The shopping center wasn't really crowded since it was late, and I grabbed a cart before strolling around the aisles searching for what I wanted. Eugene continued to follow me around while I fetched a few toiletries and snacks. We discussed the various products and the fact that some of them shouldn't even be marketed owing to the toxic substances in them. Strangely, we were having a pretty friendly chat. I didn't have to discipline myself around him; the conversation simply flowed effortlessly. There was never a scarcity of subjects, and I felt at ease.
Sure, there have been some sparks whenever we accidentally touched, or I got this hormonal wrath when he came too close, but apart from that, we were okay. I didn't even feel the need to be skeptical around him, and this ease and comfort were alarming me more than my sexual appetite for him. I have seldom felt so relaxed around my previous boyfriends.
"Ah, Oreos."
I gasped as my eyes landed on the stacks of blue boxes adorning the shelves. It was perfection in disguise, and it happened to be on promotion. Can it get any better?
"It's just my lucky day today."
I declared while I heaped one-fourth of the trolley with Oreo cookies. The older man next to me was throwing me some unimpressed glances, but I avoided him like I would avoid a wingless cockroach.
"Why do you require so many cookies?"
Eugene inquired, his dark eyes drawn to the mound.
"Half will go to my cabinet. I can share the rest with you, Carla, Nathaniel, and the others. Trust me, you will not get another promotion like this."
And it wasn't even an exaggeration. I moved on, inspecting the contents of the remaining counters.
"You pretend as though you don't give a shite about others, but you really do."
I whirled around, tiptoed towards him, and started waving my forefinger sideways against his nose.
"Nah ah. It's not that I pretend like I don't care. I just don't combine my private and professional lives."
I watched him smile as I turned back again and resumed shopping. We wandered inside the store for over an hour, snacking, buying groceries, then snacking again.
"Wait a minute, I forgot the milk."
Eugene muttered as we waited in the queue, and I urged him to return fast. Having to wait in front of the cashier, especially if another customer is standing behind me, tends to give me a lot of anxiety, regardless of how grown up I get. Perhaps I could pay for the current items and purchase the milk separately.
Just when only three more products were left, Eugene reappeared with some doughnuts and a bottle of milk, and I beamed at him as relief washed over my stiff body. For Christ's sake, I am twenty-seven. He insisted on paying for the goods, but I was quick enough since I already had my debit card in hand.
"Come on, you should at least let me pay for my things."
He whined while I went through the invoice twice, just to make sure that nothing was billed twice or wrongly. I folded the paper into a plastic bag and smirked at him as he wheeled the cart outside.
"You want to pay? Fine. Buy me some food."
"You are hungry?"
He asked, evidently surprised, and I simply shrugged.
I wasn't particularly starving, and there was plenty of food back in my room; however, I was keen on spending more time with him. I understood I was potentially exposing myself here; nevertheless, he consented. Since there was a Subway store just adjacent to the mall, we loaded our stuff into the vehicle and walked over to the restaurant.
Eugene ordered clam chowder soup, while I chose a 6-inch Subway Melt. He instructed me to wait for him at the table while he paid, and I listened to him like an excited toddler.
I took the time to observe every individual in the hall until the doorway opened and three men and two women, all dressed in their party clothes, sauntered in. They seemed to have just left a club; the smell of their strong perfumes hit me first. Given that it was late, there were only a handful of people in the room; therefore, the new group's chatter echoed all across the spacious room. I didn't fully grasp the majority of what they said, but I had managed to pick up a few words and expressions during my time here and had been watching far too many Thai dramas, which allowed me to make out a broad outline. They were lamenting about their jobs and how unpleasant their colleagues were. I couldn't catch much and wasn't really interested.
As I saw Eugene returning from the counter with a tray filled with our food, I stretched my arm to beckon him over. However, I was interrupted by one of the men from the group as he stood up, his gleaming eyes fixed on Eugene.
"Tanawat?"
Eugene came to a halt in front of me and turned to confront the newcomers at the other end of our table. I must have imagined it, but I thought Eugene looked nervous all of a sudden. Nevertheless, he smiled widely at all of them, and the guy who stood up walked over to Eugene with stretched arms.
"It's been a long time, bro."
Eugene responded in Thai, and the two of them were engaging in a conversation that was easy for me to hear but not quite comprehend. All I could gather was that they were all his former classmates who hadn't seen each other in a long time. The other guy kept addressing Eugene as Tanawat, and I wondered whether that was his Thai name. Tanawat... Sounds nice...
Then the others joined them, except for one girl who remained seated, although she kept her gaze fastened on Eugene, and I was fully aware of that expression. I was envious. I was envious because she looked gorgeous. She was the type of girl who caught the eye of every man. Shit, even I was absently checking her out just a few minutes ago.
I expected Eugene to come back once they caught up, but instead he peered over to their table, recognized the girl, and grinned. He literally grinned. It was a tension-filled smile, and that irritated me. It was obvious that they had been more than just friends before. Maybe one of them had a crush on the other person and the latter knew about it, or they were both ex-lovers.
I started bouncing my left knee up and down, desperately wanting to disrupt their talk, but fortunately, my self-esteem was still unscathed. They must have invited Eugene to their booth as he began to decline their offer, and 'FINALLY', motioned towards me, saying something.
Now, all eyes were on me, and I had to force a smile since I wasn't interested in taking on the role of a jealous bitch. Why on earth would I be jealous, anyway? It's not as though I am dating Eugene or whatever, and yet I felt terrible for bringing him here.
When they noticed me, their eyes brightened up, and one of the guys waved enthusiastically at me, which I reciprocated. Their conversation became more pressing after that and eventually, Eugene walked to me with a slouched shoulder and bowed slightly so that he can talk to me without them hearing anything.
"They are my college friends. They have asked us to join them. I rejected, but..."
"It's alright. It's always great to have some company."
I sprang to my feet, snatched my phone from the table and had a dazzling smile on my face that I solely wore when it was necessary to act polite in public, especially during press meets and interviews. Furthermore, I wanted to show the girl that she didn't bother me. I wished to prevent myself from looking as insignificant as I felt.
Eugene cocked an eyebrow, scepticism clouding his facial features.
"Are you sure? I know you hate socialising."
I locked my eyes on him, infuriated to the core. What exactly am I? A chimpanzee locked inside the zoo?
"If I didn't socialise, Eugene, I wouldn't have been here."
I stated sharply before strolling over to the bigger booth, leaving him alone. Alright, I might not be very gregarious, but he didn't have to shove it in my face.
"Hello."
Every one of them stood up as I neared, and we exchanged pleasantries. Thankfully, they spoke English, so I didn't have to rely on my smartphone translator. I was still furious at Eugene and would rather remain silent than ask him for help.
The reason for my agitation was that I rushed over, only to find three unoccupied chairs. One beside me, one next to that girl, and one alongside a guy. It was far too much to expect him to sit next to me, so I hoped he would settle beside the other guy. What if he didn't want the girl to misunderstand him by sitting close to me? What if she was the reason he keeps rejecting me? But to my surprise, without even a pause, he came and plopped down on the wooden chair adjacent to me, causing our shoulders to touch. And the girl noticed it as well, because her attention bounced between me and Eugene. I wanted to smirk triumphantly at her, but then I realized how immature that really was.
"I am a huge fan of your writings. I have read 'Falling For You' more than three times already."
I smiled genuinely as the other girl continued, her eyes wide in excitement. I had no idea what her name was, but she was adorable.
"I appreciate it, and I like the color of your hair."
I commented, pointing at her vibrant blue hair. The locks bounced with the movement of her head, and it was in stark contrast to her innocent face. Her fingers reflexively moved to stroke her tresses, and her grin grew broader.
"Thank you very much..."
"May we take a photograph?"
The person next to me requested, and I hesitated for a moment until Eugene stepped in.
"Come on, Pat."
Eugene muttered, raising his voice, and I started to get irritated yet again. He was behaving differently, and it was apparent that he didn't appreciate me being there. So, why in the world did he call me here? He should have just flatly refused their invitation.
"It's not a problem." I said, not even caring to throw Eugene a glance.
We took random pictures for the next ten minutes, and one thing that struck me was that Eugene and that girl kept trading looks. Their meals arrived soon after, and mine didn't even look appetizing anymore. However, I nibbled on the bread while everybody laughed around me. They were having a great time and attempted to include me, which I did. Even though all I wanted was to get away from every single one of them. This was the first time I felt so jealous that I wanted to burst into tears.
Eugene offered me a glass of Sprite, but I declined. He handed me the tissue when I asked some other guy for it, and I thanked him politely, making sure that our skin didn't touch as I took the paper. When he asked if I needed anything else, I stared him in the eyes and answered no. I assumed that he was looking out for me to ensure I didn't feel left out, but even during the numerous parties that I sat alone without company, I have never felt so lonely. It was suffocating. I hardly made it halfway through the sandwich before I felt like I would throw up.
"Excuse me, I need to use the lavatory."
I announced, standing up.
"I will come with you."
Eugene stood up as well, and I restrained a string of cuss words from escaping my lips.
"I am not a child, Eugene."
I said it while maintaining a smile, or so I believe, and walked away from his surprised form. I asked a waitress for the restroom and exhaled with relief once I was out of their sight.
......