"Who were they?!" Chi Hao Chen demanded while they walked towards her apartment.
"Customers," Lu Ming groaned. For the last ten minutes, he kept bugging her over and over about the weird meeting.
"They are too strange to be customers. Why did you draw for them?"
"They asked."
"You used your ability!" Chi Hao Chen snapped. Using his arm, he blocked her path through the hallway.
"As I do with all my art. That isn't a surprise to you."
"But in a cafe-"
Lu Ming sighed and walked around him, ignoring the thrill in her chest over his overprotective actions. 'I'm a friend. I'm like a sister to him. Nothing more', she reminded herself. "It's not a big deal."
"Why did you do it?"
"They were interested in my art."
"It didn't look like that was their only interest. That guy acted too friendly. Why did you let him lean so close?"
She blushed, recalling the way Li Jun pressed against her. "He wasn't that close."
"You shouldn't have drawn for them."
"It's my job. I just finished my mural and have no future work scheduled. I need to get clients, no matter what. Who cares about a simple doodle in a restaurant. I need money to eat."
"Pick a different career. A stable one."
"Please stop," Lu Ming pleaded. "I love art. It's my passion."
"This isn't about love."
"You can't stop me painting! Please don't fight me on this!"
They stared at each other, stuck in a stalemate. Five seconds passed and Chi Hao Chen's features began to change. It cued Lu Ming to melt. His 'morphing' constantly turned her into a puddle of emotions; his eyes turned blue, the pale skin peeled away to reveal a tan and the hazel mop of hair became fluffy and white. How could anyone resist such a handsome face which looked like a fairy? To add to it, she noticed he often glowed too.
"Lu Ming," he whispered in defeat.
He reached out and caressed her cheek. The touch seemed too gentle for friends, as did the receding space between them. Any closer and they would be kissing. The fleeting idea sparked something else to appear in Lu Ming's mind: the way Li Jun accepted her brash moves on him at the light show. The way he made her feel was opposite of Chi Hao Chen. He was exhilarating like a thrill ride whereas Chi Hao Chen was warm like a sunny day. Then, the way Li Jun kissed her...
What was she thinking? What should she think? In her mind was Li Jun then in front of her stood Chi Hao Chen. This never happened. Had the universe turned into a drama? 'Stop this madness and get inside your room', Lu Ming attempted to instruct her hyperaware body.
Ring ring. Ring ring. The spell broke. They stepped apart. The moment ended. Chi Hao Chen answered his phone.
"Hey baby. Yeah, I'll be there."
Instantly, Lu Ming knew the girlfriend had called. A wave of guilt washed over her. Chi Hao Chen's girlfriend didn't need the stress and worry of jealousy. Lu Ming needed to crush her romantic feelings or store them in a box, never to be opened. They were friends, no more, and his girlfriend needed that acknowledged. So, they should never be any 'almost' moments again.
"I can walk myself the rest of the way," Lu Ming said and left before he stopped her.