Chapter 6 - I Like You

Jana's POV

My lips were still vibrating from his lips touch. They felt heavy, undoubtedly kiss swollen and red. I leaned against the glass of the taxi's window and shut my eyes. His presence filled my head, his vanilla cologne going straight to my brain and giving me impure thoughts that Steve would always like to try with me.

I shook my head to dispel the thoughts but thumped it hard against the glass.

"Baby" he said, "are you okay? "

"Just hit my noggin" I said, wincing in pain

He placed his hand at the side of my head where I hit and eased me to rest my head on his shoulder while gently

massaging it and blowing air kisses to my head.

"Thanks" I blushed

If he treated a kid like this, that kid is sure gonna get attached

I raised my head and leaned back on the seats. Feeling a bit hungry, I said

"Hey, if you are okay, let's go eat out instead.... My treat" I said

He raised his eyebrows and then smiled. "Sure "

I redirected the driver to a nearby restaurant called Ray's Pizza. He frowned slightly when he saw it.

"I don't eat pizza* he said softly "it's not good for my heart"

"I'll fix something up for you, okay?" I said, patting his cheek lightly. We got down from the taxi and I payed him before he drove off.

When we entered, shushed whispered and mumurs greeted us. Since people who visited Ray's Pizza were young people like us, they were quite observant and ready to wag their tongues.

What's he doing in a place like this

What is he doing with her...

Is he not meant to be in the hospital

He's so hottt!

Oh my gosh....he's here....but what's he doing with a girl like her??

Didn't she work here last summer?? Why is he with a girl like her??

Of course, I worked here the previous summer but what's with all the gossip? Can't I come here with anyone again?

This place is too low for someone like him

What the hell?

I looked up at him and he shrugged, nudging me to a seat by the window. He sat down and I said " hold on"

I headed to the kitchen and the Manager, Rita Watson looked from the perched pose she stayed in while looking through the window

"Good afternoon ma'am" I said

"Um... did you do the right thing by bringing him here? I mean, he can't have pizza...." She said

" How do you know?" I said

" How won't I know?" She said

Pursing my lips, I managed a tight smile " I want to cook something else"

"Need any assistance?" she said

" No , thanks. I can handle that...I just want him to be comfortable " I said

"Sure thing" she said, walking out of the kitchen.

I got out fresh salmon from the fridge and wondered who tampered with it. It was giving off a nice light lemon smell and just as l was about to wonder if it was lemon fish I was holding, a colleague poked her head in

"That's my fish" she said

"Please can I use it? I'll pay" I said

"It's marinated with lemon and dill..." Cindy said

"I still want it...it's not for me though" I said

" I know...take it... don't pay"she said

"Thanks " I smiled

I faces the oil, onion juice and seasoning and used it to make vinaigrette while Cindy grilled the salmon . I chopped up the bell peppers , zucchini, eggplant, asparagus , cherry tomatoes and mushrooms and Cindy grilled them. In a short while, the grilled salmon salad was ready.

" For me, I want a slice of pepperoni pizza" I said

"I'll see what I can do" she said and I carried the food and left.

Before I reached the table, a group of girls crowded him. He had a very cold and aloof expression on his face but still managed to answer them. At a point, he couldn't take it anymore so he ordered them to leave in a cold voice.

"The nerve of you to prevent him from talking to us" one rude girl said and hit  my shoulder as she passed. The food almost fell but I hurriedly pushed it back and it hit my breasts. I groaned in pain, balancing the food properly before she approached the table.

"Did you hurt yourself?" He said

"No...it's alright" I said although, I felt like my breasts were on fire.

He gazed at the food in the table and smiled softly "you made this?"

"Yes" I said

"For me?" He said softly, his blue eyes changing from harsh and icy to calm ocean blue before being swallowed by his pupils

"Yeah...sure...eat up" I said handing him a fork. He took it and ate it, closing his eyes as he swallowed

"You don't like it?" I said

"I love it" he smiled, pushing my hair back before tucking it in my ear.

Soon Cindy came with my pizza and set it down.

"Oh...hi stranger" she said

"Hey" he smiled

"You two know each other?" I said

"She's rela...." Daniel was saying but Cindy cut in "he comes here frequently with his friends"

"Alright" I said, "thanks again, Cindy"

"You're welcome" she said and walked away.

We ate in silence fir a long while. From time to time, he stared at me. When I looked up and caught him staring, he didn't back down , unashamed

"What?" I prompted

"You're beautiful, motherly, caring, can cook, very friendly.....are there any other qualities you are hiding behind that pretty face?" He said.

I blushed "naww"

"Aw, c'mon baby girl* he smiled, cocking his head to the side, letting the gentle light from the window hit his lips

My bite mark was still there...

"Hmm....I like you" he said

Huhh

"I like you...the feeling is mutual" he said.

I grinned "that's nice...."

"I'm not flirting. I'm actually sincere .. I like you "

"I know you are being sincere" I said patting his hand when a distressed look crossed his face "and it's cute"

He blushed, looking down at his place. "Here" I said, using a serviette to wipe off a smudge from his lip

"Thanks" he smiled

I nodded and faced my pizza. He smiled and faced his food

"This is very nice ..* he said

"Thank you" I smiled again.

Rhea's words came to my head again

Sometimes, if it means risking everything just to act on an impulse, try to take that risk because who knows....it might be the best decision you've ever made."  I looked at the guy in front of me wolfing down the food like there's no tomorrow....

It can't be him, can it?

He frowned inpercepibly and stabbed the fork  deep into the plate.

"Isn't it odd? That you affect me?" He said

"Huh?"

"It was just a kiss but I feel shaken, oddly..." He said "like some part of me wants you"

I looked at him and stopped chewing

"I like you, I'm serious " he said...."I'm..."

I laughed "I'm a vampire"

"Why?* He said

I could tell that he couldn't appreciate being cut off

"I bit you" I smiled softly, running my hand on his bottom lip

His lip seemed to tremble when I did that. He grasped my hand, turned it and kissed it .

"I ..what are you doing?" I said

He just smiled a soft smike and said "it's nothing. You can take off the bracelet. It's me that is taking trivial  things  seriously"