79 Chicken Skin

Neo noticed that I was in a good mood when I arrived in our table. He still have that signature poker face of his, it was only for a second but I saw doubt and curiosity glimmer in those pitch black orbs of his. I didn't give heed to whatever he might be thinking right now because my full attention is on the food in front. I am not lacking when it comes to food or money but for me free food is the best. It is not everyday that I am treated to such a fine restaurant by the people on top of the food chain anyway. I just hope I get to enjoy this food peacefully.

There are a variety of delicacies displayed in front of us right now. A very expensive wine is also prepared for our table. I found out that the four of them, including miss A, are actually childhood friends. Juaqin and Fei are older than us and are currently enrolled in a well known University in Y Country which is only a few hours drive away from X country. Fei's mother is one of the faculty staff in Xin City high. She often comes back to Xin City High to visit or surprise her mom on her workplace. She once saw a forum about me in the school's webpage that is why she knows about me being nicknamed as the ice queen. Juaqin is actually the quiet and gentleman type. He doesn't talk much but I can sense the cold shoulder Neo is giving to this cousin of his.

"Where is Ashly? She should be back by now. Oh, here she comes." Fei said as she spotted Miss A in the distance.

"I'm sorry. Mother suddenly called to check on me." she apologetically said as she sat back down to her seat.

"Auntie can be too antsy sometimes." Fei said as she held a knife to cut the steak on her plate.

"Let me help you with that." Juaquin said, offering to cut it for her.

"Oh, thanks J." said as she pass the knife and plate to him.

"Your welcome." Juaquin said.

I silently observed their small gestures as I chew on my own steak. Are they a couple? They seem close to each other, but Neo did mention that his love rival is his cousin? Was he talking about Juaquin? If so, then that explains his sudden killing intent earlier.

"Mother just wants to make sure that I am safe. You know how overprotective she can get. She felt relieved when I told her that Kei is also here. She said that Kei will surely look after me." she smilingly said as she turned to look at Neo. Neo only nodded his head and didn't say anything else. Her cheeks then started to turn pinkish when Neo agreed to what she had just said.

Oh, so she's using the 'close-to-the-family' card now? This little missy is very sly. She knows her cards well. Though it doesn't really matter to me. She can use every card she has but that will never change the fact that you are a bad girl and the demon king already knows it. I wonder how this devil will drag this fallen angel into the underworld for punishment.

Miss A felt elated that Neo actually sided with her in front of me. She secretly smirked as she imagined how jealous I might be feeling right now. I didn't mind her knowing look at all as I continued to elegantly eat my food.

Everyone ate in silence. It is proper etiquette to avoid talking or doing anything else when having a meal. I was about to grab the glass of water when I noticed Neo removing the chicken skin from the chicken meat and placing the chicken skin on the side of his plate. As if on instinct, my hand unconsciously moved on its own and before I knew it the chicken skin is already on my plate.

Elrae! This is embarasing! Why did you even do that?! I scolded my self as I saw the expressions of those in our table.

"Ah, sorry. My hand moved on its own. I have a friend who also separates the chicken skin from the chicken meat. I usually eat the skin since I think that it is such a waste of good food if it gets thrown out." I said to them explaining my behavior. I might act harsh or rude but if I know that I was the one in the wrong I always apologise for my mistake.

Neo didn't seem to mind my actions. He continued on peeling his chicken. I was relieved that he didn't make a huge fuss over it. I was taken aback when I saw him spoon the chicken skin, he was about to transfer it unto my plate when Fei suddenly said "By friend, do you mean Vincent Gu?"

"En." I answered.

Neo who was about to generously place his food on my plate suddenly retracted his spoon and dumped the chicken skin on his cousin's plate. Juaquin did not expect this so he didn't know what he should say to Neo.

"Thanks? I guess?" Juaquin said as he stared at the lump of additional food on his plate.

Neo did not answer and is now focusing on eating his meal. Weird, what is this iceberg up to?

"I once saw Vincent Gu during an auction. It was his painting that was being auctioned at that time. He looks dreamy. He was also very kind." Fei said as she happily recall her encounter with Vincent.

I didn't comment as she unstintingly shared to us how perfect Vincent was when she met him in person. I subconsciously sighed. Here comes another one of Vincent's loyal followers. I already got used to the fact that a lot of girls view Vincent as the boy next door type of guy to the point that I even question myself if the Vincent they know and the Vincent I know is the same person.

"I heard that you and young master Vincent are actually very close. Is it true that you are childhood friends?" Miss A said interrupting Fei from her reverie.

"I thought Vincent's childhood friend was the young miss of the Tan family?" Fei absentmindedly said. When she realized that I may misunderstand what she said, she quickly apologized and said "I'm sorry Elrae, please don't misunderstand what I said. It's just that I never really gave that much attention to the campus gossip so--"

"There's no need to worry about it. Vincent--" I was about to explain my 'complicated' past with Vincent when an ear piercing shriek echoed in the hall. We all looked at Fei who is now standing and vigorously wiping the front of her body with a table napkin. For some unknown reason, a glass of water was 'accidentally' knocked down and the water flowed out of it making its way towards Fei. The amount of water which came on contact with her dress is only a little, she must have been caught off guard and was surprised by the incident.

"Neo! You did that on purpose didn't you?!" she angrily said, pointing her finger to the uncaring suspect. Neo is leaning on his chair as he comfortably took a sip on his red wine. He only raised a brow at Fei, making her irritated even more.

What is this guy up to? I thought to myself as I silently observed the situation.