Words I was Afraid to Hear

"What's the matter?" Verdan Zhou was bothered by her expression.

This made her burst in a hearty laugh.

He hurriedly placed the cups he got on the table and went to find out what she was laughing about.

As he peered through the document, he noticed that it was upside down from the view he had when he was sitting. He blushed.

However, not wanting to concede just like that, he asked, "What's so funny about this?"

She wiped a tear from her eye as she calmed herself. "It's upside down!"

"You turned it!" he accused.

She laughed even more as she pointed at the lower part of the upside down document.

He chuckled as he touched his nape in embarrassment.

He had signed the date of the document.

"You must be too hungry to make such a mistake." she remarked.

"I must be..." he said, redeeming what's left of his pride.

He looked at her gently.

She meet his eyes and they stared at each other for a while.

Then as if snapping out of a trance, she broke the seemingly staring contest and turned to find her seat on the sofa. "Let's eat then."

As he sat down, he saw a familiar-looking pancake filled with meat and vegetables, tppped with sauces and spices. "Oh...okonomiyaki!"

She chuckled. "You really don't remember anything, do you?"

"Huh?" He had a puzzled look. Was the dish significant?

She had a smile with a tinge of regret. She started slicing the savory pancake.

"What did I forget this time?" His voice was really gentle. He was sorry for not remembering.

She shook her head and put up a forced smile. Her eyes were watery. "Nandemonai."

"I'm sorry for not remembering." He picked up his chopsticks and took a piece from his plate. "I will try my best to remember this from now on."

"The food might get cold. Let's eat." She tried changing the atmosphere."

They chatted more about their project collaboration throughout the meal.

While they were eating,Verdan Zhou noticed that some mayonnaise was left on a side of her lower lip.

"Uhm...you..." He had the urge to wipe it off but he ended up pointing with his finger.

"What?" Her innocent reaction was a bit cute.

He sighed. Then he reached out to hold her jaw and he used his thumb to wipe off the sauce from her lip.

To her surprise, he licked it off from his finger. She blushed to this.

"You say you don't remember...but why are your actions the same?" Her brows are drawn together.

"I...it was tempting..." he said honestly. "I...I was doing it often before?"

Her face was flushed as she remembered how he threatened to lick it directly from her face next time.

"I...I'll go and wash the containers first." She took them and hurriedly left him in the office, even leaving the door ajar.

He brushed his hair with his fingers as he shook his head. He wondered how they were before. As of now, they are back to an awkward phase of getting to know each other.

Midori took her time washing the food containers, sighing and smiling while she was at it.

Verdan Zhou, on the other hand, fixed his appearance in the room en suite to his office.

He went back into the office as he heard the door creak.

However, his bright smile vanished and his eyes widened at the person before him.

The frail-looking lady wore a simple button-down white blouse and black straight-cut pants and black flat shoes.

"Lui-- uhmm...Mr. Zhou, is it?"

"Eleanor..." he almost whispered.

"Please don't send me away just yet. I don't mean to disturb your life. I...I just need the ring back...the one I made you wear... It...it belongs to my husband." She tried to explain her presence before someone kicks her out.

He frowned. "It's not with me anymore. I'll send someone to bring it back to your place once it's found."

"Oh...I...I understand." She looked up to him. Her eyes were begging him. "Mr. Zhou, can I embrace you one last time? I promise not to show myself in front of you again."

His frown became deeper, but he nodded ashe stood still.

She took her opportunity and embraced him tightly. "I'm so sorry." she whispered.

Then, they heard things falling onto the floor.