The perfect timing | completed ✔

⋘ Chapter 38 ⋙

38| LUNCHABLES?

"She's not perfect but she is all I want."
-Ren-

"Where's the yoghurt...." I mutter, slowly pushing my grocery cart as I scan the items on the chiller. "Milk, juice, soda and...aha! There you are." I reach my hand to grab the cup when another hand touched mine. I looked up to see an unfamiliar face as the girl stuttered, obviously flustered.

"O-oh! I'm so sorry sir, I mean, do you want the yogurt? Do you not want it? Wait, I don't know what I'm saying hahaha...." Her cheeks were incredibly red. "It's okay, you can have it." I gave her a small smile as I handed it to the flustered female. Grabbing a half dozen more, I placed the rest into my cart and turned away. It wasn't a few seconds until I heard the girl clear her throat, causing me to turn my head.

"Hey, um, are you single?" She queried, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. I was taken aback by her sudden confidence as I choked on my spit.

"Pardon?"

"I-I mean, if you have spare time, could we maybe go on a date.." She stutters, her cheeks turner into a deeper shade of red. "I-I'm taken. I'm sorry." I say, bowing politely before turning to leave. It was true though, my heart was already taken by someone.

When I was sure I've lost the girl, I let out a deep sigh. Although these kinds of things happens to me a lot, I still feel uncomfortable and awkward. Taking out my phone, I scan the checklist that Shawn sent me. I wanted to make sure I don't miss anything out.

"Oh yeah, the chips." I blankly stared through the colorful aisle lined with all types of chips as I pondered on what or which one I should get. "Jalapeños? Cheese? BBQ? Oh, the Extra Spicy ones!" I pick up the bag of chips and toss it in.

Strolling around, I check out the other products recommended to me by my friends. They would always tag me on friendbook posts regarding new food product launchings, claiming that, 'it's bloody lit!'

As I continued to shop, I stumbled across one of my childhood favorites. I smile as I pick up the bag of biscuits. These were Madilyn's favorite cookies. I used to sneak these into her locker back at high school, with small notes attached to it.

Flashbacks of yesterday started playing in my head. Maddie's never changed. I thought. She was still the same person I fell in love with. She'd still find something to do when she was nervous and she'd stay quiet when she felt awkward.

I wish one day, if it isn't too late, I'd be able to win her heart and make her mine.

"Hm? Oh yeah, you want me to pick up what?" A familiar voice asks. I look to the person in front of me to see Madilyn. "Lunchables? What's that?" She asks, muttering to her phone. Her hair was styled into a messy bun and she was wearing metal framed round glasses that matches her perfectly. She was sporting an outfit of a casual shirt and sweats.

I didn't realize I was staring at her for so long until our eyes made contact.

She let out a loud 'eep' as she stumbled backwards. Her cheeks blossomed into a bright shade of pink and her eyes grew wide. "Maddie? Are you still there?" I could her Valery ask from her phone which was now on speaker.

She blinks a few times, staring at me. Was she afraid of me? She picks up her phone. "Y-Yeah, I'm f-fine. Call you back." Ending the call, she taps a few buttons and switches off her phone.

She clears her throat, giving me a nervous smile and a slight wave. "Hi." She moves her cart towards me. I give her a smile, finding her flustered state adorable.

"Hello."

She clears her throat again, giving me a shy smile. She fiddles with her fingers. "Um, may I ask if you happen to know any products here named 'lunchables'?" She asks softly.

"Wanna look around maybe?" I ask, looking at her. She looks up, her eyes scanning me. "You don't mind?" She asks, uncertainty laces her voice as she tilts her head to the side. I stare at her for a bit, biting my lip.

Am I really staring at a grown woman?

I rub the back of my neck, giving her a small smile." No, I don't. I don't mind at all." I watch as her eyes lit up. She clasps her hands together as her lips slowly forms into a smile.

"So, how are you doing lately?" I ask, grabbing one of the chips and placing it into my cart. "Well," She starts, moving her cart next to mine. "I'm still working on our joint project for Mr. Enrique. We've already had several meetings on the design and finally decided on the final one. I've asked my secretary to deliver a copy to your office so I guess you'd receive it by Monday morning."

"How about you?" She says, looking at me then at the nearby counter lined with cereals. "We've also started with the project. The building process would probably take a month or so. We've contacted our contractors as well and informed them that they would start as soon as we received the design."

I watched her as she takes some crispies with mallows and places it into her cart. She gives me a shy grin, handing me one. "You should try this. It tastes really good. I swear you won't regret it." I hesitated for a moment. To be honest, I'm not a huge fan of sweet things in general. I do not like the taste of sweet things that much. Probably sensing my hesitation, she slowly retracts the product.

"Oh, I guess you aren't a fan of sugar huh?" She laughs awkwardly. "Actually, I happen to like sweets very much." I say almost immediately. I take the cereal from her and place it in my cart. "Thanks, I will try it." I give her a smile before turning away.

From the corner of my eye, I could see her smile in satisfaction as she hums. Cute.

"So, I guess it should be around here." I push my cart, maneuvering it to where I've seen the lunchables last. I park my cart for a moment, looking at the aisles near by. Lunchables, lunchables.....

"I found it!" Maddie says. I look to my side to see her struggling to grab it. She was on her tippy toes and had her eyebrows scrunched up. I smile, leaning to reach the lunchables that were situated above her. "Which one are you finding? There is ham and cheese, pizza...."

"J-Just the nachos and the turkey and cheese." She says, her voice turning into a whisper towards the end of the sentence. I hum in response, leaning closer to get it. I swipe the two packs and brought it down to give it to her.

"Here—"

I stop when I notice the close distance between the two of us. There was barely enough space between the two of us. I could feel her breath tickle my neck as Madilyn breathes in and out, her cheeks extremely red. She looks at me, our eyes meeting. I felt my heart pound furiously against my chest as blood rushes into my face.

I'm sure my cheeks are red as hell right now.

Suddenly, Madilyn's eyes widens as she looks behind me. She pushes me to the side as she clears her throat avoiding my gaze. I look over to see an old couple staring at us with a smile.

"I-It's not what it looks like!"
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