To pass the time, Lianne asked Lily, "By the way, what did you mean earlier? When you said that Zero and I were cute?"
Lily looked at both of them, and explained, "The way you seem to be able to know each other's thoughts sometimes. I mean, like, Zero knew you were struggling to finish your meal. The fact that he took your food meant he knew you didn't like wasting food."
"I find that both fascinating and cute," Lily replied, "I thought this was only something that could exist between twins or something. Yet, you're just siblings and are so close."
The way Lily said 'siblings' made Lianne understand that Lily had misunderstood. Of course, to her, Zero was her brother but if Lily was to find out later that they were not blood related at all, she may think Zero had lied to her.
"Probably because we are siblings that chose each other," Lianne said.
"Chose each other?" Lily asked, her eyebrows furrowed closely together, not understanding.
"Zero is an orphan," Lianne said, "With no siblings. He grew up in an orphanage and as you can tell …"
Lianne said, indicating Zero with a wave of her hand, "He is very sociable."
Lily laughed a bit, knowing Lianne meant the opposite. She smiled then, her eyes sparkling and Zero found himself utterly fascinated by her interest in his boring story.
"I am anti-social," Lianne said, "Rather, I don't like to mix. We met and clicked. It's like two pieces of a puzzle fitting together. We understand each other. He's more than my best friend. He's my brother."
"So you're not related by blood at all?" Lily asked, surprised.
"Nope," Lianne replied, "Zero was born in Country Tz. I'm originally from Country M and only moved here when I was 13. We met because he works for my benefactor, Kyle."
"It's Fate, I guess," Lianne said, then added a little louder "I'm just truly lucky to have Zero in my life. He has a very special place in my heart."
Zero just smiled, and seeing this, Lily knew that it was the same for Zero.
Now, Lily was having slightly complicated feelings.
Lianne's revelation explained a lot of things for her, and cleared the doubts she had earlier. Zero truly regarded Lianne as his sister, and hence, that was why he had said she was.
Lianne, on the other hand, made it a point to explain to her that they weren't related by blood.
And thus, that was why Lily was having complicated feelings.
Did this mean that Lianne was basically telling her that she had feelings for Zero? That Zero was unaware?
As if hearing her unspoken question, Lianne continued, in a lower voice as she brought the cup to her lips, "I've known Zero for 7 years and see him purely as a brother, Lily."
Lily blinked.
Lianne knew what she was thinking?! She blushed.
Zero found her reactions so fascinating.
Lianne grinned, seeing Zero looking at Lily.
She looked up, to see Kai at their table again.
Yes, she had said the earlier words about Zero having a special place in her heart, loudly, so that Kai would hear, and then hid her lips behind the cup so that he wouldn't be able to lip read what she said to Lily after.
However, what surprised Lianne was that when she saw that flash of dismay … and sadness … in his eyes, it affected her more than she thought it would.
She sighed to herself.
Was this really the right thing to do?
"Shall we?" Kai asked as he reached them.
He didn't look like he had heard anything and was acting like normal. But, Lianne knew better.
So did Zero.
He gave Lianne a glance and she grimaced.
She turned her head away, and heard him tsk a bit under his breath since she wasn't looking at him.
Fine.
Zero was right.
She had gone a bit overboard with that last move.
After all, she had known his feelings for her. Hearing that, while thinking that Zero was her boyfriend - was a bit unfair.
She had wanted to drive the point that Zero was important to her, but she should have done it after clearing the slate.
✿ Author only posts on w.e.b.n.o.v.e.l. ✿
Right now, they were at the park that was just across the street of the restaurant that they had dinner in. Kai and Lianne were walking in front while Zero and Lily were behind.
They were quiet at first, just walking silently side-by-side as they took in the clear, night air.
"Did you enjoy dinner?" Kai asked, breaking the silence.
"Yes," Lianne said, "Thank you for introducing the place to us."
Kai smiled, thinking that next time, she'd probably come here with Zero. He'll have to stop coming here then, for he didn't think he would be able to handle seeing her with him there.
"I'm glad," Kai said, "And sorry that the evening was ruined with Stanley showing up."
"That's no big deal," Lianne replied, looking at the sky, "It wasn't ruined and you kept your promise. You only took a few minutes."
Kai smiled wryly.
If only he had taken just a few minutes more. He wouldn't have had to hear those words of hers. It would have let him remain under the delusion that he had a chance with her.
His heart was broken but he didn't want to show it.
He wanted to milk this night for what it's worth.
With those words, it sealed his fate.
She would never fall for him.
She already had Zero in her heart.
Even now, when she was supposed to be on a date with him, she had only done so because Zero had persuaded her - and, Zero was here.
He might as well not have had the date.
But he still clutched at whatever straw he could, only to have it slip through his fingers.
"Come," Kai said, offering his hand, "There's something I want to show you."
Lianne looked at his proffered hand and after hesitating for a while, took it. It was the least she could do, she thought, for she had hurt him immensely just now.
Kai was surprised that Lianne actually did take his hand and he couldn't help the grin that appeared. At least, he would have this memory.
He brought her to the bench, and indicated to Zero to sit at the other bench a few metres away from them. The bench couldn't sit four after all.
"What is it?" Lianne asked.
"Just wait," Kai said, looking at his watch then counted, 3-2-1.."
Suddenly, the night sky was filled with fantastic, colourful blasts of light.
Lianne gasped at seeing the fireworks that filled the air. People around were surprised as well and everyone stood still to watch the scene.
Lianne squeezed Kai's hand without realising it, her eyes taking in the multitude of colours that seemed to cover the sky. Kai looked at Lianne's face, staring intently, as if imprinting her image in his mind for the last time.
She looked absolutely breathtaking.
It seemed like her face was bathed in the colourful lights of the fireworks. Instead of diminishing her beauty, it only enhanced it.
Her eyelashes seemed to be glittering, her skin seemed to be glowing, her lips were enticingly moist and the sparkle in her eyes. Gosh, the sparkle.
Suddenly, that face turned towards him and those beautiful eyes entrapped him as she dropped a bombshell.
"Zero isn't my boyfriend."