A Surprise

I dragged my feet home last night after I finished eating my dessert. Alone. Nope. It wasn't because I was extremely disappointed or hurt that Mars walked out on me like a childish idiot – I was too full from walloping up all my chocolate ice-cream waffles. The only thing which can make me happy again (even temporarily) is chocolate ice-cream. The temptation is just too great to resist. Yum-yum.

No. I didn't touch Mars's order. I don't even remember what he ordered. Ha ha. But I didn't waste his dessert – I gave it back to the waitress and told her it's on me. He walked out without even paying the bill. What a selfish jerk!

His confession didn't matter anymore if he can walked out on me like that. So what if we have the finest electric-flying (electrifying) chemistry between us – if his attitude sucks, then, it truly sucks!

I text Eugene the minute I got home last night.

Eugene can't stop congratulating me that Mars has left me. T o him, it's the best news ever heard in decades. To him, Mars is good riddance. I tried explaining to Eugene that Mars did not leave me because we had never started a relationship – we didn't even have any chance to become close (I blame the bad timings and his busy schedule).

I have to agree with Eugene that Mars is a very sensitive and impulsive person who has high regards of himself.

Then, again, Eugene can't stop congratulating me for Han's confession. It's the best love news from me that he has heard so far and Han is for keeps.

Ok. I have to admit that my ego is badly bruised as if it had been severely punched. But my ego refuses to admit the damage and instead, prefers to bounce back from the hurt. I think his non-committal answer to Eugene's question at Starbucks had me mentally prepared for the worst. Though I pushed it right at the back of my mind but it's still there, nonetheless. So, by when the situation calls for it, the preparedness will spring out ta-da-ing without catching me by surprise.

Then, there was my boss's advice – maybe she is my other messenger.

If she is indeed one, then, I pray that she will keep her job as long as she can and continue to serve me as my messenger. I'm beginning to like her – a lot. He he.

Beep!

[XS] Can we talk? Meet you at the dessert shop in five.

Oh, it's Xiao Sheng. I wonder what happened to his date last night. Either we are both in the same boat (got walked out on) or he has finally found someone to love (at long last!). It's Saturday today, I sure hope the dessert shop (yes, the same shop which Mars and I met last night) is not full house. I recommended the dessert shop to Rani and Xiao Sheng as we all love desserts and the two of them fell in love with the ice-cream waffles. Damn. My cravings are building up now.

I found Xiao Sheng at our favourite table which is by the window. Must be our lucky day.

Xiao Sheng waves at me as I enter the shop and I smile sweetly at my partner-in-crime. Never mind the bruising hurt from last night even though it did bring dreadful flashback of being walked out on in the same shop. Asshole.

I order my chocolate ice-cream waffle again and yes, I'm that diehard fan when I'm hooked to something deliciously delightful to my tastebud.

"Hi! Are you okay?" I'm concerned eventhough I don't see any sign of distress on Xiao Sheng's face.

"Yes, Venus" smiles Xiao Sheng nervously.

"Ok. What's up? How was your date last night?" I quickly ask as I can't wait to find out. He probably met someone attractive or otherwise.

"I didn't go on a date. I lied" Xiao Sheng answers truthfully.

"Oh. You don't need to lie as I was only joking about you going on a date with Han on my behalf. You know me!" I laugh cheekily. I know that the lie didn't bother me at all but I still slap his arm for his naughtiness.

"Of course, I do, Venus. I was just joking too when I said I had a date" Xiao Sheng smiles happily.

Xiao Sheng suddenly grab both my hands enveloping into his.

I wanted to pull away and slap his arm again for the mischevious act but something held me back. It...it... actually feels nice and good. When I look up to meet his eyes, WHOA, his eyes sparkle to a twinkle like the stars in a dark night.

"Venus, I, uhm, want to tell you that I like you a lot" Xiao Sheng chooses his words carefully to express himself. He is still grabbing my hands – maybe afraid that I might walk out on him like Mars did to me.

Shit. My partner-in-crime at work is in love – with me!

How come I didn't notice it all this time?

"No. I don't like you. I love you, Venus" Xiao Sheng's words have got my head spinning and it's unstoppable.

"Since when, Xiao Sheng?" I shyly ask and I'm curious since when he has such feelings for me. By the way, my nervousness has ordered my hands to sweat and they are dripping wet. I hope Xiao Sheng notices it.

Ok. He notices it. Holding my hands in one of his, Xiao Sheng grabs a tissue with the other to wipe my hands dry from the sweat. I imagine him licking every drop of sweat off from my hands. It's been a while since my imagination does any work.

"In our second year as colleagues" Xiao Sheng's eyes are still twinkling – with want.

"Wow" is all I could answer while my imagination is doing a lot of hard work by putting up backdrops, peeling layers (one after another) etc.

"Venus, please give me a chance" Xiao Sheng grabs my hands tighter.

I have never seen Xiao Sheng so serious.

"Why tell me now and not earlier?" I'm curious as hell.

"When you told Rani and I that Han and Mars asked you out for a date, I knew that I have to act soon. I don't want to lose you" Xiao Sheng's reply makes me feel high in estcacy.

My imagination is still hard at work.