The Big Flirt

"Hello? " 

Was it real or was it another one of her horrible dreams. Darah was smitten for a whole entire minute because she couldn't process this spectacular sight in front of her. So this was David Zhao. His hair was brown and messy just like in the photos and his smile...The smile of an absolute flirt. Darah could imagine herself getting her heart broken by this astonishing man right in the near future. What a fun dream come true will it be. 

"Ms. Darah you're flattering me with that dreamy gaze." David spoke at last in defeat after he too found himself unknowingly getting lost in her eyes. Her gaze was sharp and enticing to be honest. 

"Oh sorry! I was just lost for a moment there. I hope I didn't make you feel uncomfortable. " Darah bowed shyly. David smiled and shook his head as if trying to assure her that it was okay. Suddenly everything seemed to fall into place inside Darah's heart. She finally felt like she could breathe. David wasn't as cold as he looked in the pictures. In fact he radiated a strong warm energy that made Darah feel safe. It surprised her because he was a total stranger. Thus they began to talk, a little shy at first but smoothly later on. 

"I like that youre being honest with me Ms Darah. You know, i don't think I've quite had a fun time chatting with any other person as much as with you." David smiled, taking a sip from the hot cup of coffee. Darah smiled too but now that she thought about it, she didn't recall a thing that her friend had texted him. What even were the conversations about? Food? Weather? 

"So you love dogs don't you?" The question David posed seemed so out of the blue but Darah was taken aback. Dogs? She didn't hate them but she didn't like them either. Well if she had to choose between cats and dogs she'd definitely go for cats because cats were much like humans but smarter. Dogs would love someone who even hated them which saddened Darah. 

"No I don't. " Darah said slowly, as if she was out of touch with reality. David creased his brows and put the cup back on the table.

"But you said you liked them." David was confused. Darah felt her cheeks getting hot. May! Her favourite were dogs! Darah didn't expect her friend to miss out on this small but very known detail. She suddenly broke into a wide smile, her eyes glimmering with love. 

"Oh what I meant was that I don't just like dogs. I absolutely adore them!" Saying so, Darah held a hand to her chest showing her adoration for them. David was lost in trance but he soon found himself blushing over the young lady's smile. How could a flirt like him blush so easily? He smiled and looked at her again. Brown honey glazed orbs. But they didn't look happy for some reason. 

"You might be thinking why I talked about dogs. I have a little pom named Missy back at my mom's house. I think you'll love her… " It warmed Darah hearing those sweet words. David seemed to regard the dog as his family and it was more of a reason for Darah to like him. Or maybe not… For David it was his most well known habit to get to melt girl's hearts. What he did with Darah was nothing different. She seemed to be impressed just like the rest before her. It was only a matter of time before he ghosted her. 

David never understood why he did that in the first place. Maybe because he was afraid? That he was living a life that would end any second? He knew he wasn't doing any good, simply leading his dates to a dead end and ghosting them. At least he was sure they would not cry over him for even a minute after this because…  it was just a little date. 

"Can you tell me more about your mom, David?" The question stole a bit of shine from his face. Her smile was so innocent that he didn't feel like letting go of her too soon like the rest. But he hated talking about his family. It surprised him that she was the first one to ask about his mother. 

"My mom works at a garden at the outskirts of the city. She's kind and… loves me very much. " His answer was rather dull and emotionless. Darah didn't seem to notice the change of aura around him so she continued, not wanting the date to go silent.

"And your dad?" Even  though she asked it with a smile she saw how quickly it erased the light out of David's eyes. Darah felt awful for asking that question as his eyes were blurred by a cloud of sadness. He looked insulted to say the least. She pursed her lips together, muttering a soft sorry but David quickly recovered with a smile. 

"Oh no no don't wory about me. I just didn't expect that question from you... or anyone." Darah nodded apologetically but she saw how he was now looking at his watch. She knew what he was about to say next. 

"Uh Darah... I think I have to leave now. I hope we can meet some other day. Goodbye for now. " 

Or forever, he thought. Darah could understand but she felt hurt that maybe it was her prying question that made him want to leave. She realized she shouldn't have been quick with the details. As he was about to leave, Darah felt the urge to say something quickly. 

"David! " He turned around, arching his brows. 

"I-I... hope I can get to see Missy someday. Goodbye. " She smiled warmly. David paused for a moment before he felt a smile creep on his lips too. He turned around before she could see it and walked out the door. Something stirred inside him for a long time after that. Why was it affecting him so much? It was just an unintentional question. Nothing more. But her face wasn't leaving his mind whatsoever. Suddenly his phone rang with Ryu's name popping up. He picked it up even though he was irritated.

"Devin. I need a favour. "

Devin sighed, muttering an Ok. He had called to let Lyra know that she will have to meet the both of them at The Enchanted Paradise, which was one of Mr. Sheng's resorts, to sort things out.

"Well why can't you call her yourself?" Devin knew the answer obviously. It was because they were in a cold war.

"Lyra will be more clear when you are beside her. Maybe she'll let us know who's really after her. " Devin agreed and the latter cut the call before he could ask where he was. Ryu pushed his phone into his pocket and gently pulled down his mask. The sun's bright rays streamed through the long tattoo that ran down his left eye. His black orbs were sharp and emotionless as he took a deep breath and knelt down before a grave... The name read Nina Williams, his forgotten little sister from a distant past.