Aileen
I felt like I needed to tell myself that. The things that I couldn’t do, I can say to him to do. So, he won’t repeat the same mistake I made all over again.
“You know, you are the only one who ever told me to do this. Thank you, Aileen,” Skylar’s response caught my attention.
“No one told you to do this before?”
“No, no one. Not even my family. They never asked me how I felt, or what I wanted to do, they never tried to communicate with me, and just forced their orders onto me. I just feel like a living doll moving according to their will having no choice of my own.”
“That’s…. that’s too sad no matter what you say. Yeah, they might be your parents but that’s going too far don’t you think? How can they force their children’s lives like that? We aren’t dolls. We are real people with real emotions and feelings, right?”
“You get what I’m trying to say. But, my parents certainly don’t. Thanks for understanding my feelings and thinking from my perspective. I appreciate having someone to listen to me.”
“Uh, that’s okay. We are friends after all. I’m here to listen to you any day.”
“I do have many friends, but I have to say you are the most genuine one I ever had. Even though you come from a rich family background you certainly aren’t arrogant and can show kindness to others. That’s a great personality trait if you ask me.”
“Uh…you are just exaggerating a little bit. I’m just like others, really normal. You think too highly of me.”
“Really now? But, as your friend, can I ask you something personal?”
“Uh…. sure.” he sounds a bit weird today.
“Is there someone you like at the moment?”
It was really the question I didn’t expect from him.
“Why are you asking me that?” I stuttered.
“I don’t know. Just felt like asking. So, what is it?”
“Uh……” I have to lie to him for now.
“No, I don’t have anyone I like at the moment. Are you happy now?”
“I see, thanks for answering though.”
“You are weird”The sound of a car pulling up drew my attention. Dave’s home.
“Uh, Skylar, see you at college. I’m hanging up now. My parents seem to be back.”
“Hm, sure.”
After ending the call, I went to get the door.
The doorbell rang a few seconds later and I opened the door without thinking.
Wait, I’ll be all alone with him now. That’ll be too awkward, won’t it?
He stood outside while being on a call.
“Welcome home,” I greeted, glancing at him.
He nodded and walked past me while continuing to talk, “Yes, we need to get it scheduled by two days. Or else we’ll fall behind on the delivery date.”
He looks so busy even at home. I hope he’s taking proper rest.
I closed the door and went to see him.
He sat on the couch opened his laptop and started having a meeting.
“Uh, would you like some coffee?” I asked, standing a few inches away from him.
He glanced in my direction and gave a silent nod.
I went to the kitchen and made some coffee for the both of us.
I placed it on the table and went to sip it in the corner on my own.
How long is he planning to work? It’s almost 9 p. m. now.
Isn’t he hungry at all? Or at least a bit tired? I feel so worn out after a whole day of college and he doesn’t look the least tired at all.
How?
I paced around the living room, walking back and forth. But, he paid no attention to me.
I checked the time, then went to the kitchen to check the food. Then came back and sat at the far end of the couch while waiting for him to finish.
Before I realized it, I dozed off. When I regained consciousness, I felt like I was being carried by a warm person and I could feel a racing heartbeat.
I slowly opened my eyes to see Dave. He was carrying me in his arms princess style. But, why?
“P-put me down! Where are you taking me?” I yelled.
He glanced down at me and asked, “Oh, you are finally awake now? I thought you were planning to sleep on an empty stomach so I was carrying you to your room. Do you want that?”
“What? No! I was waiting”
“I never told you to wait for me. Then, why were you waiting for me?” he asked, putting me down on the floor.
“That’s…. because we always eat together. And I didn’t want to eat alone, that’s why. But, you were taking forever to finish so I fell asleep.”
He sighed, folding his arms. “I’ve been giving you hints telling you to eat up but you never picked up so I even sent texts but you never saw that either, did you?”
“Uh…. you did? I didn’t see them at all.”
“Of course you didn’t. You are stupid after all.” He smirked.
“Huh? You are calling me stupid? It’s not my fault I fell asleep while being hungry.”
“Oh? Then whose fault is it?”
“Obviously your fault! You are the one who came back from work late and even started working right after coming back. So, it’s your fault entirely, do you see here?”
“My fault?” he repeated.
“Yeah! So, you should Apolo”
“I’m sorry you had to wait for me,” he interrupted, “But, in the future if any of these situation arises, I hope you don’t wait for me and eat. Cause I would probably do the same given the circumstances.”
“What?”
I observed his face closely and he didn’t seem to be joking.
“So, you would’ve eaten if you were In my place?” I asked.
He blinked nervously. “Uh…. I don’t know. I’m saying this is for emergency or immediate situations, alright? If you are done we can finally eat.”
“I’ll heat up the food. Go and sit at the table,” I replied, walking towards the kitchen.
We started eating and while eating I noticed he seemed to be lost and thinking about something in his head.
“Are you still thinking about work right now? Eat up your food, will you?” I mumbled, chewing on my food.
His gaze suddenly shifts to me now. “Who said I was thinking about work?”
“You weren’t? Then what were you thinking about while holding the food in hand?”
“I was thinking about you,” he smiled.
“What?” I was blushing hard by his reply.
“W-why would you think about me? And what the hell were you thinking about me?”
“Hm…I was thinking about how messily you eat. You have food all over your mouth,” he reached out his hand to wipe off the corner of my lips with his handkerchief.
He smiled in appreciation when he finished. “Looks good.”
I held onto my spoon tightly out of frustration. I feel like he’s trying to hit on me and tease me at the same time. And I’m upset I kind of like this playful side of him.
“I know you feel comfortable enough to eat in front of me like this. But, I think you should show some restraint and eat a bit carefully and slowly,” he remarks, making me look up at him. “Cause if you go to an official dinner party and eat like a pig, people might stare at you and might laugh out loud as well. And you probably won’t like that. So, get my point?”
“Huh? I’m eating like a pig? And I don’t have table manners? Come on Dave! I only eat like this at home. You know that!” I retorted.
“I don’t know. I see you eating like this most of the time. Only when you don’t feel comfortable with the party sitting with you, then you try to show a bit of restraint and eat more elegantly. Other than that, you eat without caring about anything and get your face messy like today. I know it’s cute, but it might ward off other people. Prove me I’m wrong?”
That’s not true right? I don’t eat messily like a pig. No one ever complained about me. I ate out with Marshall, Skylar, and Rosalia also. I also attended a party with him. He never mentioned that before.
Then, why’s he bringing it up now?
“Don’t look at me like I’m a villain or something,” he grunted, a bit annoyingly. “I’m saying this for your own good. You are a girl of age and all, act a bit mature and carry yourself with dignity and elegance, will you? Your vibe doesn’t match with your pretty face at all.”
I was finally mad. How can he say such mean things? Am I not ladylike at all? It’s my first time seeing him being so mean to me!
What have I done to receive comments like this?
“Are you upset or something? I was hoping you would use my feedback to improve yourself further. You don’t want to do”
“I didn’t ask you to rate me on a scale of 10 did I?” I lashed out, fisting my palms tightly. “Then, why are you pointing out my weaknesses? Do you have a problem with me or something? Cause I think is not something to make a fuss over, is it?”
He sighed, “Yeah, you may brush it off. But, it is something to make a fuss over. Cause think about it, if you have to attend parties with me in future, and if you eat like that in front of guests. What will they think of you? Just because I never say anything about it doesn’t mean what you are doing is right. No one is perfect, so you should take my criticism and put it to work.”
I don’t know, but I couldn’t stay angry at him after the last statement. He wants me to improve so that I can stand beside him in the future and proudly call me his Luna. Yeah, I have to live up to that name.