I coughed a few times choking on the water that was making its way down my throat. That took me by surprise. You would think a poker face like Mu Yi would never say these lines. I had to remind myself not to fall for his sweet words. Well, not like he ever said those kinds of words to me before or to any women out there. I think.
"And to thank you for this," Mu Yi put one finger to his lip with a mischevious smile.
My face heated up as bright as a tomato remembering his gentle kiss, and his soft lips against my fingertips.
"Here you go!" The waiter grinned from one ear to another putting down the bowls and pork rib plate. "This one will be on the house."
He set down a small bowl of sticky rice cakes. Oh, how delicious did it look! Everything looked wonderful! I had been craving these for the last seven years. So much that a part of me almost secretly order someone to come buy me some. I dug in right away after the waiter left us.
Mu Yi slowly ate his bowl of noodle meanwhile sneaking a few glances at Anong. She was eating so fast that he thought she might choke again, but on her food. He poured some water into her cup that was almost empty. Mu Yi smiled unconsciously seeing how happy she looked just eating.
Noticing that there was just one pork rib left. Mu Yi cleared his throat and announced he was full. He moved the plate with the pork rib closer to Yun Anong.
I shrugged my shoulders and took it without hesitating. I haven't had these noddles and pork ribs for almost seven years. Mu Yi will be okay if I have this last one. I literally licked the bowl cleaned when I finished every last thing on the table. Even the waiter might get confused if he gave us one clean empty bowl.
Mu Yi offered to take me home considering it was getting late. I, of course, rejected his offer. I did not want us to move any further from where we are. I rather wait thirty minutes for the bus than sit in a car with him.
"What is this? How can you use me and leave me!" Mu Yi exploded, loud enough that everyone in the entire restaurant had turned their attention to us.
Quickly, I covered his mouth with my hands. How could he say something like this! The way he said it can cause a huge misunderstanding. It apparently did because everyone kept staring at us with a few of them snickering.
"Do you not have any shame?" I sneered.
Mu Yi grasped my hands covering his mouth, giving them a light peck with his lips. "I can be more shameless, unless..."
"Fine!" I agreed immediately through clenched teeth and taking my hands back.
Mu Yi once again took me by hand and led me to his car happily. Everything going on was too much for me to take in. I never would have thought Mu Yi could ever be shameless. It was as if I was talking to someone who looked like Mu Yi, but his personality was the complete opposite.
The entire car ride back to my place, we did not speak a word to each other. Mu Yi's focus was on the road because it was raining heavily with lightning and thunders. We arrived at my place finally after it felt like an eternity, in reality, it was less than thirty minutes. He parked in the parking lot in front of an apartment building.
"You live here?" Mu Yi asked, looking at the rundown apartment building. It appeared even worse with the pouring rain.
"Yes," I replied, running inside the building to seek shelter. "Thank you for the food and ride!"
Then I heard footsteps running after me. I didn't have to turn around to guess who was tailing me.
"Can I help you?" I turned around asking Mu Yi who stood straight and tall with his hands in his pockets.
"I'm all wet." Mu Yi pointed to his wet clothing and hair.
You wouldn't be if you didn't chase after me. Could have stayed nice and dry in the car. I had a feeling he doubted whether or not I truly lived here. Truthfully, this is not my home, although I do live here now by myself. It was more convenient to move around for the time being.
I gave in to Mu Yi's request and led him all the way to my apartment including to letting him inside. More like he forced himself in uninvited. I lived in a one bedroom apartment that was perfect for two people. Oddly, it was slightly suffocating with Mu Yi in here. I couldn't move around to my liking in the comfort of my own place.
"Can you leave now?" I handed him a towel to dry himself. "You have seen where I lived and received something to dry yourself."
Mu Yi sat on my couch the same way I did earlier in his office, making himself at home.
"How heartless of you to let me drive in this weather. Right?" Mu Yi frowned and took a glance at his watch. "Wouldn't you look at the time, I think I'll have to spend the night here.