Chapter 3

Ginny declined Persephone's lunch proposal at first, muttering excuses that she had to take care of her pet duck's food, but immediately clamped her mouth shut, remembering that pets are not allowed inside the dorm.

Some of you might say that she was just saying this as an excuse and that she doesn't have a pet duck to feed, but truth be told, she does. And that so-called pet she has doesn't eat any kind of food if it wasn't organic.

Prof. Beak is a white-crested duck that has a fluffy crest of feathers on his head, making him look like an 18th-century wig-wearing aristocrat. As Natalie would have described it, he's Mozart II—the III—the IV maybe, whatever number suits.

Also, he's a high-maintenance duck that wears colour-coded Hermès scarves and has a Birkin bag as a carrier. She doesn't understand why Natalie always complains when he spoils Prof. Beak a lot. He literally deserves it because he was abandoned by his mom at birth because he was born with spraddle legs.

Ginny nursed him until he was no longer disfigured. It was the first time she ever made an effort to take care of another living thing. And that led the two of them to become more attached to one another.

She mentioned that she had to go to Sainsbury's to fetch some organic fruits and veggies for Prof. Beak. But Persephone, being the stubborn charmer she was, insisted on coming with her to the supermarket.

Ginny is pretty much familiar with how people with extravagant backgrounds are absolutely mediocre when it comes to doing the simplest stuff like grocery shopping, cooking, doing the laundry, etc., because she was like that years ago.

Natalie, her dearest friend, came from a humble family and was the one who taught her how to live a normal life. It took her a while to become less mediocre, but eventually it all paid off since she could do the laundry on her own now.

Imagine her surprise at how knowledgeable and reliable Persephone was when it came to grocery shopping. The latter gave her some useful tips on how to pick the freshest fruits and veggies, which made her envious of how much of a perfect person this person could be.

After that, Ginny's stomach rumbled, which made Persephone chuckle. Ginny grumbled in embarrassment, explaining that she hadn't eaten breakfast. Persephone offered to eat lunch together, not accepting her refusal this time, as she explains not eating on time might lead to some serious illnesses in the future.

Let's just say Ginny is just being nice, which is why she doesn't have a choice but to agree to the latter's lunch proposal. Her initial plan was to have lunch with her just once, and after that, she'd go incognito for the rest of her university days.

Persephone guided Ginny to a cozy café tucked just a few streets away from the shopping mall. The place had a charming, unassuming vibe—simple wooden tables, warm lighting, and a faint hum of soft jazz playing in the background.

Sliding into their seats near the window, Persephone set the shopping bags on the floor. "It's nice," Ginny said softly, taking in the cozy atmosphere.

"Not bad, right?" Persephone replied with a smile. "I come here sometimes when I need to think. It's quiet."

Ginny nodded, then hesitated. "You really didn't have to bring me here. I'm fine with something simple—"

"Too late," Persephone interrupted with a teasing grin. "I owe you breakfast, remember? Consider this me paying my debt."

You don't owe me anything. She wanted to retort, but didn't. "I could've paid, you know." She said instead.

"And I insist," Karina said, plucking the menu from the holder in front of them, and scanned it. "What do you feel like having?"

"I'll just get a sandwich or something," she replied, glancing away, feeling shy all of the sudden.

Persephone tilted her head. "Come on, Ginny. This is my treat. Go all out. Order whatever you want."

She hesitated for a beat before conceding. "Okay… fine. I'll have the grilled cheese and tomato soup."

"Good choice," Persephone said, nodding approvingly. She flagged down the server and ordered for both of them—a latte and a chicken Caesar salad for herself, along with her selection.

As the server left, Ginny fidgeted with her hands on the table. "Thanks… for this. I mean, you really didn't have to, but… thank you."

Persephone smile softly, "It's my pleasure," she replied, leaning her elbows on the table. "I kind of like taking care of you."

Ginny's blush deepened, and she ducked her head slightly. She didn't expect such a direct remark from the latter. "You're... very direct, you know that?"

"Only for you," she teased, her grin widening.

Before Ginny could respond, their food arrived, filling the table with warmth and delicious aromas. She could feel Persephone's stares gradually observing her. The attention was making her uncomfortable. She tentatively picked up her sandwich, her shoulders relaxing a little as she took her first bite.

"Good?" Persephone asked, propping her chin in her hand as she watched her reaction.

Ginny nodded, chewing before responding. "Really good. Thanks again."

"Pleasure," Persephone beams.

She doesn't understand why the latter doesn't stop smiling while looking at her. She doesn't want to sound overly dramatic yet again, but anyone can fall for that smile—anyone but her.

Ginny doesn't like initiating small talk because it feels awkward. That's Natalie's job. But Natalie is not here right now to save her arse. She averted her eyes from the latter. As she was observing the people outside, a scene caught her attention. Ginny let out a tired sigh.

They're doing it again.

She'd seen the ups and downs of Ashley and Jenny's relationship, and she's sad to conclude that their relationship is nearing an end. Now, the couple is arguing again just around the corner near the restaurant they're at.

"Friend of yours?" She heard Persephone ask.

"No."

"They seem to be fighting."

"They've been doing that for days now. It looks exhausting from what I can tell."

"I didn't peg you as a bit of a nosy person," Persephone asked in a rather oblivious manner.

Well, that's a very rude thing to say. She wanted to retort but decided not to.

She narrowed her eyes in a disagreeable manner and said, "I'm not. They're just… always in my line of vision. They argue in public places like this all the time."

She hums, "Probably the issue is much more complicated," and shugs.

"They might as well just break up if they're going to keep doing this. It'd be better for both of them," she muses in a bored manner.

"Breakups aren't always the solution to everything, Ginny."

"Trust me, they are. It saves people from getting even more attached, and that's better than wasting time trying to fix what's already broken."

"There's no such thing as a perfect relationship, Ginny. That's why people try to fix things."

That is true. Ginny doesn't beg to differ. There's no such thing as a 'perfect relationship'. It only exists in movies and books. That's why being in a relationship in reality is too bothersome.

"Why?" She unconsciously muses, "Why do some people try to mend things that have already been damaged?"

It was a statement. A statement since she wasn't really looking for an answer because it has already been answered.

Persephone just smiles and says, "It's because you love the person." It was a simple answer, yet she felt no satisfaction or rationale from such words.

Love. Of course, it's always been the answer. It was the simplest explanation for an unfathomable question. Ginny couldn't fathom what was so good about having a flawed relationship.

Her lunch with Persephone was a bit short, much to her liking. Persephone has a class to attend, but she never fails to show her discontentment about that matter, pouting and looking at Ginny with puppy eyes, saying that she'd rather spend time with her more.

"If you're up for it, I'd love to invite you to my flat instead." There was a hint of mischievousness in her words, "No pressure. Just a movie date, maybe?" and then she winked, a charming one.

Why does it feel like it was some kind of booty call? Ginny could only stammer in utter embarrassment, suddenly not knowing what to say. Persephone just chortled in delight. Her blue eyes twinkled in amusement, loving Ginny's reaction. She placed a piece of paper on Ginny's palm with her number on it.

"Call me, okay? I'll be waiting." She blew a kiss on a dumbfounded Ginny, as she giggled and walked the other direction.