371 Not busy at all (2/2)

”Of course. I am free. What time does your work done?” he asked hurriedly. He could not help from grinning from ear to ear. She was calling him to have lunch with him. She actually called him to have lunch with him!

”Actually my work cancelled in the last minute. I'm free for the rest of the day,” she told him honestly.

His grin widened.

”In that case, how about after lunch I bring you out for-”

”Don't you have work in the company, J?” she asked with a frown.

”Oh, I'm not busy as well. Right now I am staring at the window, waiting for lunch hour,” he lied, ignoring the mountain of files he had to read and approve.

”Really?” she asked suspiciously.

”Yes. Believe me,” he said hurriedly. He even placed a hand against his chest to show his honesty.

”Well...” she paused, frowning again, ”Mika is with me. We had breakfast together just now. Can she come too?”

His brows made a straight line. Has Mika come along? Has his beloved lost her mind? Why would she want to have someone else with them during their date?

”What do you think, J? Can she come with us?” she asked again when he did not give any answer.

”Baby,” he called with a heavy sigh. ”Is it possible to have date with only us? Why do we have to bring Mika along?”

She pursed her lips. Was this a date? But she could hear the desperation in his voice. He really wanted to have this date with her. ”But...”

”But what?”

”What about your fans? Your identity as-”

”Why should we care about them? Baby, I am a human too. If people learn about our relationship, isn't it easier for us to have our date? We don't have to keep this as a secret,” he begged.

”But... I am still not ready...” she choked out slowly.

”When can we expose our relationship? How long do I have to wait?” he almost whined at the dissatisfaction he felt. He felt like a victim in this relationship. Why was he being refused of the official title? He was already ready to face the world.

”...”

”My love...”

She sighed. ”Can we... talk about this later? I don't think it's suitable to talk in the phone.”

He did not answer immediately. She waited with bated breath. Would he get hurt with her answer? But, she truly was not ready for this. She still needed time for this. She needed time to think this through.

”Fine. I will wait for the time you are ready for us to inform others about us,” he finally spoke. It hurt his feeling with her decision to keep this quiet. He truly wanted them to no longer keep this as a secret. He truly wanted them to hold hand in hand in the public without denying their feeling.

She finally smiled but she knew how reluctant he was saying that. It showed how he loved her. It showed that although he was unhappy with her decision, he respected her request. This made her heart... well... the wall around her heart cracked a little bit more. But... she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She was still scared.

”One day...” she said slowly.

”One day, I will announce to the world proudly that you are mine. Mine alone,” he said.

She smiled bitterly. Until that day, she would keep the wall wrapping around her heart snugly to protect her fragile feeling. Until the day she truly believed he would never hurt her again, she would not let any chance to be hurt ever again.

”I...” he paused, trying to calm himself. Stay calm, Jeremy. Stay calm. Don't lose your temper. She gave you another chance and this was his only chance. He must not waste this chance because of his temper. He must be patience. ”Is it okay if you tell Mika to spend the time with her fiance if she doesn't want to return to the company to work?”

She glanced at the door, frowning. Would Mika agree with this? She had the feeling her best friend would get hurt if she was to request it. But then...

”I... I will try,” she said finally after letting out a heavy sigh. He was her boyfriend. It was unfair to keep pushing his patience to the edge without giving in. There should be a give and take in this relationship. He already agreed to be patience until she was ready. And she should give in and gave him the chance of spending the day with him without anyone else. He deserved it.