"Come here, you're not my maid to walk behind me." Gently pulling Isabelle's hand to stand beside him, he held her hand.
"Alex, let go of my hand, it's embarassing to be seen like we're crossing the street holding hands," Isabelle said, glancing around.
"You don't need to be embarassed, don't worry about what people say," he said, determined to hold Isabelle's hand. "Come on," he urged.
"But Alex..."
"Alright, I've let go now," he said, resignedly, showing his hand. Isabelle just smiled at Alex's behavior.
"You're such a troublemaker," she said, rubbing Alex's head.
"Oh, come on, I'm not a troublemaker. I can even make troublemakers," Alex replied.
Isabelle playfully slapped Alex's hand in annoyance.
"Let's go, where's the car?"
Alex pointed to a sleek black car parked nearby. They walked together, Isabelle this time ensuring that their hands remained separate, and got into the car.
As they settled into the car's plush seats, the atmosphere grew more relaxed.
**********
"Layton."
"Yes, Sir," he replied politely.
"Layton, how many times have I told you not to call me 'Sir'?" Alex scolded, slapping Alex's head in frustration.
"Hahaha, come on, Alex, you get mad so easily," Layton laughed.
"Quiet," Alex snapped irritably.
Isabelle just looked confused at the two of them, and Alex realized it.
"He's my friend, his name is Layton," Alex introduced Layton to Isabelle. Isabelle just nodded without saying anything in response to Alex's words.
"Layton, can we stop at a nearby restaurant?"
"Okay."
"Is it okay if we stop to eat?" he asked Isabelle.
"Yes, it's okay."
Fifteen minutes later, they stopped at a rather fancy restaurant.
"Come on, Isabelle," Alex said, absentmindedly pulling Isabelle's hand into the restaurant.
"Alex..." she called, half-whispering.
"Yes, what's wrong?" he asked innocently.
"Your hand, please."
"What's wrong with my hand?" he furrowed his brows in confusion, still firmly holding Isabelle's hand.
Layton just shook his head at his friend's behavior.
"Release my hand, Alex, I can walk on my own," she said curtly, trying to hide her embarassment.
Alex reluctantly let go of Isabelle's hand, watching her as she walked away.
Patting Alex's shoulder, Layton said, "Be patient, bro, women are hard to figure out," and chuckled as he left Alex standing at the door.
Alex sighed in frustration.
"Have you ordered?" Alex asked as he sat down next to Isabelle.
"Not yet."
"Excuse me," Alex called one of the waiters.
"Yes, sir, what would you like to order?"
"Beef steak, and for the drink, just iced tea," Isabelle said.
"Me too," Alex said.
"Chicken steak and lemon tea for me," Layton added.
"Two beef steak, one chicken steak, two iced teas, and one lemon tea," the waiter repeated.
"That's all for now," Alex said.
"Alright, please wait, sir, ma'am." After receiving nods of agreement from the customers, the waiter left to prepare their orders.
"Isabelle," Alex called.
"Yes?"
"Where would you like to be dropped off?"
"Just to my apartment," Isabelle replied, and Alex nodded.
"ALEX!!!" a girl shouted and immediately hugged Alex.
"Let go," he snapped.
"Alex, why are you like this? I've missed you a lot," she said, acting coquettish.
"LET GO, AND NEVER TOUCH ME WITH YOUR DIRTY HANDS AGAIN!!!" he shouted, releasing her hands that are wrapped around his neck.
"Alex, we're getting married soon. Can't you open your heart to me?" she said sadly.
"No, and I never will. Do you think I don't know about all your antics?"
"Alex, we've been arranged to be married. Whether you like it or not, you will marry me," she said shamelessly.
"Lea... we will never get married because I will marry the woman I love. Do you understand?" he emphasized.
Without shame, Lea immediately sat next to Alex, making him somewhat uncomfortable.
"Alex, our parents have arranged this marriage for us," she said in a sweet voice and continued to cling to Alex's arm.
"LET GO! and I don't care about this arranged marriage," he said, forcefully removing Lea's hand from his arm, causing her to fall into her chair.
**********
TO BE CONTINUED...