Love Circus

Chapter-1

A soft ting of my phone wakes me up from my peaceful slumber. It is my message tone all right. Who would disturb me on this quiet and serene day?

I rub my eyes as I go to check who messaged me. "Rose..?"

"Hope you are not busy this afternoon. I and Luke decided we want to double date with you and George, Call me if you see this."

Oh, double date with Rose and her boyfriend. I press the green button on the screen. Soon, Rose's chirpy voice came through the speaker.

"Lyn, you are awake!"

I smiled at her voice. "Yeah, I just woke up."

"I called George to ask if he is okay with the double date. He said he is okay if you are okay with it."

My heart warms at this. "Okay then. It is okay for me, too." She calls out to Luke, her boyfriend. "Luke, Sherlyn says it's okay with her too."

"Okay. Where and when do we meet?" I lodge my phone between my neck and shoulder as I go into bathroom to wash up.

"This afternoon. At the mall near the campus."

"Mm'kay. I will be there soon."

"Take your time. We are not there yet."

"Yeah. See you there." I hang up the phone and check the time.

"Holy, I'm already late."
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I grab one of the dresses from the closet and shove into it. It's just a double date, not a banquet anyway. I put my hair up in a bun and start applying makeup.

Just at the time, my phone rings from my desk. It is George.

"Hello."

"Hello, babe. You already there?"

"Actually, I'm not there yet. How about you? "

"My car broke down on the way. It might take a few hours." I can hear cars zooming past as he speaks.

"I will get there on foot then. Meet you there."

"Meet you there, babe. Love you."

"Yeah. Love you too." I hang up swiftly and hasten applying my makeup.

Less than a minute, I am already out of the campus. I check the time from my phone. 12:05. I quicken my pace and walk briskly to the mall. "I'm late. I'm late."

I step into the multi air-conditioned building and finally I could exhale. "Made it finally."

I step into the restaurant which Rose said they would be there. It seems expensive with chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and all. I take a seat at one of tables and look around. There is no sign of Rose and her boyfriend.

I check the time again. 12:15. "They must be joking." I put my phone onto the mahogany-crafted table with force. Few of the people from the other tables turn their heads around to me. I literally shrink into my chair and whisper a quick 'sorry' in return.

12:30. I tap my foot with my patience wearing thin. A waiter come and ask what I'm going to order. "Just water for now. I'm waiting for my friends."

I swirl the water in my expensive looking glass around and puff out a sigh. 12:45. Someone better come now.

Sure enough, a tall and lean boy walks into the restaurant searching around. His eyes sparkle like emerald under the chandeliers light. Once he sees me, everything becomes slow-mo, even the way he walks.

"Hi, are you... Sherlyn?" His British accent falls soothingly across my ears. "I'm Luke. Luke Jonathan."

Luke..., a charming name that is. I finally realized, "Are you Rose's boyfriend? "

Why am I feeling this strange feeling? Am I having butterflies in my stomach?

He smiles sheepishly, scratching his head. "You can say that..."

A minute, no, five minutes gone by and we are just sitting there, each with a glass of water in hand. He speaks up, to break the ice maybe. "I think Rose got stuck in the traffic. It's rather jammed on the way here."

"Oh, I see." I couldn't stop looking at his eyes. Those green eyes; deep as an ocean, green as a forest. I feel it pulling me in; inviting me.....

A familiar voice coming from the entrance cuts my thought and also my eyes from his. "Lyn, you are already here!"

Rose takes a seat beside Luke, immediately intertwining her arms in his. "Traffic is so clogged. It won't move!" She looks at Luke with such admiration. "So, you have met Luke. Luke, this is Sherlyn, my best friend." She giggles at the end of her sentence.

Luke takes our attention with his luscious tone, "Yeah, we have met." He flashes a smile at me, sending a queasy feeling to my stomach.

I gather myself before I speak. "George's car broke down on the way. He said he'd be here in few hours."

"Oh, we better eat first then. I'm starving. By the way, it's going to be our treat since today is our 1 year anniversary." Rose continues sprightly.

I settle my lunch with a bacon salad, trying to chew it as modestly as I can. Luke states, "Why are you only having salad?"

I bring my vegetables around my plate. "Just because...."

He swallows a piece of food before replying. "Well, I think a beautiful girl like you should not be eating salad. Order something else."

I feel heat rushing up but I suppress it. "Uh...I am already full." I glance at Rose; she is poking at her fish, her gaze occupied with sadness.

He gives me a toothy grin. "Okay then. Suit yourself."

We are already half finished when George comes into the restaurant. He sits with a sigh beside me. "Sorry, babe. Car tow just came in."

I give him a smile. "Glad you could make it."

Just like the first time, Rose introduces George and Luke. They each share their greetings.

George tears through his chuck mock tender steak just as fast as he arrives. Soon, we all finish our lunch.

"This was a good date." Rose says chirpily. "We should go on dates more often."

Luke looks at Rose's smiling face and smirks. "Right..."

"We can exchange numbers, to keep in contact, you know?" That was my voice. What did I just say?

"That's a great idea!" Luke agrees. "We can keep contact with each other. Give me your phone." He extends his hand towards me.

"Ah... here." I give him my phone in exchange of his. I quickly type in my number and give it back to him. "Done? I added George's too."

George gives me a peck on my forehead. "Thanks ,babe." I smile but I don't feel butterflies like I did when I first see Luke.

We say our farewells and make back to our car. George's car. "Your car is already here?" I ask George in shock.

"Yes, they finished repairing it almost in an instant. So, I told them to bring my car here." He opens the door for me. "Get in, babe."

"Okay. Let's get back to campus."

Our entire journey home is placid. I spent it looking at one contact, one number, Luke's.

Luke Jonathan. Who are you to make me feel like this? Is this the satisfaction I have been looking for?

It all started with one look from him... Before I know it, I am already in his circus of love.