Chapter 5

"What are you doing here? I thought you were in Canada? When did you get back?" Raze asked in quick succession, his voice laced with disbelief at seeing the woman. "Why didn't you call me? I would have picked you up at the airport."

The woman chuckled softly. "That's exactly it. You always end up fetching me. It's time for a change."

Raze's hand tightened slightly, a subtle gesture indicating his displeasure at her words. "In that case, who picked you up? Ashel?"

The woman shook her head, a gentle smile playing on her lips. "No. Your cousin, Nicole. She's actually with me—oh, there she is." Both Raze and I followed her gaze to a woman waving in our direction. "Girl, over here!"

"Surprise, coz!" Nicole exclaimed cheerfully as she approached and wrapped her arms around Raze from behind.

"Do you like my surprise?" Nicole asked, her smile widening as she playfully pinched Raze's cheeks. "You two can finally continue your interrupted wedding."

I froze, my mind reeling. W-Wedding? So, the woman standing before us was the one he was supposed to marry?

I instinctively took a small step back as his cousin almost bumped into me, creating some distance.

I wanted to leave. Not only did I feel out of place, but my customers might start arriving soon for their morning meals at my small eatery.

Raze wouldn't get angry if I left, would he?

"Hey! Who did you come here with?" Nicole, his cousin, asked, her attention now turning to me.

Sheila looked at me, her gaze sweeping from my head to my toes. I suddenly felt small and insignificant under her scrutiny.

Compared to me, who was dressed in casual market clothes, she was the complete opposite. You could tell she was wealthy just by her attire.

"She's just around here..." I faintly heard Raze murmur, prompting me to step closer.

They both looked at me, and like Sheila, Nicole's eyes scanned me. I didn't miss her slight grimace, which made my blood boil.

I should just say goodbye to Raze before I misjudge his cousin and ex-fiancée.

"You already hired a housemaid?" Nicole's question was dripping with condescension.

My grip tightened on the plastic bag I was carrying as I fought to keep my composure.

"I'm going home, Raze," I said, bidding him farewell before turning my gaze to his cousin. "You know what, you look more like the housemaid."

I turned my back on them and headed towards the tricycle terminal. But before I could even get on one, someone pulled my right arm.

I was about to shout when I recognized my friend.

"Raf?"

I let him take the bags I was carrying.

"Don't ride that. Come with me," he said, taking my hand and pulling me towards the parking area. "It's too crowded in the tricycle."

"What are you doing here? Did you go to the market too?"

Raf had been my friend since college, but after I stopped studying, we rarely saw each other. He would visit sometimes, but his schoolwork kept him busy.

"Yeah. I miss the veggies at the market, and then I saw you. You looked like you were about to pick a fight with those women with Captain. Are you close with Raze?" he asked after opening the car door for me.

I got in and put on my seatbelt. "No," I replied curtly.

He nodded. "Anyway, I have something to tell you."

My eyes widened when he suddenly leaned closer to me.

"H-Hey, what are you doing? S-Someone might see us," I stammered, gently pushing him away. He just laughed. "W-What did you want to ask?" I avoided his gaze. "You didn't need to get that close."

"You didn't wash your face, did you? You have eye boogers!" he said, bursting into loud laughter.

I cursed silently and rubbed my eyes. Damn it!

"You're annoying!" I playfully hit his chest.

"That's what happens when you don't wash your face before going to the market," he said, still chuckling.

"How was I supposed to know you'd notice?!" I hissed at him.

"Reason, Lylia," he said, teasing.

I lowered my hand and glared at him.

"Are you happy now? Fine, I'll just get out—"

"Hey, I was just kidding. I'm serious now. Listen, okay?"

I rolled my eyes at him. "You better have something good to say, or I'll punch you."

"Yeah, yeah. Listen and give advice, okay? So, the thing is, I'm planning to run for district captain for the next election. That's next month, right? Do you think I'll win?"

My jaw dropped at his announcement. "Seriously? I thought you didn't like politics?"

He sighed. "Well, I changed my mind. Support me, okay?"

I was still stunned when he closed the car, but I almost jumped when it opened again and swallowed hard at the sight of the person standing before me.

"W-What are you doing here?"

I didn't get a response. He just stared at me with his cold eyes.

"C-Captain? What are you—"

"Raze!" I exclaimed as he unbuckled my seatbelt and effortlessly lifted me like a sack of rice. "Hey! Put me down!"

"Shut up!"

I stiffened when he squeezed my thigh.

"Captain! I said put me down!" I struggled even though people were staring at us. "Let me go!"

But it was too late when he shoved me into his car.

"Are you crazy?! What will people say—"

My eyes widened at what he did next. I felt my heart stop beating when his soft lips brushed against mine.

"Crazy? Maybe," he whispered. "Anything else you want to say?"

I blinked a few times, completely taken aback. Did he really just kiss me?