Lunch Date?

At exactly 11:30, the bell rang.

Cassie has been anxious all morning. Her mind went blank, and often she glanced at her Fushigi Yuugi wristwatch. 

Joanna only observed her quietly, glancing over her shoulder the whole time. Itchy to find out, she turned around to ask what was happening with Cassie.

"I am fine," she replied to her. 

"Are you sure? Did they do something to you?" Joanna questions her.

"Of course, no. They are all nice to me. Besides, Auntie Ling is living with us also."

"Really? Then that's a relief." 

Cassie smiled. She's glad she has a friend like Joanna, who is always worried about her. Finally, the bell rang. It is the most awaited lunch break. Now her heart is pounding loudly and doesn't settle down.

She strode towards the door, full of anticipation in her chest. She instantly noticed Shun leaning on his car when she exited the Senior High building. 

Seeing her coming out of the building, he raised his arm, waving at her. She walks toward him, and Shun immediately opens the front seat door. Still surprised by his gestures, Cassie quietly sits in the car. 

And when Shun parked the car in the parking lot, Cassie did not wait for him to open the door but got out on her own. She couldn't look him in the eyes as she still felt shy toward him. 

Cassie stood on the sidewalk pathway, then waited for Shun to come out to let him lead the way to the resort's restaurant, even though she was more familiar.

There are only a few proper beaches and resorts for tourists to stay comfortably. The Seagull Resort is one of the popular resorts on the island. Since the Man-Made Forest became famous, the island has been known for its beautiful sunset in the world. The tourism rise then attracted businessmen to investments.

Right now, the Man-Made Forest has been closed since Shun Crow bought it... the property he purchased to build his very own Hotel and Resort is just next to the forests. He immediately grabs the opportunity when he learns the forest is for sale.

Arriving at the restaurant, Shun pulls a chair for her, causing her cheeks to blush. She is not used to this gesture, so she feels discomfort. She never expected to be treated like this. That is why it caused her dizziness, overwhelmed by everything that had happened to her lately. 

She felt light-headed, like she was floating in the air the whole thing that Shun was showing romantic gestures to her... She is just a seventeen-year-old innocent island girl, so she can't determine whether this is a brother-like-sister treatment or a particular treatment in an employer-employee relationship.

The resort manager comes closer to assist them when they sit opposite the table. He handed them the menu book, and he smiled.

"Cassandra, hi! Good noon... I'm glad to see you today," Ian greeted her. He is the brother of a male classmate, so they know each other.

"Good noon, Ian..." she returned the greetings.

"What is your order? I'll personally take them."

Cassie took a glance at Shun, and their eyes met. She was a little taken aback because the guy seated across her wore a solemn expression this time.

When she's about to get worried, Shun smiles at her. Cassie felt relieved because she began sensing some anger on Shun's face.

"Go ahead, choose all you would like to eat."

Cassie stares at him before she lowers her head and flips the menu book so much to choose from, so she struggles to pick out what would suit her appetite today.

She is not used to eating food in restaurants, even though she tried many French cuisines in France. She learned basic cooking from her mom as they often cooked her dad his favorite dishes, so she often wanted to cook her meals instead, even during those years she lived in France.

Ian knows well of his job, so he explains every dish printed in the menu book. Now, Cassie is dazed and confused about what to eat. In the end, Shun ordered something for her, and she agreed. She just added some dessert and a fruit shake.

Taking down all the orders, Ian finally leaves them alone. Somehow, Cassie wondered if Shun was angry that she took a long moment to decide what she liked to eat.

"Master Shun," she clears her throat before she continues. "I'm sorry if I can't decide what to eat. I just--" 

Shun raises his right hand to stop her. "That's alright. I already think you are not used to this; you have nothing to worry about." 

She blinked thrice before she nodded at him. Her Master is wearing a slight but warm smile. She could see it was genuine, so she opened her mouth to say something when Shun spoke again.

"By the way, I've been bothered by this the whole time. Please stop calling me Master. Just Shun is fine."

Cassie let a few moments pass by until she could process the last sentence Shun told her. Did she hear correctly?

She lifted her head to meet Shun's gaze. It was warm that made her heart skip a beat. She's still recovering from overwhelming pain when he fetches her, and now, he is requesting something that would make her more uncomfortable.

"Cassandra?"

"O-okay, um..." No, she can't say it.

"Say it... say my name," Shun demanded.

Her lips pressed together, and she didn't want to be part. How could she call his name normally without her heart thumping loudly? She felt like she would just stammer the letters of his name. 

Why is it so hard to say his name when it is just four letters? She sighed helplessly.