Auctions are boring as hell…

“A piece of fine china made with jade and it has detailed gold lining along the side…”

 

My attention wandered off the stage and latched on to her.

Again.

 

Pink short dress, small diamond studs on each ear, black heels with some black laces at her ankle.

 

People might find her outfit not suitable for an auction but who actually gives a about these things?

 

Every time my eyes are fixed on her, I fell in love again.

 

Suddenly, the voice at the back of my head sounded,

“Don’t forget what you’re supposed to do. You must end this vicious, cruel cycle.”

 

It’s the human witch doctor, Narsha.

 

I met her not long ago, on the same cruise.

Which reminds me…is she on the same cruise with us right now?

 

I scanned around, and saw her.

Dark red lipstick, thick black eyeliner, silver greyish eye shadows.

 

Her make up would be the best in the whole room considering her age.

 

She waved at me and I decided to ignore her.

 

“Aish, you rude handsome bastard!” She scolded me in my head

 

“I have no interest in you.” I replied her.

“Arraseo!” She shouted in response.

 

“Hey hey, look at your left. She’s so cute today.” Narsha said.

“I know.”

 

“How did even know who I’m talking about when you didn’t even look-“

She paused.

 

“Ah…you were looking at her the whole time, weren’t you?”

 

“…”

 

“Gotcha~ I want to pull those laces off her and let that pink dress fall on to the ground…” She teased.

 

My ears became warm but I won’t give in to this witch.

 

She’s a biual. Which means she doesn’t mind both es.

 

She even asked me if I wanted -

Okay, too much info.

 

I looked at my watch, when is the break? Argh, I’m getting hungry.

 

“Thank you for being patient with us, we now announce that the first half of the auction is over! Please help yourself to the snacks provided.” The host of the auction said.

 

I stood up and went to the host to talk about some business stuffs.

 

After I returned, I saw her pouting cutely, pondering over which dessert to take.

Yes, a table full of desserts. I requested it from the host.

 

There were many desserts like pies, tarts, crème brulee.

All her favourites.

 

She walked to the fountain and stood there for a few minutes.

 

Is she admiring it?

I chuckled and went up to her.

 

“Enjoying the sight?” I joked, trying to hide the grin that was coming out any minute.

 

She turns and looked at me.

Those lovely dark brown-ish locks.

 

How I wish to run my fingers through it.

 

“Not eating?” I focused back on her face, and looked at her still empty plate.

 

She was about to explain when I interrupted her.

“You should eat. It’s going to be really draining later.” I told her.

 

“Okay.” She replied.

She wasn’t angry that someone ordered her to do things.

That’s a first.

 

She started to daze and I could see her mind wandering off to somewhere else.

 

“What do you like?” I asked, in hopes of grab her attention back.

 

She looks at me, shocked.

 

“…I actually like everything here.” She replied softly.

Her cheeks were tinted with a light pink.

 

I chuckled, why is she embarrassed all of a sudden?

 

I took one crème brulee and gave it to her.

“Have this.”

 

“Thanks…”

Somehow, she’s kinda awkward with me.

 

Maybe she can’t adapt to my sudden kindness to her?

“They used the finest food in all of the desserts so feel free to help yourself.” I said to her.

 

Fighting the strong urge to pat her head… I tried to walk away coolly.

 

I didn’t eat the desserts because I wasn’t fond of sweets and desserts.

She was the one that always helped me with the sweet stuffs.

 

Before the start of the second part of the auction, I changed my seat with the person sitting beside her.

 

She noticed me and I greeted her.

 

“Hi…”

She must have been shocked.

That cute expression of hers tells me everything.

 

“Focus.”

Narsha sends me another telepathic message.

 

I looked back up on the stage.

Waiting patiently for that particular item.

 

That god damned necklace.

 

Narsha said that the necklace is going to help Rin recover her past life memories.

One way to end all the ing awkwardness between me and her.

 

It’s annoying indeed. Since…I’m so familiar to her and she seems so distant to me right now.

 

“She’s staring intensely at your face, by the way.” Narsha said.

“You’re distracting me.” I replied irritably.

 

Finally, the necklace was brought out.

 

“The Mermaid’s Tear is the inspired by the late artist who claimed to have seen a mermaid crying pink tears.” The host briefly explained.

“Now, who would like to-”

“5 million!” I raised my hand and shouted the price.

 

I swear I saw Rinnie getting startled in the corner of my eye…

I resisted the temptation to laugh and waited for anyone else that has their eyes on the necklace as well.

 

“Going one…Going twice…sold!”

 

Okay…at least one thing is accomplished now.

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

When I turned to look at Rinnie, she was looking at me too.

 

“Would you like to join me for dinner?” Those words slipped out of .

 

I wasn’t imagining this, am I?

 

I decided to act cool and turned her face for her eyes to meet mine.

 

“…Sure. But next time, please ask me face to face. It’ll be a lot nicer that way.” I said with a cold smile and stood up.

 

She’s still staring at me blankly, dammit, she’s too cute.

 

Control, Kris.

Self-control.

 

 

“Time isn’t going to stop for anyone, so are we going now?” I tried to make myself sound irritated.

She stood up fast, way too quickly, and fell…

 

“Be careful.”

 

I caught her and balanced her.

She’s still clumsy as ever. I hid my chuckles and scolded her lightly.

 

“Thank you…” She said softly and bowed even.

 

“Can I choose the restaurant?”

I realized I was asking the question too suddenly but oh well.

 

“Yeah, sure.”

 

I called a restaurant and I bet she’ll love it.

Oh yeah, I’m a major shareholder of the restaurant too.

 

“Yes. A table for two. What do you mean- I don’t care. When I reach there, I expect a table.”

I ended up scolding the stupid person on the line.

 

What the hell is with the stuttering?

I rubbed my temples and swallowed all the cursing down.

 

She grabbed on to my wrist suddenly and gave me a bottle of medicated oil.

 

“Thanks.” I managed.

 

I applied it and got scolded immediately.

 

“Yah, don’t rub it roughly. Aish! Give me that.”

 

She took back the bottle and applied for me.

This scene is just like what old couples does right?

 

I closed my eyes and enjoyed the moment.

She’s good with her hands.

 

And by that, I do not mean anything else.

Aish, these hormones of mine…

 

“There.”

 

She stopped and I was going to whine for more but that would be really uncool and childish so I’m just gonna be contented with what I can get.

 

I opened my eyes and she was looking right back.

Why the hell can’t these moments last forever…

 

Time is our only -block and if only time could stop, I would be able to do much more with her.

 

“Yes?” She spoke.

I think I might have stared at her too much, she looks uncomfortable.

 

More appropriately, awkward would be the correct term I guess.

 

 

She bites her lip and I swear I want to do the same but on her lips.

I can’t be so impatient coz’ I don’t wanna scare her off.

 

She lost her memories, Narsha said that she once met her and she couldn’t even recognize her.

Narsha said that there wasn’t a shine in her eyes like there used to be.

 

I noticed it too.

 

“Nothing.” I replied and we set off to the restaurant.

 

When we reached, I asked the host for the bookings and yes, I do have a table.

Guess the manager wasn’t only for show but he finally used his brains huh…

 

“Wow…”

 

She was amazed by…

I’m not quite sure whether the restaurant or the marine life.

 

Perhaps the latter.

 

She keeps turning her head to see and I wonder why her neck isn’t sore…

“Ahh!” She was shocked when a shark got near to the glass.

 

“Relax, the glass you see here is very durable. They won’t be able to attack you.” I said.

 

She nods cutely and faced the front finally.

I wonder she’ll be alright with the food I ordered.

 

I did not order seafood on purpose.

Because, I knew she won’t eat it.

 

I don’t think she’ll ever want to eat seafood, since she herself was considered as a "half-fish” …

 

When the food came, we were finally able to eat.

 

Chicken has to be more tender and the sauce is a bit watery…I have to remember this and feedback to Chef Jon.

Can’t leave it like this since I have a say too, in the restaurant.

 

“Thanks for not ordering seafood.” She said with a smile, which warms me right up.

That’s what she’s really good at.

 

“You’re a - I meant, you probably wouldn’t feel good eating seafood in front of them, I figured.”

 

I feel like slapping myself for being stupid.  I almost told her what she was. In a restaurant full of people.

 

I drank water in the calmest way possible, hoping that she didn’t catch my blunder.

 

 

Her expression stiffened, my nervous meter reaching the brim.

 

 

Then she relaxed, drinking mouthful of water, and looked at me in a way that I know what she’s gonna talk about.

 

Maybe she’s gonna ask me about what I meant.

 

“Kris, about the necklace…”

Oh I was wrong.

 

She wanted the necklace?

 

I put down my cutleries and clasped my hands.

I might as well play a bit with her while I can.

 

“What about the necklace?” I looked back, using my icy image.

 

“Can I buy it from you for a higher price?” She bites her pink lips as she asked.

 

Tempting the wolf.

 

“No.”

 

“Why not?” She pouted, without realizing how I want to bite those lips of hers.

 

“You don’t know how much it means to me. Firstly, what is the name of the necklace?” I asked her.

 

“The Mermaid’s Tear.”

 

Correct.

She’d done some work beforehand.

 

Expected, from the woman I love.

 

I continued asking and she replied well, not a single information was wrong.

 

Damn, does she know how bright she shines when her confidence level is high?