The Remnants Of Forgotten Love

chapter 22

"the magic in the eyes of my love, enough to bring my dying heart to life"

(Liam's pov)

Cein turned and faced us, or Isla.
"HI, isla" He greeted Isla with a smile. And I don't like how he is looking at her.

"Uh... Hello?" Isla replied with confusion written all over her face.

"Hey! Don't tell me you don't remember me?!" Cein, the judge, complained.
And he was right, from Isla's face anyone could tell she forgot him and even i can't recall him, I don't think she ever told me anything about this person. Just who is he then?

"oh cein?" All sudden isla said flashing a big smile on her face. She knows him?

"Ahh thank God that you didn't forget me!" That guy named clein caressed his chest while saying that.

"No no I have a good memory" I noticed isla taking steps towards him. Laughing.

"Hahah, I can see that"

They both started smiling to each other. I felt a little weird now standing here & watching them.

Isla nodded her head, her smile radiant, "how have you been cein?"

"I'm good I'm good" cein leaned against the wall, looking effortlessly c....cool...I didn't want to accept it but I did somehow still not knowing who the hell this boy is.

"But why are you here?" Isla asked finally. Now it grabbed my attention as I also was curious to know about it.

First who is he? And next, just why is he here!?

"I'm the judge of this completion" he stated .

"Judge!?" Isla's eyes widened in suprise. The shock was same in me as well. "Oh...I didn't expect it." She let out a chuckle and then turned to me. Finally.

Our eyes met each other for a second and soon her eyes got the wrinkles as she smiled looking at me.

"Hey, i forgot to introduce you both" she muttered and then grabbing my hand, she pulled my body towards her.

My steps trembled a little but I managed that well.

"Hey Liam, he is cein. My friend! And cein, he's my Liam! A very good friend of mine. Also the partner of mine today"

Cein's eyes locked onto mine. His eyes quickly roamed from my head to toe and then flashing another smile, he said,
"hello Liam. Nice to meet you" he extended his hand for a handshake.

I just sighed audibly and accepted the handshake but no smile was visible on my lips. I didn't know why but I didn't feel like smiling infront of him. Cein is already a bit disturbing to me.

"Isla" i looked at her and was about to tell her something but that disturbing guy interrupted me.
"Hey Isla, how about I give you a quick tour of this place. You know there are different stalls out there. You might love watching them"

I narrowed my eyes. He is disturbing too much now. His name shouldn't be clein but disturbance.
"Oh! That's great but I think I should just focus on the competition now" Isla replied, remembering about the competition.

That's my girl! I loved how isla chose to say this.

Cein's smile faltered for a moment. Ah that was my winning point! I loved that. A sense of satisfaction surged in my body at seeing clein's smile slipping. But it was short lived. Quickly he turned to me and said, "Liam, are you a good friend of hers?"

I frowned automatically. What kind of question is this? Why am I supposed to answer him this? But I still did.

"Yeah"

"Then, can you handle everything alone for sometime cause I'm taking her with me now"

Who the hell is he to take that decision? Did isla say yes to him? I fisted both of my hands tightly, could not just show how badly I was fumming in anger just because of his bad attitude.

"But...that won't be fair Cein. Me & Liam both are participating together in this competition. If he does everything alone, that won't be fair and I'm the owner of the restaurant afterall so..." isla stated. Aww she's really adorable.

But that didn't suit with Cein. Cein's smile returned to him and he chuckled,
"ah come on isla. I just wanted to show you around. Liam can handle it. Right Liam?"

I clenched my jaw, trying to keep myself calm.
"I can but that's not the point."
I looked at Isla who was blankly looking at me now. Holding her tightly I stated, "Isla & I are a team. We should work together. And later, I can also show her around if she wants" I shrugged.

Biting my inner cheek, I added more
"we don't actually need you"

Suddenly Isla gave a squeeze on my hand. Why? Did she feel bad? Why? Does she... like him now?

"Hmm or how about we all 3 take a round around after the competition?"

"We will also have more time compared to right now" Isla said with a smile after wondering a little.

"Okayyy, if you say so" cein agreed with Isla.

"Excuse me, get to your places, the competition is about to start" one of the staff said looking at us, the time passed by so fast that we didn't even realize what time it was, and soon the competition began.

"All the amazing chefs, please enter your assigned counters and get started"
The emcee announced on the Mic. And followed by his announcement all the chefs started going to their places

"Liam"
Isla called my name, softly. Holding onto the sleeve of my shirt, as I heard her voice, I turned my attention to her from everything that was happening around us.

"Don't worry, do what you think is right, I believe in you"
Isla said with a smile forming on her lips. She continued to look right in my eyes, her eyes a moon to my sky, so pure and so peaceful, whenever she smiled, her eyes would sparkle, always... especially when she looked at me, and whenever I looked in her eyes, I somehow would feel at ease, just like right now, how my anxious heart is  calming down and at peace.

And as the moon in her eyes spreads peace in my heart, an idea pops up in my mind, an idea with a memory of us.