Chapter Seven

I saw my brother outside, washing and wiping his motorcycle. He waved at us and grinned, saying,

"It's fine by me, bro, if you don't even bother to take care of my sibling."

Ugh, my older brother is truly shameless, as always! So annoying!

I saw a black car parked in front of our house, and I think it belonged to Troy.

I let go of their hand, which made them stop too.

"Hold on a minute! Where are you planning to take me, huh? Do Mom and Dad know about this?" I said, annoyed.

"What are you talking about, Melie Bog? My friend was already given permission to court you, so of course, they know," my brother replied. I just rolled my eyes at him; he's always picking fights with me.

"I don't want to go with you," I said seriously.

"Why? I'll just bring you back here afterward."

Afterward? What did he mean?

"But what are we even going to do? We're not even close!" I complained to him.

"That's why I'm taking you on a date today, so you can get to know me better," he explained. Of course, I was annoyed with this guy; I didn't want to be with him.

"But I really don't want to go!" I complained again.

"Hey Melie, just go with Rivera! You talk too much!" my sibling yelled in annoyance. I just sighed; fine! I had no choice. I looked at what I was wearing. Oh well, who is he to make me dress up fancy, duh!

"Fine! If you do anything bad to me, I'll have you arrested!" I threatened him. He suddenly laughed at what I said.

"What are you laughing at?! Is there anything funny about what I said?" I said, annoyed.

"Really? Do you even know what you're saying, Miss Grumpy? I'm a police officer. Why would I do anything bad that's against the law?" the jerk said with a smirk. My face just flushed with embarrassment. Tsk, so arrogant!

"Whatever! Let's go then!"

He opened the door for me before I got in. We sat next to each other, and he drove his car—obviously, not me.

A few minutes passed with neither of us speaking or making a sound. It was so quiet.

"Where are you taking me?" I asked him, unable to stand the silence in the car anymore.

"We'll eat first at a friend's restaurant," he replied without looking at me.

"Okay, perfect, I haven't eaten yet. As long as you're paying, since you invited me." He chuckled slightly at my words.

A moment later, it became quiet again.

"Are we still far?" I asked again.

"We are almost there... dear."

"Dear"? What am I, a child?

"Ah, okay. Tsk," I replied curtly.

My stomach was growling too. It wasn't obvious that I was hungry, was it?

We talked while eating. I actually ordered a lot of food since this jerk was paying, so I might as well make the most of it, hehe.

"How old are you, Mary?"

Wow, joking? He's always so over-familiar.

"I'm 24. Why? How old are you?" I asked him back, but instead of getting annoyed by what I called him, he just smiled.

"28. What's your job?"

So, a four-year age gap?

Why is he so interested in me? Is it possible he already likes me?

"Nothing, just unemployed! Let me be direct with you—do you really like me?"

He didn't seem surprised by what I said; he just smiled again. Oh, for crying out loud!

"That's why I'm courting you, Mary."

My mouth fell open at what he said. Was he serious? I didn't know if he was just messing with me.

"Are you really serious? You're not just messing with me?"

"Why would I mess with you?" he said seriously. My mouth snapped shut.

"So you don't have a girlfriend or even a wife? With your looks?"

"None. I've just been waiting for you."

I suddenly blushed and swallowed.

Damn, this is so cheesy!

"I don't like you! I mean, I don't want to have a police officer boyfriend!" I admitted.

"Why not? You said I have good looks? So you do like me?" He smirked at me. Argh!

I rolled my eyes at him.

"Because you cops are womanizers!" I snapped at him. I really had nothing else to say.

"Mary, not all cops are womanizers, like the one in front of you right now," he defended himself, then saluted. God! Can the earth just swallow me whole? He should be cringing at what he's saying!

"Ahem, I actually like..."

I quickly looked around, searching for something to complete my sentence. I saw students wearing uniforms that looked like a seaman's.

"Seamen."

He chuckled slightly.

"Oh, really?" he added.

"Yes, I said it! I want a seaman!" I replied irritably because my face was flushing for no reason.

"You know, try loving a police officer like me. Our motto is 'to serve and protect.' You'd be lucky," he said with a mischievous grin and even winked.

That's when I choked. He immediately handed me water, and I drank all of it.

That animal! He's too much!