< Nina’s POV >
I couldn’t remember what happened yesterday.
When I woke up, the first thing that registered to me was pain. Excruciating pain in my head that has been throbbing until now.
Then enters nausea, the worst kind. How do I describe it? I feel like bile is stuck in my throat but it isn’t actually there. But at the same time, I feel my stomach grumbling, reminding me to eat. Wait, have I eaten anything yesterday?
Now I feel really thirsty. I groan as I slowly get up from my bed, the bright light illuminates the sky which is a rare sight especially during autumn, so I cover my eyes with my hand. Slowly, I get out of my bed, trying to find my phone on my bed. Then when I look at my own clothes which were from last night's clothes, my eyes widen.
Wait, why haven’t I changed clothes last night? I always make sure to wear my pajamas before going to bed.
“Ugh,” I groan again as I massage my temples. I think I need some water, first. And hopefully, something to eat. I thought to myself while I finally found my phone in my hoodie pocket.
I check my phone to see 3 missed calls from Gene and 8 missed calls from an unknown number which I suspect to be either Clarence or Yu’s associate. But what catches me off-guard is the clear number on the top right corner: 10:42 AM.
I have school today, right? Yesterday, I actually considered skipping school but since the pain doesn’t go away...maybe I should keep my word and come back on Monday.
Right now, I badly need water.
And a shower, yeah, definitely a shower.
I open the door. My mind hasn’t fully registered what I see, after all, my attention is more focused on the pain and I keep rubbing my temples.
Then, I hear voices. It’s undistinguished at first because apparently there is a delayed response to my senses today. And I look up, trying to get a focus, and finally, I see Luca and Yu at the breakfast bar table. They seem to stop chattering when I come out as their eyes turn in my direction.
I don’t know why I’m sensing deja vu in this scene.
But when I saw Yu, a thought comes to my mind.
It’s his birthday today, isn’t it?
“H-hey.” I give an awkward smile.
Yu doesn’t say anything but instead, he crosses his arms, glancing at Luca’s side before looking in my direction. A smirk slowly curves on his lips yet he doesn’t say anything.
It’s as if he’s waiting for something to happen.
My head still hurts, so I try to ignore their stares and slowly walk my way in their direction. I don’t seem to notice Yu mouthing words at Luca and I don’t realize that Luca is grabbing what seems like a cylinder glass bottle with some kind of yellowish smoothie.
“Good morning, Nina,” a soothing voice filled with mirth greets me and I look up, facing him again.
Luca...he’s smiling.
I look around if he’s smiling at someone behind me but then again, I’m pretty sure he said my name.
So that smile is at me...right?
My cheeks suddenly become hotter than usual and I start stammering, “G-g-good m-mor—ugh!” And there goes pain. Groaning, I massage my temples again.
“Are you all right?” Who asked that? Oh yes, Luca because he is the one (not Yu) who is approaching me. “Here, this will help you with your hangover.”
I accept the glass bottle from him and mutter a thank you. Then I look up. “Hangover?”
“Told ya she forgot everything, boss.” Yu chuckles.
“It’s a shame, really. I guess there’s some explaining to do. Yu, will you do the honors?”
“No can do, Luca,” Yu flatly refuses as he stands up. “You clearly didn’t show up for today’s work. So, I’ll head there just in case.” He turns to look at me with a smile. “You’re staying at home, kid. Don’t do that stupid drinking stunt, all right?”
“R-right,” I mutter, completely clueless as to what’s going on. But another thought flashes to me as I exclaim, “Happy Birthday, Yu!”
Yu, who has been busy putting on his coat, glances at me and smiles. “Thanks, kid,” he says as he pats on my head. “We’ll eat out tonight, just the three of us.”
And with that Yu leaves the apartment, leaving me and Luca alone. Now, I have a hard time saying anything and I’m afraid that we will have this awkward situation again.
But it bothered me why he was talking and smiling at me all of the sudden. Wasn’t he mad yesterday morning? What exactly happened last night?!
“Nina? Hey, snap out of it.” And I didn’t realize that I have been so lost in my thoughts that Luca has been calling my attention all this time.
“Ah, s-sorry, Luc—” and again, I pause.
“Luca. You called my name last night. You don’t have to hesitate to tell me anything anymore. Actually,” he pauses as he rubs his chin, a handsome smile forms on his face. “You had said a lot of things last night.”
I try to remember everything but all I remember was when I went to the Japanese restaurant because I was hungry. Oh right!
There was a surprise birthday party, yes I remember it. And Yu and Luca entered the room, then…
There was the owner’s daughter.
My face pale for the moment and slowly the heat comes up to my head. “I d-didn’t mean it, sorry!”
He just laughs a bit. “Well, at least you’re aware that you’re not at a legal age to drink.”
“I didn’t mean to be jealous over the little girl!” I blurt out.
And at that, the smile on Luca’s face fades and is easily replaced with mild curiosity. “You mean Misa?”
“Didn’t I say that last night?”
“Ah, no you didn’t.” His eyes widened, recalling the event last night. “So, you’re saying that you drank beer because you saw me with a little girl, right?”
My cheeks redden, realizing that I just blurted out something I shouldn’t. “N-never mind. Just forget what I’ve said!”
He snorts, holding his mouth, trying to suppress his laughter. “So, that makes sense when you said you wanted me to smile for you, too.” Then he choked out laughing.
I try to march back to my room, to get away from this situation before he says, "Wait, I'm sorry I shouldn't have laughed at you. It just caught me off guard, that's all."
"B-but it's still embarrassing," I mutter.
"No," he says, and gives me a warm smile. Pain and nausea have completely been forgotten as I was completely mesmerized by that smile. "I find that endearing."