NINAI continue with my usual routine. Practicing the diorama presentation, attending school, studying and rejecting Clarence's invitation to hang out after class.He seems moody each time I turn tail to the opposite direction right when he starts mentioning going out together.Something tells me he doesn't buy my bluff about Gene.But at home, after that night, I am often feeling so nervous being around Luca that I asked him to take a break and would like to self-study instead.Not even a mere mention of my strange behavior that evening.At first Luca is upset and tells me that I still needed “guidance” but seeing that I am serious about my studies, he finally concedes.“If I see your grades dropping again, mark my words I’ll quit being a CEO if you won’t graduate!” He grins after that sudden declaration.And I know he isn’t joking when he declares such things.So, not only do I have to do the self-studying on my own—thanks to my irrational behavior around him—I have to do well or el
NINAThe diorama presentation went well and despite being a nervous wreck, Mrs. McLaren complimented my effort and stage presence and gave both of us an A+.I have never been so enthusiastic about getting an A! So my heart raced, feeling a sense of accomplishment for the first time.“You did it,” Clarence says as he raises his hand. I give him a deserving high five. The adrenaline rush of excitement made me lose my guard around him for once."Thanks to you," I say while dropping my hand back. "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have gotten this grade."Clarence doesn't hesitate to sling his arm around my neck.Well, almost.I regret it at that instant when he can easily touch me like this.At first, I flinch and give him a glare but he says, "Can we go out for dinner tonight as my reward?"He never stops, huh?"B-but I…"Fortunately, Mrs. McLaren gives an intentional loud cough, interrupting us both."If you haven't noticed it, you two, we are still in the middle of the class session."
NINADespite my worries, Yu reassures me that Luca wouldn't mind us snooping in his room. Well, as a matter of fact, I decide to stay in front of his bedroom door as Yu enters inside. Like an accomplice of some spy movie, I look around if the coast is clear. Knowing this hour, Luca is still at his office but who knows if he might have arrived earlier today. I hope Yu knows what he's doing."Found it!" A hand pops out what looked like a black covered bag that is supported by a silver string hanger.His head peeks out of the entrance bedroom door. "What yer waiting for? Go to your room and try it on!"I reluctantly grab the travel bag and scurry to my room. "Do you want me to call a cosmetologist to deal with your makeup?" He called out as I entered the room. I turn back as I shake my head. "N-no, I can handle it on my own." Then I smile. "Even if I don't wear make-up, I do know how to apply some."He whistles. "Woah, how come you don't wear one?"I shrug. "I only wear it during
LUCA The doorbell rings and it is 7:00:54, just a shy away to 7:01. That means not only Clarence Benz is a jerkass, he is fashionably late to pick her up. "Oh, I'll get that." Nina is about to spring to the front door, only when I grab her bare shoulder. When my hand touches her warm skin, she immediately stiffens as her head turns to me. With her large doe dark eyes, her cheeks tinted with natural blush and her lips are glossy with her lip gloss. I couldn't stop staring at her. "W-what is it?" “Oh.” I let her go and I give her a sheepish grin. “I’ll get that instead. You’ll have to get some footwear that matches your dress.” I stop midway then I take off my pinstriped jacket and place it around her shoulders. I back away a bit and feel a sudden surge of relief seeing most of her upper part is covered. "There you go. Wear this even when you're at the restaurant, all right?" There is no way I’ll let Clarence see her like this…not until they reach their destination. I wal
NINA Thank God we left. I don't know what Luca plans to do with Clarence had we stayed longer. "Did he ask you to wear his coat, Nina?" I chuckle a bit nervously. "I don't have any fancy coat that matches this dress." I give myself a twirl and I can feel the chill of my thigh from the exposed slit. However, his coat is too big for me so I have to cuff the long sleeves to my wrists. "But it doesn't make me look ridiculous, right?" "You're fine. Although I am looking forward to seeing you without that coat." Seeing his eyes on my exposed leg, I give him a warning glare. "No way I'll do that! P-plus, Luca told me not to take it off." “How overprotective," he says while shaking his head. "Then you wouldn't mind standing out as that coat literally makes you look like you are drowning from that, huh? Come on, I won't judge what you wear." I couldn't answer that. We continue walking, ignoring the neighbors eyeing us as we pass by. I lower my head as I pray that Luca was right th
NINAI regret taking it off.The feeling of the warm heater touching my bare skin and the way I feel so exposed to the public make me uncomfortable. As someone who is used to oversized clothes even during summer, I have never worn something like this in public.Clarence has been strangely quiet after his stuttering as we are being guided to the farthest table beside the glass window.My eyes flicker with anticipation when I see the full view of the whole city. Acrophobia, be damned. Why turn away such a beautiful sight? "Here we are. Please have a seat," the waitress says as we both sit on these white banquette long chairs circling around the table. I sit across Clarence as she starts pouring ice cubes to our glasses. My nervousness slips out once more as I observe Clarence politely thanking the waitress as she hands over our menus.When his eyes shift up to stare at mine, I flinch. He reverts back to his old self as he grins. "Pick anything you want and don't hold back."I fever
YU "I c-can't do it." A fountain pen dropped on the floor as it rolled under the red sofa. However, Crispin and I were both preoccupied with genuine worry over Luca's trembling figure as an expression of mortification marred on his face. I forced a smile. "Do you need help with the paperwork, boss?" Luca's frightful eyes turn to me like a desperate child yearning for his father's approval. A look that I had never seen from him before. "B-But I can't even write anymore." "Don't worry, I will be happy to help your hand move, lil bro." His brother, Crispin, came to the rescue. However, Luca remained in a trance as he kept muttering words like being useless and unworthy for the title as the heir. "Luca, I–" It was a wrong move. When Crispin held his shoulder and at the slight touch, Luca shoved his hand as his whole body shook before he hugged himself. "P-please d-don't touch me." A pained expression was clearly shown in his face, Crispin pulled his hand away as he stared worr
NINAAs he promised, Clarence drops me at Luca’s apartment. And after I caught a glimpse of his phone at the car holder, I can see the time is shy away before nine in the evening. My eyes shift up to where our apartment is—lights are still on meaning that Luca is probably waiting for me to arrive. My lips quiver as I inwardly gulp. Knowing Luca and Yu, they won’t make me sleep until they get answers from this “dinner date”.‘No, this isn’t a date! Not in a million years!’ I berate mentally as I shake my head.Clarence's sudden scoff interrupts my deep thoughts and I have forgotten that this man enjoys observing me in silence.“I hope you enjoy the evening, Nina.” Oh. That’s good. Clarence isn’t teasing this time. “I will make it better next time. Something that you like.”“If I’ll be honest with you, a-aside from the confession, the evening was…amazing,” I say as I smile. “The food is amazing and t-thank you for bringing me there, Clarence,” I addAnd it is true.After that declar