XIII : Food Festival (1)

Our additional class ran long, finishing at exactly 8.40 PM, Axel and I gathered our things in silence. The atmosphere between us had shifted after the heated argument, but there was still tension in the air. Just like what he promised earlier, Axel insisted on driving me home.

As we sat in the car, the city lights passed by in a blur. The silence between us felt heavy, but I wasn't going to let it linger. I felt something should be more clear.

"So," I started, glancing at Axel from the passenger seat, "I'm sorry because I was comparing you with your Grandfather, Father, and even your half brother, Ethan." He nodded with eyes that still was staring at the streets. 

"But for the rest that I said, I don't regret it, because I think they are some hard pills that you have to swallow, in order for you to be better." 

"I get what you meant, but I will stay the same, you can stay pushing me and we'll see who will win at the end." He responded, 

"Sure," I took a long breath before continuing my words, "If I were being harsh on you, that's because I hated what other people has been talked behind you, I wanted to prove them that they were wrong" 

"Wrong about what?" His head that faces the steer tilted to me, 

"They underestimated you so much, they thought that you don't deserve any proper support from anyone and how all women around you were simply only your toys." I decided to be honest and told him what I have heard about him all this time, 

"That's something that always happened in my life. It's never as simple as you thought, I have my own reason, and maybe they have too." Seeing how he took it easily, it seems like he used to be treated like that. 

"I just hope you were on your own team, and not actually live like what they thought you would be." I leaned back, studying his profile in the dim light of the car. "Because I'm definitely in your team, and you should too." Because I was being too sincere, I felt my eyes wet. I felt bad for him. But I won't cry in front of him, at least not today after what I have said to him. 

I can see the familiar road, "Thank you for driving me home," I smiled at him, Axel's car stopped at the corner of the street, "Next time don't be late, at least please start with that." I opened the car door, and left the car. 

He rolled down the car window seat, "Why were you talking so much tonight, Cora?" He was back with his grinning, 

His eyes were scanning my house, "The chicken restaurant is still open, huh?" He must be hoping that I will invite him to our family restaurant, and that's an impossible thing to do. 

"Bye Axel. Goodnight." I was waving to him, signaling him to go home, 

He smiled and drived home while the window seat rolled up. 

I hope tonight's lesson will change something. I can't wait to get a shower and finish this day. We won't have any arguments like earlier in every lesson, right?

I don't know if my prayer got answered or not, for the remaining two lessons of this week, we got through it well, of course there are still some arguments but not as heated as the first one. 

I think we know each other better each day. 

And today is Thursday, it's Axel revenge day. Just like what we have agreed, he will take me to places, and I have to do what he wants me to do, or else there will be no classes next week. 

I wonder what he wanted to do. Right now I'm in his car, after the office hour was over he was driving us to a place that only he knows. 

"I don't think you will win today's challenge, Cora." He said,

"Once again Axel, you don't know me well. This Cora will never lose." With confidence, I pointed at myself. 

"Okay, Cora, who never loses, pick a number between 1-5."

I get a feeling that this will determine today's challenge

"Uhmm, 2.5 the average."

"Ck, Always playing safe." He turned the steering wheel fully to the left, "Go with 2 or 3, Choose." 

"Three." 

"Locked." 

The car stopped at the muddy parking lots, We arrived at a super crowded festival, 'Food Festive' that's what written in the biggest sign,

"You will know, come on." 

He grabbed my hands, and we were walking towards the crowd. 

"The next competition will be held at 6.30 PM, the next challenger please write your names here." Axel walked closer to the man who said that, I got bad feelings. 

No way… 

I looked at my surroundings, people from all ages, but there were more big men in the crowd. 

"Cora Davis please," What the heck did he just do? Axel said my name to a woman who held a pen. Did he just register me as a food competition contestant?

The woman wrote down my name, "Axel! Are you crazy?" 

"You said you never lose, I want to see it." After fully realizing what he just did, I can't let this slide. 

"Axel Kusuma." I said to the lady, and she shook her head while writing down Axel's name. 

Seeing that Axel touched my shoulder, "Hey, that's not what we agree on." He protested, 

"Since when we discussed things first?" He was laughing, "fine, but your challenge is not only to enter this competition." 

"Remember you picked number 3 earlier?" He reminded me, 

"That means you have to be at least the 3rd winner." He showed his fullest smile. " I really want to hit this man with all I got, but I still remember that He is my boss. 

"If you fail, remember that it means there will be no class next week." 

Hearing this, burned something in my heart. My heart began to thump harder and harder, I know I was a competitive person but I don't know that I am this competitive. 

"Okay, Let's go!" I grabbed Axel arm to watch the food competition closer.