Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 62056 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 207(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62056 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 207(@300wpm)
I'm sure my date thinks I'm about to poop or something, and while there is something my body wants to release—-
It's something a lot grosser, and it's called tears.
You're so unfair, Mr. Mine.
I should probably stop calling him that, but how can I when the part of him that's Rashad isn't something he's let me see? All he is to me is a handsome stranger, just that, but as pathetic as it is, the mere sight of said stranger also has tears running down my cheeks.
When did you turn into a crybaby, self?
Grandpa Paco raised me better and stronger than this, and I mustn't waste my tears on a man like him.
We can do this, self!
I repeat the words in my mind as I spash cold water on my face, but when I step out of the ladies', the first thing I see is the man I was hoping to forget.
Remember your promise!
Having him this close is torture, with the way it reminds me of how his sheer presence alone can make me hot and wet. I wish I can say it's different now...but it's not.
"Are you trying to make me jealous?"
The way he snarls the words out makes me want to strangle and kiss him at the same time.
How dare you, Mr. Mine?
I may want him terribly, and maybe I'm even a little in love with him, but I can't let him play hot and cold like this with my feelings, and so I force myself to answer him without even meeting his gaze.
"No."
It's my turn to walk away, and I don't let myself look back. When it's over, it's really over, and I learned that from Mr. Mine himself.
When I return to my date, I see right away that the table behind Brian is empty, and my heart sinks at the sight.
Stupid, stupid heart.
Didn't we just have a talk about this?
We're better off without him.
Truly.
"They left a while ago."
Brian's words startle me into looking at him again, and the wry expression on his good-looking face makes me cringe.
"I'm so sorry." What else is there to say?
"If you really like him—-"
I quickly shake my head. "I don't—-"
"You can always make him jealous by spending more time with me."
I forget what I have to say when his motive becomes clear, and I end up laughing despite everything.
Bryan winces. "Ouch. Am I that inferior to him?"
"You know I don't mean it that way—-"
"Then it's a date," he says with a grin.
Did I just get guilt-tripped into a date?
"Brian..."
"It's just one date," he cajoles. "And it's for a good cause, too."
It's my first time to hear making another man jealous described in such a way, and I find myself smiling helplessly despite everything.
"If you go out with me again, your grandfather will lie low on the matchmaking."
He makes a pretty good point, but is it really alright for us to go on another date when we both know I like someone else?
"We'll have fun, I swear."
I take a deep breath and finally relent. "Just one date then."
Brian grins and clenches his fist in a gesture of victory. "Yes!"
His reaction is flattering, but just when I'm starting to think there's a chance for me to like him a little more, Brian's phone starts ringing and I see the name 'Jennifer' flash on his screen just before my date quickly shoves his phone deep into his pocket.
Brian clears his throat. "I wish I can spend more time with you, but I have to meet up with my study group..."
"Oh, sure." I smile at him reassuringly. "Please don't let me keep you."
Relief flashes over his face, and I feel more amused than offended as I cheerfully wave him off. With #6 being another epic fail, I think it's time to tell Grandpa Paco that these boys from Paradijs just aren't for me.
Oh well.
I'm sure other girls would've still given him a chance, but I want what Mama and Papa had. I know my standards are pretty unrealistic and unreasonable, but I don't care. I want to be with a man who'd pursue me with passion and obsess over me and me alone—-
(Like Mr. Mine, perhaps?)
The thought comes out of nowhere, but I quickly brush it aside and distract myself by checking the time.
Mm.
Since it usually takes Grandpa Paco at least an hour before he's done playing backgammon with his old pals, I guess that leaves me free to just wander aimlessly around the club, and that's exactly what I end up doing until my feet eventually take me to a gardenside cafe.
It starts to rain just as I take one of the tables by the window, and my fingers tremble as I wrap them around my frothy hot cup of latte.
Déjà vu, self.
A twinge of pain squeezes my heart, but I force myself to ignore it. I reach for my cup, but just as I'm about to take a sip, someone slides into the chair next to mine, and I end up choking instead.