A familiar voice intervened.
My eyebrows furrowed, turning my head in a snap and saw that dangling pendant on his chest once again.
"It is for me." He uttered and our eyes met.
Those eyes...
My eyebrows furrowed and he looked at Joshua.
"Oh my, look who it is. It's been a while, Dylan." Joshua greeted and smiled cheerfully.
This two-faced prick!
As if he didn't mock me earlier for my art career. Argh! I just want to be decent because we're in public! And plus--
Does this guy have to show up now?!
My veins are gonna frickin' pop out due to anger....I clenched my jaw and caressed my neck to ease the tension inside of me somehow.
"What are you doing here, Dylan?" I asked, looking at his face. Trying to read his intent on the situation.
But why....
I thought he didn't know what it was...My gaze dropped to the pendant on his chest.
"Why are you wearing that pendant?" I asked.
I'm the only one who knows that pendant, right?
Why does it look identical to the one I saw...
Under the table and on that stranger's neck?
Dylan's eyes lingered at Joshua, making me gulp. I can feel the tension between their silent glares at each other.
But that tension still doesn't compare to what my brain arteries feel right now.
"Dylan, answer me. Why do you have that pendant?" I asked louder and he just continued to sharply stare at Joshua.
He ignored my question, as if he didn't hear it at all.
Took a deep breath and closed my eyes. "Dylan--"
"I'm just spitting facts, Dylan. Don't mind us." Joshua broke the silent tension with a smile and looked at me.
"Joshua, cut the act." Dylan uttered firmly, making Joshua shift his gaze back at him. "And stop mocking others for doing what they want. Go mind your own business."
I felt my brain's circuit snap a bit at his words.
He just left me hanging a few days ago....
Why is he suddenly defending me right now?
"If ever you want to withdraw from that art stuff, you can contact my company." Joshua added, and flicked his business card in front of me. "And I AM minding my OWN business." his gaze turn to Dylan.
I rolled my eyes, "What? That business that is known for workers suing them--"
Gosh....did I said that out loud? I saw Joshua's mouth hanging open.
"Let's go Annie." Dylan grabbed my hand and pulled me awa--
"Ma'am here's your..." The restaurant vendor said and trailed off, watching the three of us stand beside the food chain's counter.
Dylan is holding my hand while Joshua is flicking his damn business card.
"Cornbeef....Silog...." The vendor gulped.
~0~
"I'll pay for that meal, Annie." Dylan said as I continued eating the rice platter, taking large bites on my spoon.
"Nah, I alweby pay pud.." I mumbled, mouth still full of my meal. I know it's bad manners to talk while your mouth is full but--
Gosh, I didn't know being angry plus hungry is equals to finishing your meal faster and aggressively.
"Don't talk while stuffing food in your mouth, you'll choke." Dylan said blandly which made me pause my chewing.
I glanced at him. Dylan's now looking at me with his palm on his chin.
I winced. Why is he looking at me like that?
After all these years....does he?...
Nah, he must be thinking I look like a pig or something.
I continued to dig in my food.
We're currently sitting on a quiet table in the restaurant, facing each other.
When I finally finished chewing, I placed my spoon and fork at the side. "Dylan."
"Mhm?" He raised his eyebrows, chin still on his palm while looking at me.
"Why did you defend me earlier?" I asked bluntly. Dylan adjusted his position, placing his thigh on his knee.
"Well, wouldn't I be a good friend if I didn't?" He uttered calmly, pouring water on my glass.
"I was actually on the way to buy something...then I overheard that prick's voice while facing you."
I smiled slightly.
Pouring water for me now? I guess you're more gentle manly than I thought--
He held the glass and drank it up.
"Wait that's my glass!"
"It's untouched so it's mine."
I sighed. Why do I still believe that people can change?
Because he defended me earlier?
Shaking my head, My gaze dropped to the pendant on his chest.
"By the way, I thought you didn't know that thing...." I pointed at his chest, and he turned his head down to look at it.
"Melissa gave it to me."
My eyebrows rose up as a soft smile from him escaped.
I felt an ache on my chest. "I-is....that necklace popular?"
"I don't know...but it looks pretty unique, right?" Dylan grinned and held the pendant--caressing it with his thumb like a treasure.
"Oh." the only thing that came out of my mouth and I forced a smile--yes, I am trying to be happy...
For a friend.
A friend.
Yeah.
Guess that pendant is nothing special at all.
~0~
"Hey..." I typed again and plopped on the bed.
What am I doing with this chatbot again?
Am I that pathetic?
Rubbing my face, I looked up at the ceiling.
Why do I feel pathetic whenever I meet Dylan...
I turned to my phone, seeing the reply.
"What's up, Annie?"
"I dunno, the ceiling?"
I closed my phone as well as my eyes, sighing.
"Hic." A sob came out of me.
I sniffed. Tears well up my eyes as I bit my lip.
I typed, "I hate him. I just want to stay at home so that I can't see Dylan anymore."
Staring at the ceiling again, thoughts flooded me like the tears that once again blurried my view.
"But I can't cook!" I sobbed harder, roughly weeping the tears off my face. "How am I supposed to not go outside?"
Suddenly a hand brushed over mine, as if it's pulling me closer--sitting me up in a warm embrace.
"It's alright. I'm here." A deep voice spoke to me, making my sadness flow faster than before.
I sobbed harder, his hand caressing away the tears from my eyes. My vision was clearer and the first thing I saw is that pendant hanging on his chest.
Damn it, why do I have to see that thing again....
Closing my eyes, tears continued blocking my vision. I felt fingers brush my hair, massaging my scalp as if it's making me sleep.
I felt another touch on my back, caressing me slowly in a calm slumber and humming melodies to me.
"Hmm...hmm..."
I opened my eyes and saw his dark brown eyes, gazing over mine.
"You're back..." I muttered, sniffing. Wrapping my arms around him, I layed my cheek on his chest.
"Were....you waiting for me?" His calm breath echoed in my ear. I felt his hands cradle my hair gently.
A smile tugged my lips, "Yeah--hic. I....I thought you wouldn't--"
My eyes snapped open.
Wait.
What the heck, Annie?!
"AHHH!" I screamed and stood up on the mattress, leaving him sitting as his arm froze at the position he's holding me earlier.
Oh wait....isn't this a dream like the last time?
He gazed at me with his eyebrows furrowed up--like that worried gaze from before.
I blinked twice.
If this is a dream....I guess it isn't that...bad?
Slowly, I leaned towards him and reached for his cheek with my finger.
My nail softly dug on his cheek. It felt soft--
Wait, it felt something
Fudge, it felt something!
My eyes widen and walked backwards, getting away from him.
But I felt my foot froze, making me stumble and feel a sudden push backwards--
Shoot I'm falling!
I closed my eyes and felt his hand on my back--
This isn't a dream?!
"You'll fall off the bed, Annie!" He panicked, holding my hand and my waist. My gaze paused in his eyes.
"I....feel dizz..."
"No! Not again--"
Black faded my vision and a warm breath ghosted my ear.
"Don't worry,"
His breath almost a whisper.
"I'll cook for you."