What's In Stores

With Raelle's keen perception she had noticed the way Cloe's expressions had been changing since Hyson showed up. And she also knew why Cloe was so shocked. She and Hyson rarely met even though they had known each other for years but he was still someone very close to her. At least, that's what he thought.

To her, he was just sticky bubblegum, she accidentally stepped on but now she was unable to get rid of him. His convivial personality and her austere personality were supposed to be in disharmony and yet, they had become friends.

"Let me introduce you," began Raelle. "He is Yue Fai. Personal name Yue Fai, stage name Hyson. He is a member of a boyband." She looked at Hyson before adding, "He is the bad boy of the group since he is bad at everything."

"Hey!" Hyson exclaimed in protest while glaring at her.

Cloe's brows arched up as she shook her hand with Hyson and said, "So, you're an artist?"

Hyson shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly with a carefree smile before saying, "It's nice to finally meet you, Miss Cloe. I've heard a lot about you."

"Chief actually mentioned me?" Cloe was excited to hear this.

Hyson felt bad for her as he said, "Do you really think this economical person would say something that doesn't benefit her?"

Cloe's eyes dimmed down as she agreed, "That's true. She loves scrimping even in her words." Heaving a sigh, she gulped down her martini and jumped down from the bar stool saying, "I'm gonna dance my disappointment away. Have fun!"

Honestly speaking, she just felt like she was disrupting them and took her chance to step aside. Even from far away, she could see that Raelle looked very relaxed right now with him. There wasn't a hint of her practiced smile on her face which meant that she was being herself before him. That practiced smile was to fool people around her, but with him, she didn't need to put up a front. She could just be herself.

This new piece of information changed Cloe's perception of her boss.

"When I asked you how your blind dates are going, you said, no more. So, does that mean now you don't have to scheme to get rid of those blind dates?"

Raelle perched her chin on the heel of her hand and replied, "No more planning. I haven't had to suffer through it for four months now."

"Wow! I actually thought your grandfather would win this battle of wits," his tone showed his admiration and his surprise.

She folded one leg over the other; dangling her high heels, showing more leg; yet her face said aloof and disinterested. "Do you really think my Opà gave up?" she questioned calmly. "It's the peace that makes me wonder what storm is about to befall."

Hyson stared carefully at her face and suddenly burst out laughing, "He's planning to trap you." It took him a while to control his laughter. "He's been giving you a chance all this while."

"His purpose for arranging all those blind dates was simple; he thought at least one of those men would be able to catch my attention and I might fall in love."

"Poor him! He only wants his one and only granddaughter to fall in love." Hyson tutted feeling sad for her grandfather.

"One and only granddaughter?" repeated Raelle in a soft voice. She immediately shook her head and went on, "Then it's really a pity because I am not interested in something disastrous like love."

Hyson didn't want to start this conversation with her. He never did actually. He knew he could never make her realize the importance of feelings by just his words. She had to feel it herself. Maybe that's why he actually managed to become a part of her life because he never lectured her about emotions and feelings.

Although their views didn't align, however, he never questioned her beliefs just like she never questioned his beliefs.

"By the way, why did you choose to meet at a nightclub? Isn't it more risky here? What if you're photographed with me?"

Hyson instantly pulled up his mask, acting sneaky he said, "Oh, right. I should be careful. Being on the front page with your ugly face beside me will ruin my image."

"Are you really craving for a beating?" she retorted.

"Hitting means kissing, scolding means loving. So, bring it on!" He even leaned over as if allowing her to hit him already.

Raelle had become long accustomed to his antics. It didn't even surprise her as it used to do in the beginning.

"You can never let go of any chance to flirt, can you?"

"I really can't," he replied helplessly. "Since you're the epitome of tranquility, I have to become the epitome of mayhem to be your match. How else would we keep the balance in this friendship?" Seeing how she completely ignored his words again, he sighed out, "How long are you gonna stay here?"

"I'm also leaving tomorrow," replied Raelle. "I've already dealt with everything. Since both my Opà and Yanyan insisted that I come back early, I'm actually looking forward to going back."

"Looking forward? To what exactly?" he enquired.

"I have to see what have they planned for me," she replied. "I should be a good sport and cooperate well with them. Don't have to drag this any longer than necessary."

"That's right. Someone like you wouldn't want to drag this type of things unnecessarily." He looked at her earnestly before he stood up, "I should be leaving now before my manager realizes that I sneaked out of the hotel. Let's go out on a movie date when you come back."

"Who wants to see a movie with you?" retorted Raelle. "Besides, why would I want to waste 90 minutes of my life watching people put on a act? It's not only waste of time but also money!"

Hyson laughed at her in amusement as he said, "It's cute when you try to resist my ideas. Let's not forget, if I can get you to come to a nightclub, I can certainly pull you out for a movie date."

"Scram!" was all she said and watched him leave. She heaved a long sigh as her manicured finger traced the seam of her glass and whispered, "Let's see what Opà has in stores for me this time around."