Sip 3

Time stopped. This is dangerous.

Is that what we call a killer smile? Demn, he is not good for my heart. 

It is I, whom he said finally laughing but his smile seems something else that just made my heart pound. "Wha- mister are you trying to trick me? You'll be called a cradle snatcher if you try to hook me with you!"

"You are quite brazen, earlier you are praising then suddenly dropping me. How could you do that to me? These kids nowadays... You're just like my cousin."

"Hahaha! Just kidding mister I do appreciate your advice! You’re a tease too!" Making the awkward situation pass. 

“ Here's your order sir” Luckily, the waiter served a slice of strawberry cheesecake that broke the silence. I knew that cake, it brought my attention and forgot about the earlier situation, that was the one that Mia is talking about. I would love to try it but it's quite pricey than the other cakes. So I just ordered my usual ones, but never thought it would have a bitter taste. Though I love dark chocolates I like sweeter cases.

"Oh, I thought you don't like cake mister, but you ordered one."

"It's not for me, you eat it."

“ Me?” 

"It's a treat, don't worry, let's say it was a way of thanking you for having a nice conversation and for sharing the table".

"Really? It's rare to meet a good person to talk with as well, I'll take this and eat well! Thank you!" I really want to eat this cake, it's not good to refuse other people's goodwill, plus it's free so I'll have it.

"Uhm~hmm! It's delicious! Thank you for the treat, mister, uhm...?" I just kept calling him mister but what was his name? I was about to ask his name when his phone rang.

"Hello? I told you that I just got off and I need some time alone... What?... It's rare for you to call and ask for a favor? What is it?... A what?" It is not good to eavesdrop on someone else's conversation so I just continued eating the cake. We need to be polite and we are strangers to begin with, I do not poke more into it. He seems to have noticed that the phone call will be a bit more so he decided to bid farewell.

"I have to go now. Please do enjoy the cake, the tab is on me okay? Bye!"

"Ah wait, thank you..."  - - you, on how fast things happened, it is the same on how he left. I would like to know his name but I think it is better than to hold on to things. Then I saw,  he left his handkerchief, so I picked it up and put it in my bag. Maybe if we ever meet again I can return it to him... Well, it's a good remembrance of what happened today as well!

I left the table to pay and was surprised that he even paid for my cake before and that he actually ordered a whole strawberry cheesecake left for me to take home. He doesn't have to do that, but I accepted it because it's free and of course the silly me felt so happy. A warm feeling started to bud in my chest.

Later that night, the house feels like celebrating as they all happily eat the cake.

Right now, things happen when you least expect it.

"Hey, little kid, is this all your baggage? I'll put it inside now together with the others. Make sure you got everything off from the car okay?"

Mister, I mean ... Samuel happens to be Simone’s cousin and the same man I met at the cafe as well as the  guardian whom we’ll be driving us for our summer vacation. It was such a coincidence.

"Brother Samuel, thanks for helping with the baggage. Is it heavy?" Mia called out to him and thanked.

"I also helped Mia, Why are you only thanking brother Samuel?" Now it was Simone who's acting clingy with his girlfriend.

"Ah Simone, your cousin and others are here." Mia blushed up to her ear and looked around us.

"Ah the weather's nice!" Cana ignored the couple and appreciated the warmth.

"There's a small pond at the back of the house, you can look at it in the afternoon and it has a nice view." Samuel, out of nowhere, showed up near her, causing her to catch her breath in surprise.

This man, really... Girls would die early because of him.

"I want to take a nap, the air feels so fresh!" Oliver, who's been invited as well, lies on the sofa.

"Wait, guys.." Mia is trying to be saved, but no way girl! It's a rare chance for the two of her and Simone. We'll be busy soon and as your best friend I must support both of you!

The summer vacation ended so well however it is just the beginning of things between us as we continue two meet in the following activities that we do. Everytime my friends hang out, brother Samuel will accompany us on the out of town trips, would also accompany us on malls and seems like Simone is leeching on his cousin as he continues to call him for a chance to have spent time with Mia. Brother Samuel is kind enough to just let it pass.

Other times we go out and eat after school, there are times that we bump into brother Samuel and eventually accompany us on movies and drop us at home. It is quite nice that he is being cool with our anthics as well, he is not getting out of place as he joins and plays with us. Then it seems a normal scenario that we all meet together from then on.

Time passes and the day of our graduation comes near.

"Ah, why is it so cold?" I exclaimed as I entered the store, I just finished the final exam. As usual the couple Mia and Simone said they'll go on a date and celebrate the end of the exam, Oliver is a weird kid who is with friends from other classes and goes to karaoke.

I am not a loner, they did invite me but I cannot be a third wheel, second, I am not good at singing I'll just be a bummer in the karaoke.

"Hmm... One hot steamed bun please and a hot coffee" I ordered and waited in line as they prepared it.

"One coffee please." Oh, it's a familiar voice... I turned to look around to see who it was and I was right.

"Oh, what a coincidence, you're here too?" It was Samuel! My heart leaped upon seeing his handsome face.

"Samuel! Wow, what are you doing here?" I greeted him in the normal way as always.

"I was nearby, I suddenly felt hungry and saw this nearest, how about you?"

"Oh we just finished the exam! I am here to celebrate and eat a hot steamed bun, do you want some?"

"I see, good work then." he slowly patted my head like it's a normal thing to do, at that moment he made my heart race the second time.

Here's your order.

"There's a nearby park across the street. Let's eat over there and celebrate your hard work."

"Okay!" I happily followed him and left the store. As soon as we left the store the clerks started to talk to themselves.

That man was quite handsome, you know?

He's been coming back and forth since an hour ago, maybe it's to meet the young lady?

Eh really? Maybe it's his sister?

What a lucky girl to have a handsome guy to eat with.

"Oh, he replied!" he excitedly reported to the girl next to him.

"Did they meet already?" She comes near and takes a look at the screen.

[I just picked her up, we're eating at the nearby park to celebrate.] -Brother Samuel

Both of them smiled and looked happy.

"I hope that Cana will enjoy our gift to her." As her best friend, it is the best way I can cheer her up and give back all the support and caring she has given me.

"Don't worry, I did make sure that brother Samuel will take care of her." Simone replied to reassure his girlfriend.

A few days ago, he was visiting Samuel's residence and having a serious conversation together.

"Hey bro, are you really sure about Cana? She's the youngest among us actually."

"I am telling you that it's not the case, and why are telling me this like I am not trustworthy?" Samuel, has a deep impression of Cana, it was a total luck that she happens to be a friend of his younger cousin. He never thought that they would cross paths again, that he gave a chance on their second meeting to confirm things.

"It's not like that, as per what Mia said, Cana is quite the aloof child when they were younger..." he looked seriously at his brother and started what Mia had told him.

"She might look so childish and playful but deep inside she's carrying a heavy burden. Did she ever mention that her family wasn't her real relatives?" Upon hearing this, he was a bit surprised but he remembered the day he first met Cana, maybe it's the reason why this child is feeling so apologetic to herself, the family she's owed wasn't someone related to her. Even if she was taken care of, a young child like her would still be yearning for real affections from a blood relative.

"I had some sort of idea before...but I thought they were somehow distant, didn't think that they're totally strangers to her." He thought deeply and realized that it would be wider than he expected.

"That's what I am telling you, she may look for affection from others as she may misjudge what is real and what is not. Even if it's like this, will you watch her until the end?" Simone, who has known Cana through Mia, also has been good friends with her and he worries for the other girl. He knew that Mia would also be hurt to see Cana sad. Upon saying a piece of his mind, he saw the sides of his cousin's lips slowly curve upwards and a gentle aura emitted on his face, that one thing he never saw before as he always looks stoic and has a business-like attitude towards others. Does it only show when he thinks of Canary is what he thought?

"Of course, that's why I am looking after her." Samuel replied.