I opened the gate widely to let him in. I stepped back and averted my gaze to escape from his.
He stood in front of me and scanned my body.
"Seemed like you're going out somewhere?"
"Uh, yeah! I have dinner with my friends..."
"Friends?"
My eyes went to him. His lips settled into a soft smile.
"I'll meet up with Zuay and Tawin."
"Really? Do you want me to drive you for less hassle?"
He didn't wait for my answer and opened the door of his shotgun seat.
I spaced out for a moment before I declined.
"No need, I'll bring my car. I don't want to bother you with these kind of things..."
I thought he was okay with it, but he insisted. He stayed standing in front of me, waiting for me to enter the car.
I blew out a deep breath and shook my head.
"Alright!"
His lips formed a smile after I entered his car.
I instantly leaned my back on the car chair when he suddenly cowered his head to my level. My heart began to accelerate as I smelled his manly scented perfume. I wanted to close my eyes but it was too late because he peeked at me me to fasten my seatbelt.
"For your safety..." he said huskily.
I gasped as he took all thed space between us. I want to scold myself for being affected if his actions.
"T-Thanks..." I uttered.
He only gave me nod but I can see his lips lifted into a smile as he saw my reaction.
He quickly went around and entered the driver seat, maneuvering the car after starting the engine.
I can't help but to steal glances at him. He looked very hot and intense at the way he maneuvered his car smoothly. I just wante to stare at him all night and I won't even feel boredom.
"When will I drop you?" he looked at me, catching me staring at him.
"Uh, uhm..." I quickly averted my eyes.
Damn it! I forgot to get a reservation in a restaurant. I'm supposed to treat Zuay and Tawin tonight.
"One second..." I mentally slapped myself before pulling my phone out of my bag.
I dialed Zuay's number, which she immediately answered.
"Hello there? What's up?!"
"Ah, where are you? Where's Tawin?"
"She's with me, so where will we eat?"
I glanced at Ellwood briefly before massaging my forehead. The truth is, I don't have any idea on where we will go. My mind was too occupied by Alessandra and Gabriel, so I forgot about reserving a table on a restaurant.
"Ahm, okay. Let's just see each other at the Mall," I weakly said.
"Mall? Are you sure that you'll take us to the mall?"
I winced and look outside the window. We're already at the city, passing by a chain of establishments and restaurants.
"Alright, I'll text you later. I'm on my way to the restaurant. Okay?" I didn't wait for her respond because I ended the call.
"So, where?" Ellie asked me again.
"A-Actually, I still don't know." I looked outside again, trying to find a good restaurant.
He didn't ask again, but then I noticed that we're taking the path to an unfamiliar restaurant. Not long after, we stopped in front of it. I turned to him with confusion written all over my face.
"Since you don't have any reservation to any of those restaurant that we passed by. I decided to chose a good place for you dinner with your friends," he said casually.
He met with my gaze and his lips formed into a soft smile again, and again.
I averted my eyes away and pulled my phone. I texted Zuay and said the place where we'll meet.
"Thank you for dropping me off..."
He only nodded, so I decided to go inside the restaurant. The waiters immediately welcomed me, but I was surprised when they also greeted the man behind me.
"Good evening, Mr. Echeverri!"
My forehead creased. "Didn't I say I'm already fine? You don't have to follow me!" I told him with my tight lips.
He licked his lower lip before brushing his hair back. He smiled at me before talking to the waiter beside me.
"Please escort her to your private room and serve them your best seller and high class food," he said.
My brows were knitted as I looked at them back and forth.
"Anything, sir?"
Ellwood glanced at me, as if asking for my answer. Because I didn't reply, I felt him held my hand.
"I'll take you inside," he whispered.
My nape got goosebumps as his breath touched it. How he tightly held my hand added to the shivers even more.
There are a lot of people inside and we caught some of their attention, leaving me with no choice but to let him pull me. When we were left alone, I wanted to breathe normally but I couldn't.
I couldn't even appreciate the room because of his presence. The room was indeed elegant. I can't point out any bad inside the room but our intertwined hands.
"Please, take a seat..." he said softly at me.
That was the only time I managed to pull my hand off him. His soft chuckle didn't escape my ears.
Damn it! I can't help but to blush.
"I'll wait here until your friends to come by, I don't have anything to so it's fine for me to stay here for a while," he said casually, leaning his back on the lounge and sat in an intimidating way.
My lips hanged loosely. I needed to blink to process what he said. He's so full of himself. I can't say anything.
Before our order came, Zuay and Tawin and arrived.
"Meredith!" Tawin hugged me tightly before kissing me on my cheek.
"Gosh! You look even more beautiful now! What's your secret?!"
I only smiled timidly at her and turned to Ellwood who already stood up.
"Oh, Ellwood? What are you doing here?!" Zuay spoke in a melodic tone. She gently touched his arm and tiptoed to reach for his cheek.
I simply averted my gaze when his eyes landed on me.
"I just dropped Emory off, I'll leave now..." He stepped closer to accept Tawin's kiss on his cheek.
"What? No, have dinner with us. We haven't bonded together in a while!" Zuay said.
Ellwood pulled his hand and sat down beside her.
I bit down my lips, my knees weakened as I sat down in front of them.
"Is what Zu told me real? Is Hezekiah alive?" Tawin started.
My eyes immediately flew to Ellwood who's now staring at me seriously.
"Yes, it's true. And not only that, that bastard married another woman!" Zuay exasperated.
I took a deep breath and lowered my head. I couldn't say anything to cover what he did. Even if I try to explain what really happened, Hezekiah will still look like he cheated on me.
"Is that what that man gave you after everything you did for him, especially his family?! I can't believe this is happening. That's why I don't like him in the first place!" Tawin stated in an irritated tone.