Gone Bad

Chapter 18

The stars were twinkling and the moon was shining but I was still not at home. And surprisingly, I am not bothered by that. It felt like my home is not even away from me.

We entered the mall and I was already amazed by the wide space and the glimmering lights. It seems that places just look far more beautiful when the skies have already gone dark. Everything is brighter and more vibrant.

Zuo Hang held my wrist and put my hand close to his arm. "Just hold me. The crowd is huge tonight, you don't wanna get lost."

I slowly nodded and held his arm, trying to hold my smile. I remember when I was a kid. My mom would always tell me to hold her hand or her clothe whenever we go somewhere crowdy. I sighed. I wonder how my mother is right now. Its been a while since we talked to each other. I hope she's doing fine.

Zuo Hang and I entered a restaurant. More and more people are coming in, so both of us immediately looked for our spot to sit in. Luckily, we found a comfortable area and had ourselves ensconced in it.

Zuo Hang called the waiter himself while I simply looked around, appreciating the place. Most of the surroundings were brown, designed with different shades of wood. The city lights by the road were also enchanting. It was nice sitting by the window. It felt like I could access the sight both inside and outside the place.

"Lori? What do you wanna eat?" Zuo Hang asked and showed me the menu. I gulped. All of them looked tasty and I don't even know their price. I wanted to buy everything, but of course I can't do that.

"I'll have the same order as you," I answered.

He made a small smile. "I was planning to have the same order as you." He cleared his throat and faced the waiting waiter. "We'll have your bestselling meal and your most expensive desert." The waiter nodded as he speed wrote Hang's orders and finally left.

"You like it here," He spoke, grabbing my attention from the window. I was gazing outside and appreciating everything once again. I looked at him and he was smiling.

"This is one of the rare times that I was out from home by night," I said. "Its been awhile since I appreciated the night sky and the night lights. The cold breeze and the chill mood."

I expected him to look outside the window as well for him to witness what I was talking about but his eyes stayed on me. I would've thought that maybe I said something wrong, but he was smiling. And its just fascinating how I saw twinkling in his eyes as well. I gazed at them, realizing that they're much prettier than the view outside the window.

Both of us didn't say anything. I was looking at his eyes while he was looking down at my lips. We were out of words, but it seemed like nothing has to be said because were already feeling it.

I was the first one to look away. I shifted my sight towards the waiter who was approaching us with a tray on his hand. I excitedly anticipated the food as they were being served on the table.

"Thank you," I said and the waiter took his leave.

One look and the foods were already appetizing. "Let's eat," Zuo Hang spoke. He looked like he found the foods tasty as well. He took his chopsticks and started picking on the meats topped on the dish. He looked hungrier than I was. I internally laughed at the thought.

Returning my sight on my own food, I grabbed my own chopsticks as well. Not one food has reached my mouth yet when a voice was directed at us.

"Oh my god," it was a female voice.

My heart raced. That voice, I think I heard it before. And my memory says that I had a bad experience when I heard that. My heartbeat went faster, and I felt the need to panic without really knowing why.