01 : Confession Day

N: The thing is, she met this man about a year ago. They were in the same class from their freshmen year's first semester through their sophomore year's second semester. After years, being in the same class as his they became friends with their other two friends Jordyn and Mael.

So, she's been beginning to love on her good friend Cyprian for year and she looks scared while chewing her fingernails since this is the day that she would confess to him.

Without genuine people, a confession is obviously impossible. When it comes to confessions, we all need that support from our friends and in this situation Evelyn needs Jordyn and Mael support for her confession.

"Okay, today's the day Maria Evelyn Mae Raleigh, you can do this!" she shouted, raising her fist as she turned to face the mirror.

She was about to step out of the restroom when she turned and look at the mirror one final time and question "Am I really sure about this? What if I get rejected? I can't show my face in front of him again" She said in a hesitant voice.

If only mirrors could communicate they would've urged her to tell him instead of overthinking things.

Her mother yelled as she set the table, "Maria, breakfast is ready! Also, can you wake up your brother for me. His going to be late again, if he doesn't get up for work."

As she left her room and entered her brother's, she said, "Okay, I'll be right down. Sure, I'll go wake up Evan for you."

Before entering she knock first to hear if Evan is awake and when he didn't react she unlocked the door and stepped in just to witness him resting alongside an unknown female without his shirt on.

She suddenly yelled in fright that forced her brother fall from his bed. Evan moans and covers his ears, asking, "What's all the screaming?"

She pointed to the girl who was still sound sleeping and said, "Evan! Whose that?!"

He carefully stood up as he softly roused the girl, complaining, "Ugh, do you have to yell." He murmured while still half sleeping, "Argyle, hey wake up."

Evelyn tugged Evan and asked, in a low voice, "Care to explain what's going on?" She frowned at him and waved to the girl who was slowly rising from the bed while pretending to grin.

Evan added, looking perplexed, "Don't ask me why she's here because neither do I know what's going on."

Evelyn said angrily, her arms crossed, "So, you just freely brought her here without even knowing the responsibilities you going to face!?"

Evan rubbed his brow, "Would you quit with the yelling and the shouting, already. It's causing me a headache."

She added in a mournful voice, "You didn't have to travel that far, I was only watching out for you as your little sis."

He defended himself by saying, "Evelyn, I'm your elder brother, I know right from wrong, and whether we did it or not, I will take full responsibility for it. Plus, we both already have good jobs."

She raised an eyebrow and remarked, "But still, you can't simply bring some random female in your room whenever you please. Remember, we have cams all around the house and if mum and dad finds out, you'll be in huge trouble."

"I'm already 28 years old with a good paying job and a luxury residence in Japan, Switzerland, Sweden, South Korea, and Norway with an infinity pool and eight branded automobiles, he said, shrugging. Why would I get in trouble?" he said.

She rolled her eyes as she walked out of his room and said, "Tsk, what a show off. Anyway, Mom said breakfast is ready and you don't want to be late for work again."

Following that encounter, she walked to the dining table where her mother and stepfather were waiting for her.

Dona promptly said as she sat down "Where's your brother?"

"He'll be down in a minute, he has things that needed to take care of" She hesitantly stated with a smile.

Ethan asked with a doubtful expression, "Does the thing to take care of include screaming, young lady? Because earlier I heard screams coming from your brother room."

She shook her head and answered, "What shouting there wasn't any, you must be hearing things."

He sincerely said, "Maria Evelyn Mae Raleigh, I wasn't born yesterday, I know what I heard."

When Evan came just in time, she groaned and said, "Okay, fine." She was going to tell the truth.

Dona grinned and said, "Oh, glad you're here. Now we can eat."

As Evan took a seat next to her, she mumbled, "Thank heavens your here, because of your stupidity, we're truly in trouble if you didn't came"

"We wouldn't be in this problem in the first place," Evan murmurs while grinning, "If you didn't shout before."

Evelyn said, "How is it my fault, you are the one to blame, you brought some random female into the house."

"She's my soon-to-be fiancée, alright, so she wasn't just some random chick," Evan said.

Evelyn screamed quietly, her eye twitching, "Fiancé! What do you mean, fiancé? When did you two become a thing?"

Dona asks with concern in her eyes, "Maria darling, are you okay? Your eye twitches again."

She cheerfully exclaimed, "Yeah, I'm OK mom. No need to worry."

Evan chuckled apprehensively and apologized to his parents, saying, "Sorry for the delay, parents. I just got an important phone call from work, that's all," while lying.

Ethan raised an eyebrow at them and said, "So, no one's going to talk about the screaming?"

"Honey, that's enough. Let's forget about the yelling and sit, alright," Dona patted while holding Ethan's hand.

Dona laughed as she watched her husband complain as Ethan groaned and resumed to finish his meal.

Evan immediately rose up after finishing his meal and exclaimed, "Oh my goodness, look at the time. I must be leaving mother, father, and baby sis." He hastily grabbed his stuff and was ready to depart when Evelyn intervened.

She asks while crossing her arms, "You can't go; who is going to drive me to school?"

Evan hurriedly shook her hand and hurried to get to his car as he waved goodbye to them, saying, "Your old enough to drive, you know that. I can't always take you to school."

Evelyn had his arms folded and a stiff expression as he regarded his parents.

Dona said as she picked up the license plates, "Evan's correct, you're old enough to drive on your own."

She began to say, "I know that, Mom, but-," but her mother interrupted her.

"No, buts, why drive when your school isn't that far from home," she argues.

Evelyn said, "That's the point, I detest walking, therefore I'd rather drive."

Dona poked Evelyn's elbow while handing her stuff, saying, "Maybe now's the time to start walking because you're going to be late. Who knows, on your way to school you could see some your classmates in our neighborhood."

Evelyn nodded and immediately left the home, saying, "Fine, but if I get a blister from walking this one on you."

She grumbled as she kicked the rock as soon as she left the home, "I can't believe mum had me walk in this sweltering weather." She said, "Might as well listen to some music."

After some time of walking, she jumped as a red Chevrolet pickup vehicle honked close by. She then whirled around and moved in front of the driver's seat, knocking on the glass.

Evelyn shouted, "Hello! I know you're in there, roll down your window or I'll call the police on you!"

The driver grinned and carefully rolled down the window, saying, "Go ahead, call the cops on me sweetie."

Evelyn rolled her eyes and said, "Riam! You frightened the crap out of me, you could've simply phoned me you know."

Riam laughed as he opened the door for her, saying, "It's much better this way because I knew it would make me laugh and it did, now come inside."

"You do know that my heart is weak, and I may easily have a heart attack, so it wasn't even that humorous," she stated as she got into the truck.

As soon as she walked in, they drove away, and he said, "I know about your situation everyone does, and your right I'll try to be more careful of my behavior.

She frowned, "Good, don't ever do that again."

Riam inquired enquiringly, "Anyway, I heard your going to confess to Cyprian today. How do you feel?" as he brought up the subject of confession.

"Yes, I am. I even got him a gift for my confession," Evenly gushed happily as she pulled the present from her purse. "I still don't know what to feel, but right now I'm frightened" she chuckled nervously.

Riam smiled and added, "That's good and I hope you two will end up together. You've been crushing on him for a year now."

Evelyn grinned and said, "I hope so, too. Riam, thank you for always being there for me."

Riam grinned and said, "You're very much welcome"

Once they got to the school, the security guy let them in and they were able to park. Evelyn was going to open the door as Riam shut off the engine and exited the vehicle, but he grabbed hold of her waist and gently guided her to the ground.

As she thanked him, Evelyn said, "Thank you, Riam. Your such a gentleman, no surprise mum loves you. Oops, that slip out of my tongue nonetheless had go Enne is waiting for me, bye." She waved and instantly ran to her buddy.

"Was that Evelyn?" they inquire as Riam's companions arrive at that same time.

Riam answered with a faint chuckle, "Yep, it was."

Desu queries, "Why was she in a hurry?

He smiled and continued, "Oh, she stated that I'm such a gentleman and that's why her mom adores me for treating her daughter like a queen that she deserves."

Desu poked fun of Riam by squinting his eyes and saying, "Admit it, you like her."

"I want to win her over, but she prefers Cyprian, who is essentially her ideal partner," Riam said.

"We heard she was going to confess today, is that true?" his friends asked as they patted him on the back.

"Yes, it's true. She even has a gift for him, but let's not talk about that right now. It's time for class," he said, before changing the subject as he walked in front of the others while they all looked in different directions.

She continued to run until her feet carried her to the locker hall, where she met Enne, after humiliating herself in front of Riam.

Evelyn said, running out of breath from all the running, "Thank goodness, your already here. I had the craziest morning ever and I can't wait to tell you."

Enne looked bewildered as she handed Evelyn a bottle of water to sip, "Here, you might need this," and said, "Woah, calm down. What happened to you?"

Evelyn quickly gulped the water and thanked her, saying, "Thank you, anyhow, I had the weirdest morning ever and on the way to school I bumped into Riam."

Enne lifted an eyebrow and asked, "Why what happened? Is this anything concerning your brother again?" while they were walking.

She looked astonished and asked, "Yeah, how did you know?"

Enne asked with a straight expression, "Just a guess, so what about your brother, what did he do this time?"

She continued, telling her the tale of what had occurred earlier at her home and what his brother had done. "Okay, so," she said.

They got to their classroom just before the bell sounded after giving Enne the entire tale from earlier.

Enne rolled her eyes and questioned, "So, you didn't realize that the female he slept with was his own fiancé? And he didn't even properly introduce you to him, tsk."

Evelyn, who is also irritated, said, "Yeah, that's what I've been battling with him earlier. I know right, I only realized this morning it was his fiancé."

Enne wonders "Are aunt and uncle aware of his engagement?"

She shrugged, "Well, that I don't know about."

Enne enthusiastically change the subject, saying, "Okay, enough with your brother. Let's go on to Riam, so, what happened?"

"Okay, so, earlier I walked all the way to school since mom made me and as I was walking a red chevrolet pickup truck and guess who was in there?" Evelyn explained as she ask Enne.

"Riam, of course" Enne said.

As soon as Cyprian came and seated one seat behind her, Evelyn quickly muttered, "Bingo, since he spotted me walking he gave me a lift to school and as we drove all the way he brought up the issue regarding my confession to Cyprian."

Enne exclaimed, looking at Cyprian who had his earphones in and was oblivious, "Oh, so today's the day your going to tell him. How wonderful that is lol."

Mael jumped in out of nowhere, "What are you guys talking about?"

Enne remarked, "Oh, we were just discussing about Evelyn's confession to Cyprian, which is today."

Mael stroked her on the head before switching to best friend protective mode and said, "Oh, cool. You finally have the bravery to tell him, I'm happy for you and if he ever rejects you just tell me because I'll make him pay for hurting our kind and approachable best friend who has wonderful leadership skills"

Evelyn chuckled, "Haha no need for violence Mael, I'm confident I can take it. If ever he rejects me."

"Evelyn is right, Mael," and Enne added, "If she's bold enough to tell him, she's much braver to take his rejection."

She flushed while telling her about it as she covered her face. "Bingo, anyways, I even prepared a present for him. Okay, yeah as we talked about my confession for him I thanked him for always being there for me and then here comes the bit which was awkward."

"Wait, who are we talking about? Is it Cyprian or another guy?" Mael ask as she looks confused.

Enne explained "It's Riam were talking about since he opened up to Evelyn about her confession"

"Ooh, so what happened?" Mael ask, as she looked excited.

Enne leaned in close to her and whispered, "She's about to tell us, go on. We're so invested into this."

She winked and said, "Okay, so when we got there and parked, he was the first one to get out and I was going to follow him after, but he opened the door for me and helped me get down his truck and you know what's the exciting part?"

Enne and Mael screamed as they continued to hit Evelyn's shoulder, "Don't tell us he grab your waist and gently put you down wahh."

Evenlyn laughed and squelched in excitement as she said, "Ouch, yeah. That's what he did to me earlier and that made blush that's why I told him that he was a gentleman."

Enne asked with a smile, "So, what's the awkward part?"

Evelyn smacks Enne and Mael as they squeals, "Well, when I told him that he was a gentleman I also told him that this is why mum likes you wahh."

Enne poked her elbow and said, "I see that aunt has a wonderful eye for a walking green flag."

She stated while hiding her face in humiliation, "Oh, stop. But, for real he is a walking green flag"

Enne said, "I know, right"

"That's not the only thing I was embarrassed about after I said that I raced away as fast as I can and I even caught him slightly giggling." She added.

Mael said, "But anyhow, you fleeing from that circumstance I can absolutely understand it."

"He might think that mom made us legal when we even treat each other as friends," Evelyn said, agreeing, "Right, I was too embarrassed that I can't believe I said that."

Enne teased, "I mean, the way he treats you, he definitely has a thing for you. Don't you think he has a crush on you?"

Evelyn argues "Riam, has a crush on me? I don't think so."

"I second that, besides his kind of cute don't you think you should go for him instead of Cyprian?" Mael suggested while raising her hand.

Evelyn ponders, "Now, that I think about it, maybe, he does. But, still no one can replace my admiration towards Cyprian, besides Riam and I are just friends"

Both teased, "Friends you say, what were seeing isn't just friends."

She responded, rolling her eyes, "Whatever you say."

Enne pointed at Cyprian and whispered, "By the way, do you have a place to confess to him?"

"Do you have any ideas where I should confess to him—the secret garden or the school rooftop?" She ask while pondering.

Mael said, "I recommend doing it outside the school because if you do it inside, you never know whether others are watching and the next thing you know, your images are all over the internet."

"Mael does have a point on this one, however I was going to recommend the secret garden." Enne suggested but later clarified why you shouldn't confess at the school's rooftop: "Rumor has it that it's a curse if you confess at the school's rooftop. No one knows what the curse is, but they said it's something that you don't want to happen in your life."

Mael inquires, "Where did you receive that information?"

"We'll, I don't for sure whether it's real because yesterday I overheard his chat with the vice president when he once confessed to someone at the school's rooftop," Enne said as she wonders. "The president of the student council, of course."

Both people inquisitively asked, "Who did he confess to?," and just as Enne was ready to answer, the bell sounded, forcing them to gather their belongings and leave the room.

Dropping their belongings into their locker as they left the room. Mael pointed to Cyprian, who was standing right next to Evelyn's locker as they prepared to go for lunch.

Evelyn asked with a bewildered expression, "What?"

Mael turned Evelyn to face Cyprian and said, "Go tell him now, he's just over there."

She began to worry and hid behind Enne, saying, "Wait, hang on. Now."

Cyprian, who appeared perplexed by what was occurring, was pushed in the direction of Enne as she yelled, "Yes, now! It's now or never."

As Mael and Enne walked away, Cyprian uncomfortably grinned and waved. "Hey Evelyn, do you need anything?" he inquires.

She shuddered and trembled, "Ah, ye-noh, sure." She said, smiling, "If your free later, can we meet after school because I have something important to tell you."

"Sure, yeah. Where will we meet up after school at the school's gate?" He asked and concurred.

She waved frantically and answered, "Yes, good, bye."

Her pals then trailed after her, giving her a bear hug and squealing with joy.

Enne clapped and said, "Yay! You did it."

She hid her face and screamed, "I can't believe I asked him out, wahh."

"Me neither," taunted Mael as she crossed her arms.

Enne shrugs and smirks, "Well, if it weren't for Mael, then couldn't have asked him out."

She chuckled as the others joined her in laughing, "Yeah, and thank you even though I was terrified and a wreck lol."

Cyprian cried out to Evelyn before they could continue to get their food.

Cyprian yelled, "Hey, Evelyn!"

Before they could go, the females turned. Mael and Enne patted her shoulder and walked out of the building, saying, "Will wait for you outside, okay."

She gave a nod to her pals before approaching Cyprian, who was standing next to the shoe cabinet. She asks naively, "Hey, what's up."

He rubbed the back of his head and said, "Is it alright that I could be late for our meet up later because I have choir practice and student council meetings the rest of the afternoon? But, don't worry I'll be there our meet up it's just that I'll be late," he said.

Evenlyn nodded and said, "Oh, it's okay if you'll be late, I'll be waiting for you at the school's gate since we're going somewhere outside the school that is."

He reassured her, "Are you sure, it could take a while."

She gave her phone and added, "Yeah, I'm sure. And if you ever change your mind, call me with this number 09*******83."

Cyprian gave her a small head pat and muttered, "Okay, thanks," before bidding her farewell and sending her on her way.

She then left the building and went to her pals, who were grinning broadly immediately.

Mael teasingly nudged her elbow and said, "So, what did you guys spoken about?"

"Since he had choir practice and a student council meeting later in the afternoon, he asked if it was alright if he would be late for our meeting," Evelyn said.

Enne inquires, "Did you agreed?"

"I did agreed to wait for him after school at the school's gate since you've suggested that I confess ro him outside the school and I said it's okay if he's going to be late," she said.

Mael said, lifting an eyebrow, "So, there wasn't any romantic moment that struck while you talked?"

She responded with a smile, "I did give him my number if ever he changed his mind."

Mael grinned and remarked, "Ooh, ramping up your game, huh."

"I was even more startled when he gave me a little pat before he went," she said, "It wasn't even my plan to give him my number, it simply happened out of the blue."

Enne melted as she imagined what had just happened, "Aww, it's so lovely that he touched your head, I can picture from his point of view that your even cuter while talking to you since his essentially tall."

"Even though I'm at least 5'5", she said, "Yeah, I look like a munchkin standing next to him."

Mael responded, "It's okay, at least you spoke to him and even gave him your phone number.

Enne questioned, "Where should we get lunch?"

"What do you think Enne?" Evelyn winked and joked, "Oh, I know a spot and I'm sure Riam and the rest of his mates are there."

Mael inquires, "Is there something I should be aware of, do you have a crush on one of Riam's group of pals Enne?"

Enne responded, "No, there isn't. Let's simply go there and eat." He then started to walk.

Evelyn muttered to Mael, "She does have a crush on one of Riam's group of friends, the difficulty is, which one?" as the two followed her with bewildered expressions.

Mael rushed to catch up with Enne and asked, "Wait, Enne. Who did the president confess to?"

Enne said, "It's a tale for another time."

Mael sighed and crossed his arms, "Aww, you're no fun. I want to know who did he confess to."

Enne rolled her eyes while giggling. Evelyn remarked, "I guess we'll never know who it was."

They arrived at the location where Riam and the rest of his buddies were dining after a short stroll.

Riam and the others were present, as Evelyn had predicted. When Riam yelled out to them, they had just entered the building and were on their way to choose a table to eat at.

Riam waved and said, "Evelyn, come seat here."

"Hi Riam and Desu, and hi from the rest of you," she said as she waved back and walked up to their location.

Desu said, "Hello, Evelyn."

Riam said, laughing, "Come sit, there are lots of empty seats aside from Me, Desu, Michi, and Fukumi just take your pick lol."

Evelyn grinned at Enne and said, "Thanks, I'll simply seat right besides you Riam and Mael seat beside Desu and Michi and Enne will be seated beside Fukumi."

Riam asked his buddies, "Is that good with you guys?"

They agreed and nodded as they drew the chair over for the females to sit in.

Desu asked the girls what they wanted to get as soon as they were seated as they hadn't placed their order yet.

Desu inquires, "Ladies, since you haven't placed an order yet, what would you like?"

Mael and Enne both said, "We'll have the chicken katsu rice bowl, please."

Desu inquires, "Cool, how about you Eve?"

She remarked as she pulled out her lunch, "Oh, I have my own. Thank you."

As Evelyn settled in, Riam said in a low voice, "Have you confessed to Cyprian yet?" while sipping his drink.

"We decided to meet at the school's gate since I'm going to confess to him outside the school after his choir practice and student council meetings," she said, shaking her head and sighing.

Riam said worriedly, "Are you willing to wait that long? You don't have a lesson the rest of the day and you'll be waiting for him for hours."

Evelyn nodded as she continued to eat her lunch and added, "Yeah, I promised to him that I was prepared to wait and furthermore he said he'll be a little late so it shouldn't be an issue."

He asked as his eyes became wider, "Why would you agree to that? You'll be waiting for hours, shouldn't he see you first before anything else his doing?"

Evelyn shrugged as she ate her chicken, "It's okay, he'll phone me if he changes his mind. No need to worry."

"You did what!?" Riam yelled.

Mael said, "She offered her number to Cyprian in case he changed his mind about it."

The lads' eyes opened as they exclaimed, "You gave your number to him!"

She chuckled at them as she nodded, "Why are you so shocked by it?"

Desu applauded in amazement, "We didn't know you had it in you to just hand your number to him, daebak!"

She said cynically, "We've known one other for about a year and a half now, what do you expect? Even if I could have a crush on him," she said, "I can still act normally around him."

Mael poked her elbow and taunted, "Speaking of Cyprian his coming this way."

As he approached their table, Cyprian grinned in their way and said, "Hello everyone, may I borrow Evelyn for a second, if you'll allow me ha-ha." He laughed nervously.

Everyone agreed by nodding. Evelyn got up and went outside with Cyprian.

"I didn't anticipate you would be here, I assumed you were going to phone me," she replied.

"Since my schedule has changed and I don't have choir practice and my meetings with the student council have just been canceled, we may meet up later if you'd like," he said. "I was about to, until I noticed you here."

She said joyfully, "I would want too, it would be amazing, thanks."

He asked with a smile, "Cool, do you still want to meet at the school's gate after your lunch with your friends?"

She nodded, "Yeah, definitely."

He gave her a stroke on the head and walked away, saying, "Okay, I'll wait for you there. Bye."

Evelyn blushed as she leaped in delight when he departed. She returned indoors and informed everyone what had happened.

Mael screams as she shakes Desu, "This is the second time he did it, wahh."

Desu remarked, "Okay, calm down, you're going to make me throw up with all the shaking."

Mael stopped shaking Desu "I'm sorry,"

Riam responded angrily, "He only touched your head, what's the big deal?"

"The important thing is that there is a 50% chance that my confession to him will go well and that we will end up together," she continued, her eyes taking on a heart shape.

He rolled his eyes and murmured, "Tsk."

"Why do you sound pissed all of a sudden, you were the one who said that will end up together" She said.

"If you'll end up together, since there's a chance that your confession will fail" He quoted.

Mael smacked Riam shoulder and said "Don't listen to him, I'm sure you'll end up together and as for you can you be happy for just this once"

"But, I am happy just not in a good kind of way" He coldly said.

Mael added, "I'm just so glad for you since you're making progress with Cyprian which somehow impacted his schedule."

She smiled at Riam and said, "I know, and it's also a wonder that his plans have altered. I told you there's nothing to worry about."

He murmurs, "Tsk, now I'm even scared about you being with him."

She asked Riam, "What's that?"

He sternly replied, "Nothing, I have to get to class. Let's go lads," and then he rose up and walked away as the boys waved goodbye to the females.

The girls continued their conversation as they finished their food with a shrug. As soon as they were done, they returned to school to get their belongings, and just as they were about to finish taking everything out of their locker, Cyprian arrived to pick up Evelyn.

"Hey, ready?" he questioned.

She stated as she gently emptied her belongings to out in her locker, "Oh, Cyprian you're here. Give me a minute, I'm just leaving some few things."

"Hey, gals. I'm just borrowing Evelyn for a day, all right," Cyprian remarked with a smile. "Okay, nice. Take your time."

The females glanced at Evelyn while nodding, a sly smirk on their faces.

She said goodbye to her friends and cheerfully remarked, "Okay, I'm ready."

N: She had just said goodbye to her friends and was getting ready to leave the building when it started to pour.

Cyprian swiftly pulled out his umbrella, opened it, and looked to the left and right before handing his jacket to her, grabbing her by the shoulder, and bringing her close to his chest while holding her bag.

He gave the command, "Here is my jacket so you won't get wet and you may get a hold of me, if you'll like."

As they left the school slowly, Evelyn nodded and grabbed his waist. They halted at the bus stop to dry off after how many minutes of walking.

He asks, running his fingers through his hair, "So, where we going?"

"I scheduled a meal for two at Jean Juan's French Mex because I have something to tell you," she added. Why is he so darn handsome.

He said, his eyes widening, "Jean Juan's but that restaurant is too costly, are you sure we can afford it?"

She patted him on the shoulder and said, "Yes, I'm sure. You don't need to worry about the expenditures since that's on me, I'm the one who invited you. So, I just need you to listen and have a chit-chat."

"If you needed some alone time, I believe Jean Juan's is the greatest option," he said. "But, we could've simply gone to a coffee shop or a picnic park type of thing."

"That's why I booked Jean Juan's because I needed some alone time since if we went to a picnic area or a coffee shop it would be packed with people" She remarked.

He nodded "Oh, okay" he replied. He inquires, "What bus number are we taking?"

She hurriedly pointed towards the bus and shouted, "Bus number 143 and here it comes."

As the doors opened, the bus came to a stop in their path. Cyprian assisted Evelyn in boarding the bus first, and he afterwards did the same. They both seat at the back of the bus while smiling at each other, as the bus drove off Evelyn offered Cyprian to listen to some music she's playing. He nodded and wore the right earphone while Evelyn wore the left.

They were waiting for their destination when Evelyn received a call from her friends with a message.

To avoid waking Cyprian, who was soundly dozing on her shoulder, she opened it carefully.

Mael inquires, "So, how's your date going?"

She responded with, "We haven't yet reached our destination."

Enne inquires, "By the way, it poured hard earlier. Did he bring his umbrella?"

She responded with a smiling emoji, "Yep, he did. He even handed me his jacket, so that I wouldn't get wet."

Enne responded with a "Aww, that's lovely" pink heart emoji.

"He even grabbed my arms and held them to his chest while telling me I could cling on to him if I wanted," she said.

Mael responded with a winking face emoji, "It's an indication that his attempting to impress you."

She responded with a thinking face emoji, "I don't believe it's like that, maybe he was just being a gentleman as he is."

Enne asks with a dubious look emoji, "Is it truly though?"

"Yes," she answered, adding, "Since we're here, I'll text you back about what occurred." She then put her phone away.

As she gently touched Cyprian's head to let him know they've arrived at their destination, as she stopped the bus. Slowly opening his eyes, Cyprian got to his feet and turned to face Evelyn. They left the bus after he let her go in front of him and then followed after.

Evelyn wrapped her arms around Cyprian and whispered, "We're here, let's go inside."

They enter and move in the direction of the front desk clerk. "Good evening, ma'am/sir. Welcome to Jean Juan's French Mex. Have you made any reservations?" the man who was there enquired.

Evelyn agreed with a nod. "Maria Evelyn Mae Raleigh requested a table for two," adding, "We'd want a table in your VIP, please."

The man led them upstairs and guided them to their place at the VIP table, which was next to a huge curtain. "Of course, ma'am. Right this way," he said. "Here is your menu" He said giving the menu "When you are ready with your order, simply ring this bell and our server will come to you." He added.

"Okay, thank you very much" Both said as he left their table.

JEAN JUAN'S

FRENCH MEX

MEAT PLATES

Sliced Beef $325

Chopped Beef $450

Pulled Pork $650

Sausage $760

SNACKS

Fish & Chips $20

Pepperoni Pizza $46

Club House $55

Mojos & Garlic Bread $34

DRINKS

Water $2

Fountain Sodas $2

Bottled Sodas $3

Ice tea $4

Beer $6

Cyprian turned the pages, "Ladies first, what are you going to order?"

She named her order: "I'll have the sliced beef, mojos, and garlic bread, and for beverages, simply iced tea for me. What about you?" she inquired.

In addition, he remarked, "I'll have the Sliced Beef and Pepperoni Pizza, and for beverages, I'll have Fountain Soda."

Her eyebrow was lifted as she questioned, "Is that all?"

That's all he said, "Yes."

She rang the bell and a server arrived shortly after she nodded and said, "Let's call the server."

The server said as he pulled out his notepad and paper, "Yes, ma'am. What would be your order?"

The waiter said, "Will that be all?" after she had completed her order.

As they gave the menu to the waiter, she grinned and said, "Yes, that will be everything. Thank you."

The waiter handed them their table number and stated, "Okay, your order will be ready in 10-15 minutes."

The server left their table, and they said, "Okay, thank you."

Cyprian asked him, "So, what did you want to speak about?" after he had departed.

She shook her head and added, "Well, I've been meaning to tell you this for a very long time, I just can't find the appropriate moment to tell you."

"Go ahead," he responded, "Okay."

She nervously stated, carefully clutching his present from beneath the table, "Well, we've been friends for quite a long now and I just wanted this to get off my chest because not for a second that I'm not thinking about you, it's just that I truly like you." Giving the present, she said, "I prefer to offer a gift to express how much you've affected me as a person."

He remarked, seeming shocked, "Wow, I don't know what to say" as he accepted his present.

"I'm bringing you this gift as a reward for constantly giving me butterflies," she continued cheerfully, "since I know that this is not the first time that someone has confessed to you, therefore you've probably been underwhelmed about it."

"I know you took up your courage to tell me and I know how hard it is, but I'm really sorry I don't know how to respond to your feelings. I'm fluttered that you feel that way, but to be honest, I already guessed that you had feelings for me a long time ago, but I just ignored it because I don't want our friendship to be ruined." He said as he heavily sighed.

She remarked, being understanding about their predicament, "It's alright if you don't reply to it because I understand, I've gone through this, but I'm still glad that you came into my life and made me unique."

"I'm also glad that you came to my life as well, even though I rejected you, I hope we will still be friends and that you won't feel awkward around me since I like you but not in a romantic manner. I like you as a friend and a classmate. I'm sorry and thank you." He sincerely said but still looked guilty about it.

She answered till the meal eventually arrived, at which point they ate and had a little chit-chat and laughter. "It's okay. I'm glad I was able to let out my feelings and I'm pleased u still want to be my friend despite my confession. I'll focus on myself for the mean time, after all this," she said.

When they were going to leave the restaurant after finishing their meal after an hour, it began to snow in the middle of July.

The beauty of the city at night left them both in awe and astonishment. "You still have my jacket right?" he inquired, to which she nodded. "Wore it so that you won't get a cold," he added.

She asked worriedly, "What about you, you don't have a jacket with you."

He reassured her, "I'll be alright, don't worry about it."

She quickly contacted her driver and said, "You sure, your already shaking. I'll call my driver to pick us up and send you off to your house. Let's share your jacket while we wait," she added.

While they waited, Cyprian drew closer to Evelyn, whose hands were numb. He gripped them strongly, causing her to flush while turning her head away. He then abruptly placed his arms around her waist, startling her. A little while later, Evelyn's driver showed up and unlocked the door for them. They enter the rear seat while still holding hands, with his arm encircling her waist.

Evelyn asked, "Yori, before we drive home, can we drop Cyprian off at their house first since his becoming sort of cold."

Yori responded with a nod, "Why definitely ma'am," and then he drove off.

"I'm a bit weary, so please wake me up when we get there. Thank you," she said.

"Yes, ma'am," Before Yori could finish, Cyprian said "I'll wake you up when we get there since Yori here doesn't know where my house is." He added then turned to face her as he suggested "You may sleep on my lap if you like." He teased with a wink.

She blushed as she simply nodded in response because it made her even more frazzled than normal. She then slowly closed her eyes as she leaned in closer to his lap to take a short nap.