When the Tables are Turned

Chapter 15

Mark's POV

The saleslady measured P'Gun's and my ring finger sizes and went to the stock room at the back  of the shop to find the rings with the right sizes for us.

When she came out with the box, she motioned me to go to the cashier booth where she rang up the cost of the rings. I gave her my credit card and the transaction went smoothly.

She placed the box in a small gift bag and handed it to me, saying "Congratulations and good luck", accompanied with a wink.

I smiled back at her and thanked her and then I grabbed P'Gun by the wrist.

"Can you drop your car at your house?" I asked. "I will follow you there and then after you park your car in your driveway, come out and join me in my car."

"I'm starting to get worried," said P'Gun, "I have not even started wearing your ring and you're already bossing me around, making all the decisions without asking me if I want to do so or not."

To be honest, P'Gun's statement both hurt me and offended me. I thought that I was making decisions for both of us for our own benefit, but it seems like P'Gun wants to be consulted first before I make any decisions for him.

I hope his attitude has nothing to do with the fact that he is three years older than I am. Just because he is older doesn't mean that he should be the one making all the decisions.

I tried not to show my reaction to what he said.

"What would you like to do then?" I asked patiently, trying to understand his point of view.

"Well, I just wanted to know why you wanted me to drop off my car at my house and join you in your car because you're telling me to do these things without any explanation," he replied. "I would like to know what your plans are. I do not want to be taken by surprise."

"I was thinking of inviting you to dinner at a restaurant of your choice," I told him.

"That sounds great," he said, "but why can't I just drive my car to the restaurant and meet you there?"

I did not want to tell him my plans because I did not want to scare him away.

"Because I think it's more romantic if we just rode together in one car, don't you think?" I countered.

He was quiet for a while and I started to get nervous.

"Are you starting to change your mind about us, P'Gun?" I asked, my voice quivering.

I knew I wouldn't be able to take it if he told me that he had a change of mind.

"Okay," he finally said after a few torturous moments, "I will drop off my car at my house and will ride together with you in your car."

Whew! I was mentally wiping off the perspiration from my eyebrows.

"What restaurant did you have in mind?" I asked him.

"Let's try that newly opened Vietnamese restaurant close to the mall," he suggested.

"Have you tried it before?" I asked.

"No," he replied, "but Linda has tried it and she said the dishes they serve are very delicious."

My hackles rose at the mention of Linda.

"What are you gonna do about Linda?" I asked P'Gun, trying to keep my voice from sounding harsh.

"What do you mean?' he asked, looking puzzled.

"Are you going to break off with her, or are you going to have her and me both?" I asked, unable to take the edge off my voice.

"I am not breaking off with her ... "

"Good bye, P'Gun," I said walking away from him.

He grabbed my wrist. "You did not let me finish. I am not breaking off with her because there's nothing to break. We're just close friends, nothing more."

"I thought you were childhood sweethearts!" I exclaimed.

"She was just making it up to see Title's and your reaction," P'Gun replied.

"I'm gonna kill her," I said, "She made me miserable throughout your grandfather's birthday party to the point of leaving it without letting you know because she was flirting so much with you."

"Don't kill her," said P'Gun, "she and Title are the ones responsible for getting us together right now."

"What??? How???" I asked.

"I will tell you another time," he replied.