< Nina >
Once I am completely feeling better after one or two smoothies, Luca explains to me the events that happened last night. After everything finally sinks in, I try to cover my face behind the loveseat cushions, realizing that all the things I said and had done were unforgivable and that he has every right to throw me in the sea of sharks.
“What are you talking about? You seriously thought that I could kill someone, huh?” his voice doesn’t sound forced or even with any intentions of coercion. In fact, I just realize that I’m now talking to Luca who is finally released from the burden of his own pride.
“A-at first, yeah.”
“Well, if throwing you to the sea of sharks will make you happy, I could arrange that.” If it weren’t for the glint of amusement showing in his face, I would have thought that he was serious.
“No, thank you. I’d rather write 5,000-word essays instead,” I quickly answer. I value my life, after all.
“Then, brace yourself, because I’m going to tutor in my free time.”
“For my m-math?”
He doesn’t say anything and instead, he takes out his phone from his pocket, searches for something from there, and shows it to me. My eyes widened and I felt like my jaw dropped instinctively. “I think it’s more than just mathematics, I’m afraid.”
It’s the results of my assessment test.
“How did you get this?!” In fact, I didn’t know we would ever get the results back when we had that test in the first week. Oh God, most, if not, all of them are way below the average rate!
“I requested to hand over your assessment test this morning and after finding out I was Luca de Milano, they didn’t hesitate to give it to me.”
“B-But…” I hide behind the cushions again, my whole body starts to flare up. “I don’t want you to see my pathetic side…”
Instead of mocking me or looking down on me, Luca just flatly says, “I don’t blame you for that. In fact, we, Yu and myself, should be wary of your educational progress in the first place.” Then he removes the cushion that has been my own shield of hiding my embarrassment. We stare at each other and then he smiles, “So, I want to help you, in every way possible. To get you to graduate with pride.”
"It's impossible, I have been failing my subjects since way back."
He just chuckles, not out of mockery but apparently, my responses actually delighted him. It's like Luca is glad that I've been opening up to him a bit. Just as how he's willing to talk to me normally now.
"Then, I will be a pathetic tutor if you still fail, which is highly unlikely." Luca seems confident and well, proud of himself if he can do that for me.
But...
Err...I’m still not used to seeing Luca smiling. Yu keeps telling me that Luca, when he’s in a good mood, enjoys teasing people closest to him. He blushes, too, as I've recalled.
‘The young Luca reminded me of you.’
It has been in my mind since our last conversation before he had gone on a business trip. And since then, I’ve become more curious to see more sides of him that I didn’t expect.
Not the usual awkward encounters we had in the past. And thankfully, that’s in the past now. But I want to see sides of him that make him...human. Yeah, it’s a strange thought but if we’re going to start bonding as he said so, a part of me is looking forward to it, then.
“Nina? You’re in a trance again.”
“Oh!” I snap back. “S-sorry!”
“Are you still worried that I will throw you to the sharks or what?”
“N-No,” I reply, defensively, ignoring his stares.
He chuckles and I feel my face heating up from the way his laughter resonates in my ears. It’s not everyday I get to hear it since we were….avoiding each other.
He stands up and I look up, curiously. “I guess you’re fine now. We promised Yu that we will be with him during his birthday for dinner. Do you mind if we go back to Oda’s restaurant?”
I nod, meekly. I am craving for Asian food, after all.
<<<>>>
After we had reached to the restaurant, Luca had a call and he apologized with a pat on my head (which I noticed he seems to enjoy) that he had to go to the office for urgent matters and he will bring Yu with him once he comes back.
I don’t mind, actually. It is the perfect time to give Gene a call.
“Oh, hi missy! Or should I call you, Nina now, right?” The Japanese owner comes out from the kitchen with bowls of noodles.
“Hey, Mr. Oda, right?”
He grins. “Yeap. Here are your orders,” he says to the customers sitting at the counter. “Are you here to order food?”
“I’m just waiting for Luca and Yu to come back, then we will,” I reply. The restaurant is a bit crowded, not surprised at that, though. The food here is great, after all. I glance to see any vacant seats and find the table where I first cried out loud with Gene.
“By the way, I’m just wondering, Nina. You haven’t told Mr. de Milano about that day, huh?”
I shake my head, expecting him to bring it up. “Ah, it w-would be better if we don’t. It will just worry him, you know? Can you please n-not tell him?”
He ponders for a moment before he nods. “As long as you’re fine now.”
“Y-yeah, I’m fine.” I smile. Now that I think about it, I’m thankful that Oda wasn’t around when I started drinking.
“Anyway, I don’t want to disturb you, I will go call my friend.”
“Sure, make yourself comfortable, missy,” he says and afterward, the sound of bells ringing and his attention goes back to his customers.
I have to go to the table, my eager hand is clutching the phone, ready to call Gene.