"America is what in your life?"
"Childhood friend. We basically grew up together in the sense that she almost lives in our house whenever her mom and dad got into a fight."
"I see. Are you sure Taylor Swift isn't your friend?" Nickel asked her after sharing a piece of her life.
"Huh? Taylor Swift as in The Taylor Swift? Of course not and if I do I would probably apply to her as her bag handler to earn money. Why?"
"Because of your life is somehow similar to some of her songs. I'm just wondering if there is an instance that you've to mention your life to her and if she comes up to a new song out of it."
The life sharing activity of the two ended shortly after Zoey finished her dish. Nickel offered to help her in setting the table but because he is her first acknowledged guest she wouldn't let him do anything other than devouring her Kare-Kare.
The two started eating. Nickel compliment her by saying the most used quotation once a lady can cook delicious food for someone.
"You're ready to marry me." He said. Zoey, on the other hand, choked from her food from what Nickel had said. "Wait! What?" Her complexion posthaste turned red.
Without realizing Zoey's reaction he unconsciously replied. "I said…" but he didn't have the chance to repeat it again because Zoey accidentally poured the soup into her dress. Due to its hotness her thigh area where the soup poured turned into red spot into her porcelain skin.
Nickel who first-hand saw the accidental immediately came to her aid. He didn't even realize that he was already touching her thigh until Zoey felt a cold skin into hers which froze her body in an instance.
Zoey composed herself then and excused to fix and change.
She saw the red spot onto her skin which hurt a lot. When running water cannot lessen the pain, she tried to apply ointment from her first aid box.
Unfortunately, her mother's recommended ointment was already depleted from her frequently using.
"Nickel I'll just go down to buy something. I'll come back later." Zoey didn't mind hearing his response and went straight out of the room.
Sometimes due to his slow interpretation of everything, he didn't promptly perceive the words that came out of his mouth. He was already got used to in teasing Zoey from time to time and indirectly showing his affection.
Well in fact for Zoey, who isn't dumb as you think she is, received and acknowledged it as his unclear signals.
On her way out, she was already debating with herself whether Nickel's words were all jokes or whatever. Anyway, jokes are also a half-truth. As if there are an evil and angel version of her talking about what should they do.
"No! You all know that Nickel is being a tease all the time. He loves teasing everyone!" The Angel Zoey said.
"Everyone? Or is it only one?" The Evil one replied.
"Come on Zoey! Don't be too innocent here! As if you haven't encountered someone who was like this? Generation nowadays like teasing or love being playful towards the person they like or love."
"For the love of God! Stop assuming things! Don't you remember that according to our accounting principle "Never assume, unless otherwise stated." Assuming that Nickel likes our dear Zoey will jeopardize their relationship. What if he didn't mean all his words?"
"It already came from you! What if! What if you are wrong and I'm right? Its already a love blooming for her why are you being an ass here?"
When the two imaginary Zoey was almost on the verge of killing each other Zoey screamed from the top of her lungs. She wasn't aware that there was an old man inside the elevator who startled from her scream. "Kkamjjakiya!" he said. The old man is a Korean national residing in the country.
With the help of her Korean drama addiction, Zoey right away said sorry to him. "Mianhalmida halabeonim."
The man smiled at her and said, "Oh! You know how to speak Korean?" He felt amazed that a youngster like Zoey can speak formal Korean to him. "Not exactly. I just know a few words. Hehe!"
The two reached the ground they then depart ways. Zoey went to the convenient store to buy herself a burn ointment and some snack.
After a few minutes of short grocery she went out of the store and go back to her room with an unclear perception of Nickel.
Not far from the convenient store parked Michael's car, who that he was lucky that he saw Zoey coming out of the building.
With his jealousy from his thoughts between Nickel and Zoey, he pulled Zoey going to the nearest park from that area. Zoey was just about to step her foot out of the store when a man suddenly grabbed her wrist and start pulling her somewhere else.
Due to that, the area of Serenity Condominium is secluded and there not much of residents, no one came to help her when she was asking for help.
"What the fuck! Let go of me, Michael!"
"No!"
"Help!"
"Stop screaming for help! I won't do anything to you."
"If that's so. Let go of me in an instance."
Michael released her wrist when they reached the quiet park. "No, we need to talk."