seventeen

Kao

Tight lip.

Stern face.

And a snarl that seemed to always accompany his every words as I sat there across him listening to him while he recited our orders to the waitstaff.

"How about him?"

I heard the middle aged wait staff who obviously seemed to be very familiar with Pete asked and regarded him.

That was when I sat straight and looked at Pete expectantly waiting for him to finally speak to me after all the times that we were in the car until we had to finally get off it and he didn't even utter a single word directed to me.

But I was not able to hear him spoke.

Instead, he just gave me a bored look and looked back up at the wait staff.

"It's okay. He didn't know want to order anyway. Just have two of everything I ordered."

The wait staff looked at me for approval to which I nodded at him.

I had no idea what Pete ordered but I sure he'll didn't want to contest him either.

Not when he was looking like this in front of me.

Looking like he wanted to murder someone just for being there.

And the more I looked at him, the more I thought that maybe that someone was me.

I mentally shook my head.

Maybe agreeing to this dinner and coming with him alone was a big idea.

Goodness Kao!

You don't even know the guy.

You didn't even know his name until earlier and you just willingly went out with him!?!

Yes he helped you out one time, but that didn't mean you should put your guard down and went with him just like that!

What if he was just waiting for the right time to kidnap you or do anything bad to you and or what if, Kaleb being friendly was just a ploy to get you.

I swallowed dryly and looked at the guy who was now playing with the paper napkins on the table.

I must give it to him, he does look good in his white shirt and tattered jeans and that overgrown unruly hair.

But that's the thing, all could just be a font.

Plus, he didn't even try to cover up his callousness, specially earlier inside the taxi with the driver.

"First date?"

I blinked at the cab driver smiling knowingly at me and at Pete on the rearview mirror.

"What bull crap are you talking about can you just drive!?!"

My eyes widened when I heard what Pete told the driver beside me.

As if what manong said earlier was not enough to give me a shock.

"Pete."

I called him out.

I just thought I needed to say something.

Not that he agreed for us to be on first name basis.

I mean, he didn't even speak a word to me about stuff which suggest something about that sort.

"I'm sorry, manong, I apologize in behalf of my friend. He's just having a bad day."

I told the driver who thankfully just nodded and smiled at me.

"It's okay. It was my bad. I shouldn't have assumed that or even asked. It's just that, the place is famous for couple dine ins, so I thought. Never mind. I'm shutting up now."

I made a face and narrowed my eyes at the guy on the rearview mirror.

He was not looking at me though.

He was busy with his phone.

But I continued staring at him through the mirror with my un amused face.

A few minutes later, he looked up and saw me looking at him distastefully.

He raised his eyebrows at me as if asking what's the matter and I could only narrow my eyes at him some more.

He shrugged at me as a response.

"We only ever know our names today, how can you assume that we're on our date!?!"

Pete murmured at the back seat.

I had to give an apologetic smile to the cab driver who just smiled at me.

Good thing he was not insulted with how Pete reacted.

I would like to tell him off instead and call him out for the rude behavior but as we made our twenty minute ride towards the diner Pete told the driver, he never spoke anymore words and we rode in silence.

The wait staff approaching with our orders in tow took me back from my reverie.

"Two orders of bulalo, adobo, beef tapa, pancit guisado and a platter of rice. And buko juice, of course."

The wait staff said as he put the dishes on the table before us.

"Thanks."

I said quietly before I made a move to get the cutlery from Pete's side the moment the waitstaff left.

"Tsk! You can just speak you know!"

Pete said after I saw him rolled his eyes and gave me a pair of spoon and fork.

I didn't know why he seemed to really be in a bad mood.

I glanced at him as he started eating without a word.

I didn't know if I should eat too.

The silence between us was getting more awkward by the minute.

I wish Kaleb was here.

I'm taking back what I thought about Kaleb.

In retrospect, he's the one who had been actually making me feel comfortable around the both of them.

This is bad.

Really really bad.

A disaster!

I chanted to myself as I saw how Pete continued eating.

Very unbothered.

He made sure I would get the idea that he'd rather stuff his face with food rather that talk to me.

And I didn't like it.

I'm it sure why.

But I didn't.

"Why do you hate me so much!?!"

I asked when I could no longer stop myself.

"Stop giving me that look and just tell me straight in my face. Why do you hate me!?!"

I understand if he still felt ill about me punching him and calling him a thief but I already apologized and gave the due thanks for what they did to help me.

Also, I came back for him and gave him a ride when he was all soaked from the rain.

I also lend him my new tshirt.

What's with all these still!?!

I was about to ask him again when he looked up to me and had me backing out in my seat.

"I wouldn't be caught dead being with you, much more eat with you if I hate you."

He said casually as he went back to eating and I sat there gawking at him.

"Then why?"

I saw him furrowed his brows at me.

"Why what!?!"

He said as he slurped on the bulalo and I stared to feel hungrier by the minute.

"Why are you acting like that towards me? Why are you ignoring me?"

Okay, maybe because I was an only child and my friends and classmates adore me that this cold shoulder from Pete really affected me so much that I could ever begin to acknowledge.

"What are you saying!?! Will you just eat!?!"

He said and pushed the viands towards me.

"See! See? You're doing it again. You're dismissing me."

I said as if I was in a debate class trying to prove Pete wrong.

"I get that I was wrong for punching you. And for calling you a thief but I already apologized and tried to make up for what I did. But why are you making me feel like this? Why are guy making me feel like shit for what I did!?!"

I was breathless when I finished talking and saw Apollo blinked at me.

He stopped eating.

And I was surprised with myself.

Wow!

I didn't know I had that all in me.

I didn't know I was so much affected by the way he's treating me.

I didn't know what it was that's making me feel like this anyway.

At least specifically.

"Where is this all coming from again? I wasn't following, I'm sorry.."

Pete said which I didn't know how to react to.

Should I be mad?

Angry?

Or sad!?!

"I don't know why you're still talking about the incident. We're here because I want to thank you for helping me out last time. What's with all the fuss!?!"

Wait.

What?

He's thanking me!?!

"Also, I'm not sure if you would like it here but I didn't have anywhere to bring you for dinner, that was why I kept eating instead so I wouldn't hear you complain about the food."

I blinked at Pete.

He dragged the last part of his sentence slowly but I was still able to hear it and I didn't know why the idea made me smile.

"You're smiling. You find this really funny, huh!?!"

Pete tutted.

"This is all Kaleb's fault. I shouldn't have agreed to bring you here. This is a bad idea, I-."

"Thank you."

I said and cut Pete off.

"For bringing me here. I really appreciate it."

I said as I started eating the guisado with a smile.

Sure, the stir fried noodles taste superb, but I was sure it was not the reason I was smiling.

Although I am not sure what the real reason is.

"I love this."

I had my mouth full when I told Pete about the tapa.

The seasoned beef tastes really great too.

I didn't know why he would think that anything could be any better than this.

"You really didn't have to say that if it wasn't true."

Pete was back to not looking me in the face again as he sipped on his coconut juice.

"But it was. That's was why I said it."

That was when Pete glanced at me before he finally regarded me.

"You really think the food is okay?"

"It's great."

"So you like it here?"

I smiled at Pete.

This was the most conversation we had so far and I was glad that it was.

"I love it here. I wish I had started eating sooner."

I said and I was not sure but I thought, I saw a shadow of smile on Pete's face but I could not press on as we both focused in eating but this time, enveloped in a comfortable silence.

"I am so full!"

I groaned as I massaged my stomach and dragged myself towards the bus stop.

I was smiling the whole time because I couldn't believe that I was walking side by side Pete.

We had just finished our dinner with him insisting on paying for it and my cab fare.

That was why I had him sent me by the stop.

I smiled at the thought.

I decided to look to Pete on my right who was also looking at me if only he didn't look away as quickly.

"You really didn't have to lie about the food you know."

He commented.

"I was not lying. The food was really great. In fact, even if you turned out to be a psycho that I so gladly went out to dinner with, I would not have any regret."

I was smiling as I looked up to him with my answer when I realized how wrong it sounded.

"I mean. I was glad. To come. Because of the food. That is. Haha."

I gave out a awkward laughter as I felt hot in the face with how Apollo was nodding at me.

Amusement on his face.

"Hmm."

He hummed and all the more I felt flushed.

I should really think about what to say next time.

"Really, I meant nothing about what I said except for the food-!"

I trailed off when I heard Pete snickered.

"Okay, alright, no need to freak out."

He said as he shook his head and was obviously trying to contain his laughter.

Shvt!

I had the urge to slap my mouth.

Why did I even say that!?!

I closed my eyes as I ran to catch up with Pete, we were a few meters away from the bus stop and I was trying to explain myself when not from afar, a group of about five men stood on the way and I heard one of them said.

"Look who we have here."

I stilled.

It was the guy who took my phone.