Take Me Back To Paddington (SERIES)

Chapter 24 - The Ride

I had been staring into the mirror for quite some time now, looking for anything wrong based on my reflection. I put minimal makeup on for tonight, dressed with an inner shirt, a light brown cardigan for the outwear and a pair of jeans. Doubts were winning against my thoughts because this wasn't the look I would love to have; it was just too casual for me. But since I didn't want to overdress like my first hang out with Lisa back then, I couldn't move from the mirror without reconsidering to change. This or a short dress?

Also, it wasn't just my clothes and makeup that bothered me. Even the style of my hair had become an issue at that time. Should I let my hair free? If I did, then I would need to curl or blow dry it to add some volume. But that might be time-consuming since Lisa texted me earlier that she was on her way to pick me. I didn't want her to wait. That was why I had my hair tied up in ponytail right now, and I looked pretty basic!

"Miss Richards!"

Natalie's called for me by the door.

"Come in!"

"Are you ready yet?" She asked, crossing her arms.

"Kind of?"

"You better, because there is a homicide detective downstairs looking for you."

"What?!" Panic rushed in and I grabbed my sling bag right away. "Oh, God! She's so fast!"

The woman who stood by the door frame laughed a little, probably was amused by my clumsiness.

"At least she shows up."

"Right! See you later, Nat!" I said as I ran down the stairs.

"Have a great night!"

"You too! Enjoy your TV series!"

My focus went to the steps I was making, praying that I wouldn't trip myself or anything else that would be embarrassing. Because I glanced at the front door that Natalie left opened, and my eyes met Lisa's. She was staring at me as I walked towards her, encouraging the heat in my cheeks in no second.

"Hi, Chae..." Her sweet voice gave my already fast-beating heart a hard time.

Smiling, I held the door handle and closed it behind me.

"Hi, Lisa" I replied with a short hug before I turned to the door again, thinking of locking it. "You could've just called me and I would come out" I began to address her trouble in knocking to my door as if we were both teenagers going out to prom.

She didn't have to let Natalie know the face of a woman who would take me out.

"I wanted to make sure I got the right house" She chuckled behind me.

"Did you, Lisa?" I teased her since I was having difficulties with the lock.

But I felt a soft pressure instead of her words when Lisa suddenly moved closer, pressing her front against my back.

"When I saw you just now" Her voice hit low, creeping close to my ear. "I knew I got the right one..."

It felt like the flow of cold shower I had after a full day of summer heat, having its warmth taken off from my skin. It felt like the comfort of unheated water covered my body, making it worthwhile to close my eyes in the relief it offered. That was how Lisa made me feel with her words, and I shivered to them.

Laughing a little, I dismissed the flattery before it could get to my heart.

"Lisa, you're bluffing!"

"And you're just shy" She raised the bar when her hand grasped mine that had been trying to twist the key in the keyhole. "Do you need help with that?" She slowly took control of the key from me as I granted her. "You know, my mum said you'd most likely get nervous while doing something when someone is staring at you."