Chapter 15: “Heartlessness is what will save me now.”

“Are you dumb? Girl, you need to cheer up!” she exclaimed from beside me. Shushing her down I give an apologetic smile to the people around us. The professor had just left and I knew Denise had been dying to talk for the whole period.

“Our plan is working; unknowingly becoming the damsel in distress was a good call. He seems to like you much more now,” She shrieked, pumping a hand in the air.

The feminist in me was itching to say something, my ego being seriously hurt but I suppressed that urge; I had more pressing matters to cater to.

“I don’t know I don’t have a good feeling about him,” I expressed my true feelings to her as we made our way out to the bench we usually sat on.

“Silly, that’s because you are not used to the caring good guys, it’s how they get girls,” She justified taking my hand in hers.

Maybe I was being too skeptical it’s not like I had to really date him and its better if he was feeling something for me so soon.

“Don’t tell me you are second guessing yourself because you are feeling guilty and actually think he is a nice guy, right?”

I shook my head prolonging the “no” much more than I should have.

“Get your head in the game. He might be a ‘Good guy’ but that doesn’t mean he is not a guy they all only want one thing from us and that is our body, once they get that they use us and then dump us like trash,” She shook my shoulders as if to wake me up from a trance.

“Don’t forget what you went through, you are doing nothing wrong. You are just having fun playing the games they do and you can always leave the game once you get bored of it.” She explained and suddenly the weight on my shoulders lifted. She was always good with words and always knew when to say what to make me acknowledge her point.

I was going to win this game.

Sighing I jumped down from the bench and stretched my arms out. The wind was blowing slightly; it was a bright day today and with my brightened spirits I was ready to play again.

“I’ll see you later; I am gonna go win him over some more,” I informed, already feeling myself, all hyped up about meeting him.

************

Loud chattering enveloped the Sabrosa as the customers enjoyed their afternoon breaks.

The tables near the clear glass wall were all packed up as the soft rays of sun bathed them. The booths on the other side were almost full too while the two waiters ran around serving orders to them.

In totality it seemed to be a busy day today.

I spotted Andrew behind the counter talking to a customer as he made his bill. As far as I knew, Andrew was a waiter here, so, what was he doing behind the counter? Was he promoted?

As the customer left, he immediately got out from behind the counter and went to a table to take their order. It seemed to me he was working the shift for someone else too.

He hadn’t noticed me yet among the constant to and fro of customers as he passed by me to give the order. Not going to lie that did hurt my ego a little that he didn’t recognize me even when I am standing so near to him.

I guess getting him to hangout with me will be difficult today.

It dampened my mood a tiny bit but I needed to let him know that I was not to be ignored.

Following behind him I asked, keeping my venomous tone at bay, “Was the date yesterday so bad that you have started ignoring me?”

He hurriedly turned back around and with a horrified expression shook his head as words lacked him in his surprised state.

Jabbing at someone while guilt tripping them in an innocent voice was one of the power-weapons I often used in situations similar to this, it always worked in my favor.

Pulling me by my hand near the washrooms he immediately began to clarify that he was just too busy and frustrated today and didn’t mean to ignore me at all.

Having had enough fun from seeing him squirm I decided to give him a break, “Its fine, I was just messing with you.”

Sighing he ruffled a hand through his hair as he leaned against the wall, “Don’t scare me like that, what are you doing here anyways?”

“I just came to meet you and get you out of here, so that we can have some fun,” I said lowering my voice at the end while winking at him.

His Blu eyes widened a bit as he looked around to make sure no one had heard me.

“I would love to scarlet but two of our workers have called in sick today and so my schedule is jammed up,” He informed looking apologetic and a little sad.

There goes my plan of making him fall for me further!

I need to think of some other way quickly.

“If only we had more staff, then I would have definitely gone out with you today,” he tried to reassure me. That gave me an idea! Maybe if I stay and help him today then he’ll appreciate me more, either way he looks like he could use some help.

“Well if you can’t come with me then I’ll stay with you and help you around here,” I suggested giving him a smile.

He looked genuinely shocked at this and immediately sputtered, “N-No, I can’t let you do that, I’ll hang out with you tomorrow.”

“I am not listening to you, I am helping you and that’s final,” I adamantly said to him, folding my hands in front of me.

His eyes flashed something that I couldn’t catch before he hesitatingly hugged me to himself, “Thank you so much Scar, knowing that you care for me this much was already enough but I am really grateful for your help.”

This hug was different than the one from yesterday.

Even though he hesitated initially, he was giving me an actual hug this time, his hands wound around my waist as he placed his head on top of mine, completely trapping me in.

I could feel his hard-back muscles under my palms and could feel his beating heart. It felt too intimate and somehow his actions conveyed his gratitude much better than what his words could.

Somehow his fast beating heart accelerated my own.

Shit! I feel like I walked into a trap I laid out myself.

I must remember I am doing this for my own selfish motives and not because I feel bad for him. It’s the only way I can break him.

Heartlessness is what will save me now.

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Illustris ❤