The Secret

Chapter 4

Manaow squeaked as the guy trudged towards them, it drove Team up the wall. "OMG! "

Dean looked up and acknowledged the approaching person by calling his name back nonchalantly, "Win, "

Team's eyes widened as he was floored. He felt his annoyance started to boil again as he saw the bleached hair boy from the cafeteria who ruined his peace and quiet breakfast. "You?!! "

"What a warm welcome. " the guy sat on the table confidently, facing Dean and Pharm —side glancing Team and Manaow. It was as if he hadn't existed. He gave pieces of folded A4 to Dean which the latter took immediately, tossing them into his bag.

"Done, you just need to double check them. " the guy uttered, talking to Dean. Team saw the guy giving him a side glance, the corner of his lips subtly perked up — giving off an overbearing demeanor. It irked Team to the core.

"I don't think I need to, but thanks for giving it back past the deadline." Dean retorted, sarcasm was in his tone.

"You're welcome. " with equally sarcastic tone.

Manaow was pinching Team's left shoulder, lowkey squealing on his side, making sounds like she was giddy over something Team couldn't comprehend.

Pushing her non-existing fringes up, kept the rest tucked on her ear, she asked cutely. "Dean, wanna introduce your friend to me? "

Team rolled his eyes without making an effort to conceal it. He knew Manaow was up to no good.

"You're not the only person here, Manaow." Pharm, protested. Dean's glare flew in a slow pace to him. "Ahh, there's Team too. " blushing he continued.

Dean smirked, Team couldn't help but smile. He's whipped.

"Are you Win? " Manaow, being impatient, confirmed the guy's name as what she heard mentioned by Dean earlier.

The guy's slightly perked lips curved into a thin smile with a warm glow that it could have fooled Team if only he wasn't badly treated by him earlier. Team thought the guy could pull off an innocent face if he wanted to deceive everyone. But no, not Team — he knew better.

With a thin smile on his lips, "No, I'm Lose. "

Manaow chuckled, extending her hand to shake, "My name is Manaow, but in case you forget, just call me yours. "

Pharm and Team's whipped towards their friend and yelled in chorus again in complete horror.  "Manaow! "

"Can you two shut up? I'm chasing a potential boyfriend here. "

It left them in awe, they almost choke at their own saliva. Team unable to chose whether to laugh or be embarrassed. Maybe, he should deny being friends with her. On the other hand, Win reluctantly took her hand, the latter covered it with another hand before gently massaging it. Team thought she was just unstoppable.

"Ah, yes. I'm Win, I'll make sure not to forget your beautiful name, Manaow. " in a not so offensive tone, he answered.

"Aww, too bad! I don't mind if you do though. " Manaow frowned, putting an act.

"Ah, do you tell everyone to call you theirs? " Dean subtly asked, taunting the latter.

Manaow shook her head, "No, just you two but since you're taken, so I'll just have Win here. Speaking of which," she paused and bat her eyelash. "Win, are you single? "

The man in the hot seat awkwardly smiled, he seemed to have a hard time getting out of the conversation or might not be comfortable to Team's delight. Serves you right. This was one of the times where Manaow's non-stop mouth came handy. "Ah? Eh.. Yes. "

Team's left brow rose up in a flash, he was questioning if he indeed heard him stuttered. The guy who arrogantly shooed him away earlier? Stuttering? In front of Manaow? Does he like her? Questions came in one after the other in Team's mind.

Manaow's eyes sparked, "What a coincidence, me too. We're really soulmates. "

"I'm single. Does it mean we're soulmates, too?" Team badgered Manaow, aggravating the latter before he could stop himself unaware of the full grin the guy was donning when he heard him spoke.

Manaow frowned, "No!" she quickly objected. "Even if we are, I only see you as a brother so sorry to burst your bubble. I don't do incest."

Team couldn't help but chuckle, he would never win an argument with Manaow.

"So, when are you going to ask me out? " Manaow's voice was half joking and half serious so it was difficult how to take her, asked Win.

"Manaow, how about taking it slow? " Team butted in, slightly laughing.

"I don't do slow. "

"Maybe, he wants it slow. "

Manaow's brow rose up, "When did you become his spokesperson?"

Yes. When? Why was he speaking on behalf of Win anyway? Team shrugged, spoke no words. It would just put him on the spotlight. He didn't want that especially if it's for this guy.

On the other hand, Team saw Win's lips curved into something undefinable. It was close to  an awkward frown. Team could never be happier at the guy's discomfort. He internally wanted to get himself a popcorn and watch this entertaining show up close.

"Time for lunch. " Dean's must have sensed it, he interfered.

Partypooper. Team thought. Win seemed to have sighed of relief. Team was enjoying it too much that he couldn't help but chuckle. It got Win 's attention as he squinted. Team feigning an ignorance pursed his lips together. As they all started to be on their feet, Team recalled Manaow's promised to be the karma for him.

"He's the guy. " he elbowed her lightly, he whispered.

Manaow's "Your guy?"

"What?! 'Course not..that buffon? My guy? No way..no freaking way. Never in this lifetime. " shaking his head roughly.

Manaow stopped and eyed him suspiciously, "Why do you have to be so hysterical? It's answerable by yes or no, you know. As simple as that. "

"Team! "

Before he could talk back to Manaow, someone called his name. They both turned their heads to where they heard it and saw Win standing with all his proud glory.

Did he just call him?

Why the hell the guy was calling him?

Before he could wrap his head around what was happening, Win spoke in a low but authoritative manner.

"Follow me. "

--
Let's follow him, guys. 😉
#crossfinger