"What are you saying there? I don't even know that they're going to be here, Louie," she added in an infuriated tone.
"So it's a coincidence?" Louie asked. Friya nodded, picking up the fork, and took a big slurp of her noodles. Louie glared at Sean's back, who was having a lovely conversation with that woman. Louie didn't know what to do but to turn his head to the side.
Louie rolled his eyes, trying to release that anger he once felt with Feline. Was she going to continue being dumb about the relationship she has with Sean by now? She pretended to be his girlfriend, for God's sake!
Louie gripped the cup on the side. He dunked the water in his mouth, draining it down his parched throat.
Feline noticed someone at the entrance of the tent. She widened her eyes, whispering, "Oh. He's here."
Sean stopped from talking how he got embarrassed in front of his parents earlier. He raised his eyebrows to his girlfriend, asking, "What? Who is here?"
Feline didn't notice Friya's back. She only thought that Louie was dining in with a woman. She sniggered. It crossed her mind why was it not Friya he took to dinner. Feline took a shot glass, pouring down the alcohol down. She also did the same thing to Sean.
They clunked their glasses together, beaming. She was going to gulp the spirit in, but a voice that she recognized resonated all over the area. Feline halted from sipping the alcohol, widening her eyes as she realized the owner of the voice.
"I'm not going to call you, okay?" she raised her voice, irritated by how Louie was eager for her calls. Friya continued to sip in the noodles as one couple behind her stood up. They paid at the counter, went out of the tent, and the only customers left were her, Louie, Feline, and Sean.
They're far from each other, but Louie could sense Feline gazing upon them. Friya clasped the soju bottle, cracked the cap open, and she poured down half of the contents on the glass. Louie didn't stop her from what she's doing.
By then, he got astonished why Feline stood up from her place. She unclasped the shot glass at the table. Leaving Sean behind, he's puzzled. Feline walked up to the center alley. Louie blinked several times, gasping, "Feline."
Friya choked on the noodles. She nearly lost her breath. She chewed the food on her mouth first, turning on the side, and beamed. As if nothing happened. Friya turned, smiling. Her heart sank on the floor. Louie didn't know what to say, bursting out, "What are you doing? You're having a date with your boyfriend, aren't you?"
Friya didn't know where to look. Feline stood still, observing their food, and the emotions crossing on Friya's face. A glimpse of joy erupted. Feline knew where this was heading off. Feline beamed, saying, "It's too shy to ask, but since you're here with Louie... and Friya... do you want to join us?"
It was like putting yourself in the fire. The embers of that raging fire succumbed her to death. That question nearly gave her a heart attack. Did she only wanted Friya to join because she's going to show off? Friya knew it well. Sean was hers now. And if she wanted to argue with it, taking in the spot back, who cares? Sean made fresh memories with her.
In that month, she should have done something, too. If she really wanted to get him back. To where he truly belonged. Friya swallowed as she considered her answer. Feline knew she's winning the game, and Friya was the loser. Louie was skeptical to give the answer, letting Friya consider.
"If it's too difficult to join us..."
"No. We'll join you, Feline. It's easy to do so, am I right?" Friya spoke up. Feline took a step back, surprised by how bold Friya was. She thought she's going to back down. Louie also gaped, trying to resist the surprise in his guts. He cleared his throat as Feline gritted her teeth.
"Cmon, our order is coming right up. I'll add a bunch of soju bottles for us to enjoy." Feline chuckled as she walked off again to Sean. He's scrutinizing him at that distance, and he asked where did she gone. Feline sat down for a few moments.
"I invited someone over. I wanted them to join our drinks. Is it alright with you?" she queried. Sean didn't have the guts to say no. He agreed with it.
...
The four of them sat around outside of the tent. Feline wanted to change their seats. The atmosphere was perfect: the humid air accompanied them on a breezy night; the wind was frigid as it was. Global warming never failed to change the mood when it's midday, but in the night's dead, it's gloomy.
Louie and Friya sat down beside each other. Sean was in front of Friya, and it was uncomfortable to look up. Friya finished her bowl of noodles as Louie poured her a drink. She swallowed, said thank you.
It's the first time Sean had seen these two. But something in his memory jogged. Did they know them before this? Or he was wrong? He shrugged it off, picked up the Gimbap roll. Sean stuffed it inside his mouth, chewing the delicacy with closed eyes.
Friya glimpse at how ecstatic his face was, and smirked a little. Feline began, "How's work? Did you two dropped by here to have a drink?"
She's pretending to be joyous with this setup. After all, she couldn't take back what she said. Feline tried to keep the ball rolling, and added, "You two must have been getting good together."
"No. We're just dropping by to have some drink," Louie retorted. He doesn't want to label his relationship with Friya. All he knew was that they're friends, that's all. Friya nodded, as if she could develop feelings for him, it's impossible to do so.
"Have we met before?" Sean recovered his voice.