Chapter 53: Chapter 53

I looked at Garren in the distance. He's playing with his son in the living room. There's an effervescent smile plastered on his face.

It seems like he doesn't remember a single thing about what happened last night.

When we came across each other earlier this morning, he didn't ask me anything. He's not acting weird.

Nothing changed. He still asked me to make him a coffee and give him medicine for his headache, which was certainly caused by the liquor.

Fortunately, he drank the first coffee that I made. He didn't torture me by making me go back and forth to the kitchen just to appease his pathetic demands.

I was alleviated. I don't know how to deal with him if he confronts me about the horrendous event last night.

But come to think of it. I wasn't the one who put me in that situation, so why should I be mortified? If there is someone who should be appalled, it's him.

"He's already melting with your stares."

I averted my gaze when I heard someone speaking beside me. And it's none other than Cynthia, who's grinning mischievously while looking at me and Garren simultaneously.

I already know what's running inside her rancorous brain without even asking.

"Shut up."

She raised her arms skyward and laughed. "What the hell? I didn't even say anything."

"Whatever," I said dismissively before leaving her alone.

I heard her say something, but I chose to ignore it.

I headed to my room and prepared what I'm going to wear later.

Enzo messaged me first thing in the morning and told me not to forget about my promise. He's really adamant about this plan of his.

After a few minutes of deliberation, I decided to settle for skinny jeans and a white shirt. Then I took a bath and prepared myself to leave. When I came out of my room, Greyson and Garren are not in the living room anymore.

I was planning to check on the former upstairs, but I decided not to. He's probably still with his father, and as much as possible, I don't want to be in the same space as him.

I looked for Aunt Esther and found her watering the plants and flowers in the front yard. I told her that I'd go out to meet a friend in case Greyson looks for me.

"Take care, Cleo."

"I will, aunt."

I walked through the gate. Thankfully, a cab stopped in front of me instantly. Talk about being lucky.

I gave the driver the address that Enzo texted me. Soon after, we began taking the road. I was sitting silently and listening to music through my earphones the whole drive, so I didn't notice that we're already at our destination.

After paying, I hopped out of the car. I wandered my eyes around. This is the first time that I've been in this town, so the place is quite foreign.

But I know that we're still in Merrion, so I'm not that afraid of getting lost. I just don't wander around the city, so I'm only familiar with a few places.

I fished out my phone and texted Enzo that I had already arrived. I didn't have a hard time finding the place where he told me we'd meet.

The wind chimes rang as I opened the door of the restaurant. I was greeted with brick walls, classical paintings, and dim lights. The vintage theme of the place made me feel serene.

"Cleo!"

I'm busy admiring its interior design when someone shouted my name. I saw Lorenzo waving at me from the table not far from where I'm standing.

I just wanted the floor to open up and wallow me when I noticed that everyone's eyes were on us.

I strode at him while keeping my head low.

"You came! I thought- aw!"

He winced when I punched him in his right arm.

"Why did you do that?! Is that your way of saying I miss you?!"

I narrowed my eyes at him. "You humiliated me, dumbass! You didn't have to shout my name like a damn banshee."

He scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "I'm sorry. I just got too excited seeing you."

I would be lying if I said that my heart didn't leap a bit with what he said, because it definitely did.

Why is this man so comfortable saying those things to me? For heaven's sake, it's hasn't even been a month since we became friends.

I rolled my eyes. "Whatever."

He laughed and beckoned me to sit at the table. He then gave me the menu board. There's a variety of dishes from other countries.

"Their udon noodles taste like heaven," he recommended while I'm looking at the menu.

I shrugged. "I'll have that, then. And this sesame beef."

After we chose our food, Enzo called a waiter and gave our orders.

"I was actually planning to bring you to a deluxe restaurant, but I thought that you would not like that idea," he blurted out while we were waiting.

That made me smile. I'd really walk away if he brought me to a lavish place where the foods are exorbitant.

"So I decided to treat you here. This has always been my favorite restaurant anyway. It's not as lavish as others, but I assure you that they have the best foods."

I arched my brows at him. "You think this is not fancy enough? This place is already a Michelin resto for me."

He laughed at my response.

It didn't take that long for our orders to arrive. Lorenzo urged me to taste the udon noodles first, and he's not lying when he says that it tastes like heaven.

"It's scrumptious, isn't it?"

I nodded.

He simpered. "I knew you're going to love it."

While enjoying the food, we're talking about some random stuff.

"Celestine loves the gift I gave her," he told me, smiling cordially.

"I'm glad that she did."

"The credit all goes to you."

I feigned a smug expression. "Well, what can I say? I'm a genius."

We resumed eating. But halfway through, my jaw dropped to the floor when another order came to us- it's two humongous burgers. Enzo told me that it's for the two of us.

I wanted to refuse because I'm full, but he threatened that if I didn't finish mine, I would have to shoulder my own bills.

He really knows how to get his own way. In the end, I was overly satiated.

"I feel like my tummy is going to explode now," I grunted.

Enzo sneered. "That's what I intend to do."

We rested for a while before we left the place.

"I really appreciate your free treat. Now we're quits. Stop nettling me every now and then or else I'll block your number," I jested.

He gave me a bewildered look. "What are you saying? We're not done yet."

My forehead creased. He suddenly pulled me by the hand.

"Hey! Where are you bringing me?!" I asked while trying to fend off his grasp.

"Stop asking. It's a surprise."

I sighed in defeat and just let him drag me. It's still early anyway. Besides, I'm also curious as to where are we going.

Later on, we reached a building. Enzo just showed his ID to the guard, and he let us in. Much to my surprise, he brought me to a bowling alley.

"What are we doing here?" I asked while roaming my eyes around.

"We're going to swim," he responded sarcastically.

I threw him a passive gaze that made him laugh.

"I'll teach you how to play bowling. I'm a prodigy in this."

I never imagined myself playing such a game. But there's no harm in learning new things, right?

Enzo pulled me towards the rack where the bowling balls are stored. He then made me choose what color I wanted which is quite puerile, but I still agreed and went for the blue one.

"You don't have to put too much force when you're swinging the ball. That will result in a wonky throw. Keep it relaxed and take deep breaths," Enzo said as we both put ourselves into position.

"You also have to find your perfect speed. If you're going to approach the line slowly, then put the ball at chest level. If you're aiming for a quick approach, then prop the ball between your thighs and waist."

I observed him. Gone is the punster and jocose Enzo. He looks so serious while teaching me.

He bent his knees a bit and threw his left hand backward, and later on, he flung the ball. I was amazed when he was able to knock down the pins.

"You're really great at this," I praised him while clapping my hands slowly.

He grinned arrogantly. "I told you. Now it's your turn."

The smile on my face disappeared in a matter of seconds. There's no one watching me but him, but I still feel pressured.

I cleared my throat before imitating his position a while ago. I puffed out a deep breath before throwing the bowl. I waited with bated breath.

My shoulders fell down when it lost its momentum before it could even reach the target pins.

The frustration I'm feeling intensified when I heard Enzo laughing his heart out.

"What's so funny?" I glowered.

He wiped the tears of joy from his eyes. "I'm sorry. The way that the look of hope in your eyes vanished was just too hilarious."

I huffed. "You arrogant jerk. Once I master this, I will subdue you at your own game."

He grinned. "It will take you century to achieve that far-fetched dream. But for now, I have to bear the duty of teaching you."

He went back to position.

"When you throw the ball, you have to apply a decent amount of power. You also have to release it at the bottom of your downward swing."

I mentally took note of the thing he said. He showed me how it should be done once again. And guess what? For the second time, he managed to topple all the bowling pins.

"See? My arms are relaxed, but I still exerted power."

I wrinkled my nose. "You're teaching a fledgling here, just in case you forget. It's not a piece of cake."

He snickered. "I know that."

He handed me the ball and told me to try again. But that attempt was also a miserable failure. But I didn't stop, I tried for the third time, and I couldn't help but stomp my feet in frustration when it barely hit any pins. As a matter of fact, the ball slipped into my hand, and I ended up dropping it.

My arms and legs are already weak and quivering from playing this game, and I haven't learned a thing or two.