Chapter VI

I took a sit after ordering an Oreo Bingsu here in my favorite café near the university. I just finished a two 3-hour classes and I'm extremely exhausted. Keyla and I will meet here also. She just have to finish something so I told her that I'll go here first.  

Days passed and I never had the answer I wanted. Who is Charles? Why is he following me on Instagram? I mean, it sound overacting but based on his aura, he's does not look like someone who'll be active on social media. Am I just be dramatic? I stalked his account and he have thousands of followers but he only have five posts. His posts are mostly sceneries and one picture of him in suit holding a wine glass. He look dashing in that photo while staring in the camera using his captivating eyes, by the way.

My gut feeling is telling me that there is something in Charles that I should know about.

I already have many things going in my mind right now and Charles isn't helping. He and my fiancé are giving me a hard time. I'm thinking if he has a deeper reason for following me. And I'm also thinking if I should message my fiancé. It's been four days since I saved his number but I just can't bring myself to message him.

The vibrating coaster stole my attention. Oh! My bingsu is ready. 

I get up leaving my bag on my seat. The café is very packed today since it's the time of the day where many students finish their classes. On my way to the counter, there are lots of students greeting me, so I greeted them back. 

After getting my mouth watering oreo bingsu, I made my way back to my seat. I'm excited to eat this. This is one of the greatest innovation of people. I'm really happy that they got the idea to do this.

I happily took a seat and took one spoonful of shaved ice with oreo sprinkles. This bingsu has oreo cake on top but I choose to eat it later. 

I took my time eating this desert while scrolling on my Instagram. Keyla told me that she will finish her business fast but I doubt that. She knows a lot of people and everytime she met them she will talk to them not for a brief moment but for a long time. So I can assume that she will take a really long time before coming here.

I am enjoying my alone time with my oreo bingsu when someone stood beside me. I don't really have a plan on looking up because I'm busy with my food and phone but the person cleared his throat before saying, "Excuse me" 

His voice is deep and low so he quickly gained my attention. I looked up and saw Charles standing beside me. My eyes turned wide when I met his emerald green orbs staring down seriously at me.

He is wearing casual clothes but he's still giving a vibe of a businessman or someone who has a high position in a company. 

"Uhm, yes?" I awkwardly asked him. My neck is hurting from looking up to him. He is so tall and I'm sitting.

"Can I share a table with you?" To be honest, he doesn't sound like someone who's asking for permission. He sound more like he's telling me that he'll sit here whether I allow him or not.

I look around the café and notice that all tables are occupied. I frowned before looking up again, 

If I were Charles and I saw that the café is full, isn't it better if I look for another instead?

I want to say that but I don't have the guts especially if his gaze are like that.

"Miss Maureen, is there any problem?" Kevin, my bodyguard approached us. Although Kevin is tall and bulky, Charles just glance at him, not intimidated at all. Well, they are only in the same height and he is lean also. 

"No, Kevin. I'm fine" I gave him a smile to assure him and he nodded before leaving. 

I look up again at Charles and nodded, "Yes, you can. Have a seat" 

He let out a sigh like my answer took so long but he still thanked me. He sat in front of me. 

Okaaaay. This is awkward. 

This is the first time that I felt really intimidated by someone that's not a family member. Most of the time, it was the opposite. People are the one who's flustered when I approached them but with Charles, I'm literally sitting here, completely frozen. I don't know if I should continue eating or converse with him. 

Charles, on the other hand, is casually leaning his back on the chair and staring at me. His left arm is placed on top of the table and I can see his silver watch that goes well with his blue polo. 

"Are you waiting for someone?" Charles opened a topic when he noticed that I am staring at him.

I nodded, "Yea. My bestfriend"

"Is she the loud girl that's with you last time?" He asked and I smiled on how she described Keyla. Well, my bestfriend is really loud sometimes.

"Yes. She's the loud girl I was with" I smiled but he still look stern so I quickly stopped smiling. 

I looked down to my oreo bingsu that is now slowly melting. I wanted to eat but I'm feeling really uncomfortable not only because Charles is in front of me but because he has no food to eat. I don't like eating in front of someone who has no food yet. I don't know why, but I just can't bring myself to take a bite.

"How's your hair, by the way" I look up again when after a few moment of silence, Charles asked a question again.

I unconsciously brushed my fingers on my hair before answering, "It's fine. I just got shocked at that moment"

"It doesn't hurt anymore?" He asked again while his emerald green eyes are staring at me.

I nodded, "Not anymore"

"What happened to the girl who did that to you?" 

"Hmm. She's suspended for a week. And when she comes back to school, she will clean and organize the library in every department. While her friends are punished to clean the whole campus for a week" I explained and he nodded. Despite of his stern look, I can sense that he is curious and really listening to what I'm saying. I mean, he's not just asking to clear the awkward silence between us two but he is asking because he really wanted to know about this things.

"Good to hear that. They deserve that kind of punishment" he commented and I just nodded in return. The awkwardness is coming again so I choose to look outside the glass window instead.

His coaster vibrated meaning his order is ready. He excuse his self and stood up to go to the counter.

As soon as he walked away, I let out a deep breath. I felt a short moment of relief and took a spoonful of my bingsu. I just regretted that I didn't get a glass of water. I felt really thirsty. His aura is really something and the thought that I am curious on why he is following me on IG didn't help me from handling this situation with him.

Why is Keyla taking so long? I just wanted to pull her hair when I saw her. 

Charles came back holding a tray of cheesecake, iced americano and a lemonade. He placed it in the table. I just noticed now that some students are looking at us, or if I may say, the girls are staring at Charles. When they saw me watching them with full of wonder on why are they like that, they quickly diverted and avoided my eyes. Charles on the other hand is either oblivious or just got used to it. Maybe it was the latter.

"Oh! Is this for me?" I asked Charles when he placed the lemonade in front of me. 

He stared at me like he wanted to say "obviously?" but choose to nod instead. I tried to give him a smile and thanked him

When he started eating, I finally have the guts to take a bite from my oreo bingsu but different from earlier, I reduced the amount of it and tried to eat it with my mouth as small as possible. 

"Their cheesecake tastes good" he tried to compliment the food but his face doesn't look like he's enjoying it. But maybe, I'm just being judgemental? Maybe, he's not really expressive?

"Their bingsu is my favorite" I also tried to comment to the food just to keep the conversation going.

"Really? I'll try that next time"

"Yeah. Is this your first time here? In this café?" I asked him after taking a sip from the lemonade he gave. Oh! That's refreshing.

"Yes." He gave me a short answer but I felt like asking more.

"Oh? Really? How did you know this place? Is your workplace near here?" I casually asked him but I still feel a little uncomfortable.

He raised an eyebrow before answering, "I visited a friend in your university. I got hungry and saw this café"

"Ohh!" I nodded in return because I kinda sense that he doesn't want to get asked regarding this. Maybe, he visited Allena.

We turned quiet and focused on eating. 

"Well, well, well" we both raised our heads and saw Keyla crossing her arms while looking at me and Charles. Her defined brows are raised, "Look who's here" she added dramatically. 

And also, she's not alone. She's with Allena who's watching us intently.