All She Could Ask

"Hey, Kiel..." Athanasia looked up from staring deeply at her drink. "We've been dating for a month, I was thinking of going somewhere far and being just the two of us. Escape from this busy world, you know."

Ijekiel hummed, a smile curved up to his cheeks. "Where do you want to go then?" He asked, sweetly, his hand went to hold Athanasia's on the table. "Though we should plan this next week, I have a business trip with Cabel for 2 weeks..." He muttered as she checked his schedule on his phone.

"Oh, is that so?" Athanasia sighed, tilting her head to lean on her other hand. "I was planning to go this Saturday but I guess I can wait."

Ijekiel smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry. I really want to go with you but... work, you know and I just can't leave Cabel on his own. You know that guy."

Athanasia chuckled, waving her hand off. She gently squeezed Ijekiel's hand that is still holding hers. "Okay, I know. Be safe okay?"

"Why are you saying that?" Ijekiel scoffs. "I will leave in three days though I have to pack early since I don't have the time to do it. Remind me why did I choose my work in the first place, it's a hassle."

"Do you want me to help you pack?" Athanasia suggested, her eyes blinking in excitement. "By the way, where is that business trip of yours?"

"Near the country but far from you," Ijekiel said with a hint of tease in his tone. Athanasia rolled her eyes but can't help but blush at the cheesy line. Her boyfriend may be handsome but he's not the kind of guy who could smoothly flirt with his lover.

Athanasia let go of his hand and laughed. "You still never gave up on giving me such cringe lines," she said, frowning. "You better stop before I lose my sanity."

"I was just expressing my love to you, my lady."

"Oh, shut up!"

Athanasia's phone suddenly played a tune, an alarm has set off. She immediately took her phone and checked her schedule. "Oh, I totally forgot!" She exclaimed, her eyes widened. "I told Lucas to wait for me at school!"

"Hm?" Ijekiel raised a brow in confusion. "Do you have plans with Lucas today?" He asked, taking a sip of his drink. "How is that smugly guy by the way?"

"He's fine as ever. Still has his stupid smug, unfortunately," Athanasia said with a laugh. "And yeah, though actually, I have plans with his mom, I've been taking cooking lessons by her. I wanted to be independent for myself."

"You sure are close with his mom than him," Ijekiel pointed out.

"Yes, we are," Athanasia agreed. "I just can't with Lucas, he's like a brat when I'm with him."

"Do you want me to teach him a lesson?"

"Nah, you're gonna lose, hun, don't even think about it."

"Ouch, you don't have any trust in your boyfriend, huh?" Ijekiel suddenly teared up even though there were no tears in his eyes. "Is that how you think of me, Athy?"

"You and your drama..." Athanasia scoffs as she stood up from her seat, taking her bag. "Anyways, I'll be seeing you then, call me when you are going to pack your stuff for your business trip, I'll come running to your house. Alright?!"

Ijekiel nodded, smiling.

Athanasia smiled back and kissed his forehead. "Okay, I'm gonna go now, love you!"

"Mhm, love you too," Ijekiel said back, watching Athanasia walk out of the cafe until she was out of his sight, his loving smile never fades.

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"Sorry, I'm late!!!"

Lucas turned to see Athanasia running towards him, he rolled his eyes watching her struggle to run. "What took you so long, blondie?!" He huffed. He didn't wait for her and opened his car door to walk in. Athanasia followed him, sighing in relief.

"I was with Kiel, he suddenly called me and he wanted to just hang out, then I lost the track of time," she explained, running her hand through her now-unruly hair. "Anyway, do you have water here? I ran a lot- oh, never mind!"

"Hey, that was mine!!" Lucas complained though it was too late. Athanasia gulped down the last half of his water. He glared at her, his teeth gritting. "How dare you, woman."

"It's just water!" Athanasia sighed, rolling her eyes. "Don't be such a drama queen. I'll just treat you with sweets, deal?"

Lucas stared at her for a moment then sighed, looking away to hide his blush. "... Deal..." He muttered, but Athanasia heard it and pumped her fist in the air. "Alright! Let's go home!"

"Don't call my home your home, dummy!" Complaint number two. Athanasia could count this whole day without even getting tired. She only huffed, putting back the water bottle. "You really have to get angry at every word I said?" She grumbled.

"Because you speak such nonsense," Lucas spat back, not batting an eye (he's driving :D). "Now, stop talking madam, and let me drive in peace."

"Wait, let me connect on your speaker first." Of course, Athanasia won't listen. "It's boring if we're just sitting here in silence."

"I like it like that."

"I don't care."

Lucas pursed his lips, trying hard not to bite the insides of his cheeks to contain his anger. If only his mother didn't agree with this cooking lesson thingy he wouldn't have to suffer being with her and bicker.

Even realizing his feelings towards her, he still finds her annoying. He even wonders why he liked her in the first place.

Athanasia finally relaxed in her seat and played a song. She glanced at Lucas with a smirk on her face as the music played from the speakers. He knew that look, it means trouble.

"I'm staring out of my window. And the rain is pouring down!" Athanasia began to sing, poking Lucas on his side, which is not a very safe way to do.

"Athanasia, you know who's driving here right?" Lucas warned with gritted teeth. He rolled his eyes when he saw her start dancing with a comb as her microphone. "Athanasia, listen to me, will you!"

"No only if you sing with me!" She teased, still dancing to her heart's content. "I don't need no shoulder, I'm gonna be a soldier~"

Lucas scoffs at how badly she danced while singing the song. If only he could record her right now and tease her with that.

Athanasia leaned closer, making Lucas feel a skip of a beat on his heart. He awkwardly glanced at Athanasia. "I just wanna feel something I don't understand..."

Silence. Athanasia waited for Lucas' line in anguish. Lucas rolled his eyes again for the nth time and gave up, he grumbled, "I just wanna dance right through the rain..."

Athanasia laughed in excitement, ruffling Lucas' hair. "I'm just gonna dance right through the pain!!"

And suddenly the two of them were singing together in sync and harmony with also a little bit of dance. They were in their own domain. Just them.

"Let my heart beat louder, let my heart speak louder than my head!!"

If only times like this would last forever. Lucas could only wish.

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Lucas groaned, his head collapsing on his table with a loud thud it surprised most of his colleagues. "When would this day end?" He grumbled.

"Stop complaining and slack off then you would finish your work," Some colleague of his said as they walk past his table with a cup of coffee in hand. "Didn't you have someone to send off to later? Why are you still here?"

"I don't think I could come, at least some of his friends and also his girlfriend is there. I don't need to see that idiot off," Lucas muttered, the way he mentioned Athanasia left a bitter taste in his mouth.

"I see. Well, it's none of my business as long as you finish those papers then you can leave, I need those tomorrow," they said. They left the empty cup on Lucas' table and walked away.

"I know, I know..."

As Lucas was about to continue his work, his phone buzzed, there was a call from Athanasia. He glanced at it and then answered, putting on his earphones so he could hear while working. "Didn't I text you that I can't come to the airport? Why are you calling?" He asked.

"I know that!" He heard her huff. "Jennette and I went our separate ways, Helena also couldn't come and I thought that it's boring to just go home right after. I was wondering if you're free later after your work..."

Lucas hummed, he checked the time then back to typing. "I'll think about that... I'm still halfway through my work. I have to send this immediately."

"Yeah? Great!" Athanasia cheered through the phone. He could imagine her hopping, which almost disturbed his typing. "Where's your workplace, I'll come to you instead! By the way, I just got in a taxi."

Lucas frowned. "I said, I'll think about it, not that I agreed to hang out with you. I still don't know when I would finish this."

"Aw, c'mon!" Athanasia whined though it almost sounded like a scoff. "I know you would give time for me! I'm bored!"

"Are you?" Lucas teased. "Then deal with it, missy. I'm busy here."

"Didn't know you have a girlfriend, Lucas?" One of his coworkers walked by, looking so smug. "Even at work, you're still calling her. Ah, youth."

"Shut up..." Lucas muttered, rolling his eyes. A blush appeared on his face. He then heard Athanasia getting offended. "Excuse me?! You told me to shut up?!"

"Ah, no! It was a colleague," Lucas immediately cleared the misunderstanding. Glaring at his coworker who just laughed at him while running for shelter. "Sorry..." He sighed, running his hand through his tie and loosening it. He frowned, still hearing Athanasia complaining. "Alright, alright! I'll make it up to you so stop whining. I'll finish this within an hour, I'll just text you the address..."

"Really?!!" Athanasia's mood immediately changes. "Then, I'll be on my way!! Yayyy!!"

Lucas ended the call and took off his earphones, he rolled his eyes, realizing what he had gotten into. "That sly woman..." He said through gritted teeth. "Now I have to finish this quick..."

"Good luck!"

"Just you wait, you bastard. I'll end your life right after I finish this!"

"... Sorry..."

Thanks to Lucas' patience and the motivation to smack his coworker in the face, he finally got to finish his work and passed it before going out to meet Athanasia, who is waiting in the lobby of their company for almost an hour and a half.

"Hey," Lucas called, scratching his nape apologetically. "Sorry, it took me so long and also for letting you wait here."

Athanasia beamed as soon as she heard Lucas' name and stood up. "I didn't know you were working at this huge company! I kinda felt guilty for not believing you."

Lucas huffed, brows furrowed. "Hah! And do you think that that look of yours would get you away from teasing me for my work? Nuh-uh, missy, you're treating me for dinner."

"What?!" Athanasia followed Lucas as he started to make his way out of the company. "C'mon! I even treated Kiel and Jennette for lunch!"

"Good for you, I guess... By the way, we're taking a taxi since mom drove it to a friend's house."

Athanasia pouted, glaring at Lucas, hoping, that his hair would get burned by her eyes with hatred. "Here I was, praying that you would buy me dinner since I don't have money, thanks to my boyfriend and best friend."

"So?" Lucas continued his teasing though his eyes were on the road, waiting to call a ride. "Tell me where do you want to eat then. Maybe going to that place that you want to go."

Athanasia looked up to Lucas with sparkling eyes. "Are you gonna pay?!" She gasped, hands clasping together. "You're not pranking me or something?!"

"Better say the location or I'll change my mind, missy," Lucas grumbled. He hopped down as a taxi pulled over to them, he opened the door to Athanasia. "In."

"Then, I'll look for it! I have it on my notes!" Athanasia immediately took her phone while getting in. "I was planning to eat there with Kiel but as you can see, he's just gone on a business trip but I badly want to try their foods there!!!"

Lucas grinned. "I will boast to your boyfriend that you went with me instead."

Athanasia lets out a dramatic gasp. "I dare you!! I even shared this secret information then you just betray me like that?!"

"Well, I'm the one who pays so..."

"Aw c'mon!!"

"No can do, princess."

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Athanasia yawned, eyes on her phone as soon as the bell rings. Jennette then walked beside her in her usual cheery expression. "Did the students give you a hard time?" She asked.

Athanasia looked up with a frown. "Why are you asking me that?"

"Well..." Jennette pointed at her eye. "There are that dark circles under your eyes and you look tired. Very."

"Nah..." Athanasia shook her head in disagreement. She smiled at her friend as an assurance. "It's been five days since Kiel's business trip and I've been sleeping late since I have to call him. Time here and there didn't match so I have to adjust."

Jennette turned confused. "You should have just told him. I'm sure Kiel would understand," she said. "Don't push yourself too hard, Athy. You still have students to teach, cooking lessons to cook and a house to take care of. I mean love can wait, you know."

Athanasia yawned again. She looked down at her phone to see her reflection, disheveled hair, droopy eyes, and pale skin. She knew she wasn't alright. She knew but...

"Okay, I'll tell him," she said, smiling again for Jennette not to worry. "Wouldn't want my best friend to get worried about me."

"I'm glad you know. How about I'll treat you to lunch today?"

"You're an angel."

Time passed to Athanasia as she prayed for the day to end. Thankfully, she got what she wanted and went straight to bed, not even bothering to take off her makeup and working clothes. All she wanted was a good sleep to have the energy to talk with Ijekiel and make fun projects for her students.

"Ah, right... I was supposed to go to Lucas' place..." She murmured against her pillow. She checked the time and was about to get up but her body betrayed her. "Shit..." She cursed under her breath.

She was at her limit.

One move, she would faint right now. She badly wants to go to have cooking lessons with Lucas' mother but it won't hurt to just sleep for ten minutes right? Just ten minutes. She'll just have to text Lucas that she would be late.

Text.

She ended up falling asleep.

That's all she could ask for right now.

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"Hey, wake up, sleepy head," Ijekiel said to Cabel while putting on his tie. "We've got another long day ahead."

"Ugh... I wanna go home..." Cabel groaned, rolling off his bed which resulted in him falling on his butt. "Curses!!" He yelled in pain, immediately standing up.

Ijekiel chuckled, watching his workmate struggling to walk due to his fall. He went back to check his phone with no calls or texts from a certain blonde.

"Hm..."

---I got to update since I was stuck in my room the whole day (there was this festival in our district so yeah :D many people=me in my room)