chapter 8

Chapter 22

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"I would like a loin steak, your signature seared bluefin tuna, and a bottle of 1947 Cheval Blanc." Aster whipped his head towards Megan's wincing face and smirked.

"What do you want, Spencer?"

She cleared her throat and smiled at the waitress. "Um, I'd like to get a rib-eye steak, and a serving of salad would suffice."

"Don't be shy, why don't you order more?" His voice cut her off, and she sent him a glare.

This annoying man—

"Nope, that's all. Thank you."

"How boring. Just enjoy, architect."

She rolled her eyes and took a sip of her water. "Tch. Don't get too cocky, Hotshot."

"Ain't my fault you got slow hands."

Curse you and your cooking skills, Cheeto!

Needless to say, she lost to their silly bet two months ago.

Yes, it's been two months of leisure and free meals for the chef, but for Megan? No one would be able to understand how much she wanted to punch his handsome face and smother it with her kisses at the same time.

It seems that a rich architect having a crush on someone has its downfalls, huh?

And tonight, Aster wanted to eat at a high-end restaurant to annoy her more. Surprise surprise, all is working in his favor.

"What else do you want?"

He held his chin with his forefinger, pretending to think. "Let's buy some almond meal downtown."

"Eh? If you're hell-bent on eating trail mix, we can buy those instead."

"Nah. That's too boring. I'll teach you how to make macarons sometime."

Macarons. Fudge, he knows my favorite dessert?

"Of course, Spencer. I always see you munching one whenever we go out."

"Oh, I said that out loud?"

He looked around the restaurant's interior. "Mhm."

She copied his action, taking in the ambiance of the place. She smiled and looked at his face again.

"Cheeto."

"Hm?"

She held her chin up, purposely sighing loudly while looking at the intricate structures on the walls. "I was one of the people who planned and designed this place."

He played with his napkin and nodded. "It's nice."

"I know, right?" She giggled. "You can work here if you want."

He shook his head, glancing at the waiter approaching their table, two trays on both hands. "Nah, I'm taking a rest, remember? I'm back to photography these days."

"I figured. Well, the offer still stands. I can talk to the higher-ups if you ever change your mind."

"Yeah."

Both of them thanked the waiter and started eating silently, giving a few glances here and there which would result in awkward neck scratching and throat-clearing.

You've been doing this "date" with him for two months already, Megan, loosen the frick up!

"So," she spoke, breaking the silence. "Have you considered going back to the Philippines, Cheeto?"

He stopped chewing the soft beef loin and looked away. "Is this your way of getting rid of my free meals, Spencer?"

"Of course not! I'm just curious." She pouted and stuck her fork on a potato marble.

"I'm not going back yet," he wiped his mouth with a napkin and finished the last bite of his bluefin tuna. "I can't miss the chance of ten more months of free meals."

"Tch. Be thankful that I like you."

"Thanks."

Gosh. "Quit it!"

He responded with a laugh. "Finish your food, let's get out of here."

Soon after, they left the restaurant as Aster drove off to heaven knows where.

"Uh, Cheeto." Megan tapped his shoulder when the car stopped.

"Hm?"

"Where are we going?"

He pressed on the gas pedal when the streetlight went green and shrugged. "Somewhere."

Megan pouted and stared at the window. "I should've bought macarons before we left..."

"Check the trunk."

"Eh?" She whipped her head towards the guy who's now tapping his fingers repeatedly on the wheel, leaning comfortably on the driver's seat.

"I baked some before leaving the apartment. Chocolate and custard, whatever."

What?

"That was...so thoughtful." And sweet, but he doesn't need to know that. "Thank you."

He scratched his nape in embarrassment but tried to hide his red face by looking at the window. "Yeah. It's nothing."

A guy who will bake your favorite dessert for you, ate Bliss must be lucky.

So freaking lucky.

But then again, it's nobody's fault she liked the wrong guy.

"Really, thank you. It's my first time receiving something made by someone. I normally the one who gives gifts, so..." He doesn't need to know that.

"I'm doing it for a good friend."

Right, a friend. Know your limits, Megan.

"Good to know, then."

They pulled over to an empty parking space, not a single person in sight. Megan hesitated to step her foot outside of the car.

"What are we doing here?"

He did not say anything and just removed his seatbelt, looking back at the woman on his right.

"This is another Aster Pogi Therapy." He got out of the car and opened the door for her.

She snorted, taking his hand that he offered. "I'm pretty sure that Megan's Therapy is still unbeatable."

"I doubt that."

"Shut up!" She cackled and hit his arm. Aster remained indifferent, he was already used to Megan's hitting habits.

And if someone would ask her if it's an excuse to have physical contact with Flamin' Hot Cheetos, the answer is yes. Yes, it is.

And he doesn't mind, much to her delight.

Aster walked over to the back of the car and opened the trunk, revealing a large box. He carried it while Megan closed the trunk as she trotted over to where the guy is heading to. The lot is still covered in snow, but she was sensing that Cheeto already got used to it.

I mean, we go out almost every day...

After a few minutes of the neverending bickering and neck slapping, Aster opened the door to a small cubicle. To say that Megan was stunned was an understatement.

Heck, she was so close to crying if it weren't for the funny look etched on Aster's dazzling face.

Standing on the entrance, a beautiful, cozy sight welcomed her.

A number of fluffy pillows, a soft blanket, Aster's open laptop with a movie trailer playing, some desserts, and her favorite sourdough pretzels on one side, and a few fairy lights filled the small space. She stared at the guy in shock.

No way. Her jaws dropped. There's no effing way he did this.

"Ch-Cheeto–"

"Um, surprise?"

Her eyes twinkled in delight and admiration. "This..."

"I was actually planning this yesterday as a thank you gift for all of the meals for the past few months." He looked away and grabbed the blanket, gesturing her to sit down. "Cheesy, I know, but you love watching movies and that bread you can't get enough of. It looks messy as heck since I did this alone and the design is definitely not Megan-certified so–"

"Cheeto," she muttered, cutting him off. "I can't thank you enough. This is amazing. Thank you."

"You're my friend, and I know you still haven't moved on from Damien, so I hope this would take your mind off of things for a while."

Megan smiled, leaned closer and kissed his cheek. It lasted for a short second before she pulled out and flashed a small smile again.

"I know you won't be able to return these lingering feelings, but," She sighed and stared at the movie rolling on the small screen in front of them.

"I don't regret liking you, Aster. And this just made me adore you more."

Regret? Another heartbreak? Shtoopid Megan, the damsel in distress? Triple check.