Chapter 2

When Chase turned around, he found the same woman from earlier. Surprised, he was about to shout at her when the woman suddenly began dragging him out of the bookstore.

"Follow me, follow me!" She exclaimed in a low voice while looking warily around, as if afraid not to cause any unnecessary attention.

When Chase gave her a weirded-out glance, the woman only laughed softly and said, "Just follow me. Don't worry, I won't kidnap you.”

Not exactly knowing what her intentions were, Chase pulled himself away from the woman when he caught sight of some teenagers staring at him. Worrying for himself, Chase cursed under his breath, lowering his cap to hide his face, and let the strange woman drag him out the bookstore.

Before he knew it, they were already inside a cafe with the lady with natural panda eyes and the widest grin he had ever seen. Glancing at the table, he saw about six plates of cakes in different flavors and colors. A frown instantly made its way to his face.

"Whoa, they really look so pretty," the woman exclaimed, eyes shining as she stared at the cakes before her.

Realizing there was a pair of eyes glaring at her, the woman looked up and shyly said. "This…This is my peace offering for you."

Chase's frown turned deeper.

"See, I never really want to fight over a book, but that book is something special to me. I promise, I will lend it to you once I'm done reading it," the woman tried to appease him, then hurriedly added, "Can you let it go this time? I really want to read it. I came from a very far place just to buy that book, so I hope you understand."

Chase remained unmoving and silent.

Seeing the frown still on his face, the woman tried to peacefully negotiate once more. "How about I give you this?" Then she proceeded to push a slice of strawberry cake on a plate toward Chase.

"You see, it's my favorite, but I'm giving it to you. I heard this shop has the best strawberry cakes in this city and I actually want to taste it first but since you're here and I have done something wrong, and you might be upset, and I feel guilty and I—"

"Enough." Chase waved a hand and sighed. "I get it, so stop blabbering and just eat."

"You accept my peace offering?" The woman looked at Chase with a face full of expectation and bright hope. "You're not mad anymore? Are we friends now?"

Chase frowned at the mention of friends, thinking how this weird woman suddenly came up with such a conclusion. The words of refusal however remained stuck in his throat as he heard the woman utter her next words.

"I really feel alone these past days. Now that I have a friend like you, I am happy."

When Chase looked at her, she was smiling. It was natural and beautiful, no matter how Chase denied it. Not even realizing what was happening, Chase felt his chest begin to contract. He couldn't help but clench his fists, suddenly a desire to look at this woman swelled deep within his heart.

And for the first time, he felt completely powerless to control it.

End of Flashback. 

Ever since that day, Chase found himself getting outside of his lonely huge flat, only to be setting his feet in the now familiar tiles of the sweets shop where they became 'friends' as the woman declared that day. As if there was an invisible string magnet pulling him closer to the shop every time he passed by, Chase could not make himself walk away nor forget the things that happened.

He gulped down hard as he realized he was being stupid for going in the cafe now and then. He was completely dumb for constantly looking for someone whenever he entered the place. He was completely a fool for hoping he'd meet her again.

Or maybe he wasn't. Because she was finally here.

The girl with shining panda eyes is here. Right now. In front of him.

"Hello? Yoo-hoo? Anybody home?" That was when he finally cussed hard in his mind. He realized the woman in front of him was giving him some worried looks. 

Chase snapped out of his reverie and hesitantly looked at the main cause of it.

"Where were you…" Chase could hardly say because his voice was almost a whisper.

The woman gave him a confused look but then she seemed to realize what Chase was saying as she nodded. "Ah, did you wait for me that time? I'm really sorry. Something suddenly came up and I was needed. I'm really sorry for suddenly leaving without even saying—”

"It's fine. I didn't wait anyway." Chase lied. Of course, he did.

"Oh. Is that so? That's good then," the woman gave out a relieved sigh as she relaxed her shoulders on the couch behind him.

"Anyway, I think I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Isabella. You can call me Isa, Belle, Ella—”

"Panda," Chase cut her off.

"What?" Isabella was taken aback with Chase's sudden interruption.

"Can I call you Panda?" Chase asked and he knew his voice sounded less with expression.

Isabella paused, looking as if she had heard something that shook her world. Chase noticed her reaction and felt the need to ask what was wrong when Isabella's face softened, and Chase wondered if it was only his imagination or Isabella's eyes suddenly looked sad for a moment.

His attention was caught by Isabella's voice though as she started to speak again.

"Dragon. Can I call you Dragon then?" her voice light, suddenly full of determination, as she looked at Chase straight into his eyes.

"Sure," Chase replied without even thinking. Heck, he didn't even know why this Isabella girl wanted to call him Dragon. He himself was just trying to tease her when he said he'd call her Panda. His attention was too focused on her face, her expressions, her actions, how she slowly put little pieces of cake in her mouth, munching delightfully, and licking her red lips like they were the most delicious thing she had ever tasted, how she smiled at him like he was the reason for her smiles, how she talked to him with sparkling eyes like Chase was the best person to talk to in the world and how she blushed whenever Chase's gaze suddenly landed on hers.

They were all little things, but Chase never failed to notice, not even a single thing.

Definitely. Chase knew as hell. He was screwed.