Chapter 3.1

“You should’ve been careful,” Christopher calmly told her and she scratched her head. She’s sitting down on a chair while he is kneeling while tending her wounded ankle.

Instead of going to the hospital, they went to the back since Christopher arrived at the coffee shop. Grian went out to buy medicine for her so she can get treated by Chris. He was reluctant to leave her but he agreed anyway because it’s for her sake.

“So you’re a doctor?” Fatima asked and he nodded.

“And a CEO,” he added to what she said.

“Pretty cool, huh? CEO and a doctor,” he boasted about himself and she rolled her eyes. He never changed, he’s still the same as he was before.

“The wound should heal after a few weeks, it’s not that deep,” he explained and she watched him bandage her up. She moved her ankle when it suddenly hurt again. “Be careful next time, Fatima.” He looked up at her and her eyes widened.

“M-my name is uh.. Glen.” She cleared her throat and he blinked a couple of times. “Right, you just remind me of her.” She nodded as they stared at each other. She looked away after she felt the awkwardness of the situation.

She cleared her throat again and Grian entered the room. He rushed to the two and handed the bag he bought to Christopher. “It’s taken care of now. Just put that in the cabinet.” Grian did what was told before approaching Fatima.

“I told Nikki to prepare food for you. They’re uh- sandwiches.” He handed the food to her and Chris stared at him.

“How about me?” he asked like a kid and Grian raised an eyebrow at him before turning to Fatima. “I’m really sorry you got hurt, I should’ve been more careful.” She smiled and stood up and patted his shoulder.

“I’m fine now, don’t worry about it.”

“How about dinner? I’ll take you to dinner to make up for it,” he suggested while smiling and Fatima didn’t know what to answer.

“No way!” They both turned to Chris who shouted. He paused for a moment before standing up from the ground. “I meant.. uh- I’ll come as well,” he said.

“Why? You’re not the one hurt.” Grian frowned and eyed Christopher.

“I helped her! Let me come too!” he exclaimed and Grian sighed in defeat.

“Fine. Food is on me later.” Christopher smiled and yelled yes before he helped Fatima go out of the back room. “Thanks for helping...” Fatima whispered and he smiled at her.

“Make sure to clean the wound every night, okay?” She nodded before sitting down on a chair. Since there’s not many customers at this hour, they let her rest for a bit.

She watched as Christopher sat at another table. While examining his face, she noticed a scar on his neck that wasn’t there before when they were still together years ago. His face though, it still looks handsome but it got more masculine than before. He really did mature.

“Glen?”

“Glen?”

She turned to the side and noticed Nikki trying to talk to her. The woman smiled and gave her coffee as well. “He can be really clumsy sometimes, sorry about that,” she said and laughed a little. Nikki seems to be the youngest out of anyone here, almost the same age as Philippe.

“Your name is Nikki, right?” She nodded.

“Nice to meet you,” Nikki said before going back behind the counter.

ONCE THE DAY ended, all four of them entered Grian’s car. Since Christopher is coming along, they decided to tag Nikki along so she wouldn’t be left out. They drove for a bit till they arrived at a restaurant. Fatima looked down at her clothing and frowned. “I look like I won’t belong here..” she whispered to herself.

“You look good, don’t worry,” Chris complimented.

(I shouldn’t befriend him, no! But he did help me though,) she thought to herself.

“Let’s go?” They all exit the car and Grian leads them inside.

“Table for four, please.” The person looked at the four of them and smiled.

“It’s nice to see you brought along your maid.” The four stood there in silence when she suddenly said that. Grian looked at Fatima and back at the woman.

“How dare you say that!” he exclaimed.

“She’s our friend, how rude of you,” Nikki added and the woman’s face turned red out of embarrassment.

“It’s fine..” Fatima whispered and tugged on Grian’s sleeves. Chris looked at them and frowned. Why do they seem so close?

The night is starting off awkward already. After the woman apologized, she brought the four to their assigned table. Fatima sat down on one of the chairs and Grian was about to sit next to her when Chris took the seat. Grian decided to sit on the other side, still beside her.

“Order anything you like,” he told her and she nodded.

“Uhm..” Fatima leaned towards Grian’s ear. He was taken back but stood still in place.

“C-can I order some food for my siblings too?” she whispered to him and he looked into her eyes. He smiled before nodding.

“What’d you tell him?” Christopher asked and eyed the two. She blinked a couple of times before shrugging. “Just order your food,” Grian told him.

“I want the stake!” Nikki butted in and Chris rolled his eyes.

“Don’t you order anything other than that? I’ll tell mom you don’t eat your veggies!” he exclaimed and she glared at him.

“Grian told me to order anything!” She crossed her arms and he laughed. Fatima looked at the pair in curiosity. “Did I forget to tell you she’s my sister?” Christopher asked and her mouth fell open. That makes sense as the two look alike.

“A-ah, right. Don’t you go to school though?” Fatima asked her and she nodded.

“I only go there on the weekends as well, though I didn’t have school today so I wanted to take the shift,” she explained to her.