Staring contest

It was a beautiful restaurant that looked so sophisticated and anyone could tell that it was for the elite group of people. Only the rich could afford the meals that were being served in this restaurant.

Cassandra was overly excited and nervous at the same time because it was her first time here in this restaurant, unlike Carl who has been here a couple of times.

"Are you cold? I want you to have my jacket" Carl said to Casandra as he takes off his tuxedo jacket. He didn't wait for her to say yes or no before he took off his jacket because he knew she was probably cold. Besides, the weather was quite gloomy because of the drops of rain pouring outside and Carl wanted Cassandra to feel warm and comfortable.

Carl wore Cassandra his tuxedo jacket and Cassandra smiled at Carl's courtesy. Carl was such a gentleman and he is very thoughtful. No wonder Cassandra has fallen deeply in love with him. He was just too perfect.

Carl and Cassandra got to their seats and they both ordered chicken and fries. The food was delicious and the whole time, Cassandra kept stealing glances at Carl when he wasn't looking.

She admired the way Carl handled the steering wheel of the car with one hand while he was driving, the way he took off his jacket and wore it on her was also charming. The way he eats so elegantly was also beautiful to watch. Cassandra smiled as she stared at Carl, she couldn't help but imagine to herself that Carl would also be good in bed since he was so perfect.

Cassandra giggled softly to herself as she had that dirty thought in her head.

"What is it?" Carl asked Cassandra, after hearing her laugh.

"mm mm" Cassandra cleared her throat, trying to comport herself.

"It's nothing... I'm just happy to have this wonderful meal with you," she said smiling.

"I'm glad you're having a good time," he said and he took another spoon of his food.

..

Inside the same restaurant, Anne was seen giving a mini box of cake to a waiter in the restaurant. Anne had gone there to deliver cake to this particular waiter.

She was wearing a dark blue long-sleeve checked shirt that wasn't buttoned, revealing the black tank top she was wearing inside. She was also wearing black leggings and her jet-black hair was let down center parted. She looked naturally beautiful even without applying makeup on her face.

Anne was just about to leave the restaurant when her eyes met Carl who was sitting opposite her from a distance. Just to be sure if it was Carl she saw, she used her index finger to rub her eyes and she saw Carl again. She wasn't just seeing him. He was actually there, sitting opposite a woman who seemed to be wearing his jacket.

Anne was shocked to see Carl. She wasn't expecting to see him here at this restaurant.

What a coincidence

Anne took her time to observe Carl and she realize that he seemed to be on a date with the lady in front of him. Anne was eager to see this lady that was with Carl but it was impossible since she could only see her back view except she walks to their table.

Anyways, Anne had a good guess that the lady with Carl was the same woman who kissed him. Besides, they had the same hair color.

Anne creased her brows, at the sight of Carl who seemed to be enjoying his meal with another woman. Her blood was boiling hot with anger and all she could feel inside of her was nothing but pure jealousy.

Anne clenched her fingers into a tight fist, fighting the urge to march to their table and give Cassandra a resounding slap and warn her to stay away from Carl. She was filled with anger and jealousy not only because Carl was on a date with Cassandra but because she was wearing Carl's tuxedo jacket.

'Is she that special?

Why do I always have to bump into Carl with this same woman?

What is their relationship?

Why is he always with her?' Anne questioned herself in her head.

Suddenly, a waitress in the restaurant, tapped her, snapping her from her thoughts.

"Yes, how may I help you?" Anne rudely asked the waitress. She didn't mean to be rude but seeing Carl and Cassandra having dinner together completely ruin her mood.

"I'm sorry ma'am but it's either you're ordering a meal or you have to leave. You can't just stand here, I'm sorry but it's the policy" The waitress said politely. She had noticed Anne standing over there for over five minutes now.

Anne inhaled sharply.

As much as she wanted to leave, she wanted Carl to see her and acknowledge her presence. She wanted to see Carl's reaction once he finds her here in this restaurant.

"Give me a bowl of vanilla ice cream" Anne requested and the waitress nodded her head.

Anne sat down alone on an empty chair directly opposite Carl and shortly, the waitress came with a small bowl of vanilla ice cream and carefully dropped it on Anne's table.

Anne took a spoonful of her ice cream while glaring at Carl who had no clue that Anne was around him.

Meanwhile, as Carl was eating, he noticed that there was a little ketchup at the corner of Cassandra's lips so he took a napkin that was on the table to gently wipe the ketchup stain off.

Cassandra smiled, staring at Carl as he did that. 'how romantic' she thought.

Anne who was watching from a distance, almost squeezed her ice cream spoon as she watched Carl touching Cassandra's face. She couldn't see exactly what he was doing but she didn't like what she saw at all.

She was extremely jealous and she had no idea that she was intentionally punishing herself to watch Carl and Cassandra all loved up. She saw Carl smiling and saying something she wasn't sure of since she couldn't hear them because of the far distance.

Carl was telling Cassandra that she should be more careful next time and unfortunately for him, his eyes met Anne who was glaring daggers at him from a distance. Carl was astonished and Anne could see the shock on his face as soon as their eyes met.

Carl froze as he saw Anne giving him that piercing glare. He had no idea how long she has been serving him that look. He was just too surprised to have seen her in this restaurant.

'What's she doing here?' Carl asked himself in his head with a puzzled look. It seemed as if he had seen a ghost.

Meanwhile, Anne had a beautiful smirk on her face as Carl finally noticed her. She could tell that he was very much uncomfortable and Anne was enjoying every second of it. She didn't want Carl to have a good time on his date because of her stupid jealousy.

Cassandra noticed that Carl's attention was now somewhere else. She was just about to turn her neck to see who or what Carl was staring at when Carl held her jawline.

"Hey... keep your focus on me," he said to Cassandra with a tight smile. He didn't want her to see Anne at the back.

Carl was a little uneasy since Anne was around him but he is not going to let her ruin his date.

Tonight is about Cassandra, not Anne.

Anne bit her bottom lip hard as Carl broke their staring contest. Seeing him touch Cassandra's face, smiling so sweetly at her annoyed her a lot. She wanted to be the only woman who Carl touched and no one else.

Anne called the waiter who she delivered the cake to and she whispered something in his ears. The waiter winked at her after getting her message and he left.

Shortly, the waiter approached Carl and gave him a tiny piece of paper, and left.

Puzzled, Carl opened the tiny piece of paper and he saw that there was a note on it which read, 'meet me at the storage room now!'

Carl knew that the message was from Anne because he doesn't know anyone at this restaurant aside from the owner. He looked around the restaurant and he couldn't find Anne anywhere. That alone proved she was in the storage room waiting for him.

Cassandra noticed that Carl was anxious about something from the look on his face. She was also curious to know what was on the paper that was given to Carl but she didn't want to be nosy. She only hoped that it wasn't something serious.

Carl kept the tiny piece of paper in his pocket. He was curious to see Anne and hear what she wanted to say to him but he didn't want to leave his seat. He was trying his best to fight the temptation of seeing her.

Part of Carl wanted to ignore Anne since he came here with another woman but another greater part of Carl wanted to see her at least once. He was disturbed and his heart desperately wanted to see Anne and hear what she has to say mostly because of the fact that they haven't spoken for a while now.

What if she wants to say something very important to him?

Hesitantly, Carl said to Cassandra "Miss Hills, would you please excuse me, I'll be back shortly"

"Sure, no problem," she said and Carl stood up and left for the storage room.

...…..

Inside the storage room was filled with a lot of empty racks, it was spacious and somewhat cold. Anne was alone, walking back and forth, waiting for Carl to show up and then she heard his voice approaching her.

"Anne! Anastasia!" he called.

"I'm right here," she answered. She was indeed very happy that Carl finally showed up but she didn't show it on her face rather, she kept a nonchalant look. She was also anxious that Carl wouldn't bother to see her but here he is.

Anne stood still and folded her arms around her chest and fixed her gaze on Carl as soon as he showed up. She saw how handsome Carl looked in the white corporate long-sleeve shirt tucked in his navy blue corporate trousers. His hair was perfectly slicked back, complimenting his gorgeous face.

Anne couldn't be more angry that Carl looked this good just because he was on a date with Cassandra.

'Does he like her so much that he's trying to impress her? No wonder he gave her his jacket' Anne thought with a clenched jaw, staring at Carl with cold eyes.

However, Carl knew that Anne didn't come to the restaurant for a serious occasion because she was casually dressed, yet she still looked as beautiful as ever. So beautiful like the first time he met her at the subway.