Chapter 5.1

Tina stepped out of her company only to see Jeff waiting for her with a bouquet in his hands. Surprise flashed through her eyes. She walked up to him with her attention on the roses. As she lifted her head to meet his face, she realized that they were dressed alike.

Unable to mute her surprise, she voiced out, "we are matching!!!"

Jeff also said it at the same time which made a blush creep up to her cheeks. As they both assessed each other's looks, she suddenly remembered that Kyra said there was a package out for her.

She looked around confusedly.

"Did you by chance see any delivery guy out here?" she asked Jeff.

Jeff shook his head.

"When I arrived, I saw Kyra and asked her to call you out," he answered honestly.

As she was about to dial Kyra's number, she came to a sudden realization and burst out laughing.

'Kyra is so crazy! So, Jeff was the package,' she thought to herself. Unknowingly, she had her eyes on Jeff and was nodding her head, as if agreeing with Kyra that Jeff was indeed a package.

"Is something the matter?" Jeff asked cautiously.

Hearing his voice, she snapped back from her daydream.

"Nothing at all. Nice outfit."

She noticed his smile, and his smile made her smile.

After their short conversation, she was guided by Jeff to his car and they drove off to the restaurant. A short while after, Kyra popped out and looked in the direction her boss left, then she clicked her tongue.

"Tina has fallen into the ocean of love," she whispered before getting back to work.

They took their seat at the restaurant, and like a gentleman, Jeff pulled out a seat for Tina before taking his. He passed her the menu to make her order and went on to order another portion so they could eat the same thing.

While waiting for their orders to arrive, Tina couldn't resist talking about work.

"You said you would like my opinion on some things. Let's talk about those while the food is being prepared."

Jeff went silent for a bit. She didn't rush him because she knew it might be a sensitive topic.

"What are your views on love?" Jeff asked quietly.

Tina was stunned. Love? Love for work or love in general?

"Umm, I believe we should love everyone."

As if her reply was within his expectation, he laughed.

"No no. I mean love that leads to a relationship and possibly marriage."

Thinking about it, she went quiet for a while. The waiter arrived and placed their dishes in front of them before leaving. They ordered Shrimp curry with steamed crabs and seafood dumplings.

"I think love is a beautiful thing. The beauty of it is especially clear when you realize what the other person is willing to do for you in the name of love."

Before she answered, she had thought about her parents. Even if she doubted everything in the world, she could never question the love her parents had towards one another. Although her dad was very soft-hearted, especially towards family, he treasured his wife like no other.

For that reason, her mom was able to hold on for 30 years despite the repeated ridicule from Martha. Even though she was uncomfortable, she would rather bear the discomfort from her mother-in-law than the pain that'd come from leaving her husband.

She smiled to herself when she thought about that. The toxic factor in her parent's relationship was definitely her grandmother.

Jeff looked at her and noticed the pain in her smile. He couldn't resist asking, "have you been in that situation before?"

She shook her head in response, "I know people who have." She paused then asked, "have you?"

"Not at all. Soon though. Very soon," he smiled mysteriously before handing her the cutleries. It was then that she noticed that he had rinsed all of the cutleries in warm water.

'Really attentive guy,' she thought before receiving them and starting off with the dumplings.

"Are you married?" Jeff asked while mixing his rice with the spicy curry.

Surprisingly, Tina was calm like she had been asked that question a million and one times.

"You call me Miss Lawrence."

Jeff nodded, "do you have a fiancé?"

"Not at all."

Jeff smiled a little, "do you have a boyfriend?"

Tina lifted her head from her dish to look at him. Jeff still had his head down like the shrimp was the most interesting thing on the table.

"Would you like to be my first?"

At this moment, Jeff choked on his shrimp.