< Clarence’s POV >
“Yo!”
Her face turns in my direction and then she instantly frowns at my own stare. I guess she doesn’t feel scared or even surprised about the proximity we have anymore. It’s a pity, I even made sure that I leaned closer, too close for her personal bubble as I greeted her.
Seeing that she was so immersed with her phone earlier, I thought I could give her a scare.
“Hello, Clarence,” she greets nonchalantly.
And at that, I frown.
“Ah, that’s it? No more blushes, shyness, or…” I pause a bit to add a dramatic tone. “Maybe fear?”
“No,” is her immediate reply as she asks me to sit across from her. Well, seeing that she chose a table with two diner double booth seats, my, this table is too big for just the both of us.
So, I sat next to her instead.
Her eyes widen and somehow the pinkish tint is visibly shown on her cheeks. That’s the reaction I like to see.
She immediately scoots away from me but the diner booths are good for two people, after all, so she has to deal with it by sitting at the edge of it.
How cute.
Which reminds me, I ask, “Say, who were you texting earlier?”
If I remember correctly, not even one single person in Central Crest Academy has any interest in befriending a parvenu. And Nina Caulfield who lacks everything won’t even get one even without my intervention. So that leaves either a family or an acquaintance from her previous school.
“It’s none of your c-concern, Clarence,” she stammers as she glares at me. She presses her chest as she sighs. A habit I’ve noticed each time she is being cornered or scared.
“I will go order food.” Ah, a perfect way to make her escape. “Is there anything you like?”
Honestly, I am not a fan of Italian cuisine. But I just go with the flow. “Anything you choose, princess.”
She looks doubtful for a moment. “No allergies or something?”
“None at all.”
She looks hesitantly then nods. She stands up and takes the phone from the table and puts it in her pocket. Apparently, she learned her lesson not to leave her phone anymore after the stunt I did before.
And she heads to the long queue.
I laugh a bit before placing my long legs on the table. I take my time to look around: lots of chattering, laughter, and content of the customers around the pizzeria. It’s been a while since I’ve been in one.
The last time I went to a fast-food restaurant was when Anastasia said she would treat me for lunch.
I didn’t expect to dream about her at all. I was sure to put all of my memories of her aside after all these years.
It’s all because of Nina Caulfield.
Frankly, I should have seen that coming. I should have kicked her out of school when I had a chance to because when I first met her, everything about her reminded me of her.
And when I held her during that time, her face slowly morphed into Anastasia’s. It’s as if I'm talking to her instead of that little parvenu.
And hatred filled me on that instant.
But it has been so much fun. A little fun that I didn’t expect to experience for this prolonged cat and mouse chase.
“Hey! Y-you shouldn’t place your feet on the table.” A memory flashes back to me and then I was in a different fast food restaurant, with a different ambiance. I glance up to see Anastasia who’s brows creased into a glare looking at me with the intent of lecturing.
“Why wouldn’t I do that?” I asked, interested to see her response.
“It’s d-dirty, Clarence. W-we should respect both the f-food here an-and the p-people making it.”
How adorable. I chuckled and stood up, “Fine, fine. I’ll clean that spot in one go. So you’ll wait here.”
It was a tidbit scene, a memory that should be forgotten but oddly enough that was the first time Anastasia was so adamant about lecturing me.
It was pathetic of me to think that was considered one of my happiest memories.
Before she betrayed me and left me a broken man.
“Clarence, you shouldn’t put your feet on the table.” My eyes widen, snapping me out of my thoughts as I turn to look at the parvenu who has been frowning. Her hands are holding a tray of food.
I just chuckle. “Why wouldn’t I do that?”
“It’s dirty, Clarence. We should respect both the food here and the people making it.” Nina sighs as I do as she says.
My eyes fixate on her direction and my mouth drops a bit.
She notices it immediately, then asks, “I-is there something wrong?”
I don’t think her question is absorbed in my mind as I am transfixed with the situation.
She just sighs and gives up. “A-anyway, I’m going to get some disinfectant spray and a rag, do you mind holding the tray?”
Again, I didn’t answer.
“H-hey, what’s wrong, r-really?” she asks again. This time she looks concerned as she places the tray a bit farther from the spot where I placed my feet. “Did the noise really get to you?”
That’s impossible. After all, she chose the best table away from the noise.
“No, I’m surprised.” I shake my head then I try to revert back to myself as I smirk. “You actually do care for my well-being, huh?”
“Well, you seem out of it, so I just ask. It’s just common decency.” Her frown returns back on her face. “Anyway, I’ll get them cleaned.”
“Wait.” I stop her before she walks away. I handed her the tray of our food. “I take it this is your treat, yeah?”
“Y-yeah, since you considered my offer of staying in the cafe instead,” she replies, uncertainly.
“Well, I'm going to get them cleaned for you.”
It was a tiny gesture and honestly, I don’t get what’s wrong with me. But I thought it was the right thing to do as I witnessed another reaction from the little commoner who looked at me with astonishment.
And before I could even get bombarded with her questions, I decided to head to the counter myself.
And a part of me wondered why I even bother to care.