**ROSEANA**
Lavigne took me to an expensive restaurant. He is walking confidently while I am behind him, following him. I felt discomfort when people stared at us. I can't deny that, like Damon, Lavigne is also garnering attention, mostly from women. Many tried to approach the man, but none dared to go straight up and talk to Lavigne.Are they all really like this? Lavigne just waved and winked at the women who had been paying attention to him. They almost fell to their knees in joy.Their curious eyes bore into me. They are probably wondering who I am and why I am with Lavigne. Just by looking, I concluded that he is quite popular among everyone, but especially women.Lavigne and I eat in silence. The food is delicious, but I can't seem to notice it, and it hurts my throat to swallow because of the eyes watching me. I can feel their stares at me, scalding my confidence.It looks like Lavigne is not satisfied by the attention he gets from people; he even decides to sit in the middle of the room. People are secretly staring at us, then murmuring silently as if they can't believe what they are seeing, and the question of me being from Lavigne's life for him to bring me into this expensive diner is bugging them.It feels like I am prey being exposed to my predator. Adding to my anxiety was Lavigne openly staring at me. His food did not prevent him from staring at me. An amusement danced in his naughty eyes as his lips were curved into his playful lips. He seems to be studying my every move. Like the people here, his eyes display curiosity.I probably piqued his curiosity when he saw me with Damon."What is your relationship with Damon?" After a few minutes of just watching me, he asked. He probably wanted to ask that earlier; he just said it now.I took the table napkin from my side and carefully wiped the side of my mouth, making sure that my mouth was clean when I spoke. For the first time, I think I should thank my stepmother for teaching me dining etiquette. This is the fewest of the good things I got from her after years of suffering from her grasp.I shook my head. I didn't realize that I was spacing out again."I am his employee," I calmly answered. I didn't show my anxiety because of his question. I did my best not to stutter, even though I could feel my knees turning into jelly under the table. My palms are sweating.I know he will ask that question, but I still don't know how to answer it. I imprinted in my brain that I should be careful with what I say to this man. He might seem playful and unserious, but I know behind that mask he is as cunning as Damon.I wanted to leave, run, and hide from his critical eyes. Damon and I didn't discuss what to say in case someone saw us together, especially if he knew them. because we were confident that no one would see us.The man frowned because of my answer. His reaction showed that he did not believe what I said."I have known Damon almost all my life, woman. You don't think you can fool me with those lame answers, do you?" His expression was playful; he even smiled, but his serious voice was enough to give me goosebumps.The anxiety of being exposed to this man made me lose my calm. Although I remained silent, the opposite was happening in my brain. I am panicking, but I am trying so hard to look unaffected.Lavigne clasped his hands and placed them on the table. He looked like an intimidating businessman trying to make his traitorous employee talk. "Who are you?" he asked me in a deep voice."What do you care?" I muster the courage to speak up. I want to applaud myself for bravely looking straight into his eyes and not stuttering. Well done, Roseana."Feisty"He laid his back on the chair without cutting his stare at me. I feel like he can read my mind, but I gather myself and stand confidently, although I am internally panicking.I filled my lungs with air before opening my mouth. "You can ask Damon to answer your questions if you are not believing my answer." I mirrored the seriousness of his voice.Lavigne's wide smile turned into loud laughter. He didn't seem to care if he disturbed the other table because of his noise. His laughter was heard throughout the restaurant, but no one tried to stop him.Only when he calmed down did I breathe a sigh of relief. "I'm just kidding." Lavigne's playful nature is back. He even urges me to eat my food, which I don't know how to do after all those nerve-wracking questions from him.I have lost my appetite.I was about to leave, as I didn’t think I could exist in the same room with him after his confrontation, when I was stopped when he suddenly grabbed my hands that were on the table. He caught my hand because I was going to drink water but wasn't able to since he was already grasping my hand.My forehead knitted in confusion. I couldn't move immediately."Where are you going after this?" he asked me while still holding my hand.If that's the only thing he will ask, then does he need to hold my hand? He massaged my palm a little, as if calming me, because he probably saw the uneasiness in my eyes because of what he did. Instead of calming me, what he did just made my uneasiness worse.I tried to withdraw my hand from his grip, but he didn't let go. "Let go of me, please," I begged him in a calm tone. I don't want to cause a scandal, especially since many people are watching us.I'm sure if someone looks at us from afar, we'll look like lovers, enjoying their date while holding hands. Because the smile did not disappear from Lavigne's lips."No. I want to hold your hand for courage," he said.I didn't listen to what he said. "What are you doing, mister Lavigne? You are harassing me!" I shouted at him in a controlled voice. I still made sure that only he would hear my objection."You have pushed me to do this."I looked at him, confused. I don't know what he means.I couldn't move from my seat, and my breathing hitched when he slowly bent his head and gave my hand a kiss while his eyes were staring at me. No, he is not looking at me. He is looking at someone behind my back.“Damon! "I stood up quickly when Damon suddenly appeared from behind me. When did he come? Did he see Lavigne holding and kissing my hand? Silly question. Of course, he did. He grabbed Lavigne by the collar. I shrieked when he punched him hard.