Linh's POV
The oyakodon in front of me tasted like plain. I was expecting it to be at least a bit more savory. I poked at the egg and chicken mixture with my chopsticks while Daniel continued his one-man monologue about how he thought about buying his own apartment in Beverly Hills back when he was 21, but figured that he wanted something more private. Seriously, I want to escape this dinner if I can. At least, I want to escape to not listen to him.
Not to mention, the sight of Nar talking to his girlfriend as they wait for their orders continue to irritate me. I took a small sip of my ocha, hoping the warmth would calm me down from all of this. Well, it didn't, not even a little bit. I could still feel the tightness in my chest. I shouldn't feel this way. Nar is not my boyfriend, we are not dating. He never was, and we were pretty clear about what we were in the beginning. But it didn't change the way how I feel for him, like the feeling of losing someone.
"So after that, I ditched my 9-5 to focus on building my own career in finance," Daniel said, laughing confidently at his own words. I didn't bother to smile, I just turned my head to him and stare at him blankly.
"That's nice," I said flatly.
He paused for a second. His lips opened a shape in which he looked quite surprised, or at least a bit offended that I didn't look excited. He leaned forward a little, his voice dipping into what I assumed he thought was 'smooth guy' territory. Like, eeww.
"You know, Linh," he said, tilting his head, "You're kinda mysterious, yet cute. I like that."
I swallowed a sigh. Please, I don't have time for cheesy words. 
"Uh, thanks?" I replied awkwardly.
"Yeah, like... you don't talk much, but your eyes say a lot," he says while smiling, inching closer. "And honestly, I was really hoping tonight would eventually end in a sweet way."
Wait, sweet way? Like what the hell? My heart jumped, but not in a good way. I could feel the tension creeping up my neck. This wasn't what I came for. I just wanted a break-from my chaotic home, from the creative block, from work & family stress. But here I am, dealing with a boy who wouldn't stop talking about himself and a surprise emotional ambush courtesy of Nar and his girlfriend. How great.
"Daniel," I said, sitting up straighter, "I think there's been a mistake."
His confident grin faltered a bit, confusion flickering behind his eyes.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean... this was dinner. Just dinner. We just met, and I'm just looking for friends to talk to."
He chuckled, brushing his fingers through his hair. "Come on, Linh. I know attraction when I see it. We went out to have dinner, got to know each other. Obvious enough we're into one another, am I right?"
My patience thinned. "I came out because I needed to clear my head. I want to socialise but not rush myself into something I don't have any thought about at the moment."
There was a beat of silence. It's like the moment paused for the both of us. His eyes didn't bother to shift back to his almost empty bowl of curry udon.
He leaned back slowly, and I could see the frustration forming as he grabs his glass of now almost empty beer. 
"Wow. Okay. Clear enough I guess," he states before drinking his beer.
"Obviously," I say.
"Well, one day you'll realize that I've tried," he states. I have a feeling he's trying to make another dramatic moment of whatever.
"I don't make a decision out of frustration. I hope that's clear enough," I say.
"Ah, let's finish this dinner," he states.
Minutes passed. It's a good thing both of us finished our meal faster. He quickly asked for the bill and pays it. Great, I can finally escape this chaotic situation.
"Thanks for dinner," I say to Daniel as we stood in front of the restaurant.
"You're welcome," he says in a flat tone, not bothering to form one of his cheesy smile, which I didn't bother. I was ready to just leave this man-child.
Without another word, I turn around and walk way. Right now I just needed some air, and despite not really wanting to go home a bit too early, it's not that I have a choice when my mind is trying to run away from the thought of Nar.
Meanwhile...
Nar's POV
I would say that this could be a hot topic for my blog, but well it's almost impossible to write that down when my girlfriend is literally around.
The moment Linh walked into Tokyo Gazebo, my heart dropped into my stomach.
I tried to pretend I didn't see her at first. But well, that would seem almost impossible when she saw me first, and I was too surprised to hide my expression.
Honestly, I didn't even hear what Lita was saying at the time. She was talking about my mom or the crowded market at Bangkok or whatever. I wasn't paying attention. All I could think about was Linh, with that guy I swear I thought they had a thing for each other at some points. The guy who thinks flexing his crypto portfolio is a personality. That cheesy grin of his made me want to punch something. His voice was so loud back then, I swear almost the whole gym could hear him.
I noticed the moment Linh broke eye contact. Her expression changed. Her smile vanished. She looked somehow, mad? Wait, is that possible? Could she be jealous? Wait, we're not even dating, but hey, why does it irritate me that she's hanging out with that Daniel guy?
"Nar, are you listening?" Lita asks.
I blinked, quickly turning my attention back to her. "Yeah, sorry. You were saying?"
"You're so distracted tonight. Is it work?" Lita asks, her voice sounds disappointed yet also worry 
"Yeah. Work stuff," I answer quickly, picking up my phone randomly from the table just because I got a bit nervous at the situation.
I hated the fact that my head couldn't erase the sight of Linh and Daniel earlier. The look on her face, with her lips that didn't bother to smile, eyes that kept drifting toward me when she thought I wasn't looking. I hated that I noticed everything.
And most of all, the sight of her seeing me with Lita wasn't the most pleasant thing I wished to happen. I didn't even know she had a thing for Japanese food. Lita insisted on catching up and said she missed our old "dates." I would say, I'm just trying to be a good boyfriend, though I kinda feel guilty now towards Linh.
A few minutes later...
Linh's POV
The air of the night felt breezy as I walk over to the small pond. I decided to take a walk in the apartment's park to clear my mind, at least before going back up to face reality. 
While staring at the pond, I keep questioning myself. Why am I so upset?
Because Daniel turned out to be a man-child? Or because Nar didn't even say a word when I walked in? Well, Nar did notice me. I saw it. That tiny moment in his eyes. The way his posture stiffened. The way he pretended not to care. He saw me for sure when our eyes lock.
I sat down on the bench near the pond, watching the orange and white fish swim in lazy circles. My head feels like it's about to explode out of anger. Yet slowly I could feel a silent tear run down my eyes. What the hell? Why am I so emotional tonight? Being honest to myself, what do I really want?
It's hard to say this. But I wanted Nar to notice me. To care. To maybe look annoyed that I was with someone else the way I felt irritated seeing him with that girl. But instead, he just sat there like everything was fine. What happen to the emotional Nar that got mad before just because I was talking to some random old creep?
"Stupid Nar," I whispered.
I continue to just stare at the pond. This time, without holding back anything, I let the tears in my eyes slide down. On this breezy night, my heart feels like a chaotic mess. Anger, hurt, and just broken. It feels stupid for me to even thought about all these emotions when I know I shouldn't, but well, I'll just let the heart feel broken for now. At least by this, I'm starting to be honest with myself, that tonight, I realize that I am falling in love with Nar.
To be continued...