Selina watched as Jiro grabbed a stuffed animal and placed it back on the shelf.

“His cooking better than yours,” Selina joked and turned around to fix her bed.

“Did you go to the restaurant this morning?” asked Jiro.

“Yea,” Selina replied meekly.

“Selina…” Jiro began. “Can you turn around?”

Wondering what was wrong with him Selina did as told only to find Jiro taking a step forward and gave her a tight embrace. Selina felt her blood rush and felt a little panicked, but calmed down a little when she recalled that it was just Jiro and no one else.

“You’re acting weird,” Selina commented.

Jiro leaned his head down on her shoulder making her heart feel warm.

“You know, I almost freaked out when I found you weren’t here this morning,” Jiro confessed. “I was so glad when I found you safe at the restaurant.”

“You dork,” Selina said smiling as she clutched onto his shirt.

“You know when you asked me about work? I actually had something else to say to that,” Jiro confessedd.

“Oh yea? Like what?” questioned Selina.

“Are you sure you can take it? I mean if I say it…” Jiro said. Selina thought she could hear his voice shake a little.

“Go on,” Selina urged.

“I missed you a lot when I left, I almost came back. I don’t know about you but even until now you’re the only one I still want,” Jiro began.

Selina could feel her heart sink. She could feel a deep temptation to hit him and ask why he didn’t return because if he did…that would have never happened to her.

“You know what I’m saying? I still love you.” Jiro tightened his arm around her. “Selina?”

He released her and looked at her painfully scrunched up face. Selina turned away embarrassed and full of shame. Even if he had returned, nothing would go back to how it used to.

“What’s wrong?” Jiro asked alarmed.

Selina wiped her quick tears and turned to look at Jiro with a smile that she hoped cover what she her feelings.

“Sorry. What were you saying?” asked Selina.

Jiro smoothed her hair back, “You seem tired. I’ll let you get some sleep and when you feel better, I’ll tell you.”

Selina looked at him and nodded. Jiro smiled and gave her a peck on the cheek then left the room. That night Selina found herself staring at the ceiling unable to sleep.

***

“Aaron, your mom left 20 messages! Why don’t you just call her back?” questioned Sam.

Aaron who was sitting in the middle of the kitchen ignored him. He knew what his mother had to say. That was the reason why he had wanted to move out of his house. Aaron turned away from Sam’s persuasion. No matter, what he wouldn’t marry the girl his mother wanted him to marry because obviously he already liked someone else and he would rather marry the girl he liked.

“Aww…come on, Aaron,” Calvin teased taking a seat next to him, still in his pajamas. “You can’t run away from it forever. Why don’t you just tell her you have a girlfriend? Which in reality, you don’t.”

Aaron shot Calvin a glare which shut him up immediately.

“Run away from what?” Sam questioned.

Calvin looked up at his uncle, “Back in college Aaron’s mom made arrangements for him to marry this lady’s daughter. That’s all.”

“Arranged marriage?” Calvin's uncle raised an eyebrow.

Aaron twisted around in his chair to avoid Sam’s gaze.

“On Aaron’s 21st birthday he would have to meet the girl and eventually marry that girl,” Calvin mimicked Aaron’s voice.

Sam frowned and started counting his days, “Your birthday is on November 20 which is…two days away!”

“Whoa! That soon?” asked Calvin. “Figures your bad mood.”

They were quiet for a moment.

“I have an idea,” Calvin suddenly suggested. “Why don’t you take Selina along as a friend? Maybe it’ll throw that lady’s daughter off, you know? Give yourself the playboy image.”

Calvin couldn’t help but chuckle and only stopped when Sam gave him a punch.

“Don’t listen to Calvin, but he’s partly right,” Sam shook his head. Right next to him Calvin resorted to making faces. “Why not take Selina, Calvin’s being invited too anyway. It gives you some hope for getting closer to her but don’t give yourself the playboy image. You could try to get to know the girl then just tell her you’re not interested and maybe Selina’s presence there will throw off all the other plans your mom has in mind.”

This time Aaron finally turned to look at Sam.

“Doesn’t sound too smart to me,” Aaron refuted.

Sam gave a loud sigh, “Then, what do you want?”

“I’m going to sleep,” Aaron stood up to leave the table.

Laying in bed Aaron stared up to the dark ceiling, his thoughts drifting in his mind uncontrollably. He thought about the other night when he had noticed Selina’s gaze turn to the door. Aaron realized there was something about that look on her face. She was hiding something, Aaron knew for sure, but what could it be? Could it be so serious that she didn’t want to tell anyone at all? While watching her from the distance, Aaron didn’t miss out on the fist Selina’s hand suddenly created.

***

Selina awoke early the next morning at dawn. Sighing, she changed her clothes and left a note behind for Jiro. Once Selina stepped outside she looked up into the cloudless sky. Again, that sickly feeling filled her. Trying to shake the feeling away Selina started down the sidewalk only to hear faint footsteps following her. Selina came to a pause and tried to listen for anymore footsteps. When she didn’t hear any Selina turned around to see that no one was behind her. Gulping she started off at a quicker pace and soon found herself in front of the restaurant.

Selina stared up at the sign of the plain name Bakery Restaurant. Why was it always here where she ended up? Why did she always come here when she felt unwell? She started to search her mind for a reason, but stopped when a voice spoke behind her.

“You’re early again,” Aaron said as he walked toward the door.

Selina watched him unlock the door and turn to look at her. She felt a small strange feeling gather inside her and walked inside while he held the door open for her.

“Jiro isn’t with you?” Aaron questioned going into the kitchen.

“No,” Selina replied as she helped turn on the stove. “Where are Sam and Calvin?”

“Oh, they went back to have a small checkup on Sam’s car,” Aaron replied.

Through the corner of Selina’s eye she could see Aaron eye her and she turned to look at him curiously. Their eyes locked for a bit before Aaron turned away, however Selina kept her gaze on him.

“Is there a reason why you look at me?” questioned Selina.

Aaron turned to look at her surprised to hear her say that. He gulped and turned away then turned back to her. Aaron was silent for a moment as he turned away again only to turn back to her while sighing.

“It’s my birthday tomorrow,” Aaron began feeling his hands sweat, “I was wondering if you’d like to go with me to uh…uh…my party.”

“Your birthday?” Selina asked. “That was foolish of you to hide it. Ok.”

“What?” Aaron asked wondering if he caught her answer.

“I said, sure,” Selina repeated herself.

A sudden smile crawled across Aaron’s face.

“How old are you?” asked Selina.

Aaron bit his lip as he stared back at her and said quietly, “21.”

“The prime of youth, huh?” Selina smiled.

Aaron turned away from her gaze. Why was it that she was looking at him so much? It made him nervous. As he turned toward the counter he quietly reminded himself that he knew her age. She was 24 already.

“Can I ask you something?” Aaron wondered.

“Go ahead,” Selina nodded.

“Would age ever matter to you?” Aaron let the words slide off his tongue.

Selina looked at him puzzled wondering why he would ask such a strange question, “What do you mean by that?”

Aaron quickly turned away feeling himself turn red, “N…nothing…nothing really.”

Selina kept her tight stare on him. She could see that he was uncomfortable under her stare, it only made her laugh. Aaron turned to look at her confused about why she was laughing.

“W…what?” Aaron asked his voice trembling.

It took a moment for Selina to finally get a hold of herself, “I find you amusing.”

Amusing…that word ran itself over and over in Aaron’s head. So, she did notice him. It didn’t matter if Jiro was around, Selina knew he existed and that one fact made his heart beat fast.

“You like cooking, don’t you?” Selina asked. “Could you make something for me to eat?”

Aaron turned to look at her abruptly and muttered, “Oh.”

“Oh?” Selina mimicked.

Aaron pressed his lips together, “Sure…sure…I mean, ok I’d be glad to.”

Aaron could hear Selina’s little laugh behind him as he started to prepare breakfast for her. It would be the one thing he’d be able to do for her. His heart beat calmly fast and he felt as light as the air. He felt nothing could go wrong from there on. That one word happiness was crawling into his skin.

Aaron glanced up to see Selina staring over the counter, toward the door perhaps. It made him wonder if she was waiting for someone, perhaps Jiro. Or maybe she was just thinking…maybe thinking about him? Aaron gave himself a mental slap on the head. As if that could ever happen he told himself. Aaron took a breath and glanced up at her again. What was she thinking? She had such a stern look glued on her face. Something serious, maybe.

Aaron was just slicing bits and pieces of vegetables when his knife accidentally slid diagonally and only when he thought nothing would go wrong, red blood started to seep through the cut. He hoped it wouldn't get to the food. At his loud yelp Selina twisted around to look at him seeming to snap out of her deep trance.

“Something wrong?” asked Selina.

Aaron clutched onto his thumb debating on whether he would tell her or not.

“N…nothing,” Aaron mumbled.

Selina frowned at him and got off of her stool walking toward him. Aaron found himself gazing into her eyes before turning away when her stare became too intense. Selina’s quick smile turned into a laugh again.

“Liar,” Selina told. “Let me see.”

If Aaron were a dramatic person with high blood pressure, he would have fainted at her touch, yet he only felt paralyzed. He was in awe at how warm Selina was. When she touched his hand he felt the pain ease fast. Selina shuffled around to get a wet and dry towel. Aaron watched Selina cleanse his wound, his stare traveling up to her soft face. He had thought sitting next to her and having a meal with her would be about the closest he would be able to be with her her, but he never imagined being so close, so close that their skin nearly touched.

A small smile grew on his face.

“You guys don’t have any bandages?” questioned Selina raising her head to look at him.

Selina found her mind blank and she soon forgot about what she had just said. Aaron’s smile soon eased away and he inched closer and closer to Selina. Strange, Selina couldn't bring herself to move. Why did she feel so mesmerized by this person? She barely knew him. Before Aaron could fully kiss her the door flew open and Sam and Calvin came through the door noisily.

“That stupid mechanic! He just wants to ruin my car!” Sam complained.

“Your baby has never been fine and she’s never looked any better these years,” Calvin said stepping into the kitchen to find Aaron and Selina awkwardly staring back at them.

Calvin took a closer glance at them to see Aaron’s hand in Selina’s.

His eyebrow rose, “What’s going on in here? Hey, we haven’t been here to supervise so don’t get too wild just yet.”

“I…we…nothing…” Aaron stuttered.

“Aaron cut himself,” Selina quickly stated. “Sam, you don’t have any bandages in here?”

“What? Huh? I was talking about my car,” Sam went on confused.

“Big guy doesn’t need bandages. He says chefs should endure the pain his food goes through,” Calvin told with a smile and finger on his chin.

Aaron stared at him, “You freak.”

“You womanizer,” Calvin name called.

Selina watched them and turned back to the counter when their first customer arrived for the day.

Seeing that Sam and Calvin were too busy bickering with each other, Aaron made his escape out into the dining room where Selina was cleaning. The busy day had finally ended and Aaron could relax his cut finger.

“About tomorrow…” Aaron started feeling a little off.

Selina slightly turned to look at him and Aaron thought he saw a look of uncertainty in her eyes. He felt his breath shorten out fear of Selina who would suddenly change her mind. She hadn’t really spoken the rest of the day since the morning incident…well at least to him she hadn't spoken. Had he scared her off already? Aaron bit his lip hoping Selina would say she’ll still go.

"Tomorrow? If I say I’ll go, I’ll go,” Selina assured as if knowing his feelings.

“Then, I’ll meet you here tomorrow,” Aaron whispered to Selina.

She nodded back with a smile she hoped would make him feel better, but obviously he saw through her because he just turned away silently. The door opened and a gust of wind flew in un-invitingly.

“We’re closed, sorry!” Sam shouted before poking his head over the counter. “Hey, Jiro!”

“Hey,” Jiro greeted.

“Picking Selina up?” asked Sam.

Jiro nodded and turned around to look at Aaron before seeing Selina behind him. If his brain was imaginative enough, it would have looked like Aaron was defending Selina from him. Aaron kept his gaze fixedly still and walked passed Jiro without looking at him. Jiro glanced at him curiously while stepping toward Selina.

“He looks a little mad,” Jiro whispered to her.

Selina only looked at Jiro who was smiling.

Before leaving, Selina turned to glance at Aaron before Jiro wheeled her out the door. Throughout the ride to Jiro’s house, Selina tried to organize her thoughts about that morning. It had suddenly caused her to feel a little whoozy. However much she tried to think things straight, nothing seemed to come out right. She got out of the car as it entered the driveway mindlessly. Jiro followed her into her room and stood at the door staring at her with a frown.

“Did something happen?” questioned Jiro.

Selina looked up at him and shook her head. Jiro dropped the arm he was using to lean against the door and sat next to her on the bed.

“You’re in a daze,” Jiro stated. “Don’t tell me you like someone else now.”

Selina thought she caught a little disappointment in his tone.

“What would you do then?” asked Selina turning to him.

Jiro smiled leaning forward until their foreheads touched.

“I still love you the same,” Jiro replied.

“Jiro…” Selina suddenly became quiet.

He waited for her to go on.

“Uh…nevermind…” Selina finished.

Selina bit the inside of her lip.

“We’ll talk tomorrow. You have to promise to hear me out,” Jiro quietly said.

Selina smiled and nodded in reply. After taking a shower and changing into her pajamas Selina lay in bed curled up. She had to admit that she couldn’t separate the present from the past. Every time someone touched her, she always panicked thinking maybe it was him. It hurt to not be able to live silently normal. If life hadn’t been so bad, maybe Selina would have already tried really hard to rebuild the relationship she once had with Jiro. While the thoughts ran about in her head, Selina finally remembered Aaron’s invitation to his birthday. She hadn’t told Jiro about it yet. She sighed realizing she’d have to leave another note for him.

While trying to push away the negative thoughts in her mind, Selina was left to think about that next morning. Maybe she was trying too hard to be friendly with Aaron, but a part of Selina denied that.

Selina shook her head talking to herself, “No. I still want to love Jiro…”

In the morning Selina arose early as usual and left a note behind for Jiro. She set out onto the streets toward the restaurant. As promised, Aaron was waiting for her. Aaron turned to look at her when she approached.

“Birthday boy has finally smiled,” Calvin said boringly from the side, “Aaron’s face has really looked like it has brightened up, wouldn’t you think so, Selina?”

Selina glanced back at Calvin and smiled without replying then she glanced at the restaurant.

“Where’s Sam?” she questioned.

“Oh, since he has no one to help him he’s taking the day off,” Calvin explained, “that old man’s finally getting some rest.”

“Are you ready?” Aaron asked Selina.

Selina looked back at him unsure whether to feel happy or uncomfortable, but the uncomfortable feeling presided over. She sat in the back alone while Calvin drove toward Aaron’s house. Thoughts debated themselves over and over in her mind as if they were having a bull fighting within that head of hers. She wasn’t sure whether she should have really come, she knew no one. Why hadn't she thought of that before? And maybe, she could have spent this day off with Jiro, besides he had wanted to tell her something and he seemed eager to say it. Selina pressed her lips tight together.

“Is something wrong?” Calvin asked looking up into the rear view mirror.

“Uh…no…no it’s nothing,” Selina replied glancing toward the front window.

Aaron turned back to look at her and Selina found herself turning away from his stare.

“Just advice for you,” Calvin began, “Aaron’s mom isn’t a very nice person so you’ll probably have to be very patient with her.”

“Mom?” Selina questioned. “Oh, I didn’t know Aaron’s mom is going to be there.”

“Aaron’s her only son, so of course she has to celebrate the day Aaron came down onto earth, right Aaron?” Calvin asked looking at Aaron who avoided his gaze.

“Just shut up,” Aaron demanded.

“Wait, so who else is going to be there?” Selina asked suddenly curious.

“Um…just two other ladies I’m pretty sure,” Calvin replied. “But I’m invited as a special guest because I’m Aaron’s childhood friend. Right Aaron?”

Aaron rolled his eyes and stared out at the houses they were passing. He could tell Selina was avoiding him, but why? Maybe he had really scared her off yesterday. Aaron sighed wondering how he would be able to fix his mistake.

The rest of the ride there was silent. No one spoke a word and even Calvin strayed from talking. With eyes eyes glued to the surrounding scenery, Selina hadn’t realized the tall golden gates ahead. They opened up as the car neared. Green, green grass and green bushes stood along the sides. Everything was so neatly tended to, Selina was more shocked than surprised. She hadn’t expected Aaron to be a son of an extremely rich person. If he was so rich, why would he have left his so luxurious life to live so plainly? Selina thought her eyes were bulging out until they stopped by the huge mansion.

“We’re here,” Calvin called loudly taking the keys out.

Selina gulped as she got out of the car and stood in front of the million steps that led into the house that must cost more than her life.

“Surprised?” Aaron asked.

Selina finally turned to meet his gaze and nodded silently.

“My mom doesn’t know you’re with us, so just let me do the speaking,” Aaron explained.

Before he could walk up into the entrance of the house Selina ran after him.

“Wait,” she called and as Aaron turned around she asked, “I…I wasn’t really prepared for this…”

Aaron could see Selina tugging at her outfit and a smile lit his face.

“I think it looks great on you. What you wear is my problem, not my mom’s,” Aaron stated.

Selina stared at him, her mind suddenly going blank. She hadn’t expected such a comment from him.

“Come on,” Aaron said urging her on.

Calvin followed silently through the large hallways. Selina was amazed by the marble walls that were kept so clean she could see her own reflection. Large rectangular poles stood here and there. She couldn’t help but feel as if she were in a deep maze.

“Aaron!” a voice shrilled.

Selina looked all around her to see where the voice was echoing from. She didn’t realize that they were already in the room set for the party. An orchestra was already playing on the stage upfront and two small tables were set up. Other long tables were set up by the side with delicious food set on them.

Selina turned around when she heard voices.

“I haven’t seen you in the longest time! How are you? Have they been treating you right?” Mrs. Yan questioned holding Aaron by the shoulders inspecting him as if looking to find any scars Calvin could have given him.

Mrs. Yan was wearing large rings on her fingers and an elegant dress that seemed to cost enough money to buy Selina a new house. A necklace of pearls lay around her neck and diamond earrings were hooked on her ears. Her hair was curled but tied back tightly. She was a short woman, a little shorter than Selina.

“Hi, Auntie Yan,” Calvin greeted with that naïve smile of his.

Mrs. Yan looked upon him as if he were rubbish.

“Mom, I’m doing well. This is my friend, Selina,” Aaron introduced.

Selina suddenly felt a cold chill when Mrs. Yan looked at her disapprovingly. Mrs. Yan stepped closer to Selina and grabbed the Blue Paris jacket she was wearing.

“What brand is this?” Mrs. Yan questioned. “It looks like pieces of rags put together.” Mrs. Yan turned to Aaron, “Who is she Aaron? Her background, where she lives, what she does.”

“Mom,” Aaron tried. “She’s my friend, can you try to respect her more?”

Mrs. Yan frowned at her son, “Aaron, you can get anything you want in this world if you had just stayed put with me here. I don’t understand why you like going about becoming friends with all these street people.”

“Mom, can we not talk about this?” questioned Aaron, his voice becoming serious, to his mother, it sounded like whining.

Mrs. Yan looked back at Aaron and at Calvin and Selina with a dislikable frown and turned away.

“Fine, since it’s your birthday today and your first day back home, I won’t say anything,” Mrs. Yan crossed her arms over her chest.

Before anything else could go on a person wearing a uniform walked in.

“Madam your guest is here,” the woman who was Mrs. Yan's personal assistant said.

“Very well,” Mrs. Yan smiled. “Go get some drinks.”

The person nodded and walked off bowing before she left. Selina watched her go wondering how things in this house processed. Were there always maids and servants obeying orders and coming back and forth?

“Mei!” a voice boomed.

Selina turned toward the hallway where they had came in to see a woman dressed as expensively as Mrs. Yan. She and Mrs. Yan collided into a tight hug and finally let go of each other.

“How have you been? It’s been such a long while!” Mrs. Yan exclaimed.

Selina glanced at their polished nails wondering if all people were like them.

“I’ve been just fine. How are you?” questioned the woman.

“Just great! Oh, come here,” Mrs. Yan pulled Aaron toward them. “This is my son, Aaron.”

The woman stared at Aaron her eyebrows rising as if Aaron met just her expectations.

“They would make a great couple!” the woman exclaimed with a loud laugh, playfully hitting Mrs. Yan on the arm.

“Didn’t I say so? Didn’t I say so?” questioned Mrs. Yan.

“Mom,” a voice came from behind them.

Once more they all turned around to see a young woman in a purple dress. Her curled hair went slightly pass her shoulder and lay lazily there. Selina glanced at her absorbing her looks comparing them to how she had dressed herself. She felt deep embarrassment.

“Selina?” the woman suddenly asked as her gaze traveled throughout the room.

Selina raised her head up from the ground to see the young woman walking toward her with a bright smile as if she had found a long lost friend.

“I’m so glad there’s someone I know!” the young woman screamed excitedly putting her hand on Selina’s arm.

Mrs. Yan seemed to glare at Selina this time around. Selina swallowed and looked toward Calvin and Aaron for help, but they seemed as surprised and lost as she was.