Over Confidence

Hazel and Aiden sit in the cafe, face to face. In another table in one corner of the cafe, Marcus and Janice were having a chat. Marcus seemed to be a little friendly than the day before.

"Why do you keep staring at me like that?" Hazel scowled at Aiden. This shameless man keeps on staring at her from the moment he entered the cafe; and she didn't like it.

"You look beautiful today." Aiden simply answered her without much thought.

"You look like an expert at saying those things. How many women have you chased so far?" A mocking smile formed in Hazel's lips. She was really tired of his overconfidence. So she came to a conclusion that he did these things many times!

"Including you, it's one." Aiden proudly declared. His lips curved into a smile.

Hazel felt her jaw dropped to the floor! She was completely astonished! She think that he was joking. There's no way a grown up man like him never fell in love before! He's a liar.

"I've never heard such a joke! A grown up man like you never chased a woman before! That's nonsense!" She let out a laughter.

"I'm not lying. So far many women chased me, but I've never chased one. Besides I've never been in a relationship." Aiden said frankly. Due to lack of experience, he has a low EQ. So he just said whatever that is in his mind without much thought.

Hazel was really caught off guard by Aiden's frankness. She struggled for something to say. Her mind completely went blank!

"Are you afraid of women or what? How come you've never date someone with that handsome face of yours!" She blurted out. But as soon as she saw and heard Aiden's reaction, she regrets right away.

"You think I'm handsome?" Aiden instantly asked her with a devilish smile.

"Hey, mister! Being handsome is not enough. You should atleast have a normal conscience!" Hazel hissed. He's helpless!

"Then teach me." He calmly responded.

Hazel was really frustrated. Did he think he's an angel? How come he never retaliate no matter how harsh she was to him? Is he dumb or what? But a world renowned author like him was supposed to be an intelligent man with a clear conscience. She cannot understand him.

--- --- ---

Just beside Hazel and Aiden, two people were having a chat. But unlike them, they seemed to have a smooth conversation.

"So Ms. Joo, did you say you visited the orphanage often because you grew up there?" Marcus asked Janice in a calm voice. They already chat for a while and he was really amazed by this woman. She looked simple and carefree; but she was really a bright and smart woman.

Janice nodded her head. "Yes. I stay there until I turned 18. And I'm really grateful to you, Mr. Lim. Thank you for taking interest in those poor kids. I think you're a kind man with a beautiful heart." She smiled brightly as she spoke.

"Beautiful heart?" Marcus muttered. He was a bit taken aback by the beautiful label. Apart from his family, no one has never said those words to him. But now, this woman, whom he met only a day ago, whose beauty is also at just an average level; told him that he is a kind person! He didn't know how to respond.

He recalled his past and knew very well that he was far from being kind. He saw himself as a monster. A monster of the worst kind!

"Are you okay, Mr. Lim?" Janice said with a worry face. He was fine just a moment ago; but now he sit still and keep on staring at the table. She was a bit frightened due to his sudden change in reaction.

Marcus was aroused from his repercussions. He drank a glass of water and smiled awkwardly. "I'm sorry. Something suddenly came to my mind."

He looked at Janice right in the eye. "To be honest, I'm not a good guy. I'm a bad guy. Much more bad than you could imagine." He told her in a firm voice. But once again, he was taken aback by Janice response.

"I didn't care. I still like you. And no matter how much you deny, I am sure that deep inside, you're a good person" was a response he received from this simple woman.

"You didn't even know me well. All you know about me is my name. How can you like me?" Marcus asked her with a curious face.

In the past, women liked him because of his money and his status. Lucina Farrell, the woman he loved so much was one example. But this woman knew nothing about him. Still she foolishly confessed her feelings to him. It was a new thing for him and he finds it really weird!

"You're Marcus Lim, a man with a good heart and a caring brother. That's all I know but it is enough for me." Janice said confidently with a smile.

A feeling of being guilty flooded Marcus's mind. This woman, she's so pure and innocent. What if she was hurt by him? A feeling of fear covered him. It was a rare feeling for him as he rarely feel fear!

--- --- --- --- ---

Hazel and Marcus were about to leave the cafe. They stood by the door with Aiden and Janice following them to bid goodbye.

Janice looked at the phone number written in her hand and happily grinned like a little child. It was Marcus's phone number which he personally wrote down for her.

Marcus didn't failed to notice Janice childish expression. He chuckled. Just having his number made her that happy!

"I hope you didn't forget about our deal, Ms. Lim. You should prepare yourself to greet me two days later." Aiden said to Hazel.

"Sure. Come and find me." Hazel replied with a mocking smile. He's always so overconfident!

The media will not report anything about her for a week. She already settled everything before she came here as she want to settle here without any problems. If the attention of the media were on her as soon as she came, it will be hard for her. So she doubt that there is any way to find out about her; especially for people outside the business circle such as Aiden.

"Then will you let me call you by your name if I find you?" Aiden asked her again.

"Sure. Whatever." Hazel replied thoughtlessly.

Aiden smiled brightly. He was more than determined to find her!.....