3

- But he's old ...

- Shut up Diego, he's not even old enough to be my father- I say as I help him get up.

- He is our teacher ...

- He hasn't been for a long time and that's why I trust him too and want to give him a chance- I take Travis's arm and wrap him around my shoulder so he leans against me as we head back to Ichiraku.

- Jane ...

- Diego - this time it is Luisa's soft voice that stops him.

I turned my head back fast enough to see Diego still looking at me puzzled with Luisa lightly touching her arm looking at him pleadingly. I gave him one last smile, tightened my hug around Travis's waist, and didn't look back.

XXX

I look at Alia, this is the third time she's come up to Travis and asks if she needs anything but I know exactly what that little sentence means, that waitress is way too attentive to him.

Ok ... she breathes and she counts to 10 ...

What that idiot wants to say is: Travis do you need me? Because if you want it, I'll happily do whatever, since I met you many years ago and now I'm completely in love with you, even though I don't know anything about you and I have nothing in common with you, I just want to get into your pants because you're so damn sexy ... hehe blush and batting eyelashes ... bitch!

CRACK!

Ugh ... and I just broke my third pair of chopsticks today ...

- Jane, are you okay? - Travis looks at me concerned while I check that I have not managed to stick a splinter again.

- I'm fine - I smile unconvincingly.

- Good...

- More napkins? - Alia continues her conversation with Travis.

She counts to 10... One ...

- No thanks Alia I have many.

- You're sure? There are many out there.

She stops smiling at him incessantly bitch ... Two ...

- I'm fine.

- Well you can never have enough napkins ...

He's not interested, can't you see that? ... Three ...

- What about the soy sauce? You can never have enough!

- Um, actually if you put too much sauce, won't the soup make salty?

He's not biting your idiot hook, so why don't you take a spatula and shove it into your ... Four ...

- You are very right, you are so smart!

- Um… Thank you?

Otherwise, I'll happily push the spatula for you ... five.

- How about a little more ...

That's right, I've had enough! I shamelessly put my hands over Travis's and squeeze them a little.

- So Travis, where exactly are you planning to take me on this little date? - At my emphasis on the word quote, Alia's smiling face to my deep pleasure falls immediately.

- Are you on a date with her? But isn't she a little young? - she asks, completely ignoring me and speaking only to Travis.

- He and I agree that our age difference doesn't matter much- I answer confidently.

- But isn't your student or something? - She keeps talking only to him.

- That was a long time ago and our current boss has been my teacher for a long time- I narrow my eyes towards her.

- But...

- Come on Travis you can't eat your ramen as fast as you usually do. You can get an ulcer if you always rush to eat that way.

- Seriously?

- I'm also a doctor Travis, I know this kind of thing and from the way you eat just to hurry, I know that you are not chewing your food properly. You are supposed to put your eating utensils down after each bite to make sure you are chewing your food well.

- Thanks for the advice mom.

- Well, don't listen to me, just don't ask me for help when you enter the hospital with a broken ulcer one of these days.

- All this just to leave now?

- I just want to repeat those 2 kisses you gave me before coming here.

I hear Alia give a little squeak and Diego gasped.

- Twice? But I only saw him kiss her once ... when he did ... —said Diego.

But I ignored them both.

- Well I'll do it, but not here.

- Why not?

- Because ... there are other people around, last night it was a coincidence, when I kissed you like that, I want it to be for you and only for you.

Another little shriek from Alia, another gasp from Diego, Luisa, and Teo gives a little Oh!

- That's ... romantic Travis.

- I'm very romantic, so hurry up and finish your ramen so I can show you how much I am.

- You're going to make me get an ulcer.

- I'm going to make you do more than that once I do what I'm thinking.

- THAT?! - Alia, Diego, Teo and I say at the same time.

Luisa said nothing and just blushed profusely.

- Oh sorry, I didn't mean to say that part out loud- Travis blushes and scratches the back of his neck nervously, despite my warnings he turns around on his stool in front of us all to face the street with the convenient banners placed from Ichiraku is ready to eat and in less than a minute his bowl is empty.

I frowned disapprovingly at him and made him wait patiently while he ate properly and was satisfied after 10 minutes.

- So where are we going? - I ask wiping my mouth with my napkin.

Travis takes his napkin and to my and the others' surprise rubs it on the corner of my mouth to wipe away anything I miss.

- I'm thinking of a nice dark cinema- He smiles at me with his bright eyes and a hint of desire in him.

- Perfect - I smile back and take his hand as he helps me off the stool.

Travis surprises us all again by paying for our meals and he doesn't let go of my hand even after he's got me back on my feet and so we leave Ichiraku. I don't look back, I don't have to, I know everyone's gaping at us.

"Love is not jealous, but if there is no jealousy then there is no love"

Why does that phrase repeat itself over and over in my head? Therefore I was jealous, it does not mean that I am in love ... am I in love? No… He was just trying to let Alia know her place right?

Travis lets go of my hand only to wrap his arm around my shoulders and gently kiss my head, I find myself laying comfortably in his embrace and smiling stupidly to the movies.

What is happening to me?