I am so sorry for the late update... :( I've been busy for the past weeks...

Previous chapter...

❝Nice to meet you, Soohyeon.❞

Soohyeon couldn't let out a single word. Her pulse rate had risen to the level of her head.
She's embarrassed.

Their gazes remain locked.
Jake's hand stays intact, waiting for Soohyeon to accept it. 

All of her senses come to earth as Jake tilts his head slightly, one eyebrow raised.
When he observed her frozen posture, he couldn't help but grin.

❝Oh? you still want me to believe that you can't tal-❞ 

Soohyeon's rapid remark interrupted Jake abruptly. She grabbed his hand and shook it at the speed of light, treating the man's hand like a hot potato.

❝Nice... to meet you.❞ 

Soohyeon took a deep breath and mustered a grin. All she can think of is regret.

Regret thinking of going to the most popular restaurant in her city.

She feels stupid for realising that if the world is small, how little is a city for them to meet? 

The man's lips curl up as he watches her reactions. His thoughts begin to pile up even more.

❝Do you really not want to see me that bad? Do you hate me?❞
He asks humorously and then grins slyly, knowing what she would say.

❝Yes, I don't want to see you in person. However, that doesn't mean I hate you.❞ 
Their gazes lock once again, and they begin to scrutinise each other's features.
Neither of them wanted to lose this quiet gazing competition.

Jake, on the other hand, couldn't help but look away.
He felt like he was gazing at a blank wall as she didn't show any emotion at all.

He begins to clear his throat and moves his gaze elsewhere.
Soohyeon, on the contrary, felt triumph and, without even realising it, a grin blossomed on her lips.

Jake stares back at her, shocked by her demeanour.
She notices his stare and swiftly changes her expression back to being grim.

❝Coincidence isn't it?❞ 
Jake scratched the back of his neck, his smile still bright after seeing her grin.

Soohyeon, on the other hand, took a close look at him and became stiff once more.

❝Yes, I guess.❞
She looks at the time displayed on her phone, 1:03 p.m. 

At the other intersection, she sees her bus approaching.
She silently praises the bus driver in her head for having perfect timing.

She then peers at Jake, who is staring out the restaurant window, mouthing words and shaking his head.

Soohyeon's brow wrinkles, perplexed as to why he is doing those actions. She glances in the same direction he does.

She witnesses all of his friends with their phones out and flashing.
They're taking a photo of the two of them.

Jake notices her focus on his friends, which prompts his pupils to widen. 

❝I'm sorry. They are being childish right now. I will make sure that they will delete those pictures they took.❞

❝Mhm.❞
Soohyeon sarcastically nods and observes his uneasy and embarrassed expression.

Jake begins to glare at his friends who, surprisingly, obeyed him.

❝Alright... So. Are you going to go back in there with them?❞

Soohyeon asks, tilting her head slightly.

Jake pursed his lips and looked around as if he was attempting to come up with a great answer to her question. 

Jake was about to respond when the bus arrived in front of them. Soohyeon rose from the bench and turned to face him.

❝Well, my bus is here... I'll say that this will be our goodbye then?❞ 
She smiles as she realises she can finally get away from the awkward atmosphere they've created at the bus stop.

She gets on the bus and scans her bus card without waiting for him to answer. Her gaze examines around, and she notices a vacant seat near the window.

She walks over to her preferred seat without making any further decisions. Her hand tucks into her bag, which she then places on her lap. 

When she looks out the window, her gaze is drawn to the bus stop seat where Jake is no longer to be found. 

She sighs, believing he's returned to the restaurant with his friends.

But suddenly,
she notices a figure in the seat next to her.

She furrows her brows and glances to the side.
Her gaze is drawn to the sly man. He adjusts his cap and settles as if he hadn't just followed her inside the bus.

❝Jake?... Why are you here?❞ 

Back to updating this book since I just finished the other book, 11:11, Make A Wish.

(I apologize for the late update)