𝐼𝓃𝒻𝒶𝓉𝓊𝒶𝓉𝑒𝒹

Chapter 37- Jealous Hearts, Furious Hearts

Cris's P.O.V.

It did take me an acknowledgeable amount of hesitation and overthinking on the subject of spending the day with Chase.
I mean, on one hand was the studies I needed to do on getting home, and the rest of my routine for the day.

On the other hand was something much more tempting.

So with some good consideration given to both of the options, I decided to spend the day with Chase.
As we talked of a good place to go while walking down the street, I casually mentioned that I'd be dying for a bit of lunch. Chase confusedly inquired what I meant by that.
"Oh, nothing much. I just missed lunch." I muttered casually.

"Wait, you went hungry during that break?"

"Yeah. I thought I didn't have the appetite, y'know, after what happened in the morning." I huffed in a comparatively low voice. "But now I am sorta hungry. Anyway, back to the subject. Where should we go?"

"Some place for food. That's where we're gonna go." He declared with a tone of finality, as a look of concern and decisiveness overtook the attentiveness in his eyes.

"Wait, no need. I'll eat once I get home." I assured, a little surprised at his sudden decision.

"Cris, please. For once, listen to me." He said, turning to me with a pleading and exceedingly adorable smile.

I smiled instantly. "Fine. What do you suggest?"

"Whatever you wish for." he said affably.

The smile on my face widened.
He's being exceedingly sweet today.

"Alright, then. I think... y'know, I have a feeling that we could the perfect lunch at Carmen's café. Y'know, 'Rustic and Caffeine'?"

"That's a great idea." He smiled.

I smiled as well, and we walked to his car in the school parking lot, the black BMW convertible which gleamed in the afternoon sun.
We got into the car, and Chase started it up.

Let's see how this day goes.

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Chase and I walked into the Rustic and Caffeine. My stomach grumbled the moment the automatic glass doors of the café opened and the alluring smell of buttered garlic bread and rich and creamy lattes flowed into my nose, along with the aroma of freshly made apple crisp.

But apparently, just as these delicious aromas flowed into my nose, my mind clicked with a newly-arrived thought:
I probably don't even have enough money in my pocket to buy a bottle of water from a rich coffee house like this.
Goddamn you, Vanessa.

I paused for a moment. Chase paused too, looking at me with a raised brow.
"What's wrong?" He inquired.

I decided that I could be honest with him. "I should have reconsidered this. I mean, I can't even afford to but a bottle of water sold here. I know this place is quite a fancy and deluxe, even." I confessed, clenching my jaw.
I was pretty annoyed at myself.

"That's absolutely fine. I'll pay, we don't need to split the bill, you know." He said, smirking. His tone was easy and relaxed, quite calming to my hesitating self.

"Chase, I know you won't have any trouble paying, but that's a hit to my, well, conscience and self-respect anyway. Y'know, like most people." I shook my head at myself, smiling a little.

He smirked wider. "I know Cris. You're one of the most parsimonious people ever I've met. But let this be a... present, from my side, alright? The matter ends here. You gotta come in or I'm gonna pick you up and tie you on a chair." He said with a tone of humor.