Chapter 9: Chapter 9

I was walking to my next class when suddenly someone knocked on me making my books fell from my grip. "Sorry didn't see you there", the guy said and kept walking away. What is a jerk? He didn't even try to help me.

I groaned loudly as I picked my books. There were some papers on the floor and I tried to grab them before someone stepped on them. But before I could reach it, someone had grabbed them for me. I looked up to see his face and I sighed in relief.

"Thanks", I said as Liam handed me my papers.

"I knew you'd need my help", he teased and I just rolled my eyes.

"You still have class?", he asked and I nodded in response.

"Yeah. The last one, fortunately. You?"

"Nope", he said popping the p.

"Why do I always have more classes than you?". I grumbled.

"Well, you just suck", he said messing with my hair.

"Stop that", I slapped his arm playfully.

"Well, do you want me to accompany you until your class starts?", he offered.

"It's fine. You don't have to do that. I'm OK with myself", I said.

"But we rarely spend some time anymore. Please? I'll be good", be pouted.

"Fine just because you look cute when you pout like that", I pinched his cheeks.

"You think I'm cute?", he raised his brows.

"No. You're ugly", I said and he narrowed his eyes.

"Meanie", I heard him muttered.

We walked together to my class as we chatted. He also sat with me in the class and I could feel some girls eyed us with jealousy. Liam was a smart guy and he wasn't bad-looking either. No wonder these girls looked like they wanted to kill me.

At first, I thought I liked Liam more than friends but the more I knew him, I realized that he would never be my special someone. He was more like a brother to me.

As he promised, Liam stayed with me until my class started. "I'll see you later", he whispered in my ear since the professor had stepped into their class.

He quietly went out of the class without the professor noticed. Here we go again. The boring session started.

I boringly paid attention to what the professor said and I took some important notes. When I was in the middle of writing, my phone buzzed. I opened it because I rarely got a text, especially during class.

Still on for that dinner?

-Sean

Sean? Wait how did he get my number? We didn't even have the chance to switch numbers.

How do you get my number?

I pressed send and waited for his fast reply.

Sean: I have my ways. So I'll get you after work?

Me:  My shift ends at 6.

Sean: Great. I'll see you then.

I put my phone away and continued focussing on my lesson but unfortunately, all I could think about was Sean. I was looking forward to tonight. I just wanted to see him.

I was never the one who was obsessed with boys but Sean just had this vibe that made me feel safe and comfortable. But I shouldn't hope too much. Maybe he didn't like me that way. The thought of being friend-zoned hurt me a little.

After class, I directly went to the cafe for work. I ran a little since my class turned out to be longer than usual. I just hoped I wasn't late this time. I cursed when the rain started to fall making me speeding up my pace. Luckily I got into the cafe before it became heavier.

I got changed and was ready to serve the lovely customers, note the sarcasm. The place wasn't that packed which was a miracle so I had a smooth day and it was even better because Laura was absent that day. I still gave her cold shoulders but she was too dumb to notice it.

Like I said the cafe wasn't packed so I mostly sit down and played with my phone. I only stopped when customers were calling for bills or needed a refill. I even got a chance to chat with some of the workers that I rarely talk to because of their busy schedules every day.

The only one who was grumpy was Mrs. Hardy. Since the place wasn't packed like usual, it means that the income for today would be lower than usual. But luckily she was mostly at her office so we didn't have to see her frowned face all day.

When my shift was done, I was pretty excited. I quickly changed and checked myself to the mirror a few times. Wait a minute, What am I even doing. It's not a date and here I am looking like an idiot. I let out a heavy sigh, grabbed my bag, and headed to the door with my face facing the floor.

"Rough day?", I heard his deep husky voice making me jumped a little.

"Sean, you scared me", I said putting a hand on my chest and he chuckled.

"Shall we?", he offered his hand and I took it gladly.

We walked hand in hand like a couple. I didn't mind actually. His hand was warm and soft, unlike mine. I could see some girls we passed eyed him hungrily but Sean seemed like he didn't notice them. My inner self was smiling like a fool.

Sean brought me to a different diner and luckily wasn't far from the apartment so I wouldn't worry about going home late. A lady approached us and handed us the menu. They all looked great too with good prices. Why the hell I busied myself with cooking all this time when I could have these every day? Dani was rarely home and it was only me eating at home.

"I'll have the fish chips and lemon tea", I said to the lady. I decided to limit my food with Sean. I didn't want to look like a pig in front of him.

"I'll have a coffee", Sean said.

The lady wrote it down then left me and Sean alone.

"No dinner?", I asked him.

"I'm not hungry", he shrugged his shoulder, his eyes scanning my face.

"So what do you do for a living?", I asked curiously. I needed to know more about this guy.

"I do business", he answered his eyes never leave mine.

"What kind of business?", I asked again.

"I own some nightclubs around here and the biggest mall in town", he said like it wasn't a big deal.

"Seriously?", I widened my eyes and he nodded. There was no joke in his eyes. He was telling the truth.

Wow. He was freaking rich. Suddenly I felt insecure. I had nothing and he had everything.

"So how's school?", he suddenly asked.

"Well, just fine I guess", I shrugged. I hated when someone brought up about school stuff.

After that, there was an awkward silence until my food came.

"Here you are", the lady put the food in front of me.

"Thanks", I smiled. It smelled so good that I felt my tummy grumbled with hunger. Just when I was about to eat, my phone buzzed loudly making the people beside our table looking in our direction.

I could feel my cheek reddened in embarrassment before I answered it.

"Val, where the hell are you?", Dani's voice boomed through the speaker.

"I'm having dinner with a friend", I said almost in a whisper.

"What friend?", she asked suspiciously.

"My college friend", I lied. I could feel Shawn's curious eyes on me.

"Geez, I thought something happened to you", she said with relief. "And what time will you be home?"

"I'm not sure"

"And how about my dinner? I'm starving", she asked again.

"Why don't you just have takeouts tonight? I think I'll be home late", I said.

"Another takeout? I've had them with James every week. I'm sick of it", she whined and I sighed.

"Fine. I'll cook something when I'm home", I said hanging up angrily.

"Something's wrong?", Sean asked.

"Nothing to worry about", I forced a smile.

"Are you sure? You look pretty mad", he scanned my eyes.

I sighed heavily. "It's my roommate"

"What about her?", he asked curiously.

"She wants me to go home and cook her dinner and I told her to have takeouts instead but then she whines about her and her boyfriend have been eating those for days. You know sometimes I'm so tired of dealing with her attitudes that I want to curse in front of her face but I can't. And if she wants to have a home-cooked meal then maybe she should start making it herself", I said in one breathe.

Sean looked at me with wide eyes, surprised by my sudden outburst and I soon regretted what I said.

"I-I'm so sorry. I don't know what came over me. I-I'm so pissed that I-"

"It's fine. Honestly, I'm glad you told me how you're feeling. You can tell me anything", he said sincerely.

"Thanks", I said. I could feel my cheeks heating up.

We talked about many things that night. We started getting to know each other. Favorite color, favorite food, favorite movies, some childhood memories. It was great and I seemed to relax around him more than any strangers I'd met. And I didn't know how to say this but... I think I'd fallen in love.

I know this chapter looks like crap but hey, at least I tried lol. Anyway, I'd probably routinely update because I'm so busy with school stuffs so I hope you guys won't give up on this story yet and thanks so much for you guys for giving this book a chance and I'm sorry if there are some grammatical mistakes because I'm not from English speaking country . Love you guys.

XOXO