Chapter 55: Chapter 55

"You're going out with Enzo again?! Are you for real?!"

My face screwed up with Lauren's vehement reaction after I told him that I would meet Lorenzo today.

I already mentioned him to her before. I don't want her to nag at me for not spilling the recent updates about my life.

"You don't have to scream like an unhinged banshee," I grumbled.

She scoffed. "Shut up. But seriously, that Enzo guy is being suspicious as fuck."

I knitted my eyebrows. "What do you mean?"

"You two only met a month ago, but he's already being palsy-walsy with you. Anyone who's smart enough would know that he's not merely running after friendship. Enzo likes you, Cleo."

I could already imagine the sly grin on her face while saying those words.

"You know what else is a fact? It's that, anyone with a rational mind would not slag off my affinity with a man," I snapped back.

I can't even think of a single proof that Lorenzo likes me.

Lauren snickered. "I'm sorry, okay? But you can't blame me. He's really acting suspicious."

"Whatever."

"I have to personally meet that guy to know if he won't bring you any harm. He should be grateful that I'm busy these days."

I hissed. "Trust me. He's even kinder compared to you."

"You're so mean."

We talked for a while more until she ended it because her boss called her. Then I momentarily rested before pulling myself up to prepare.

It's quarter before two in the early afternoon, and our call time is three

After I took a bath, I wore my usual go to outfit. I gave myself one last glance in the mirror before heading out of my room.

Greyson and his father are not at the mansion at this moment. The latter took his son to a trampoline park.

Lorenzo told me to meet him at the same place where he brought me last time. After paying the taxi, I hopped out of the car. I was about to open the door of the restaurant when someone held my hand that startled me.

I quickly pulled away, my heart racing erratically inside my chest.

"Hey! Relax. It's just me."

I glared at Enzo, who's obviously trying to stifle his laughter.

"You scared the shit out of me!" I relentlessly punched him.

He was blocking my attacks and trying to defend himself.

"Hey! Stop! I'm sorry! I didn't know that you're a scaredy cat!" He said while still laughing.

I gave one last punch on his left arm before stopping.

"That hurts." He winced.

I grinned. "You deserve that."

He pouted childishly. "You really love hurting me, don't you?"

"I won't hesitate to do that if you scare me again."

"I didn't even mean it."

"Whatever. Let's just go inside."

"Who told you that we'd eat here again?"

I frowned in confusion. Suddenly, he held my wrist and pulled me to the car parked not far from us. Hee opened the door to the shotgun seat and beckoned me to get inside.

"This is your car?" I asked while staring at it in pure amazement.

It's a blue Lamborghini. I've only seen a few of these in my entire life.

"I stole this from someone," Enzo replied sardonically.

"Very funny." I made faces, matching his sarcasm before getting inside.

Enzo followed me after and suited himself in the driver's seat.

"My car looks cool, isn't it?" he asked smugly.

"It is. I just wish the owner is as cool as this car," I replied while fastening my seatbelt.

He laughed off my contemptuous response and started the engine.

"Where are we exactly going?"

"I want to keep it a secret, but I know you won't stop bugging me. We're going to an amusement park. Don't you worry, it's only a couple of minutes from here."

I was surprised. I didn't know that there's an amusement park here in Merrion. Like I mentioned, I haven't been to multiple places before.

"Med school is killing me. There are a bunch of lectures that I have to accomplish. And I still have a duty in the hospital. I've had no proper meals and sleep for the past week."

He held forth while driving. There is a faint smirk plastered on his face, but I know that he's genuinely exhausted.

"You're busy, and yet you still have time to bother me in the middle of the night," I quipped to at least allayed the atmosphere.

He chuckled. "That's how I release my stress." He looked at me and winked. "You're my stress reliever."

I acted vomiting. "That's the most cringe-worthy pick up line I've ever heard in my life."

He burst out laughing.

"But on a serious note, have you ever thought of giving up?" I asked.

His lips curled into a smile. "Believe me, I have a million thoughts of giving up. But every time I think about it, I always remember the thousands of lives that I can save if I become a doctor. I want to touch the hearts of other people by giving them the best medical care that I could provide."

"And this has always been my dream. So every time I think of surrendering, I always remind myself that before I reach my dreams, I have to endure a tough and complicated journey."

I stared at him with admiration and amusement. Anyone can see the glimmer of light in his eyes. He's really passionate.

"You'll be a great doctor someday. I know you can do that."

He turned to me and smiled. "Thank you, Cleo. But let's stop this emotional conversation already. I might cry."

I chuckled. "You're absolutely right."

•••••

"This is frustrating!" I grunted when my third attempt to knock down the toys lined up ahead of me failed.

We're currently playing this game called "crossbow shoot." You have to topple those miniature soldier toys from a great distance using three small crossbow arrows. If you succeed, you get a prize.

Enzo was the one who pulled me here. I initially refused because I'm not really into this kind of game, but he insisted.

But I should've really stuck to my guns, because here I am, getting all infuriated.

It's been hours since we arrived here in the amusement park, and we have already ridden several rides like the bumper car, vikings, and the roller coaster, which almost took my soul away.

He was the one who shouldered all those rides, although I insisted on splitting the payment.

"I was the one who invited you here. I'm not indecorous to make you pay." That was his inducement.

Enzo invited me here so he could relax, but it seems like I'm the one who's having more fun here, except right now because I just want to explode in frustration.

The frown on my face worsened when I heard him laughing like a drain at my dismay.

"Is this funny to you?" I scorned.

"I-I'm sorry," Enzo said, wiping the tears of joy from the corner of his eyes. "You just look hilarious."

"Shut up."

He turned to the staff. "Can I still have another set of arrows?"

"You're going to play?" I asked the obvious.

He smirked arrogantly. "Watch me."

I crossed my arms in front of my chest and challenged him. "If you manage to knock down at least one of those toys, then I'm going to do whatever you want."

I'm confident because I think it's honestly impossible to knock down those cursed toys considering the distance and minuscule they are.

This game is a touch-and-go, a stroke of luck perhaps.

He grinned. "Deal."

He accepted the new batch of arrows from the lady and went into position. He squinted his eyes at the target, as if he were assessing the trajectory on which he should go.

I watched him grinning from ear to ear, confident that he wouldn't knock down anything.

But I'm wrong...

"You see that, huh?!" He's jumping like a child.

While he's being happy, I'm standing with a pale face. His triumph is my anguish.

He accepted the prize. The small crowd around us clapped at him, and he's obviously enjoying the attention because he even bowed at them.

This guy is shameless.

He pulled me away from that stall.

"So...."

I don't like the mischievous grin on his face.

I rolled my eyes. "Fine. What's your dare?"

He chuckled. "Hold your horses. This won't be difficult."

He wandered his eyes around, and I'm praying silently that he won't see something that will give him some impish ideas.

"Just buy me ice cream."

I was tongue-tied for a few minutes.

"H-Huh?"

"Buy me dirty ice cream. That's my dare."

I let out the biggest sigh of relief after hearing that. Thank goodness.

I pulled him towards the ice cream stand. Fortunately, I brought money with me. I bought him two cones of ice cream, and also bought one for me.

I'm not really surprised that despite him being obviously filthy rich, he eats this kind of food because he's not picky.

The two of us strolled around, played more games and ate at some food stalls before deciding to go home because the night was getting late already.

It's almost eight already. I didn't even notice the time because I was having a great time.

Enzo offered to drive me home, and I didn't refuse because it would be inconvenient if I wait for a taxi.

He was loud even during our way home. It's like his energy didn't even falter. I had no choice but to keep up with his enthusiasm.

"Did you have fun?" He asked as he stopped the car near Montreal's gate.

I smiled genuinely. "I had a lot of fun. I hope you were able to unwind too."

He laughed. "I do. Thank you for keeping me company, Cleo."

"Nah. Thank you for treating me. I already owe you a debt."

"Don't worry. I'm keeping count of the money I spend on you," he jested and chortled. "Let's do this again some other time if we're not both busy."

"Sure. But let me pay too. I don't want to look like a parasitic swindler."

He shook his head. "I don't think of you like that, but fine."

"It's good that we're clear."

I unbuckled my seat belt and was about to hop out of his car when he handed me the stuffed animal that he bagged on the crossbow game.

"Why are you giving me this?"

"I'm not into stuffed toys, so I don't have anything to do with that. And besides, I really won that for you."

I was having a second thought at first, but I still accepted it. I thanked him.

"You're welcome. Go now. It's pretty late already."

I hummed. "Take care on your way, Enzo. Goodnight!"

He winked at me. "You too, babe. Sweet dreams."

I showed a grossed out reaction that made him laugh. We bade our final goodbyes before he left.

I was admiring the present he gave while walking through the door. But I stopped dead on my track when I noticed someone standing on the doorway. I raised my gaze, and my face puckered when I saw Garren.

What is he doing here outside? And why is he staring at me as if I committed a heinous crime?