CHAPTER 4: Mr. Nice Guy

Black's POV

"eh, I have an appointment, can we just go some other time?" I told Mich because she is here now in my condo and invites me to go shopping.

"What kind of appointment is that? Aren't we always go shopping every Sunday?" She asked again.

 "I'm sorry Mich! You can come with me if you like!" I offered.

"Where are you going?"

"Rox invited me for a snack!" I answered while finishing my makeup.

"Who's Rox?"

"Have you forgotten? The girl we helped yesternight"

"Oh! The girl YOU helped! I will just go home" She turned her back on me after she said that. I just frowned at what she did. I don't know what's her deal.

Mood swings again? I asked myself.

 I texted Rox that I'm on my way. I arrived at Starbucks 30 minutes later. I saw her texting while smiling. I wonder if she has a boyfriend.

"Hey!" I greeted. She looked at me and smiled.

"There you are! Have a seat"

"Thanks!"

What do you want to order?" she asked me.

"Cappuccino Frappe and Pandan Chocolate cake," I said. I feel awkward because we're not close enough yet and I cannot possibly label her as my friend already. We're just acquaintances as of the moment

"Wait up! I'll order.!" she left and approached the counter after saying that.

I watched her while ordering, She's simple and plain. Based on my observation, she's in the middle class. She was a little underdressed for her age. She's wearing a below-the-knee dress and a doll shoe, she has long straight hair. With her manner, demeanor, and speech, she seems kind. She's my total opposite but I don't know why I feel so comfortable with her.

It's unusual because I am not the type of person who is easy to make friends with. I'm picky, so Mich is my only friend. But there's something in her that makes me feel at ease. I just need to know what it is. When she returned to our table. She looked at me and smiled.

"Thank you so much for agreeing to meet me," She said and still smiling.

"Oh, please, it's nothing. I also have nothing to do" I said.

"That’s great. Anyway, is your name really Black?" she asked curiously

"It's my surname" I plainly said

"Foreigner? What's your real name then?"

"Marie Violet is my name. My dad is half American."

"Wow! Your name is beautiful!" she said obviously amazed

"Just call me Black okay," I said coz I hate my name. It sounds too feminine.

"copy! Can I be your friend?" She suddenly asked

"S-sure" I was shocked. I was hesitant but I think having a new friend won't hurt, Besides, It's the first time after many years that someone offered me a friendship. She smiled at me.

"Thanks" She uttered, I just smiled back.

We also talked a lot. I don't know why I was openly talking to her. It is so not me. I know I'm vocal but only when I'm with Mich.

"Anyway, Black, is it okay for my childhood friend to come here? He's just near here" She asked.

"Sure! it's fine!" I agreed, in an instant, she texted her friend.

A few moments later, a man approached us.

 "Rox" he called Roxanne

"Hey, James! This is Black. Black, he's James" She introduced us to each other. I awkwardly shook his hand. I'm not that good at this kind of thing. I hate this formality. I'm not used to it.

"have a seat" I offered which he gladly did. James was silent as Rox and I talked until someone called Roxanne’s phone.

"What? Okay, I'll be there" she said to the person on the other line. She seems furious

"Black sorry, I really need to go, There's an emergency. James, please accompany Black! I'm really sorry, guys" James nodded and Roxanne stormed out of the place.

The atmosphere is getting awkward now. We are strangers to each other so there's nothing to talk about and it's really hard to open a conversation.

 "I think I need to go too," I said causing James to look at me.

 "Okay, I'll drive you home" we both stood up and walked out of the Starbucks.

"No worries! I'm fine. I will book a grab car"

"I insist!" he just said that and hold my back.

I should think that he's a pervert, but it didn't feel like that. He's a gentleman, he's guiding me through his car. Geez! I miss my car!

"Hop in! You'll be safe with me. I won't harm you" He said while Opening the passenger seat. I just nodded in his statement before entering his car. When he got on board, he immediately spoke.

"I don't know where you live, just show me the way or we can just Waze it"

"Okay, I'll just give you directions" I answered. The whole trip we were just quiet. He only speaks when he asks where the road is and I will tell him where. We arrived at my condo in just 30 minutes...

"Thanks!" I said and got out of his car. I didn't notice it was raining.

I looked at his car because I heard the door close again. He came down and approached me.

"It's misting! Let's go!" I was surprised by what he did. He put his right hand on my shoulder and his left hand on my head as if he's shielding me from rain. I did not complain, I completely gave in which surprises me too. We stopped as soon as we entered the condo lobby.

"Okay, I'll go now!" he said and walked away. I just stared at his back as he walked.

First time in my life that I was carried away with a simple gesture. He's a mystery to me.

"Sweet!" I turned to see the one who spoke just to see the most annoying man I've encountered in my whole life. I just raised an eyebrow it might even reach the sky. I know I'm exaggerating but the mere fact that this asshole is beside me, my blood just boiled.

"Shut up!" I pass through him. I was already inside the elevator when he also got on.

"You got a boyfriend! What a waste!" I rolled my eyes hearing his remarks.

I pressed the 7th,

He really meant to piss me off by pressing the same floor at the same time to make a contact with our hand. He hit the 10th. so this asshole is living on the 10th floor. So why the hell he's on the 7th floor that day I encountered him? Damn it! And why does the elevator seem to slow down?

"Break up with your boyfriend, I want to play with you!" I ignored what he said because first, I do not have a boyfriend and secondly, I do not care what he says. And lastly, he’s fucking rude.

"Okay then!" I was literally taken aback when he pinned me on the wall.

"Let's play behind his back," he said in a husky voice.

I don't fucking know what's with me and why I'm not moving. I just look at him as he slowly closed his eyes, we're only inches apart and I do not know what to do, All I know is that I am nervous because any second he's lips will touch mine.

**Ting**

"Save by the bell, "He said while his eyes were still close but a wide smile is visible. I also smell his breath and it smells damn good. I breathed heavily because I feel relieved when the elevator opened but this fucking asshole really push his way. He kissed me without a hint of hesitation. I was lost for a moment but when I came back to my senses, I just realized that his lips are still touching mine. It's just lasted for a second but it's really fucking disturbing. Well, on my part.

I immediately pushed him and slapped him. "asshole!" I shouted as soon as I got out of the elevator.

"What's wrong with him?" I asked myself as I clasped my hands.

***

Michelle's POV

"Ugh! I'm so annoyed!" I lashed out while walking at the mall. Who wouldn't be? My mind can't even process that Black prefers the woman she just met over me, her best friend since childhood.

Due to the annoyance that Black caused me, I can't suppress my bad mood and ended up throwing an attitude to a different salesperson I crossed paths with while walking at the mall.

When I reached the Car Park, I saw a very familiar person. It was Black with some unknown dude.

Wow! She said she's with Roxanne? She could've been honest that she's going on a date. Why would she hide it from me and lie about it? I was hurt and annoyed at the same time. I can't believe that Black will hide it from me! Doesn't she trust me enough?

I marched towards my car and headed to the nearest bar in town. I am playing with the glass of wine I am holding and ranting to myself about what happened earlier.

"She's unfair! Why does she even have to hide from me?" I asked myself out loud. People might think that I am crazy but I don't hella care! Black is my only best friend and I felt really sad finding out that she's hiding something important from me.

"Hi, there!" I looked at the man who said that. He's smiling at me like an idiot. my eyebrow creased because he looks utterly familiar but I can't remember how, when, or where I met him.

"You look familiar. Have we met before?" I asked him curiously

"I doubt that. It's my first time here!" He said and smiled again. He answered that shocked me a bit. Maybe he just has some look alike.

"Okay," I just answered, and went back to my drink and talking to myself

"I noticed that you've been frowning a lot! Is there any problem?" he asked

 "Are you trying to hook up on me? Please! I'm not in the mood" I straightly said with a dead serious face. He looks amused but eventually, he smiled again.

"You are eye-catching. But don't worry, I don't do hookups, If I like a girl, I'll be loyal asf" I smirk upon hearing his remarks

 "Don't play mind games on me, Mister! I'm way better than a player!" I said with a devilish smile. Men will always be men. They are all sweet talkers until they got what they want.

"Haha! Sorry! I think you misinterpreted me. I don't play with girls. It sounds gay. Girls should be love and take care of, not to play and hurt." I was caught off guard. I did not expect that he will say that. Well, I still found him boring so I ignored him but he stays by my side.

He does not drink. He just watches me drink. Well! I don't care. I know I'm pretty, so I am worth staring at.

"Geez! I'm tipsy!" I whispered to myself, but I did not know that he would hear me.

"Because you drink a lot” he commented

“Nah! I’m going to the dance floor” I said and stood up but I lose my balance and almost fell. Thank God someone caught me.

 “let's go!" he said. I was about to protest but, my eyes are slowly shutting down. I feel like I suddenly float.

"What do you think? You ordered three shots of their hardest liquor aside from the wine and, you thought you wouldn't get drunk? Geez! Girls these days!" He lectured me but, I did not Rebut because I felt like I'm about to puke, my surrounding is spinning and, any minute, I think I will fall asleep

"Just hold tight!" He whispered. He's carrying me, my head is in his neck so I can smell his scent, and it's freaking addictive.

"let me go!" the words I uttered before I lose my consciousness.

------

Ugh! I woke up and immediately held my head.

"Fucking hangover! My head hurts!" I complained.

"That's good! You're finally awake! Just go downstairs when you are ready. I prepared breakfast and medicine for you." My eyes widened and, look at the man who opened the door.

"W-hat the---" I immediately looked under the blanket and was alarmed when I saw that I was wearing different clothes. Fuck! The hell with me? I looked in his direction again but, he was gone. I just noticed that this is not my room.

"Ughhhh! What happened, what happened, what happened?" I asked myself repeatedly.

I got up and ran to the other door in his room which I assumed is the bathroom. I faced the mirror. I don't look wasted. I'm still looking pretty but the hell with this large T-shirt up to my knees. Supposedly, it is his clothes.

"THIS IS SO EMBARRASSING!" I Shouted in a whispering manner. I took a quick shower. I saw the dress and my belongings on the side table. It is already clean. It looks like it has been washed. I immediately put it on and slowly went down the stairs.

I don't know if something happened but I guess, nothing happened. I feel alright. Nothing felt odd but there's still an inkling feeling inside me that wants to confirm things but this terrible headache made me want to go back to bed.

"I've been waiting for a while. The breakfast is getting cold" I slowly walking towards the door when someone behind me spoke. I turned to him and saw him smiling, again.

I gave him an awkward smile. I just approached the table and sat across from him. He started eating peacefully. But I have this urge to ask him what happened last night besides I have no appetite.

"Did we just... Did we just, you know??" I stammered, it's so embarrassing! I think I will lose my face any minute.

His forehead furrowed as if he did not understand me.

"Tsk! I mean, did something happen to us?" My forehead also furrowed. And gosh! I know my face is already red with so much embarrassment.

"Do you think that I'm the kind of guy that will take advantage of a woman who's drunk?" he answered me with a question... But before I could even answer, he spoke again.

"And If I plan to do that, I want you to have no spirit of alcohol, and you'll be the one insisting" He smiled when he said that as if it's a nice thing to say. I was surprised by his answer. He's trying to say that he's a gentleman sarcastically, and it shut me up. All I know is my face is redder than red.

***