“You two seem so close,” Mr. Carter said immediately when we got back to the seat. Cormac is now with us.
    My plans and this will only be ruined because of Stoney.
    “Of course not.”
    “Yes, we are.”
I almost turned to the man on the side and glared. He just raised an eyebrow at me and then fiddled with his phone.
    I don’t know what Cormac is planning. Is it to get revenge to visit me again, or is there something else?
    Because if he wants a fight, I will never stop him. My mother gave birth to me so that I won’t be a loser!
    “Yes, we are.” My answer became bolder on that part.
    “Glad to know that. It’s good to meet you now, Avery. I’m sure you will be able to stay at our house more often,” Mrs. Carter said as a matter-of-factly.
    This is a big misunderstanding!
    “She’s already staying at my condo.”
    “I’m already–what?” I quickly confronted Cormac. It was too late when I realized what he had said.
    I am so nervous that I even glared at the man, but the shameless one just gave me a fake smile.
    “Ah, yes. Cormac is clingy. He doesn’t let me out of our room anymore!” I almost turned my gaze under the table. I could feel Cormac’s giant foot as if it was crushing my foot.
    “Look, Cesar, they’re cute. I am rooting for you too!” The two in front of us laughed so it was good that I was able to keep up even though I was already on fire inside because of this asshole next to me
    “Anyways, Stoney, you should eat your food too, just like Avery.”
    Upon hearing from Mrs. Carter, I almost immersed myself in the food in front of me.
    “It really suits you, though, CC.” His father is still fueling the situation.
    “Stoney, huh. . .”
    If this is how my situation will be daily because of this family, I will just give up now. I will run out of dignity here.
    I never spoke again. I seem to have become the rock the whole time. I had planned to talk more and get closer to Cormac’s parents, but I kept my mouth shut due to embarrassment.
    Why does that Cormac have to come here?
    I don’t know if I’ll be happy because I’ll be with them for a long time, but if I think that Cormac is there, I’ll just back off.
     Cormac loves to blackmail me with his stares. I don’t want him to tell that nonsense thing to his parents because it’s even more embarrassing to the point that I don’t want to show up anymore.
    Our conversation didn’t stop there. They have invited me to their house. 
    Their house was really huge and fascinating. It’s even more frightening when I can only see mirrors. When Kuya Jac’s house was like this, it may be perilous for Jacques. 
    “Maybe, next time, we’ll ask your parents to come here. What do you think, CC?”
    It was as if some kind of bomb had exploded in my system, and I completely disliked what was happening.
    “We should. Her parents are great,” Cormac said lifelessly. He just looked straight at them and didn’t even turn to me. He never had a chance to saw my killer stares.
    What’s up for this guy?
    He’s very unpredictable!
    One moment, he won’t talk, like a rock or a mannequin. Then, sometimes, like now, he has so many things to say.
    Can’t he just shut the fuck up right now?
    “You knew her parents, C?” her mommy asked incredulously.
    I didn’t paid attention to them. I need to calm my ass down. 
My time will come as well. I will also find an opportunity to reciprocate that jerk.
    “Yeah, just met them recently. I also met the older brother. We both have the same taste in cars.”
    If I close my eyes, I don’t even have to think that Cormac is speaking.
    I can’t read his face. I don’t know if it’s part of his retaliation or sarcasm or if he’s not really a stone man like he just tortured me in the first place.
    “Oh, my! This is getting exciting! When is the wedding?”
    I couldn’t stand the conversation anymore, so I automatically stood up. I didn’t mean to insult his parents, but I just couldn’t really stop it.
    They are talking too much!
    I don’t know if they are really just excited because of what Cormac is saying or they are just insensitive?
    It was obvious on my face earlier that I didn’t like what they were talking about. That’s frustrating.
    “I’m sorry, but can I talk to Cormac, alone?”
    His parents are still smiling even though I said that. “Sure, Av. Come back later for the food.”
    I simply nodded and violently pulled Cormac away. Well, I didn’t have a hard time because he immediately complied.
    I stopped walking when I reached the quiet hallway of the house. If I hadn’t just been irritated, I might have praised every corner of it, but frustration and anger reign in my system.
    “What was that?” I opened up to the man who still looked very serious.
    I waited a few more seconds, but he didn’t speak. This man has a serious brain problem. When I want him to speak and talk to me, he does nothing, but he says a lot when I want him to shut up.
    I know. . . maybe I really don’t fit for this job. I don’t have to work convincing people because I lack patience. But then, I still have to do it for myself, to win.
    “What? This is some kind of revenge?” Still, I got no response, and I wanted to explode in annoyance. “Cormac! What? Is this the game you want? Is that rewarding for you?”
    I leaned towards him, I wanted to scare the man somehow but it wasn’t effective. “Don’t meddle with my business. I need your parents so don’t dive in–”
    “Why?”
    “–Do that shit again and I’ll. . .” Suddenly, I was stunned by what I am saying. It was as if my words became hanging. What am I going to do with the man when he makes me want to know more?
    “Kiss me.”
    I literally felt like my knees softened at what I heard. “Are you high?”
    “Just kiss me, and I’m not going to meddle with your plans,” he said directly, then raised his right eyebrow at me.
    “What the fuck are you talking about?” I closed my eyes, calming down no matter how much I wanted to be lost.
    I don’t understand him, and I am overly frustrated about it.
    “Why? Can’t you? Then, I will not stop.” Cormac quickly adjusted his position and turned.
    “O-Of course. I can do that!” I said bluntly.
     Is he challenging the hell out of me?
    I went straight to him. Our distance became so close that just a slight twitch would make our lips stick together.
    “Just don’t meddle with my business–”
    I never finished saying that. He quickly touched my body, causing our lips to touch.
    I quickly walked away afterward, disgusted. “What the hell?”
    Instead of answering, Cormac quickly broke the distance between the two of us again. He immediately covered both my cheeks. Then, I suddenly felt the man’s soft and warm kisses. I was unable to move. 
    I froze right in my place. I could feel the tingle of words in my brain and the deafness of the loud pounding in my chest.
    After a few minutes of his lips staying on mine, we straightened up and started walking away. In such distance, I even heard the last thing he said, “We should try that again when I am conscious. Let me confirm it myself.”