Chapter 26: Chapter 26

“You do like her, don’t you?” Cady broke the silence as the car rolled down the familiar driveway inside the UM compound.

“Like? Who?” Noah, seated behind the steering wheel and still keeping his eyes on the road ahead, asked.

“Hailey,” the woman simply replied.

Noah was suddenly stunned. He threw his sister a side glance, “What are you talking about?”

“Come on, I know you so well. I’m your sister, did you forget? Denying it makes me even more curious because your reaction says otherwise. If you can just see how you look right now... you’re obviously lying!”

“We’re good acquaintances, and I just enjoy her being around with her cheery personality,” he briefly explained, laughing. “What makes you say that?”

“Your aura says so. And even now, I wonder why all of a sudden you volunteered to take me to the campus. You’ve never done this before, not unless I ask you to. Tell me, were you hoping to see Hailey?” Cady continued to inquire about her brother as she brought her face closer to his.

“Look at you trying to connect my actions with Hailey,” her brother laughed again. “I have an appointment around the area so I thought dropping you off here wouldn’t hurt my schedule. Stop insisting about Hailey, okay.”

Nodding, Cady went back to properly seat herself. After a while, she pointed to something on the side of the road. “Oh, Hailey is there!”

She watched as her brother threw a glance at the area she was pointing to and seemed to look for someone that wasn’t there. And then realizing her naughty deed, he looked flushed and just continued driving.

“I was just joking!” Cady exclaimed in between her laughs. “See what I mean?” Then she reached out for her brother’s hand and chanted, “You like her… You like her… You like her!”

“Stop it, Cady. I told you, we’re just friends,” Noah reprimanded, his cheeks slightly blushing.

“So, how did you two meet?”

The young man thought for a moment and cleared his throat. "S-she's a younger sister of my friend …"

“See? That premise didn’t help either. You two became friends because she is the younger sister of your friend? If that’s a normal case, I would have been friends with any of your friends, as well. How did you even become friends...” the last word she emphasized by drawing quotation marks in the air with her fingers, “With a younger sibling of your friend? Were you close to her the way you were close with your other friends? Or the closeness you have with each other is a different type of closeness?” She winked. “Why do you even look excited to see the younger sister of your friend?”

Noah secretly swallowed as he continued driving. He suddenly regretted not thinking through their alibi. Why had he forgotten that he had a smart sister who would definitely find her way through loopholes in his stories?

“And one more thing,” seemed like Cady wasn’t done nitpicking her brother, she continued, “I know your personality. I’ve grown and lived with you for several years. You would not talk to just anyone because of your so-called exceptional IQ. You choose your circle and make sure they’re like you: people who love talking about weird stuff. How can you be friends with a girl who is the same age as your younger sister, who obviously has knowledge limited by her age? You wouldn’t be enjoying a talk with people like Hailey unless you’re interested in her.”

“You’re thinking too much, Cady. And besides, what’s the big deal with me enjoying a conversation with Hailey? She’s fun to talk with,” Noah replied.

"How can she relate to talking to you?" Cady turned to her brother. "I've heard from Grayson that her mind’s not that bright, at least not on the level of people you want to have conversations with."

Finding his sister’s words hilarious, Noah let out a laugh. “That’s not true! She was just naïve about many things, but don’t underestimate her. When she puts her focus on a certain matter, her skill, instinct, and determination are beyond excellent."

"Huh? You know her that much?" asked the woman, doubting.

Cursing himself with the slip of his tongue, Noah thought and tried to brush off any nervous tone. “I-I just assessed her based on her personality and her stories.” He sighed and gently pushed his sister, who now was sitting too close to him, looking like she was observing every movement of his facial muscles that could betray him. “Stop asking too many questions, Cady. Let’s leave Hailey alone.”

The woman frowned and was somewhat silent for a moment. Seconds later, she broke the silence again, “Hey, were you not worried that Hailey and Grayson look so close these days?”

"No," Noah answered directly as he turned a curve.

"Why?"

"What should I worry about?"

"That Hailey might like Grayson."

Although the man was uncomfortable, he couldn’t help but laugh. “That’s the most impossible thing to happen! Hailey will never see Grayson as a man.”

‘He is too young for her,’ Noah thought.

"How can you say that?" asked Cady.

"I just feel it."

Unsatisfied, Cady shook her head and folded her arms. "There you go again with your I just feel it answers."

Noah glimpsed at his sister, who now has her eyebrows furrowed. "Hey, why are you asking me about that? Shouldn't you be the one convincing yourself not to be jealous?"

Cady smirked and, with a contented sigh, answered, "They are just friends, as in like buddies. After all, I trust Grayson. Knowing him, he wouldn’t fall for women like Hailey. She’s definitely out of his league. The fact that he chose me among all the women surrounding and running after him, I know he loves me dearly. And if he's ever in a situation again where he gets confused with all the other women around him, I believe he would choose me again despite that,” she spoke in a proud tone.

"That's a good way to think. I don't want you to be uncomfortable with Hailey. And I second that she's not the type of girl you have to be envious of. Bear that in mind. Trust these words coming from your older brother."

"I know! Don't worry, I will treat Hailey well for your sake," Cady replied, smiling.

"Cady, that’s not what I meant. I didn’t say you should be on good terms with her for me–"

"Stop!" Cady exclaimed.

Shocked, Noah stepped on the brake hard, creating a screeching noise against the pavement.

"There they are. I'm not joking this time." Smiling, Cady pointed to Grayson and Kendall walking down the sidewalk. "You can drop me off here," she said excitedly.

A car stopping loudly near them caught Grayson’s attention. As soon as he saw his girlfriend getting off the vehicle, he smiled. When his eyes spotted who was behind the steering wheel, his facial expression immediately darkened. He quickly moved in front of Kendall, blocking the woman out of the driver’s view.

“Hi!” Cady greeted them happily.

“H-Hi!” Grayson replied, his eyes still focused on the former’s brother. Feeling the woman behind him moving, Grayson remained hard as a rock and kept her from seeing the newcomer’s brother.

Kendall, noticing Grayson’s unusual actions as if he was blocking her sight from something she wasn’t supposed to see, attempted to move past him, but was unsuccessful. She never imagined he could be this strong to resist her force. When she couldn’t stand it anymore, she used all her might to push him away. The man almost dove face-first into the ground, fortunately, Cady caught him.

“What is it, Grayson? You weren’t standing there earlier!” she hissed at him.

"Seriously, Hailey! Do you have to push me that hard?" the young man complained.

“You act too suspicious! What are you covering me from? Are you hiding something from me?!”

Swallowing, he stammered, “N-nothing.”

She was about to tell the man to move away when her eyes suddenly met Noah. With her irritation gradually vanishing, she also felt her cheeks getting warmer than it usually was. She tried to brush it off to avoid her companions noticing it, and then started her way to the parked car. She was suddenly stopped by a hand grasping her wrist. It was Grayson pulling her away onto the opposite path. Surprisingly, Cady followed them in silence.

“Wait. Just wait, Grayson. I’ll just greet Noah,” she pleaded.

"There's no time for you to do that. We're late for class!"

The more she tried to pull her hand free, the more Grayson held it tightly, making her efforts prove vain. Unable to do anything, she just waved to her fellow policeman as her companion continued to pull her away.

When Grayson finally let go of Kendall’s wrist, Cady immediately approached him, pulling him away into an area where Kendall couldn't hear them discussing.

“What is that, Grayson? What are you doing? Why are you reacting that way?” Cady confronted her boyfriend.

“Didn’t you hear what I said? We’ll be late for class,” the man replied as if it was nothing.

“I heard you, clearly that is. But I know your schedule. Your class is starting in an hour. You have a whole hour to wait, so what’s with that act?” Cady asked him again.

For a moment, Grayson didn’t utter a single word. He combed his hand through his hair while avoiding his girlfriend’s questioning look.

“Wait a minute,” Cady spoke again, her eyes narrowing in suspicion, looking at her companion closely as she continued to examine his expression.

“What? What are you thinking?” tensed, the man questioned.

“Are you gatekeeping your friend?” the woman said in a low voice.

“Why would I do that? Do I own her?” surprised by his girlfriend’s unexpected guess, Grayson responded.

“Then why don’t you want for them to talk?”

The man thought of a probable excuse. “I-I don’t want your brother to be involved with a girl like her.”

“Why?”

“Because… Because your brother doesn’t deserve a girl like her! Hailey’s intelligence is not on the same level as your brother’s. She is not that attractive, not even feminine. I think your brother deserves someone better. Someone that suits your genes.”

“I don’t think keeping her from him would do anything. My brother might not have confirmed it yet, but I think he likes Hailey.” Cady’s tone suddenly changed. She smiled widely, her eyes were sparkling, as she held Grayson’s arm. “Now that you mentioned it, I feel like setting them up for a date is a good idea. And you’re going to help me do it for them!”

“WHAT?!”

Surprised by her boyfriend’s response, Cady looked at him confused. “What’s with the reaction?”

“You’re kidding, right?” Grayson asked with an incredulous face.

"No, I'm not."

"Then, I don't agree," the man said stiffly.

"Why?"

“I’ve told you already. I’m concerned about your brother. There are tons of women who suit him, he can date any of them.”

The woman patted his shoulder as she shook her head. “There’s no need for you to be concerned. I know how wise my brother is in selecting a partner. And when he starts liking someone, it means she is a good choice.”

"Good for him then… But still, I don't agree," his voice was firm.

Cady’s expression became serious as she looked straight into the man’s eyes. “I don’t want to ask you this, Grayson, but… do you like Hailey?”

It took a while before the young man could speak. As if he was just appalled by the woman’s surprising question, he laughed. "You're being ridiculous, Cady. Why would you say that?"

“Then help me with the plan if you don’t want me to think that way. If you continue to disapprove of the idea, then it would be because you like her and you’re jealous of the thought of them being together.”

Sighing, Grayson secretly clenched his hands. “Fine. Do whatever you want to do with them, but don’t expect me to cooperate. I don’t do stuff like that even to my closest friends,” he forced himself to answer just to avoid his girlfriend from suspecting anything.

Cady’s face quickly lit up. “Really?! There’s nothing much I’d ask you to do, Grayson. I’ll do all the arrangements. All you have to do is just bring Hailey to the place we’ll set them to meet. I’ll let you know where.” She then tenderly hugged her boyfriend’s arm. “Thank you. I know you will support me.”

Grayson gave Cady a strained smile while suppressing his jaw from clenching at her idea.

...

Cady entered an outlet of women’s clothing with Grayson at her tail and Kendall keeping an eye on them from behind. They had been going around the shopping mall for about an hour; it was all Cady’s idea. The woman continued to look at all the available dresses, checking for anything that would fit Kendall’s physique. As she did that, the two followed her from one aisle to another.

When satisfied with the number of dresses she had chosen, Cady waved at the policewoman. “Hailey, come here.”

Kendall approached.

“Try these dresses on,” she commanded.

Kendall was confused by what she heard. “Try the dresses? Me?” she asked, pointing at herself.

Smiling, Cady nodded and handed her a bunch of different designs she picked from several racks they’d gone to earlier.

Kendall looked at her two companions, her eyes questioning. Cady was just flashing an innocent smile while Grayson wasn’t looking at her directly.

“And why should I try these on? I don’t wear these types of clothes,” she refused, gesturing especially at the pink dress that was lying on top of the pile.

Cady pouted as she spoke in a pleading voice, “Hailey, I hope you can help me with this. I need this for research work about blind dating. I hope you can do it for me. I know it is going to be unfair to Grayson if I go on the blind date myself. And I don’t think it’s a good idea to have the researcher herself be part of the data gathering.”

Kendall was more confused with the statement. Then, her jaw dropped when she realized what Cady meant. “Are you saying I’m going to wear this dress and that I will go on a blind date?”

Cady nodded proudly as if she knew she was a step nearer to her plan’s success.

Kendall laughed, sounding like she just heard a ridiculous joke. “I’m sorry, Cady, but I can’t do that. Aside from the fact that I’m not comfortable with these kinds of clothes, I’ve never had a date with anyone before. And that can ruin your research data. Maybe you should just find someone else who could do it for you, someone who knows what she should do on a blind date. I could help you find the prospect woman,” she offered in between her laughs.

Cady’s face dropped into a solemn expression upon hearing her words. She replied softly, “Too bad, the date was already set tonight. My papers are due three days from now so they should be done as early as possible. I don’t have much time left if this would be rescheduled. And yes, you could not back out anymore. You are the best woman who I think could do the job. But if you really think you couldn’t do it, then I don’t have any choice but to go myself.”

Kendall suddenly became serious as concern gradually painted her eyes. Her mood softened until she felt guilt eating her from the inside. “W-What? You’re going on the date? B-But Grayson…”

The woman did not answer. Instead, she bowed her head as if on the verge of crying. Kendall, unable to react to Cady’s request, shifted her attention to Grayson and waited for him to answer. But he just remained silent and was still looking everywhere but her.

With pity and fear of witnessing the couple quarrel, Kendall heaved a sigh and then finally spoke, “Alright, alright. I’ll do it.”

Cady immediately looked with twinkling eyes, looking like a child who was offered the sweetest candy. Joy was drawn all over her face. “Really?!”

“I’m doing it for you to finish your papers on time,” Kendall explained. “Teach me what I need to do on dates.”

“Yes, yes. I’ll orient you well in what you should say.” Cady winked and then tapped on the pile of dresses again. “Now, let’s see which one you should use. Come, I’ll show you where the fitting room is.”

“But, are these really the kind of dresses women should wear on dates? I mean, there’s a lot of choices I have at home,” Kendall complained.

“Not with the shirts and pants that you mean. But yes, it has to be formal. Women should bring out their feminine side when going to such events. Trust me as the researcher and as someone who has been to a lot of dates before.”

Unable to do anything but fit the clothes, Kendall repeatedly came out of the dressing room to show her appearance in each dress. She went from someone looking like going to the office, then to a ballroom event, to a party, to someone who looked like she was going to offer a discounted car, and then to someone who seemed to enter a courtroom. She tried almost a dozen outfits, with her two companions rejecting each of them. Until she came out wearing a white off-shouldered laced long-sleeve dress. It was enough to show her long-hidden curves and it flailed down just above her knees.

“How about this? I’ve tried a lot already, I hope this is enough,” she protested, appearing like she has become exhausted with all the dresses she has to try on.

Standing, Cady let loose Kendall’s hair tie to allow the latter’s long hair to match the fit of the dress on her. The former was left unable to speak until she found the right words, “Wow, Hailey! You’re gorgeous! Who would have thought that you have such a nice body? Why hide those curves?” Her proud eyes were sparkling.

Feeling the burning on her cheeks, Kendall brushed her off gently, “Let’s not talk about my body. What do you think about the dress? I’ve been thinking if there were other clothes that could look good on me or should I just stick to my usual shirts.”

Scanning her from head to toe, Cady nodded. “I think it’s perfect! What do you think, Grayson?”

Grayson didn't answer. He was still gaping in amazement at the girl's appearance. She looked far different from the boyish woman he was so used to seeing daily. She looked different at that time.

“Grayson, are you okay?” Cady shook her boyfriend’s arm.

Realizing that he had been staring for a long time at the policewoman, he shot a look at his girlfriend. “What were you saying?”

"I'm asking you if you think that the dress is fine?"

He almost agreed and would have voiced out that Kendall looked stunning in that dress, but he suddenly thought that Noah shouldn’t see her wearing that. He was sure that the young man would be pleased if that happened.

He shook his head and strongly opposed, “No, it’s not pretty!”

"What are you talking about, Grayson? I think it's perfect for her," Cady said in astonishment.

“It doesn’t fit her!”

Grayson stood and approached the other clothing hanging inside the dressing room. Picking up the one that looked like an office attire, he tossed it to Kendall and said, “This one is better.”

"What's wrong with your taste, Grayson? That dress is not for a date!" Cady objected.

“But the one she’s wearing now is uglier,” commented the man.

The couple began to argue.

"I say yes to that white dress," the woman insisted.

"I say no!"

Cady brought her face close to her boyfriend's and stared at him. "Yes!"

Grayson also stared at the girlfriend. "No!"

"Yes!"

"No!"

Suddenly bewildered about what to do with the situation, Kendall yelled, “Wait, wait!”

The two stopped arguing and turned to her.

“Can you not argue now? If you don’t agree on a dress, then I’ll go and decide and wear what I want. I couldn’t continue with all these fit and change things.” The two were just silent as they waited for her to decide. After a while, she spoke, “I will wear this white dress.”

Cady clapped in delight while Grayson immediately protested again. He approached Kendall and tried to convince her, "Hailey, believe me, it doesn't look good to you. You look like…"

"Like what?" the woman asked curiously.

Grayson temporarily thought about what he would answer. "Like… like a grandmother of twenty-seven children!"

Kendall just smirked at the man. "I know you, Grayson. You prefer it if I look ugly. Stop scheming like that against me. I thought you have grown over it."

...

Kendall lifted the glass of water to her lips as she nervously sat alone at a table in an expensive restaurant. Her date has yet to come. From time to time, she would pull her skirt down her knees because she wasn’t sure of how she looked. Cady arranged everything including her hair and makeup. A small part of her hair was braided and pulled gracefully around until it was secured by a beautiful pin behind her crown. From time to time, she would take off her high-heeled shoes to allow her feet to rest.

Grayson and Cady were in a car parked in front of the restaurant. The former’s eyes were fixed on the window of the restaurant, where they had a clear view of Kendall sitting at their reserved table. From time to time, he would drink some water while Cady was busy making sure her brother would come.

"Where's your brother now? Don't you think it's better to just cancel this date?" the man asked his girlfriend.

“He replied earlier, promising me he would go. He said he just needs to finish some work and then would head in here afterward,” the woman assured.

“But he’s late. Look at poor Hailey still waiting inside!”

“Can you stop putting too much pressure on me, Grayson? My brother is only fifteen minutes late, for Pete’s sake!”

“Call him again. Or text him. Just let him know that if he wouldn’t appear in the next fifteen minutes, Hailey will be going home,” Grayson said irritably.

“I’ve been ringing him earlier but he wasn’t picking up his phone... Oh, there he is!” Cady exclaimed; her voice was filled with excitement. She pointed at a distance where her brother was walking, heading into the entrance of the restaurant.

Following his girlfriend’s gaze, Grayson immediately felt uneasiness creeping up from the inside. He had been hoping since earlier that Noah would not show up.

Noah shook his head as he entered the restaurant. If it wasn’t for her sister, he wouldn’t agree to a stupid blind date. Upon entering, he immediately asked the staff for the table reserved under Cady’s name. The waiter guided him to a table. The first thing he noticed was a woman wearing a white dress, her back was turned to him.

As he neared her, he prepared himself to apologize for making her wait. When he approached the table, he did not immediately sit. Instead, he just stood next to her and bent over, still keeping a respectful distance from her as he asked, “Excuse me, miss. Are you the one Ms. Cady Green sent here?”

Kendall’s eyes suddenly widened as soon as she heard the familiar voice. She immediately turned her head to look at its source.

"Inspector, w-what are you doing here?"

Noah was temporarily silent upon realizing who was in front of him. "How about you? What are you doing here?"

“Y-Your sister sent me here for a blind date. She said it’s for her research.”

As things sank in, Noah let out a good laugh. “Ahh… That sister of mine making her naughty plans again. That’s the same thing she told me. That everything’s for her research.” He shook his head and sighed deeply. “Well, we’re here. And I guess Cady has arranged everything including good food. So, why not take this opportunity so we can have a conversation, at least longer than what we usually do.” He sat across from the woman.

Kendall smile. When she looked at it closely, the situation aligned with what was better. At least, this was a good opportunity to catch up about work. And she was more comfortable meeting Noah than meeting a stranger today.

As his shock gradually vanished, Noah looked at her directly. Only then did he notice the woman’s appearance.

Kendall immediately read the expression of the young man so she covered her face with one hand and tried to cover herself by looking down. “Don’t make fun of me. It’s all your sister’s idea.”

Noah smiled. “Why would I do that? I think you look great,” he casually praised.

“Stop the jokes, Inspector Green! If you’re prepared with pickup lines for this date, then I am not!”

“I’m not kidding,” Noah insisted and motioned for a waiter.

"What did Cady think and suddenly we were set up?” Kendall asked.

"She is claiming that there's something going on between us. She doubts our friendship, but I don’t think we could blame her because our planned story has a lot of loopholes, and my sister is not easily fooled. Unless we tell her the whole truth," Noah shrugged.

A waiter approached with a menu and handed them to the two.

“Well, I guess it’s a good thing you’re the one with me now, Inspector Green. At least, I don’t have to be mindful of what I’d eat. I’m totally starving.”

The young man laughed. “I’d love to see that too. I haven’t seen you speak for a long time with your mouth full. By the way, how about the man you should be looking after?”

She shook her head and gestured outside. “Nope. They’re out there. He’s in the car with your naughty sister. It looks like this time, they’re the ones spying on us.”

Inside the car, Grayson’s grip on the steering wheel became tighter than it usually was as he watched Noah and Kendall enjoying a good talk inside. Just earlier, he wanted to pull the girl out of the restaurant every time he saw her smiling at the man opposite her.

Cady, on the other hand, has no room for any other emotions but excitement.

“Grayson, I think we should leave. Let’s give them time alone. I’m sure my brother will do well impressing Hailey.”

"We're not going anywhere," Grayson immediately replied, his voice coming out louder than he expected. His eyes were still focused on the two inside.

"What are we going to do here? Are we just going to stare at them while they enjoy their food?"

As if a lightbulb had suddenly sparked in his head, the man slowly grinned. “How about we go on a date too?”

"What? Where?" Cady asked in astonishment.

"Where else? We’re here already so let’s eat in that same restaurant. Let's go inside."

Without waiting for the woman’s response, Grayson immediately got out of the car. Cady did nothing but follow her determined boyfriend.

"Uh-uh the couple is coming inside," Noah said as he sliced the steak and, in the corner of his eyes, watched Grayson and Cady enter.

Kendall looked behind her and saw the couple walk closer in their direction. They sat at a close parallel table before them, with only one empty table separating them. Cady smiled and waved at them while Grayson stared at them evilly.

She was amazed at the man’s guts to even look at them that way, knowing that he was an accomplice in arranging these plans. Instead of starting an argument with him, Kendall just turned her attention back to her plate. And while sipping, she suddenly came up with an idea. Smiling, she looked at Noah, who then gave her a confused look.

“What’s with that naughty smile?” the young inspector asked.

She moved closer and in a low voice said, “I was just thinking. These two came up with a game and involved us both in there. Why don’t we play a game with them too?” Her smile reached her mischievous eyes.

“What are you planning?” Noah asked.