Chapter Seven: Interview

One week has passed since Ace stayed in my apartment for a night. My fever only lasted for a day. I'm glad it did. I don't have anyone to take care of me. 

I bit my lip when I remember how Ace took care of me last time. It was not much but since it was him, my dad's boss, I think I went out of the limit. I just wish he didn't think of me as a burden.

“Can I borrow a pen?” Lunan whispered, I almost jolted. I rolled my eyes at him but still lent him some. We’re in the middle of a lecture now on our subject that gets me bored sometimes. 

He mimicked the way I rolled my eyes. I got the eye-rolling from Anvien, she always does that and that thing is very contagious. At first, it started as a joke, but rolling eyes is very therapeutic. I get it now. 

“Why are you always borrowing a pen? Why don’t you just buy some?” I asked him quietly. Whispering as hard as I can.

“Because I didn’t know that Culinary students write too, I thought we will just stick to cooking.” He said. I smiled uncontrollably, forcing myself not to laugh. He got a point, though. Thank goodness we don't have math. 

After our class, Lunan and I went to the place where we always hang out with Anvien. 

When we got there. I saw Anvien in a sulking mood. Lunan and I stared at each other, looking all confused and such. We don't know if we’ll laugh or not. 

“What happened?” I asked her. She looked at me like she’s about to cry. 

“I have a big problem!” she cried out. I was a little bit worried about it. Lunan asked what her big problem was. 

“We have a project to interview someone successful. I’m planning to interview my dad, but we're not on good terms. I don’t know what to do!?!?” She blurted out. 

Lunan was quiet for a bit then smacked Anvien’s head playfully. I am used to this kind of scene, they are always brutal with each other. 

“You have other options for successful people, we have our uncle and even our cousin, why just stick to your dad?” Anvien looked at Lunan like he said something brilliant. She stood up and jumped, then hugged Lunan. 

Well, they can be sweet sometimes, I guess?

“I never thought of that. You’re a mother-effing genius!” she said. She pinched Lunan’s cheeks. Lunan hit her hands to make it stop. 

“Of course, I always use my brain, Angela.” They took a seat and I just watched them be playful and talk. 

“Okay, I would like to interview our cousin. And then….” She just continued talking and looked at how enthusiastic she got from it. It's nice to see her get excited again unlike her mood earlier. 

“Bliss, come with us, okay?” She asserted. 

“Sure, no problem.” I’ll be willing to help. Anvien shouted with excitement. Lunan scolded her loudness. She just laughed. 

Anvien called someone on the phone. I bet it's their cousin. I didn't hear what they were talking about since I went to a food stall in front of us to buy something. 

After her call, Anvien said we’ll go meet their cousin on Friday afternoon after our class. We all have the same dismissal time every Friday and I think it's a great time to go there. 

*Fast forward to Friday.*

We are going to where my hometown is. I'm not shocked since that place is full of business buildings. Almost all companies have their office there. I don’t have a clue who and where we are meeting their cousin. I heard that person is successful, aside from that, nothing. 

“We’ll meet at this coffee shop.” Anvien said to her driver while pertaining to the coffee shop on her phone. I think the driver will use an app to go to that designated place. 

Anvien is rich, as in RICH rich. Her father is an owner of a company. But it's just sad that they do not really have a good relationship, unlike me and my dad. That thought feels so heartbreaking. I am grateful that my parents and I are close despite not being that rich.

While we are on our way, I fell asleep. 

I woke up when someone waggled my body. Lunan said that we have arrived. I adjusted the way I seated myself. I noticed that it’s the coffee shop near my dad’s office. I rubbed my eyes and adjusted my eyeglasses. 

Anvien squeaked a little from excitement. I guess she’s very excited to see her cousin. 

Lunan just looked at him weirdly. I laughed at Lunan’s face. 

We went inside the café and sat at a table for 4. Their cousin is not yet here but we ordered drinks and cakes. 

“The cake is too sweet, don’t you think?” Lunan criticized the matcha-flavored cake. He’s always like that when he's eating somewhere new. I guess that's the inner chef in him. I nodded. The icing’s sweet enough that you can’t taste the matcha flavor. But it’s still delicious though. 

Anvien took a bite of the cake Lunan is referring to. 

“It’s still yummy, here, have some of my cheesecake.” she offered. Lunan tasted it and he winced. Anvien laughed at how he reacted. I chuckled.

“I’m having a headache, it’s too sweet as well.” He said but quietly. 

“Maybe because your life is too effin’ bitter that’s why it's too sweet for you.” Anvien joked around. We laughed. 

“Your life is more bitter than mine..” Lunan exclaimed, our chuckles made people look at us. 

But my laugh turned into a surprise when someone stood in front of our table. 

It was Ace. 

I fixed my glasses. 

“Whose life is bitter, huh?” Ace asked. He’s wearing a dark blue button-up, long sleeves, and pants. He looks casual today, unlike the outfits that I always get to see him. 

He looked more handsome in this outfit. I looked away because I felt like I’m staring for too long. 

He looked at me with a shock on his face. 

“Oh, Bliss you’re here!” he said while still shocked.

I looked at my friends, they were all shocked as well. 

“You know Ace?” Anvien and Lunan both said. And it only occurred to me that they are Ace’s cousins. 

I am friends with Ace’s cousin… My eyes widened up a bit more. 

How come the world is so small? 

“Yes, she’s the daughter of the vice president of my company.” Ace explained. I took a sip in my strawberry milkshake that I’ve ordered earlier. 

Lunan and Anvien were fascinated by how we know each other, especially me being friends with their whole clan, unexpectedly. 

“Ace is my cousin from my mother’s side.” Anvien clarified. She also said that there are only 4 of them.  

I think I know who they are referring to as the fourth one. 

“But.. Blaze is not here..” Anvien said. She looked at Ace like that topic is forbidden. Like she’s scared of what his reaction might be. But he assured her that it is fine. I think they’ve moved on with it.  

“But she’s always here.” Lunan pointed to where his heart is. They just chuckled. I let out a little laugh as well. I guess they just do it to shrug off the awkwardness. 

I sipped my milkshake. Ace took a sip on mine afterward. I was surprised by his actions, I mean, that’s like… indirect kiss right?

It’s like we just kissed. 

I shook my head. 

“Hey!” I just said. He just smirked. 

“I just love this, it’s my favorite.” He explained. Well, sipping in my milkshake is not an issue for me. I’m just. uhm. You know. 

Anvien cleared her throat and reminded us of the interview for her project. 

I am in charge of video taking, while Lunan is just there... Observing... And I guess, criticizing the food we ordered. 

When they began the interview, I just focused the camera on Ace, just like how Anvien instructed me to. 

I just noticed again how adorable his eyes disappear when he smiles. It’s so cute. 

And his dimples are so deep, even when he’s just simply talking. He also has dimples like whiskers. 

That’s why when he smiles, he looks like a laughing cat. 

But I also notice that when he’s serious, his stare can be so cold. Like he’s staring at my soul. 

I am somewhat thankful that he’s a cheerful guy. 

I can’t imagine if the cold stare was his default image. It can be so scary. 

Anvien cleared her throat once again. 

I didn’t know that the interview was finished already. 

I was busy... Observing... Some things...

I panicked for a bit. I am focusing the camera on him for too long. I hope Angela won’t notice it. I gulped.

I ordered for them to wave at the camera and for Anvien to have a closing remark so that she can be included in the video. After all, this is her project. 

Gosh. Good thing I am smart when it comes to this. 

I hope her project turned out great. 

It was almost dark outside when Anvien, Lunan, and I decided to go to our house. I am excited for my parents to finally meet them in person. 

We said our goodbyes to Ace. They hugged him and I was kind of touched by their closeness. 

I just waved at him but he extended his arms and… hugged me too. 

My eyes widened. I think I was shaking for a bit.

Did he actually hug me??? 

Is this for real??

I just smiled after. I can feel my heart banging on my chest, violently. I suddenly forget how to breathe. 

What is this weird feeling? 

Am I having an anxiety attack?

How to turn back to reality?

Anvien held my hand and we walked to where the car was parked. 

I still can’t breathe properly but I am quite alright. What just happened? 

“Okay! Let’s go!” Anvien yelled. She is excited to see my house and also my parents. 

When we arrived at my house, my parents were already outside. I told them earlier that I am going home this weekend, and my friends will be with me, well not for the whole weekend but just for tonight. They’ll go home later. 

“Hi Mr. and Mrs. Dy!” Lunan greeted them. Anvien greeted them as well. My parents were glad that I brought them here. Afterall, they were happy that I have friends. 

“Let’s go inside?” My dad insisted. 

When we were inside. My dad discussed their plan for my 18th birthday. My birthday is just around the corner and I don’t know if I am excited to be 18 or scared to be legal. 

I don’t really want something extravagant or fancy. But I think my parents are going for something like that. I am their only daughter, they want me to experience a fairytale-like birthday. 

They leave me with no choice. 

I think this party is for them, anyway. 

Anvien and Lunan were excited about that idea. I am nervous since I don’t like being the center of attention.