"Next week, I'll have three cars to test for speed and mileage. Wanna come?" He asked.
"Next week..." I muttered with uncertainty.
"It's nothing serious, I promise." He persuaded.
"Well, the thing is. I also have a part-time job on weekends. I don't know if I'll be allowed to be absent again." I said.
"You work?" There was amazement when he briefly glanced in my direction.
"Of course. How should I even afford to study if I don't work."
"Oh. Yeah. I understand." he only said and not asking further about my situation. Honestly, I'm also tired of repeating the same story to people who inquired why I work on double shift sometimes.
"Does that mean, you took your leave from your job today just for the date?"
"Yep," I answered and blinked in bafflement when the car suddenly stopped in the middle of the road. Good though that we already took the silent road towards wherever this restaurant he was talking about. "Why did we stop-"
My other words were left unsaid when Hunter leaned towards me and covered my lips with his own. It only lasted for a few seconds before he ended it with a peck.
"Darlin, you're drawing me into the deep." He said and my cheeks flushed for a stare that literally was hypnotizing. " I might never let you go."
My brain blared in a warning. I might end up being seduced right there but I was too stunned to react.
*********************************************************************
Just smile and nod. Smile and nod.
Even though I felt stupid while doing so.
I didn't know that the 'restaurant' that Hunter was talking about belonged to the royal family in which only of noble blood or direct kins of the royals were allowed to dine in there. I'm of neither noble blood nor even close to being of the king's direct kin. So what the hell am I doing here?
"She looks dazzling, Hakyi." One woman, whom I recognized to belong in high society, came to compliment me. I smiled at her without even bothering on saying thank you. It felt awkward to be mingling with noble wolves and to top it all, in my plain blue jeans and slightly oversized shirt.
"Isn't she? I thought so too the first time I laid eyes on her." The other woman in pristine dress added. "You can come to my husband's birthday celebration next month. I'll send the invitation."
"I believed she's your mate?" the third woman joined.
My eyebrows twitched slightly at such a question and I waited for his answers. Though, I know it's pretty impossible for me to be Hunter's mate. Can't they see that there was no scar on my neck or can't they sniff on their noses that I wasn't marked by any wolf yet? I don't believe too much in the law of mate selection. Nah ah. Not me, baby.
Hunter only answered them in language that I didn't understand. But it made those noble wolves giggle like little girls. Wow. Charming them came easy for him, eh?
The women then left us to their respective tables after saying this and that. I had no idea that Hunter was such a well-mannered man if he wanted to.
"Will you be alright with the orders I placed?" He asked me after a while.
I leaned over the table and he also did the same with raised brows. "Why here, Hunner?" I asked in a low voice. "I look like a lost homeless wolf here. Hey, I'm talking to you." I snapped at him in a small voice when he appeared to be in trance.
"Why did you just call me?"
"What? I asked you why here. I look ridiculous in my jeans!" I continued to ramble in controlled volume.
"Hunner?
I have no idea why he was grinning in bemusement but that was not important right now. I can't dine with these people. I think I might have indigestion!
"I like that. You can keep calling me that." He resigned with a satisfied grin yet on his face.
"You're not listening!" I widened my eyes to him to accentuate my point.
"What?"
"You realize that I'm not supposed to be here. I'm forbidden to set foot even on those grasses outside this restaurant!!"
"Nonsense. Let's just eat. I'm sorry about those people earlier. They can be obnoxious sometimes but they're delightful people on most days." he said.
"I heard this place isn't for an ordinary wolf like me." I continued.
"Who said you're ordinary?" He raised a question as if I said something wrong. "You're going out with me."
"And that makes me...What? Great?" I asked.
"No. Even without me, you already are." He said which made me withhold the things I would say for a second or two. "You seem unaware how you can easily attract any he-wolf. Not that I'll let them approach you."
"You're teasing."
"In fact, what they said is true. You're ravishing even in your jeans." he went on.
"S-stop. Can you not?" I pleaded and apologetically smiled on the table next to us. They can't even be subtle enough on eavesdropping on us.
"Alright." He laughed. "Though I'm telling you the truth."
Why is he so chatty? If Maia's with me at this moment, I bet that words would leave her mouth too. The Hunter in the school came in contrast with the one in front of me now.
He looked humorless whenever he walked around the school in purposeful strides. Maia and I even had no idea if he was only frowning in anger or in concentration before his pack members. To sum it all, Hunter's overall aura constantly came off as intimidating.
I can't help but stare back at his face and wonder, where that frightening version of Hunter had gone into? Or has he been always like this? Fascinating...Oh wait what? I did not just think that.
Thankfully, the food arrived which diverted Hunter's eyes from me. When will he stop from picking on me? He's been in high spirit for a while today.
The waiter laid the dishes of foods on our table. My eyes caught on how juicy was the well-cooked steak placed before me. I can't help but drool a little at their appetizing appeal. I didn't know that it would play in my favor when I paid attention to my study of table etiquette class.