Chapter 20
I thought Jared and this Caleb guy were friends when the latter invited us to have lunch with him and to have some catch up talk with the former
but…
“So, what are you suddenly doing here?” Caleb, an incredibly handsome young man with a beautiful brown hair covering half of his face, inquires as he cuts his steak. I can tell he’s handsome with just one look. The way his hair covers his forehead and eyes adds a mysterious feel which can makes anyone curious about him. His prominem facial features are all above average too. It’s undeniable that he’s better looking than Jared in every aspect. Though they seem to have something in common which I couldn’t point my finger into
“Lary said you got a girlfriend. I don’t think she’s lying nor I expected you to really have one.”
Err… It’s already awkward for me now that they keep exchanging cold stares but he’s also dragging me in their conversation.
“Coming from you who don’t even plan to get a girlfriend despite your age. Lary was right, you should start socializing with other people. Jared glares at Caleb but pulls a grin on his face looking at me and switches our plates. “Here, Daphine. You can have this instead.”
1 feel the heat surfacing on my face when he cuts the meat for me. “Thank you”
“You’re welcome. I feel bad letting you cut it yourself after seeing how thin your wrists are. You should eat a lot, Daphne.”
Huh? Did he cut the steak for me thinking I can’t do it myself and not because he’s trying to be romantic or sweet to his girlfriend in front of a friend?
“She really looks thin, Jared. Are you not feeding her properly? I know that most men loves slender women but I don’t think it’s healthy to be this thin” Caleb looks at me like I’m in a pitiful state and shakes his head. “You should eat more just like what he said”
Okay? Why do I feel like they really get along despite the strange atmosphere between them?
“There’s no need to repeat what I just said to her, Caleb. I just came by since she’s really hungry and her stomach growl Jared pours wine on my glass and smiles at me. “Enjoy your meal, Daphne. Isn’t the food here nice?”
Is it just me or Jared is enjoying this kind of conversation with this guy who seems indifferent to everything in the world
No. Something is definitely not right.
It’s like
“So, when do you guys plan to get married? You have to tell me beforehand so I can clear my schedule, otherwise, I won’t be able to leave work and miss your wedding. Caleb keeps talking as if it’s normal to discuss ‘marriage. He doesn’t look like he’s faking his attention towards my relationship with Jared. Not that he’s really showing interest though. He’s kind of weird.
Seriously! What’s going on that exactly makes me feel uncomfortable!
“Do you want us to marry Jared turns to me and asks. “If you want to, we can get it done as soon as possible.” He smiles sweetly and in his eyes, I can see the expectation that lingers.
ant to say anything
“I.. I don’t think we can get married after daring for less than a week.” I know that it’s not what Jared wanted to hear but I don’t want to say that will lift his hopes up when we both knew this relationship may not last.
“Jared, you didn’t force yourself to Daphne and made her your girlfriend, did you?” Caleb’s question caught me off guard. How can he say it out like thare
But yeah, your friend here was so stubborn that I was left with no choice other than to agree.
“I did. I kept insisting until she gave in. Will that be considered as forcing her? She said she’ll take responsibility though” Jared lowers his head in dismay as he speaks.
Jared admitted what he did just like that? I’m speechless.
Wait, I have a bad feeling about this. If this conversation keeps going the way it is, I’m afraid his tongue will slip and say something he shouldn’t Something like the reason why we started dating-
dut so? Then why are you dating hert”
Halil Caleb isn’t helping at all. Why does he keep asking these questions as if I’m not listening?
Even so, I can’t bring myself to get angry at them. Am I the weird one here!
“Oh. That’s because Daphne and I must take responsibility for each other” Jared looks away while blushing.
1/3
Does he have the time to be bashful now? Really?!
Should I be thankful that he didn’t mention anything about our ‘one–night stand‘ incident? Phew!
“I see. Good for you. Caleb nods his head as if he totally understands what Jared meant to say about us taking responsibility. Good thing, he didn’t say anything else after and focused on his meal.
Meanwhile, I can’t concentrate on chewing my food. My mind keeps wondering why these two grown–up men talked that way. With their dry and cold tone as they spoke such dialogues, it was like listening to people who never really actually cared about anyone else but themselves.
Their voices weren’t too loud nor too soft, just moderate. I couldn’t even tell whether they’re really good friends or enemies having a cold war. It’s like..
“Ah, Jared. Is Caleb a robot!” My unbelievably loud voice echoed in the room. The idea that pops in my head gets me carried away and so I voice out my thoughts. The result? Not really good at all, especially when they both give me the same look which I interpret as “What the hell are you talking about?”.
“Ahem.” Lclear my throat and grab my glass to get a sip of wine. “I was just joking. Don’t mind me at all. Haha.”
How awkward. Just when I suspected that these men were strange. I also made a fool of myself
“He’s not.” Jared looks at me with concem. He picks up the napkin on the table and dabs it on the side of my lips. “Caleb isn’t a robot. But if you Think he is, maybe it’s because he has been making robots for ten years now.”
Making robots! Isn’t he the owner of this restaurant? Does Caleb have a hobby of playing robots instead of cooking
Jared said ‘making‘ and not ‘playing though,
“I may be making robots but it doesn’t make me one.” Caleb sighs while looking at me.
Ehi
“Don’t worry, Daphne. You’re not the only one who mistook him as a robot” Jared laughs while Caleb rolls his eyes.
So this isn’t the first time! Looking at how they interact with each other feels like… I’m dealing with two Jared at the moment.
It only occurs to me that Caleb is like how Jared would be when we’re together. They both say what’s in their mind without considering the feelings of others. And no matter how I look at them, their similarity in nature helps them get along well.
I bet they won’t even realize I’m dying of embarrassment and frustration inside right now. They continue their meal if nothing happened at all Unless I say something, they’ll think everything’s fine.
Ah! I give up
Instead of pondering how these two became friends and how no one ever tells them to be sensible at times, 1 quietly eat my food and pray for this meal to be over.
Do you like rol
robots?”
Inty anything.
I lift my head to see Caleb waiting for my response. Jared furrows his brows but doesn’t s
“Let’s see. I don’t particularly like them as toys.” I smile at him shyly not knowing what else to say.
“Not the toys. What do you think of humanoid robots which can imitate humans?”
Huh? Is he suddenly testing my knowledge about robots or is this some kind of interview he’s conducting since I’ve mentioned the key word carlier! I don’t think Caleb is asking just because I thought he’s a robot though.
“I’m working on this kind of robot that can walk and move just like how humans do. If you’re interested, you can ask your boyfriend here to get you
ticket for G&G’s annual runway show.” Caleb throws Jared an innocer look before drinking his wine.
C&C? It’s the famous luxury brand that dominates the clothing industry. So why would there be robots on the runway show!
“Do you want to come?” Jared puts his hand over mine, softly squeezing it. “We can go together if you want.”
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, so why not? I may not be buying their products as it’s very expensive but I’m always curious about what it’s like to watch a runway show in person.
“Okay. Let’s go together but I turn to Caleb who’s slowly shaking his glass. “What about the humanoid robots that Caleb talks about!”
Caleb smiles at me for the first time. “Ah. That’s for you to find out. Just tell me what you think about it after seeing one in action”
Okay!
My confused expression works when Jared initiates to give an
an answer to my silent question.
“Caleb is also the President of Gold Corp just like Lary. While his elder sister deals with everything else in the company, Caleb focuses on making robots. He wants to know your thoughts about his latest invention. And you’ll get to see them during the runaway event.”
No way! I just had a meal with an amazing man.. or not?
But really, these guys need to increase their EQ now that they’re 1Q is overflowing, no?
3/3
