Wake Up Call

“Miss, are you okay?” a lanky boy wearing thick eyeglasses asked her softly in a low voice. His face was full of worry.

Because of his question, other people’s eyes on the line were all glued to her. Ellise blinked her eyes to stop her tears from falling all the while cursing herself for a moment of weakness.

“I have an emergency at home,” she blurted out the first lie that came to mind. When they heard her reason, the people who were in front of the queue gave way for her to pay for her games first. Ellise felt guilty about lying to these kind strangers. But she now wanted nothing more than to get out of this place.

She doesn’t want to spend time with DT anymore. Hearing Asya’s name was like a bucket of cold water poured over her allowing her to wake up from this dream. The DT from the past who ran in a circle to give her whims is gone.

She slowly moved away from the line as she thanked everyone. She wondered where DT went to continue his phone conversation with Asya. She sent him a text message to let him know she had finished paying and was waiting for him. She sat down near the entrance so he could easily find her.

Meanwhile, near the fire exit, DT was having a hard time controlling himself not to yell at Asya because she was being so outrageous.

“Why are you expecting me to plan Ai’s birthday party with you when you can just consult Ai’s father about such matters?” He asked in irritation. He wanted to end this call as quickly as possible to get back to Ellise.

“If you have nothing of importance to discuss with me, I would really appreciate it if you would exclude me from this kind of talk starting today.” he sighed. “We talked about it before, and I meant every word I said at the time.”

“DT, don’t leave me just yet, I beg you.” She begged pitifully. “I need you by my side during this time. Ai is growing up, and I have to work harder on my position because more and more of the younger generation is aspiring for my position. I cannot let Ai grow up with just the company of her nanny.”

“Are you paying attention to what you say, Asya? I do hope you do. Because you would realize that your problem does not include me. I am not the person you should discuss those matters with,” an exasperated sigh escaped his lips. “Ai has a father and his lack of courage to acknowledge his own child is not my problem!”

On the phone, Asya sobbed. She has just confirmed that DT is now gradually backing out of the deal. He no longer wants to be a part of their lives. She no longer has a hold of him. She wondered who was the woman that made him changed his mind.

DT was taken aback when he did not feel any sort of pity towards Asya over the phone while listening to her cry. Maybe because he knew for a while now that she was just playing him around. The father of her child supported her financially but refused to leave his rich wife.

Regardless of the problem, he shouldn't dwell on it. He chose her years ago and it cost him the woman he loves. He would not let it happen again. He has already learned a hard lesson.

He shut off his phone and went back to the venue where Ellise was waiting for him.

“I just called you!” she scowled at him as soon as he returned. “I feel like going home now.”

“I’m sorry. I switched off my phone,” he said, removing the bag of games she was cradling on her arms. “Would you like to eat something before we go home?”

DT was using his gentle tone again. She truly hates when he does it. It makes her feel like a child that he is coaxing.

“Let’s just go home for now,” she said. She wants to be alone right now, having lost her temper once. She doesn’t want to make matters worst.

DT nodded and put his hand casually on his pants back pocket, but before they could leave the venue, a boy ran after them, clearly pursuing Ellise.

“Do you know him?” he asked, scratching his brows. He left Ellis for a few minutes and a boy had already become friends with her, he thought annoyed.

“He let me pay ahead of the line,” she said matter of factly as they waited for the boy with thick eyeglasses to reach them.

“I’m sorry for running after you,” he muttered, panting. “Here, take this.” He smiled, shoveling a bunch of tickets on her hands.

“What are they for?” she asked in confusion.

“Well, they are coupons,” he grinned sheepishly. “You can fill them up and drop them at the roulette machine to win some prizes. They have pretty cool prizes this year.”

Ellise looked down at the ten coupons that were in her hands. She doesn’t want to waste time writing her name on these tickets, but she also doesn’t want to offend him, especially since he has an expectant look on his face. He was being nice after all.

DT watched the man, he already knew what he wanted from Ellise. The coupons were just a way for him to get her number. He felt a pang of jealousy that Ellise was actually being friendly towards this man.

He was gone for a few minutes and then suddenly Ellise was being kind to someone. This doesn't sound like Ellise at all.

“I don’t have a pen,” she replied. She was surprised when the boy quickly handed her a pen. She bit her lip understanding what he wanted from her. She filled out the coupons in silence, then handed them back to him.

“Ellise,” he grins as he reads her name from the piece of paper.

DT was shocked when Ellise wrote her real name! He was about to say something when the glasses boy beat him to it.

“My name is Markus Chen, by the way,” he said with an impish grin. “Nice to meet you, Miss Sy,” he said, walking backward and waving goodbye.

“Did you just tell him your real name?” he asked, stunned when the boy was out of earshot.

“How will I get the prize if I wrote an alias?” she asked, shrugging her shoulders and walking along. She felt angry with DT so she gave away her real name to that boy named Markus.

“He just used the coupons to get your name.” He sneered. “That was such a lame move.”

It doesn't matter. He's cute.”