Throw him out

They were now sitting around the table, Lucas, and Violet on the same side while Abigail was sitting in front of them with a scrutinizing glare.

Violet gulped nervously. She did not tell her friend about the man beside her yet after all. On the other hand, Lucas had a calm look on his face and was a bit groggy. He didn't expect that he would fall asleep for so long.

"Um, Luke, meet my best friend and neighbor, Abigail Ye. Abby, this is my um..." She paused, trying to think of the right word to describe her relationship with him. "... friend-ish, Lucas Hei."

"And fiance." He added, stirring up more questions in Abigail's mind. "And future husband." Of course, he didn't forget to add this.

Abigail's mouth fell agape at what he said, obviously surprised. "S-Seriously?" Her gaze landed on her friend as if confirming the man's words.

"Well yes..." She trailed off before quickly adding, "I can explain but not now. I'm hungry." She said as an excuse.

"Me too. This looks good by the way." Lucas smiled, looking at the food before him.

"Can I start eating?" She meekly asked her best friend who was still looking at her in disbelief.

Despite the questions in her mind, Abigail ended up sighing and decided to let them be. Violet has no escape later once she would be interviewing her after all. "Go ahead. It's not like I prepared these for the cats." She shrugged. "I made enough for you two."

"And with that, I'm grateful." He picked up the chopsticks.

Under Abigail's stares, the couple began eating the food. Of course, it was uncomfortable but they both remained quiet as they ate.

"So, what could've happened if I did not come on time? Would you two starve yourself till midnight?" She asked, crossing her arms. She was like a mother, scolding her two children. "Judging by how long Vivi usually sleeps without her alarm clock on, I bet you can last until 14 hours."

Lucas paused and looked at her in surprise, "14 hours?!"

"Y-You should try this. Abby's beef stew is really good." Violet said, trying to distract them both. Although a faint blush was seen on her cheeks since she obviously felt guilty and embarrassed.

He chuckled, "Yes, it is. The beef is so tender." Lucas complimented. "I'm kind of curious now. How well do you cook, future wife?"

Her nickname only made the blush on her face deepened when she received Abigail's inquiring gaze.

Future wife? What future wife? They were really serious? Was he Violet's secret lover or something? Abigail thought.

"Oh, she can really cook," Abigail stated, the side of her lips curling up into a smile but it didn't reach her eyes. "When she's awake." She added. Seeing her smile like that made Violet flinch.

"Usually, she misses the schedule of the meals," Abigail said, not diverting away from the topic.

Violet pouted and said to her defense, "At least I still eat."

Abigail: "Yes, whenever I remind you to."

"You two are really close, aren't you?" Lucas said with a chuckle.

"Ain't that so obvious enough?" Abigail replied grumpily. She was still wary of the man despite how handsome he looked... He may look handsome but he certainly has a playboy look and a... rapist face. That kind of rapist that was read in novels: a handsome, fucking walking refrigerator rapist.

She was only concerned since her best friend was involved.

Lucas could tell that she was not approving of him so far but he decided to ignore it and enjoy the food he was eating.

After having dinner, Violet collected the dirty dishes with the help of Lucas. Meanwhile, Abigail began observing the two quietly.

"Let me do the dishes." He offered after placing the last dirty plates in the sink.

"What? No. You are my guest, I can't let you do it."

"But I'm indebted for the meal." He replied, still insisting.

She turned him around and lightly pushed him away from the kitchen. "Right now, you're my guest. I'll let you wash the dishes next time. Once we're married."

Abigail coughed out after choking on the water she was drinking.

"Are you alright?" Violet turned to her with a worried look.

She waved a hand in front of her as if telling her it was nothing. "I-I'm fine." She was just surprised how easy Violet can say something like that to a man like him.

As Violet began washing the dishes, Lucas on the other, got busy feeding the cats. He even began teasing Virus by pulling him away from the bowl every time the cat tried to approach his food to which the cat began feeling annoyed so Virus began hitting him with his paw as he meowed angrily at the man.

He ended up laughing, "Now you're pissed off."

"Come on, let the poor guy eat his food," Violet said after wiping her hands dry.

"Mr. Hei, I think you should leave now. It's getting late." Abigail said, crossing her arms.

"Late?" He stood up and looked at his wristwatch, "It's still early." He walked towards Violet and reached out to hold her hand, "I want to stay a bit longer, just to chat, or a stroll in your neighborhood. Walking after eating is good, it'll help us digest the food. Can we have that?"

"..." She didn't know what to say, she was a bit startled when he held her hand and made that request.

On the other, Abigail who was sitting behind was looking at her best friend, shaking her head as if telling her with her eyes that she should let him leave. She even mouthed, 'Throw him out of here.'

"Vivi?" Lucas stole her attention by calling her by her nickname.

When she turned her gaze to him, the moment her eyes met his bewitching eyes, she has already given her his answer, "O-okay... let's go for a walk."