Chapter 7

108 3 1
                                    

I grabbed an orange juice, processing what Ian said. Was it true, then? Do I stand a chance now?

I shook the thought away. No, I shouldn't be thinking about this. Why lift my hopes up? Like he said, we are close friends. Just close friends.

And, I couldn't help but feel sorry for Shimin. No, she wasn't lucky. Ian didn't like her, and she was... dying.

I sighed, making myself comfortable in a chair. I took a long gulp, but a voice startled me, causing me to choke on my drink.

"Oh, sorry! I didn't mean to scare you," Paul patted my back, panick evident in his eyes.

After my coughing stopped, I looked up at him awkwardly. "So, um.. what are you doing here?" I asked.

"Just um, accompanying you, since you don't seem to be enjoying yourself. Honestly.. I'm not, either," He told me.

"You're not?"

"I don't get why my mom is so urgent about remarrying. I don't like him anyway."

"Me neither," I growled, not self-conscious of Paul beside me.

"You don't?" He asked.

"Um, I mean, he looks scary.."

Paul chuckled. "He is, alright."

I smile. Paul seems like a nice guy. Too bad his mom is marrying someone who is not a nice guy.

I wonder how his life will be like now. Will they divorce soon? Not like I wish them to. But I know dad's character too well.

"Anyway... how did your mom get together with him, then?" I asked, hoping to sound casual. I wouldn't mind getting a piece of information or two.

"They knew each other since secondary school, but I guess they never really thought of getting together.." Paul started. Wait, what?

They knew each other since young?

"Then after so many years later, they met at a bar, and they told each other about their lives, and after that, they coincidentally keep meeting each other, and that's how.. yeah.." Paul said. "It's a weird way to come together, and I don't exactly have a good impression on Anthony.. I mean, dad- now. "

I slowly nodded as he told his tale.

"Well.. what about your parents? Anything.. interesting~?"

I sighed. "Well.. just, plain old, plain old.."

Paul grinned. "Care for a dance?" He suddenly asked. The song changed, and the lights dimmed.

I blink. "What?"

"Let's dance."

"Oh. Ok.."

I slowly placed my feet on the ground and let Paul lead me.

I placed a hand on his shoulder, and he placed his hand on my hip, and pulled me close.

My breath caught in my throat as my face touched his lean chest. My heart started racing wildly. It was the first time my heart was beating so fast, so hard with someone else, someone not Ian.

I follow Paul's lead, and dance like how Ian taught me.

The song was slow and soothing, and I rested my head on his chest, enjoying the moment. Enjoying his smell.

"Did anyone tell you that you're beautiful?" He murmured in my ear. Ian. He did.

And for a moment, I imagine that it's Ian with me now, and not Paul, but I know it's impossible.

He wouldn't dance with me if he knew it was me he was dancing with, and not a beautiful random girl.

-

"Bye.." I waved to Paul as we were about to leave. I caught sight of my dad, and couldn't help but glare at him.

"Wait. Give me your phone number. I'll call you," Paul suggested.

Really? Is he flirting with me now?

I caught Ian's gaze from near the door, and nodded to Paul.

I fished out a pen, and wrote some numbers on a paper, handing it to him.

I was glad I made a new friend amidst all these crap, but I knew that I still had Ian in my heart.

I just hoped that Ian would see this exchange.

All My LifeWhere stories live. Discover now