Chapter 2: Dinner

Sebastian wanted to stand and leave that fucking place right away when Sandra sat beside Levi. He wanted to straddle his friend right at the moment for setting him up with her, despite knowing how much he hated it to be involved with someone like the woman in front of him. The very reason as to why he kept on refusing Simon to make an appointment to meet up with her.

"You didn't tell me you brought a friend," Sandra said sweetly as her eyes landed on Sebastian, smoldering him with that amused gaze.

However, he avoided it almost immediately because he didn't want to have eye contact with her. Good thing, the waiter came just right on time and gave them the menu as they all seated properly. He took that opportunity as an excuse for his action. But still, as he pretended to be having trouble on choosing the food to order, he could feel the woman's gaze was glued on him, making his brows form in deep furrow, whilst he was doing his best ignoring it and pretending to focus his whole attention on the menu in his hands.

"I'm sorry. I just thought seeing you alone here will cause another headline tomorrow. So, I decided to bring a friend," said Levi with his unusual gentle voice as if trying to impress the woman.

Sebastian's eyes quickly shifted on his friend rather surprised. But he was a bit taken aback when he caught him already looking at him with a smudged grin plastered on his lips. Automatically, he got what he meant and he glared at him in return then grimaced.

Damn Levi for making him a chaperone! He groaned inwardly.

Heaving a sigh, he momentarily shut his eyes before going back to read the menu again.

"It's been a while since we last saw each other. You've changed a lot Levi," Sandra commented.

Sebastian scowled at the menu he was holding upon hearing how soft and sweet her voice was that it almost gave him chills. He didn't need to make an effort to be updated with the woman. Because the media and people around him, most especially his brother, were always talking about her on a daily basis. He didn't need to research how she talks, laughs, and how sweet her smile was, to know if she's just trying hard to sound seductive, for everywhere he goes, her pictures and videos flashes as if letting everyone know about her and her damn existence. Her sweet, soft spoken voice sounded so natural that made his heart palpitate. He clutched the menu so tight that he almost crumpled it.

When the two suddenly stopped talking, he took the chance to give Sandra a furtive glance. And he immediately averted his gaze when she caught him.

"What's your name?" she asked as if she'd forgotten his existence for a few seconds.

Sebastian mentally cursed.

He wanted to pretend that he didn't hear her, and was too damn preoccupied with the meals he eagerly wanted to order. But he felt a quite painful kick on his shin under the table that made him jerked a little bit.

"He's Ph--"

"Sebastian," He quickly cutted Levi and gave him a sharp glare, then politely extended his hand to Sandra out of courtesy.

He heard his friend chuckle and looked very amused at his action. And all he could do was to click his tongue without a sound.

"Hmm. Sebastian.. I'm Sandra"

Sebastian's attention quickly drifted to Sandra the moment he felt her soft and warm hand as she took his for a shake. His heart did a somersault. All of a sudden, the pumping of his chest accelerated, making him immediately pull his hand away as he quickly averted his gaze from Sandra who was watching him intently with eyes dancing in amusement whilst flashing him her infamous sweet smile. Damn could be damn, but that fucking smile surely can make every man falls on their knees' and kiss the ground she's walking on.

"I saw you on TV last night, Sebastian. The camera didn't do justice to how appealing you are in person," she stated casually, like it was just a normal phrase and she didn't just compliment him.

He coughed and almost got choked with the water upon hearing that. Didn't he know she's that blunt, though he'd heard about it before, and he noticed it in her certain interview that he'd just watched.

Shaking his head, he hid his sudden awkwardness. He has never met someone as bold as her. And he's disliking her more for it.

"Let's eat," Levi interrupted.

He didn't know whether to be thankful for that or not, for in the first place, Levi was the mastermind as to why he was in that situation.

He sighed.

Silently, he started eating with a crease on his forehead. He intended to only focus his eyes on his plate and did not bother to pay any attention to his two companies. He's not that comfortable with them, but he didn't want to be 'that' rude either. Still, he tried to concentrate on his plate and refused to lift his gaze up even if he would have a stiff neck later on. He'd rather have it than meet that woman's smoldering gaze which he felt she's giving him at the very moment.

Mentally, he cursed.

He gripped on the spoon and fork tightened, as he was close to thinking she's trying to flirt with him or something. What does he know about it though? He's not the type of guy who flirts, and he thinks the woman should stop right away for the uneasiness was already creeping him out, and it was not good for him. Him and awkwardness do not get along well. What more if his chest keeps on drumming wildly?

Momentarily, he shut his eyes. He took a deep breath and swallowed hard.

If not for the respect he has for everyone, he probably would have left their table and gone home. But he was damn sure Levi would get back at him and no one knew what he would do with him if ever. And he didn't have any plans to know.

"Are you, by any chance, acquainted with Phoenix?" Sandra spoke suddenly which made his hand hang up in the air as he was about to eat the meat on the fork in his hand.

Instantly, his brows pulled together as he lifted his gaze on her. Her eyes glimmered when their gazes finally met once again. There's an obvious excitement and anticipation in her eyes as to why he'd finally reached his limit.

Pursing his lips, he turned to Levi, and his expression darkened when he smirked slyly at him in exchange. The urges to punch him was damn high, but he realized how it was easy for the guy to tell on him about his fucking identity to that woman. The creases on his forehead defined, and his grip on the cutleries tightened that he already felt its sharpness on his palm. Eventually, he tried to suppress the anger he felt for his 'friend'.

Though, he was screaming inwardly as he started thinking of any valid excuse if ever Levi chosen to betray him and spilled the truth.

"He's my friend, actually," Levi replied in a casual tone. But the teasing look he was giving Sebastian didn't escape the latter's vision and made him cursed inwardly over and over again.

Silently, he glared at his friend while he was trying to calm himself by taking a deep breath. But then, Sandra shamelessly expressed her excitement that made his blood boil. And Levi just added the fuel to his rage with his chuckles as if he finds the situation entertaining.

'Damn you, Levi!' he cussed inaudibly.

"Really? I want to meet him," Sandra stated straightforwardly.

Sebastian looked away as he inwardly hoped for a miracle to happen. But the sudden silence made him turn his gaze back on the two and immediately, he felt the cold aura emitting from Levi who suddenly became serious for unknown reasons.

"Is this why you accepted my invitation after all those months, Sandra?" he asked coldly while eyeing the woman intently.

Sebastian released a heavy breath he didn't know he was holding. He felt something heavy was finally lifted on his chest. He's certain, with Levi's sudden change of mood, he won't spill that he is Phoenix. They've been friends for years anyway and he suddenly felt guilty for thinking bad about him. But then, no one can blame him. Afterall, Levi tricked him for coming there without saying they're going to meet the person he doesn't want to meet at all.

"You never really had a time before, that's why.." Levi's voice made Sebastian brought back from his reverie.

His strangled voice abruptly caught his curiosity. Almost taken aback, he saw his older friend looking defeated, vulnerable and hurt for the first time. After all those years they have been friends, never did he see the guy looking that way.

Tons of questions suddenly flooded his mind. As far as he knew, Levi was never vocal about his personal life, especially on the love life part. With brows deeply furrowed, he watched the two silently staring at each other. But almost instantly, he averted his eyes for he couldn't take the tension between them and it did something unwelcome in his system.

"I'm sorry.." Sandra muttered sincerely to Levi.

She looked genuinely worried that Sebastian couldn't help but shifted his gaze back on her and studied her reaction. But it didn't last and averted his eyes once again when Sandra held Levi's hand while flashing him a small smile.

Forcing himself to finish his food, he didn't bother to take a glance back to the people in front of him who started talking again as if he wasn't there. He even tried to think of things that could distract him, because he didn't want to listen to whatever they were talking about.

"Are you always this silent, Sebastian?"

Sebastian's hands shook at the way she said his name. He tried to look calm and cool as if her sweet voice didn't have any effect on him, though deep inside, he was as nervous as hell for some reason. He shrugged his shoulders casually as a response without looking at her. Call him rude or whatever, fuck her opinion towards him, he didn't care. He was content being invisible to them anyway. Did she have to notice him again? He clicked his tongue. If only he could finally leave.

"And.. snob," Sandra chuckled.

His jaw clenched upon hearing her soft chuckles. No doubt it was like a music in the ears for everyone who would hear it. And he realized that the world was really freaking unfair.

He did not bother giving her a single glance even if he was tempted. No. He won't let her think anything about him being interested in her. Because he wasn't even a bit. Someone like her is all the same who thinks people's importance can only be defined by their looks, money and status in life, and then looks down on the people who didn't reach their sets of standards.

He let out an inaudible sigh of relief when Levi opened another topic that made Sandra's attention drift back on him once again. It was the second time Sebastian never liked staying in one place with a woman. Yes, Sandra Mendez was beautiful. But beauty could never bring down the wall he built for someone of her status. She's not his type. And he knows well that her kind would just ruin his peaceful life, that was actually already happening by the way.

"Levi, I wish to talk to you more, but I needed to go now"

"You're supposed to rest at this hour, Sandra"

"You know my lifestyle. See you again?"

Finally, after feeling like forever of enduring the awkward dinner, Sebastian lifted his head up and witnessed how she just casually kissed Levi on the cheek. His lips slightly parted at the sight. Quickly, he pursed his lips as he immediately looked away. But it didn't escape him how his friend smiled at her with eyes seemingly sparkling in delight.

"I'll call you or i'll visit you if my schedule permits"

"Okay"

He didn't need to see them to know if the two were smiling at each other. And he's not stupid not to notice that there's something with those two. Why would they need a chaperone anyway if this is just a friendly or business dinner? He clicked his tongue. He was busy complaining in his mind when he felt someone's presence. Instantly, his heart beats erratically as if he ran a mile after seeing Sandra was already standing in front of him, smiling seductively.

"It's nice to meet you, Sebastian," she said, then without any warning, she kissed him on the cheek and leaned on his ear, "See you soon.."

He stiffened while Sandra grinned as she pulled away.

Levi cleared his throat. He then stood up and placed his hand on the small of Sandra's back in a protective way, "Let's go?" he queried before taking a glance at Sebastian who seemed like his soul was taken away from his body.

The two were already walking to the exit when Sebastian snapped. He blinked several times then muttered not so loud curses as he tried to bring himself back to his senses for he felt like his brain suddenly shuts down.

He's hating Sandra Mendez more.