CHAPTER 5: COME ON, IGNORE THE MESS

After our intense moment together, he leaned in and gently kissed my forehead.

“Rest for a while… then we’ll go, princess,” he murmured, still catching his breath.

He gave me a handful of tissues and a tiny bottle of alcohol that made me raised an eyebrow.

"Wait… did you expect this to happen? That's why you already have these?" I asked.

He just shrugged, having a smug grin pull at the corner of his mouth. "Maybe," he replied nonchalantly while scratching his chin like he was pleased with himself.

I shook my head, releasing a small, incredulous laugh. I didn't know what to do. He was infuriating… and fixated. And somehow, that left me at a loss for words. "You're unbelievable."

He smiled, raking a hand through his hair. "And yet… you're still here."

I didn't know if I should laugh or toss a pillow at him. "That's the problem."

"Here," he said, handing me my clothes.

Good thing I didn't get them dirty, or Camille would've suspected something and questioned me nonstop. I swiftly dressed and thankful for that little grace.

His phone suddenly buzzed. He looked at the message and smiled, one of those little, uninterpretable smiles and turned to me. "I have a meeting later… but I was hoping we could eat first. Together."

I hesitated, trying to read his tone. “You don’t have to stay for me.”

“I want to,” he said. “If you’ll let me.”

Before I could answer, he pulled out a chair and gestured to it. “Sit.

I blinked. “What exactly are we going to eat? The food’s gone.”

“Just wait. It’s coming,” he said with that same irritating confidence.

A knock at the door interrupted us.

"Sir—" The waitress intervened, but her voice dropped when she noticed the chaos, the plates, and food on the ground.

"I, uh… accidentally tripped and pulled the table mat down with me," he fibbed.

"Oh… I see," she stammered and smiled in relief.

She put a fresh set of dishes on the table, six of them. Six. For only the two of us.

After she left, he scratched his head awkwardly. "Hope you don't mind the lost table mat."

I glared at him. "It's my fault anyway," I grumbled with half a smile. "Let's eat."

And without further do, he nodded and dug in as if the event had never taken place.

Before even getting his own meal, he served mine first. He handled himself so gently while putting the food on my plate. I just sat there quietly watching. And somehow, I caught myself admiring him. He's really not the kind of guy I imagined him to be. I did not even realize I was already smiling like a fool staring at his good-looking face. Everything about him seemed perfect..... at least to me.

"Is it good?" he asked, which jolted me back to reality. Perhaps he saw me gazing.

"H-huh?" I replied, shocked and a bit apprehensive.

He grinned. "Don't stare at me like that, Princess. You know I'll melt, right?"

He laughed. I couldn't believe it. This guy could actually smile, laugh, and even be sweet.

"I-I didn't mean to…" I looked down in embarrassment.

"Hey, chill," he said. "You're blushing so much right now.

"And it's stupid," I muttered.

"Stupidly cute," he replied. "And I like it. I like that I can make you blush rather than being angry with me."

He smiled wider and I smiled too involuntarily. I couldn't help myself.

"Here," he told me, presenting me with the plate of steak, already cut up into little pieces. Then he sat down and took a drink of wine.

"You're not eating?" I asked, curious.

He lifted his glass. "Wine first."

I scowled. "You mustn't drink wine without food. That's not good for you."

He chuckled. "Don't worry, Princess. It's not alcoholic."

"But even so, you should have something to eat," I said, bossing him around like a mother.

"Are you.... concerned about me?" he asked, taken aback with a smile.

"Of course. I should be." I replied, rolling my eyes.

"Roll your eyes again and I'll get them rolling again. But in a manner that you won't soon forget," he told me, smiling as he sipped his wine.

I almost choked on what was in my mouth. "Hey!!!" I exclaimed, half shocked, half in laughter.

He just laughed again. "Okay, okay. I'll eat. I swear," he said, putting up both hands like he was surrendering.

"I lose," he supplemented with a small shrug, as if he's a naughty child.