(Devan's POV).
"Where are we?"
"The restaurant my friend just opened. He invited me to come," I replied, "let's go." I intertwined my fingers in her. Inviting her inside the restaurant.
I brought her to meet Rio to make her believe that this was indeed the first day of opening my friend's restaurant.
"Yo, buddy! I thought you weren't coming!" he gave me a big hug when he saw me coming. "O, wow... Who's this beautiful woman next to you?"
"Vivian." I was surprised that Vivian introduced herself directly to Rio, my friend.
"Vivian. What a beautiful name. Are you Devan's girlfriend?"
"No, I'm not."
"Oh, that's too bad," he chuckled.
I glanced sharply at Rio. "Could you give me a table and prepare a delicious meal for us?" I asked.
"Yes, of course. Oh .... Sit there! Best spot for dinner for two. Enjoy your dinner, Vivian." I rolled my eyes lazily as I saw Rio leering at Vivian as he walked away.
We sat at the corner table. Right next to the glass wall, we could see the outside view from inside the restaurant.
"Sorry for my friend," I said to start the conversation.
"No problem."
"Are you uncomfortable?"
"A little."
"Because of having dinner with me?"
She shrugged her shoulders.
"We're not close enough to have dinner together," she said, "and like I said before. I don't plan on being in a serious relationship with a man."
"Is it because I still love your husband?" I stared intently at Vivian. She was making me uneasy.
"Yes. My love is gone for him. I just don't want to betray him."
"Is there no chance for us to be friends? I want to be friends with you."
"Friends?" she chuckled. "Do you think women and men can be friends?"
"Why not?"
"Mr. Harrisonー"
"Devan," I cut her off and she looked a little annoyed.
"Alright, Devan. If you keep doing something I don't like, I'd better get out of here."
"No, waitー Vivian!"
I was surprised when I saw Vivian getting up from her chair. And just as I wanted to grab her hand, I saw Viona walking from the opposite direction.
"Viona?" I immediately stood up with a furrowed brow. "What are you doing here?"
She blocked Vivian's path.
"I should be the one to ask you. What are you doing here?" she asked with her eyes narrowed sharply at Vivian. "Is it now your hobby to have dinner with this woman?"
"Viona, enough."
"Answer me, Dev!" she shouted.
I immediately moved forward. I stood right next to Vivian in case she did something bad to me.
"Are you her lover?" asked Vivian. "Don't worry. I'll leave soon and won't bother your lover anymore."
"You are whore!" exclaimed Vioan. Cutting Vivian off. "I know you did it on purpose, right?"
"Vivian, enough! You've gone too far."
"No, I'm not! I know she approached you on purpose with this whore face of his!" she shouted.
"I'm not a whore and I'm not interested in flirting with him either. He asked me to dinner, so don't blame me ifー"
"Viona!" I snapped at her with widened eyes as I saw her slap Vivian across the face. "Vivian, are you okay?"
"Stop worrying about it, Dev! I'm sick of watching you go crazy over this bitch!"
"Vivian. If you dare mention that word again, I won't hesitate to rip your mouth out," I warned. I looked at her sharply.
"You... you dare to be rude to me just because of her?!"
"We're not lovers and you have no say in who I get close to. So, stop being like this to me," I said.
I dropped my gaze to Vivian who was just silent while touching her cheek. I could see that her cheeks were flushed.
"Vivian...."
"I'm fine," she said in a quiet voice. "I don't know what your relationship is like but don't involve me in it. Because I'm not interested in any of it."
"No, Vivian. It's not what you think..."
"I told you I don't care, Dev! How many times do I have to tell you that? Just... just solve your problems with her. And don't bother me," she said as she walked away from us.
I tried to run after her, but Viona stopped me.
"Dev, never mind. Don't go after her. She's the one who said she's not interested in you!"
I dismissed her hand. "You're the one who ruined everything. Do you think by doing this I will like you? The answer is, no. So stop bothering me and try opening your heart to another man," I warned.
I then walked away from her.
"Dev!" I heard her yelling my name, but I ignored her.
I kept running after Vivian who was already out of the restaurant.
"Vivian, wait. Hey, Vivian..."
I ran towards her who was walking towards the highway area. With my wide strides, I was already able to keep up with her footsteps. And I quickly grabbed her hand, but she immediately brushed my hand away.
"Vivian." I tried to grab her hand again.
"Dev, stop bothering me!" she shouted. She brushed my hand away again. Staring at me with her piercing eyes.
"Please, I'm sorry about what happened earlier. I don't know what Viona was thinking until she did that to you."
"I don't care," she replied in a cold tone. "And I never want to care," she insisted.
I looked up at her, staring at her flushed cheeks.
"Your cheeks... are you okay?" I reached out my hand. It almost touched her cheek, but she looked away with his eyes closed.
I squeezed my hand in disappointment. It was so hard just to get close and get to know her better.
Either this is because of my sin, or it's punishment for hurting Freya in the past. This is making me tormented.
"Please forgive me. You can slap me to avenge what Viona did...." I froze as I felt a slap land on my cheek.
"Now we're even," she said as she looked at me with her cold eyes, "so, stop bothering me."