THREE

"Why don't you give me a name instead?" he suddenly asked, causing Cindy's heart to race very fast. Cindy wasn't expecting such a question. If this was how the date was planned, she'd have prepared even extra.

He was still waiting to hear what she had to say. He felt good that he was leaving her speechless; he knew she wouldn't be able to handle him before the date was over. But just when he was feeling good about himself, her next word got him.

"Any name, right? What if I decide to name you my hubby then?" she asked, and his brows moved.

What the hell???

Was that the only thing she could think of with over a million existing names?

He wondered if he was going to cope with her silliness because he knew she was going to be like those dumb girls he previously dated.

He was quick to calm off his expression before Cindy could notice, then he faced her.

"So? Hubby?" she said it again with a smiley face and her irresistible adorable look on her face.

"That's not a name. That's a title, Miss," he corrected her in a lowkey manner.

"You told me to give you a name. You didn't specify!" she scolded him quickly, and his jaw dropped once again.

This was too much for him to handle. She was now probably controlling him, and he couldn't possibly do anything.

"I'll stop calling you hubby when you finally tell me your name," she said cheekily.

He felt like he was being threatened by the little chick now. He didn't want to tell her his real name, nor did he like the name she wanted to call him.

He fisted his hands, clenching his jaw.

"Let's just return to the table," he gritted before moving away from his spot.

"I'll take that as a yes then!" Cindy rejoiced and followed him behind cheerfully.

Riri stopped running a few meters away from the school. She stopped to take a few harsh, fast breaths. She squatted on her spot, sweating hotly.

"That was close," she muttered.

She was glad she was able to get out of the pit safely, but then, she noticed Hailey wasn't with her, and it caused her to be scared.

"Hailey?" she called.

She started to wonder if the dogs had devoured her unnoticed, but it didn't bother her a bit.

"Oh, whatever! She's gone. I'll probably get another friend before Friday!" she hissed loudly and started to head back home.

Ivan knocked on the door several times, but no one came for him. He took out his phone and dialed Felix's number.

"Why aren't they picking up and answering my text? Aren't they home?" he thought aloud.

He pocketed his hands and strolled back to the balcony, biting his pink lip softly.

"Maybe I should have just stayed with my aunt and cousin. I made a bad choice coming here in the first place," he said, gritting his teeth.

He sat on the balcony, running his fingers into the straight hair on his forehead. He didn't know what he did to hurt his friendship with the boys; it was really heartbreaking.

"I can't possibly stay out here for too long. I need to have a place to rest my head."

He didn't really have any close friends aside from these four.

Earlier that day at school, Autumn was scared of going home alone because of those bullies, so he volunteered to ride her halfway home instead, despite knowing he'd come in late.

Maybe his friends decided to hurt him again by making him sleep out.

He stood up and walked back to his bike and started it, driving away from there.

A few minutes later, Felix walked out in pajamas, his phone screen flashing on his tired face.

"He actually left?" he thought maliciously.

Autumn cuddled her pillow as she thought about Ivan that night. Her love for that human was incomprehensible.

She almost had an entire episodic daydream of her getting married to him and carrying his kids.

Of course, he defended her in front of those bullies. She felt so proud and lucky!

His touch, his eyes, his smile, his scent... she could memorize it all in her little head.

Soon, Baby Rexa walked in.

"Autumn! Autumn!" Rexa exclaimed, and she sat up on her bed quickly.

"Why are you barging into my room like that?" Autumn scolded.

"Your friend is here," she said.

Autumn knew she didn't have any friends, so she wondered who she was talking about.

"I think he's spending the night here with us," she said in an excited manner.

He?

That only made her think of one person.

"Autumn," his voice came ringing alive in her ears immediately.

Juan leaned in on her car and stared at her phone screen, panic written all over her face. Frodd came by, his hands in both parts of his pockets.

"Hey, it's late. Your dad just dropped a text," he told her.

"Cindy hasn't dropped a call and she's not replying to my text as well. I feel very scared for her," Juan said terrifyingly.

Frodd palmed the car, trapping her.

"You wanted her to venture out, right? Perhaps, she's having fun," he told her.

"Having fun? With a guy, a stranger?" she asked, her eyes wide open.

"She's not a kid; she'll be fine," he told her, his breath poking her face.

Juan wasn't liking their closeness, so she pushed him off lightly.

"You don't understand. We agreed to text in between the date, in case if something bad happens," Juan told him.

Frodd pocketed his hands.

"Well, your dad wants you home now. So, I have to drive you home," he said, getting the car door open for her.

"No, I don't want to go home yet," Juan pouted, crossing her arms on her chest.

He smirked and walked behind her, before pulling her up in a bridal style.

Juan was immediately caught off guard. Where did he pluck the audacity to carry his boss's daughter???

"Hey, Dude, drop me down! Drop me!" Juan was yelling, waggling her feet.

"It's my duty to take care of you and make sure you're safe back home before 9," he told her while pulling her into the seat next to the driver's seat.

"Shhh," he hushed her off, with his finger on her lip, and Juan could only stare at his eyes.

He was seriously looking at her differently that night, he was looking at her like she was even prettier than ever since he met her.

He smiled cutely and poked her nose.

"You look sleepy. I need to get you home now," he told her before plugging her seatbelt in, slamming back the door afterward.

He handsomely ran towards the driver's seat, and Juan just couldn't take her eyes off him.

He came to sit next to her before starting up the car.

He noticed she was staring at him, but he didn't want to look at her, so she wouldn't break eye contact with him.

"Don't worry, I'll get you home quick," he informed her, while avoiding her burrowing gaze.

He hadn't driven far off when he noticed her drooling already.

He carefully placed her head on his shoulder and smirked afterward.

"I understand you more than anyone, even more than yourself," he spoke gently, before turning back to face the road.

The waiter plated different nutritious food in front of Cindy, and she couldn't stop herself from licking her lips sweetly. The foods were so mouthwatering. It was sad she never enjoyed such foods at her home.

She was about to start eating when she noticed that Mr. Stranger wasn't served. She raised her head to look at the server.

"How am I supposed to finish all this? What about my hubby? You haven't given him anything to eat too," she said, and the waiter almost dropped the tray with her.

She was completely startled. Did she just mention calling her Almighty boss "Hubby"?

Even the girls who were closer to him dared not call him by his name.

"Did you say hubby?" she asked, trying to be sure she heard the correct word, while fearfully stepping back.

"Don't you want to eat, hubby?" Cindy leaned in on the table to ask him.

She could hardly guess his expression at that moment, but he was lazily looking at her; he must have been frustrated already.

"No, I'm not hungry," he spoke responsively.

"Oh, I know that face. He wants me to feed him instead," she smiled.

She took a spoon of the nice delicacies on her plate and stretched out her other hand to pull down his mask, but he caught her hand halfway.

Cindy winced, but he wasn't letting go. He must have taken enough of her now.

"What's wrong with you?" he asked, glaring through his long thick lashes.

Cindy gulped hard. She had forgotten her limit. She had forgotten he wasn't just an ordinary person like her, and that she was still a stranger to him, by the way.

"I'm s-sorry," she whispered.

He still wasn't letting go of her wrist, and it was causing her so much pain.

"I told you before you came. I'm not here for anything romantic. Our date is meant to be casual," he spat, his icy demeanor becoming even more visible now.

Cindy bit her lip. She knew he was so mad, but he was trying not to lose it on her. She could see he was trying to control himself.

He wasn't even being hard on her, but her hands were hurting so much that she could almost feel him touching her bones.

"A-are you upset because I wanted to touch your mask?" she suddenly asked, and his clench on her wrist loosened.

His brows straightened quickly, like what she said caused him to recall something.

"The food is getting warm. Eat up," he said and left her hands.

Cindy wondered why he wasn't replying to her questions. She knew he was keeping something away from her, and not just one thing, but there were so many.

She made up her mind to figure out every damn thing he was hiding.

"Aren't we going to get to know each other now?" she asked, and his fingers trailed on the table.

"How about you go first, huh?" he told her, and Cindy opened her lips to commence.

But her lips went halfway without a single word trailing. She thought that if he knew her house address and her perfect fit of shoes and cloth size, then definitely, he should know her name.

"I'm sure you know everything about me. Or how did you get to figure out where I live, and my size? Were you stalking me?" she asked, leaving him amused.

He never thought she would think to that extent.

"Silly," he was smirking behind the mask on his face. Cindy really wanted to see his face, or perhaps he was hiding it because he was too gorgeous.

"Does that mean you know my name for real?" she asked.

"Guess what? I only know that you're dumb and silly," he spouted, causing her to pout her lip. He's still not opening up to her.

Soon, a man in his fifties walked in, disrupting their talk.

He whispered something to him, and Mr. Stranger quickly stood up, leaving the table without telling her anything.

"Hubby?" Cindy called, and he stopped.

He actually answered her! It means he actually likes the name, which was another achievement for her!!

Cindy didn't know if to actually blush at that moment, but his hard glare swallowed up her excitement quickly. She got up at once.

"I'm scared of staying here alone," she said.

He turned to face the man recognized to be his personal chauffeur.

"Take her to the master's bedroom quick. Make sure she doesn't leave," he ordered him.

"Yes, master," he answered and went towards Cindy, leading her towards another path.

They went through a long stair and arrived at a special door.

The chauffeur quickly faced Cindy.

"For your safety, you'll be in his bedroom," he told her, and Cindy slowly walked in.

The room was actually really big. It took the size of her entire house doubled. It felt like she was in a bedroom that belonged to that of a royal, like she was in a King's bedroom.

She wondered if this was where he actually lives. Doubtfully, she knew it was hilarious to live on a ship.

He was probably rich enough to buy an entire island!

She walked to the bed and sat on it, heaving a sigh.

"Wait...Juan!" she instantly recalled.

She was supposed to call her and inform her how the date was going. Even though it wasn't probably going the way she planned it, she still needed to tell her her achievement so far.

She picked her phone and gave her a call, but she didn't pick.

"Shit!" she cursed and threw her phone aside.

Her legs were in pain because of the stilettos she was wearing, so she carefully took them off quickly.

The door opened, and Mr. Stranger walked in. His step was so practical, like he was trained to be able to walk like that.

"What happened?" Cindy asked.

He didn't reply. He started off by taking off his wristwatch and placing it carefully.

He took off his suit and was left in his long sleeve shirt.

It made Cindy's eyes puff. She never knew he was that muscular, and now without a suit, he looked significantly taller.

He stepped out of his shoes and walked to his closet.

Cindy stood up, moving towards him.

"Has the date ended?" she asked.

"Probably," he said.

"Really? But that was really fast?" she spat, but he kept mute again before moving to sit on the bed, resting on the headboard.

"When am I going home, then?" she asked, standing in front of him.

"Home, you say?" he asked, like she was supposed to be stuck there with him.

"I'm supposed to be home before ten," she said.

"I forgot to tell you, the ship we are on is moving..."