Chapter 57: Chapter 57

Thyme Umberbridge looked at their reflection in the windshield, smoothing out their appearance. Today, they managed to gather their resolve to invite Priska Cirillo—a woman they had liked since their first year at high school. A strong woman who succeeded in diverting their world, which had only been concerned with learning and training to prepare themself to become the leader of the Umberbridge mafia organization, replacing their father's position. From Priska, they then met Amanda Chloe—their classmate who was known as a genius pianist (and later he found out that she was the younger sister of Arnold Walter, a hitman from the Walter family whom he has admired for a long time until he followed in his footsteps by honing his skills in shot accurately), and Gerald Tan—Amanda Chloe's childhood friend, who has a housewife-like personality and was now with them in the car after they asked him to accompany them. They were too nervous, not even aware that their hands were sweaty.

'I would love to accompany you here if I don't remember the reason why I was here with you. Damn Alfred ...' Gerald growled irritably out the window, staring at the cafe they used to visit after school. That place will also be a witness to the history of his love story—whether dark witnesses or sweet memories—with Priska Cirillo. What Alfred meant by Gerald was Gerald's older brother, who was very gratuitous and playboy. The man asked Gerald to replace him to come to the matchmaking date that had been made by Gerald's mother, who wanted Alfred to get married quickly at the age of 32 years.

'Whatever your reason, it doesn't matter to me,' they tapped their tiny fingers on the steering wheel, unable to hide their anxiety when they saw Priska's figure walking into the cafe building. Gerald immediately tapped them on the shoulder, telling them to get out of the car.

'You can do it! Come on! Even though when you do your job, you're really cool!'

'It's different, Mama Gerald!' they said while holding back Gerald's hand that was about to push them again. 'This is Priska we're talking about. My legs are shaking with fear. What if she refuses my feeling?'

'All you just need to do is looking for a new one! Duh, it's not that difficult!' Gerald rolled his eyes painfully after an unsuccessful attempt to push Thyme out of the car. But seeing them getting more anxious made the man turn worried. 'Indeed, I do not hope that your dinner with Priska will be a success, considering Priska's strong character. But this is your first step into a serious step. It could be the other way around.'

'If not?'

'Give her some time. Priska is a little slow. Or you can find someone new who can accept your feelings.'

Their anxiety suddenly disappeared when they heard Gerald's words. Their confidence came back. Their hands were no longer sweaty. It was odd to find the fact that their friend, who was known to be talkative and nosy, had managed to calm them down only with his words.

'You are right.'

'I always right, dear,' Gerald smiled with relief. But his smile vanished as soon as his eyes saw the watch on his left wrist. 'We'd better hurry. The woman my mother chose for my brother has also arrived.'

They immediately got out of their car, rushed into the cafe building which was crowded with visitors. After supporting each other, they split up to go over their date tonight. They, with Priska, and Gerald with the woman who will be paired with Alfred.

'Sorry to keep you waiting,' they said as soon as they arrived at the table. They looked at Priska, who was wearing a Victorian men's suit that looked good with her, making them stunned. They did know that this woman had long had an interest in clothing and culture in the Victorian century, which led her to continue her interest in the university, majoring in fashion with a speciality in Victorian century costumes.

'No problem,' Priska immediately got up from her chair, pushed the chair opposite her and invited them to sit down. A little awkward, they accepted Priska's gesture happily and thanked her.

'So now we can order food?' Priska returned to her chair, smiling that always managed to make their heart beat fast. They nodded, then read the menu book while occasionally peeking at Priska. The way she read the menu book looked very serious and very cool, making them unable to take their attention away from Priska.

'Thyme? Have you already decided what you'll order for our dinner?'

Their eyes blinked. Hurriedly they called the waiter who walked past them, then listed their respective orders. While waiting for their orders to arrive, they mustered up all their courage for their plans for tonight.

'Priska. I actually have something to tell you,' they said, swallowing repeatedly. Once Prisca's attention was completely focused on them, listening intently to them. They cursed their own voice, which sounded trembling with anxiety. 'I ... invited you here because ... because ... I am ...,'

'Thyme? Did something happen?' Priska now looked at them worriedly.

'P-please listen to me first.'

'Oh, okay,' said Priska, but still did not stop putting on her worried face.

They let out a deep breath after they managed to calm themself down. 'I like you, Priska. For a long time. Since I knew you in our first year in high school.'

Priska's eyes now blinked as she could not believe what she had just heard from them. The woman was silent for a moment, cleared her throat as she covered under her nose and turned her face in another direction.

'Can I be honest with you?' the woman asked a few moments later.

'Y-yes, of-of course!'

'That's the worst proposal I've ever heard,' Priska laughed softly, no longer looking at them worried like that, but became relieved. 'I've been aware of it for a long time.'

'Is-is that so?'

The woman nodded. Seconds later, her face turned gloomy. 'But sorry, I can't accept your feelings for now.'

'O-oh ...,' they lowered their heads sadly. They had expected it from the start, but they still could not stop themself from being disappointed with the result. They chewed their lips, briefly diverting their attention from the woman before turning back to her and giving her a forced smile.

'You're the mafia. And I'm not ready to enter your world. That's why—'

'I understand,' they interrupted, not wanting to hear further Priska's reasons. Their chest ached from Priska's answer, but they tried to hide it so that it would appear calm to her eyes. 'Can we still be friends?'

The woman nodded weakly, as their order finally arrived at the right time. They continued the rest of their dinner in silence.

***