''That's why this is a part-time job. In our initial days, it was a privilege for us to have dreams. My brother has worked hard to get to where he is now, and mother had depression so he had to take care of both of us. So, while I was looking forward to a career in the food industry, at the same time, I didn't want to sit idly doing nothing so I studied these things. Luckily, they came in handy along the way.''
Shi Luo sighed, ''Did I just remind you of bitter days?"
Looking at her regretful expressions, he smiled and cupped her face, ''I don't think we can avoid the past. Moreover, I don't mind if you are the one asking about it.''
Her face started heating up under his intense gaze.
His arm tightened around her waist.
She could feel his muscles flexing against her back.
"Is something bothering you?" he asked while nuzzling the tip of his nose with hers.
Shi Luo took a deep breath to calm her racing heart, ''I am worried about Mom,'' she confessed, ''What will happen if she comes to know that we are dating?"
Jun Boyan frowned, ''Aren't we repeating the same mistake again? She is upset in the first place just because we lied to her and we are doing it again. I will talk to her and she will understand our relationship.''
''But I am not ready for it,'' Shi Luo shook her head, ''My mom is a stubborn person. Since she dislikes you now, she won't change her mind till the very end. And she will want us to break up. I can't say no to her. To me, she is the most important person in the world and I won't let her down even if it means I am letting myself down in the process. And… we just got together, I don't want to leave you….'' She stopped speaking.
''Why not?" Jun Boyan raised an eyebrow as he leaned closer to her, ''Luoluo, you fell for me so hard?" he teased.
Her face grew warm at his words.
''Hmm?" He played with her hair.
''You know that I like you,'' she looked into his eyes, ''I don't know how long our relationship will last or whether we are compatible or not but we can at least date each other for now, can't we?"
Date? He was more than ready to marry her right this moment but she would be scared if he said that aloud, won't she?
He cleared his throat, ''Mmm, dating, it is. But we can't hide our relationship forever. Your mom will eventually find out. What then? Will she slap a cheque on my face and ask me to get lost from her daughter's life?"
The corner of her lips twitched, ''My mom is not like your elder brother. She won't throw a cheque. Humph!''
Jun Boyan did not know whether to laugh or cry. Cheque was quite his elder brother's style. He had to admit that. Good that he won't be cheque slapped by his future mother in law.
''...She might just throw a knife at you,'' Shi Luo continued after a pause and the momentary relief that he felt jumped down the balcony.
''Are you trying to scare me, huh?" He wrapped both his arms around her waist.
Shi Luo blushed but she eventually raised her hands and wrapped them around his neck, ''I was just stating facts,'' she thought about it for a moment before speaking, ''I think you should stop worrying about it. It's a matter of the future. Who knows if we will still be together by then? Just in case we break up,, we would not have to worry about all this.''
Looking at her serious expressions as she spoke those words, his eyes darkened, ''Shi Luo, did I not make myself clear?"
''Huh?" She was stunned. It was rare for him to call her full name in such a solemn tone.
''I see a future with you and I want to make it real. Living at your place, making excuses to see you more, chasing you, kissing you… none of them were done on an impulse. I meant everything. My feelings are not so shallow for you to mention breakup this easily,'' his grip around her waist loosened.
Shi Luo stepped back from him, "I was just saying it. I am not saying that we are necessarily breaking up but there are chances right?" she thought about it for a moment before adding, ''Sparks fade quicker than they appear between two people. What you feel for me today, you might not feel it tomorrow. Things might change between us. I am saying just in case.''
''And did I not make myself clear earlier? Nothing will change the way I feel for you. I have never felt this for someone else before nor will I ever have the same feelings for any other person,'' he grabbed her shoulders, not knowing how to assure her when he saw the obvious insecurity in her eyes, ''I don't like sharing my space with people. All this time, it has been only you. No matter what happens in future, I won't change.''
''Don't take it on a personal level, Boyan. I am just saying how the world works. It's not meant to target you,'' she placed her palm on his cheek, ''I am not saying all this to hurt you. This is just my take on love and relationships. No matter how much a person loves another person, things eventually change between them. Sometimes, the relationship that started with all sparks ends up becoming platonic, sometimes one of them grows out of love and seeks warmth in another person, sometimes circumstances keep them apart…. But nothing stays the same forever,'' her father, the man whom she had never seen, changed as well despite telling her mother that he loved her the most.
She was not categorizing Jun Boyan but all she meant was that the future is unpredictable. Sometimes, things happen.
''I promise I won't change,'' he cupped her cheeks and kissed her forehead.
A small smile made its way to her lips at his words. ''We'll see that.''
''I will always love you the same. If anything,I'll love you more,'' he kissed the corner of her lips.
Shi Luo stiffened when she heard the word 'love' coming out of his mouth. It was true that they started dating officially but his confession only included the word 'like' not love.
''Boyan, I…''
''You are not sure about your feelings,'' he interrupted her, ''I know that and I am not pressuring you into anything, love. Take your time.''
''No, I am certain that I like you,'' she stood on her tiptoes and pecked his lips.
Jun Boyan smiled at her sweetly, hiding his thoughts in his heart.
Luoluo, it won't be long before your like turns to love. Like, huh? As if I'll ever be content with that. I'll make all efforts so that you can open up to me and be mine without a shred of doubt in your heart.
If Shi Luo knew what thoughts he was hiding behind an extremely innocent smile, then she would have called him a fox of the same family as his brother and adopted sister.
He captured her lips the moment she was about to pull back.
Shi Luo opened her mouth for him, letting his tongue delve inside.
Both the figures melded into each other as they kissed each other passionately under the veil of night, unaware of what was waiting for them tomorrow.
…
''Ma'am, how about this?... Ma'am…''
Shi Luo snapped out of her daze when the man called her repeatedly. She patted her cheeks to reduce the warmth as she handed him a pair of cufflinks, ''Not that. Pack this one.''
The shop assistant bowed, ''Sure thing,'' he turned around and left.
Yesterday was really something.
She thought they were about to argue at the very beginning of their relationship like old and experienced couples fight in their late days. But who could have known they would make up with a kiss like kids do?
Just that…. There was nothing kidding about that passionate kiss. It was hot and…
Cough… She was embarrassed at the direction of her thoughts.
Since she will be staying here in the meantime, Shi Luo decided to do some shopping.
She came to the shopping mall after Jun Boyan left to meet up with his friend.
Shi Luo paid the bill and walked into the lift.
She glanced at the shopping bag with a huge smile hanging on her face. Initially, she was here to shop for herself but the pair of cufflinks caught her attention.
''I hope he likes it though,'' Shi Luo took out her phone as she walked inside the underground parking lot. She scrolled through her contact list before calling Yu Mei, ''Mei… No no, how could you think like that? I didn't forget you. I was just held up by a few matters. Oh, I have something to tell you.''
Shi Luo decided to tell Yu Mei about Jun Boyan and her. They have shared everything with each other since they were younger and she did not want to be late in sharing this piece of news with her best friend.
''You are busy?.... Alright, call me later,'' As she hung up, Shi Luo shook her head, ''What a pity.''
Even though Yu Mei said that she was held up in a meeting at the moment and would listen to her later, Shi Luo could already imagine the woman's unreasonable glare when she reveals that she is dating Jun Boyan.
''She will be like 'How dare you not tell me sooner'?" Shi Luo laughed to herself and opened the car door..
Suddenly, the lights in the underground parking went out.
''What…'' Shi Luo stopped herself from cursing.
She tried to look for her phone in her bag but she could barely see anything in the dark.
''Long time no see.''
Shi Luo stiffened.
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