I wolfed down the entire bowl of pho, enjoying the tantalising aroma and authentic flavours of the dish as I noticed Doyle staring at me.
I averted my gaze and wiped my mouth as I saw my reflection in the window. I looked as normal as ever, especially if you were to compare the two of us.
"Had your fill?"
I was slightly jumpy and flinched when he talked to me. I glanced at him from the window, not daring to actually look at his face as I nodded.
I breathed a sigh of relief as he left to get a waiter to request for the bill. Aside from today, we barely talked. My face flushed from the thought of what we did and I shook my head to clear my thoughts.
My eyes fluttered open as I stared at the window and noticed some red marks near my nape. I furrowed my brows as I pulled my shirt collar slightly open.
"*gasp* That... This..."
That guy! He left hickeys on me?! He didn't seem like the type though... But that's not the point! The thing is, there is a company staycation in two days! I doubt this would go away before then!
I unbuttoned my shirt to check if my whole chest was covered with marks when I heard footsteps behind me. I instinctively pulled my jacket close together and sat more upright.
"You into voyeurism now?"
"Wha- N-no! You just... caught me off guard!"
"Right... You do know everyone could potentially see you right? Especially that group of women at the table beside us."
I gulped nervously as I quickly buttoned back my shirt. I didn't mean to do that! I just wanted to che-- nevermind. It'd sound like an excuse regardless.
I turned to face him with a frown before getting up from my seat. I then opened my hand expectantly as I waited for him to hand me the bill. I did insist on coming here, the least I could do was pay... though he did leave earlier...
"What? You seriously want to do it here?"
"What?! No! I meant... the bill! What are you thinking?" I nearly yelled as my entire face felt hot. Doyle seemed to be making fun of me as he chuckled to himself.
"It's fine, my treat."
He then patted my head before draping his arm over my shoulder in a friendly manner. It made us seem like close friends, even though we barely knew each other.
As we headed out of the shop, I felt a sense of deja vu. It felt as if this had happened before... But I couldn't recall anything.
As we reached his car, I was about to pull the handle when Doyle stopped my hand. I glanced at his face, noticing his slightly annoyed expression. I couldn't fathom why he would be annoyed at me at that moment but halted my gesture nonetheless.
Sensing my notion, Doyle seemed slightly more spirited as he pulled the corner of his lips into a grin and pulled open the car door in front me.
What... He wanted to be the passenger? So... he wants me to drive?
I stood awkwardly at the side, waiting for him to enter the car as I noticed his expression morphing into one of confusion. Now, even I was confused.
"What are you doing?"
"Huh? Didn't you want to rest? I can drive... Though I haven't practiced that much lately..."
"Wha... Sigh... That's not it... Just... get in. I'm driving."
I blinked in astonishment for a few minutes, not accustomed to such gentlemanly gestures before realising how silly I was. I rubbed the back of my head and put on an awkward grin before thanking him. I quickly got into the car and hid my face in between my fingers.
Aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh! That was embarrassing! He must think I'm an idiot! I thought such people didn't exist! Who knew gentlemen do exist?!
Doyle didn't enter the car for a while, leaving Lenford to bask in his humiliation as he beat himself up mentally.
Doyle on the other hand, was holding onto his stomach as he tried to rein in his laughter. Len was just so cute!
Len's bashful nature and timidness which usually were directed towards Rayson was now directed towards him. He found this endearing as he thought about Len's flushed cheeks as he had called out his name when they had sex.
He'd seen his flushed expression countless times today, yet, the way he misunderstood his gestures earlier was just as adorable! Even the way his eyes sparkled from the realisation of his misunderstanding was adorable!
Doyle ruffled his hair as he tried to calm himself down. It'd be a problem if he pounced on Len once again... He might confine him to the bed by accident.
***
As I finally calmed down, Doyle entered the car with a refreshed look on his face and his signature smug expression.
"Wh-what took you so long?" I asked, trying to play it cool.
"Huh? Er... Cigarette break?" Doyle answered. I furrowed my brows in confusion before looking down. He doesn't smoke though.
I fidgeted awkwardly before I decided to reach for the seat belt only for Doyle to extend an arm and pull it across my chest.
My mind went blank as I noticed our close proximity. Doyle's honey coloured hair tickled my nose as I stared at his long eyelashes. We made eye contact for a brief moment as he was pulling away from me and I immediately felt my cheeks beginning to burn. His eyes a beautiful shade of forest green drew me in, it was hard to break eye contact.
Doyle smiled at me and caressed my cheek with his thumb as he gave me a light peck on the lips. He then pulled away and put on his seat belt, leaving me staring at him in a haze.
The kiss was different from the others, it was reminiscent of all those romance movies where a couple would kiss each other before or after work... Wait a minute! What am I thinking! Also... it didn't taste like cigarettes... Why did he lie?
I shook my head and turned to gaze out of the window. Even though I tried to avoid staring at Doyle, the reflection on the window of him concentrating on the road was hard to resist.
In the end, it seemed like Doyle was more interesting to look at compared to the passing sceneries. From time to time, I'd see him strumming his fingers on the steering wheel or running his fingers through his golden locks.
The soft ballads of the classic oldies did nothing to stop the rhythmic beating I could hear thumping loudly in my ears. I didn't even realise the radio was on.
***
I groggily rubbed my eyes before my eyelids fluttered open. Everything was still a blur but the pitch black was what had me disorganised.
I sat up and looked for a light source, touching about the car. My hand touched something warm before I heard a soft groan.
I blinked rapidly before narrowing my eyes to adjust to the dim lighting. Doyle had his seat propped to the back and his arm draped against his forehead. It seems like he's taking a nap.
I glanced at my hand and noticed it was on his thigh. I immediately pulled my hand away as I scrambled to get away from him.
I don't want to cause another misunderstanding! Let's hope he doesn't notice...
His soft sigh filled the car as I watched his chest rise and fall. I glanced around and noticed that we were not in a location I recognised. I was a little confused as to what we were doing there.
The windows were open slightly for ventilation but small enough that no one could possibly rob us. I took off my seat belt and was about to nudge him awake but decided otherwise.
He looked like an angel. Well... definitely an angel when asleep and a devil when awake. So its better to let him rest.
Feeling a little curious, I pulled his arm down to take a look at his expression but was pulled into his embrace. I gasped from the suddenness of the situation and didn't know whether to struggle or to go with it.
My face was close to his chest and I was pinned in a somewhat uncomfortable position. I wanted to move but at the same time, I didn't want to wake him.
Feeling conflicted, I decided to move as slowly as I could. My back would break from staying in such an uncomfortable position after all.
I sighed in relief as I now was in a more comfortable position, however, I was now seated on his lap. I have no idea how I'm going to explain this when he wakes up.
He groaned a little and I flinched.
It's going to be far more awkward if he wakes up the moment I thought that. I hope I didn't jinx it!
Instead of waking up, Doyle pulled me closer to his chest, forcing me to press my cheek closer towards him.
I leaned against his chest as I heard his heartbeat. The calm beating of his heartbeat soothed me as I felt the rise and fall of his chest. The smell of peppermint filled my nostrils as I breathed slowly. His heartbeat seemed to be pounding pretty quickly though...
I felt a slight bump between my thighs and decided to glance downwards. However, my movement was restricted by his embrace so I have no idea what it was. I then snuggled closer to his chest, hoping to hear his heartbeat one more time but was surprised when I heard his voice.
"What are you doing?"
My face turned pale as I found my mind going blank.
Ah, I really did jinx it.