Bing. The lift's door opened. Out came a Luka who was in a good mood while Yana slowly eased herself in to act normal with Luka again.
"So, your habit of acting cute-"
"I won't stop," before they got to the reception of the restaurant, Luka halted and looked Yana deep in the eyes, "It's not a play or an act, it's my sincere feelings for you."
"Oh…" Yana was overwhelmed by Luka's seriousness.
"Ok," was the only thing she said which made Luka sulked a bit before he cheekily smiled, ''Also, I'm very adorable when I'm cute, aren't I?"
Millions of veins popped on Yana's face. Since when was Luka such a narcissist? Cute? Who? His shoe? Ah yes, draw a smiley and bunny ears on them, very cute…
Luka? Cute? No. Well… maybe a little bit. Either way, Yana didn't appreciate this type of narcissism because it suddenly reminded her of Jin. A fellow annoying idiot who should bathe in a seawater full of modesty.
"Yana is always cute," Luka resumed his walk while spitting out this sentence. Yana didn't appreciate it as well.
"This!" Yana quickly pointed out, "Stop complimenting me like this or say stuff like that! I don't like it."
"Why?" Luka truly looked confused, "I'm just saying the truth."
"You're annoying."
Sulk.
"This is what I mean! Stop sulking! The old Luka would hit me back with a snarky comment!" Yana preferred to banter with Luka than to have this… this wannabe cute thing with her.
"But I don't want to, I was stupid back then. Now all I want is to let you feel-"
"We have made a reservation," Yana bluntly cut Luka off to avoid hearing any cringy words as they arrived in front of a hostess. The hostess was surprised at this good-looking couple and flustered brought them to their table. All the while, Luka tenderly looked at Yana who stared in front of her, hoping she could twist Luka's neck off to stop his peeping habit.
Yana now regretted allowing Luka and her get closer. This Luka was completely different from how he used to be! Of course, Yana has noticed this since a while ago but she thought it was only because she gave him the cold shoulder! Now that they established their normal relationship, shouldn't he revert back?
No, can't he, for the love of Yana's sanity revert back?
"Look at your menu and not me!"
"You could be my me-"
"Stop it already!"
Who was this? Who was this imposter who pretended to be Luka? Just who?
Yana needed to focus, she should stop getting so distracted by these thoughts. She should try to enjoy herself and take a day off from being Yana who worked for the EF, who was doing a mission and who found Luka suspicious.
Right now, she was just Yana who didn't want to worry about those kinds of things. Yana's eyes shifted back to Luka who continued to sulk. A long sigh escaped Yana's lips before she put down the menu, "You already know what you'll be choosing?"
Excited that Yana started the conversation first, Luka was spurred on. Seeing that he seemingly crossed the line yet Yana didn't mind, Luka was finally reassured that Yana really meant it when she agreed to be nicer to him.
"Let's share," Luka wore a goofy smile as he put his chin on his hand and watched her, "We each choose a dish and then share, so we can taste different- wait, just order anything you want."
Luka was actually a bit conflicted because the romance tips books said that sharing was romantic but then in the romance novels, the female readers gushed over the male lead who spoiled his woman and gave her everything she wanted.
So Luka was at a loss about what to do. Why was this so complicated? If only Yana opened up more to him, like back then when she took the lead and was as easy to read as a book because she did what she wanted, said what she wanted.
But now Luka barely knew her preferences. Yana was also way more reserved. Her cheerfulness was all gone. Or has she become mature? Luka couldn't tell.
Yana saw his anticipating stare, "Let's just order what we want to eat-"
"And then share?"
Yana actually wanted to say, 'like every other normal person and just eat our own food' but Luka's hopeful eyes were too dazzling that Yana could only give in, "Whatever you want."
The beam on Luka's face rose. Rather than him spoiling her, Luka felt he was the one being spoilt! Yana being so caring about him, was a dream come true. It was nowhere near how they used to be but that was fine for Luka.
Right now, this was enough. Baby steps. Luka already promised to take little steps with Yana, so he wouldn't immediately request more.
Although he wanted to do many more things with Yana this should be left for later when Yana was willing. While Luka was floating on his clouds, the food arrived with the waiter skillfully putting down the plates and beautifully pouring the water in an arc into their glasses.
Luka was immediately displeased by this obvious flex, but Yana wasn't, she was amazed by the waiter's skill. Luka's face became cold from 1 to 1000 real quick and only thawed when he and Yana were alone.
Once he saw Yana's plate, he couldn't help but put his sharing tactic he read about into action. Yana just watched how Luka shovelled half of his food onto her plate while he only took a small piece of hers and tenderly said, "Quik, eat."
Yana's face blanked and she quietly ate while Luka still didn't stop looking at her, "Eat too."
"Yes," as if Luka was waiting for her to coax him with gentle words, Luka began to eat as well.
Yana… Yana was seriously at a loss whether she should cry or laugh. Luka was unbelievable, well how should Yana describe him? Childish but there was also a certain charm to it. When Luka acted like this, Yana couldn't help but think Luka was harmless.
Maybe Luka was or not, for now, it didn't matter.
"Don't," Yana belatedly realised that Luka stretched out his arm to wipe her mouth, "Stop pouting."
Yana took back what she said. There was nothing charming and innocent about a big baby!