Cases Uncovered

19 | What It Leads To

"That's right. Worried about being discovered, living in fear. It's a painful thing."

- Ai Haibara

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Chapter 19:
What It Leads To

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ZANE

"Aliza's coming here at six, great!" I sarcastically remarked as I opened the door to our flat. I casually tossed my heavily laden bag onto our long sofa and settled into my favourite spot in the living room, leaning back comfortably.

"Why are you nervous?" asked my companion, seated in his usual spot facing me.

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"Let's talk later," Raine suggested to Ali when we were still in the cafeteria earlier.

"Perfect timing! I really need someone to talk to," he replied. "Where can we meet privately?"

"How about my flat?" I suggested.

"Sure!" Ali quickly agreed. "At your apartment, 6 PM."

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"You know, if you both want to have some private time together, tonight would be a great opportunity," Raine added while opening her notebook from her bag.

"There you go again," I said. "What are you trying to say?"

"Can't you see, Zane? Aliza's got a crush on you," she said plainly. My heart pounded, and my eyes blinked quickly. "And you fancy her too, don't you?"

"What are you talking about? Don't be so sure!" I insisted.

"You're blushing," she said, catching my eye for a moment before returning to her book. "Yesterday, you kept staring at her while she avoided your gaze."

"So what? Of course, I look at her because I have eyes. Apparently, my dear Ms. Lorraine, eyes are used for seeing things," I protested.

"When a guy likes a girl, he looks into her eyes. When a girl likes a guy, she avoids those gazes," she added. "Don't worry, because according to the research I read, if you like someone, there's an eighty percent chance that person likes you back. Do you want me to go on?"

My cheeks were almost flushed because of what she was saying. Besides that, my mind couldn't settle. I admit she was right, but I didn't know how she knew.

"Just now, I saw the anxiety in your eyes — quick blinks. And you've been fidgeting with your face a lot," Raine continued. It was only then that I realized I’d been doing these things without even noticing.

"Okay, enough already. Someone might overhear you!" I interrupted, pushing myself to stand up.

"Zane, don't worry. Later, take her to that restaurant Mr. Daniel suggested last Saturday," she said. "There won’t be many people, so you two can relax while the others are busy."

I remembered the guy did mention that at the restaurant. He did invite us, and it would be embarrassing if I did not go.

"Perfect timing, it starts at six, too," she added. "Your aunt threw away the cake she made that I put in the refrigerator last Saturday."