goes like this. Why are you so cold to others when you are kind to me. Is it because we're friends? But if that's the case, Lan is your friend too but you are sometimes cold to him. So what's the reason?" She asked. I stopped in my tracks, making her do the same. I held her hand tighter, turning to face her completely, staring into her pretty blue eyes that keeps on threatening to drown me whole each time I looked at them. It's because I like you silly. No, like is an understatement to define my feelings for her, it's because I love her. I know we haven't known each other for long but which other word can explain the loud and fast beating of my cold heart anytime I see her or just hear her voice. Which other word can explain the feeling of wanting to devour her completely but still want to protect her at the same time. Which other word can explain the feeling of wanting to hide her away in someplace far away for myself, where no one can ever find her. The feeling of wanting her tears, smile and laughter to be just for me and only because of me. In the end, it's not yet the right time to tell her. I never felt this way towards my ex girlfriend, Nelly. Maybe it's because I didn't love her and felt I did because I didn't understand what love felt like before.
"Because you are special to me. Ever since the first day I laid my eyes on you, you have taken a special place in my heart" I said sincerely, staring at her with focus and determination. I wanted her to see and feel my sincerity.
We stood there, looking into each other eyes, and forgetting the world around us. After a little while, she smiled.
"Thanks for saying that Dylan. It means a lot to me" she said and we started walking back to the car.
"There's a party being held tomorrow. Will you attend?" I asked her, praying earnestly in my mind that she says yes.
"Sure. Are you?" She asked back. I was elated and answered excitedly "of course"
"Will you be my date to the party?" I asked her, my expression turning serious.
She hesitated for a moment.
"I will" she said
"Super. I'll come pick you up" I said excitedly. If Gale was to see me now, I'm sure he would swear that his boss had gone crazy. Well, the crazy things we do for love. Who cares?
"No need. I'll meet you at the party" she said. Her reply shocked me for a moment and then I remembered she said almost the same thing when I offered to pick her up from her house the other time. Well, since I've decided to trust her, I should do just that and not question her. I'm sure she will open up at the right time.
"Alright see you at the party then" by the time, we were already standing in front of my car. I opened the door for her before walking to the door to the driver's seat. When I reached in front of the same supermarket last time, I dropped her off without waiting for her to ask me. I waved at her and drove off.
I can't wait for tomorrow's party, I'm sure she would look absolutely stunning.