Seraphina was almost running as she went to the teahouse where Lord Val had invited her. It's the weekend today, and she doesn't have any work, so usually she wakes up late.
She forgot to tell him yesterday what time they were going to meet, and she almost forgot about it too. She only remembered it when she received a note from Lord Val that their meeting was this morning, and she's very late.
'It's past 10 o'clock. I've received that letter 3 hours ago; I wonder if he had waited that long for me.' She thought guiltily.
Because she was in a hurry, she slipped off the wet pavement and was about to fall when someone caught her.
'Woah, I never thought I'd experience such a cliché scene.'
"My lady, are you alright?" The person who caught her up asked.
'His voice is familiar.'
She looked up and saw Lord Val looking down at her. When she finally realized their position, she immediately stood straight and arranged her tangled dress.
"Thank you."
Lord Val chuckled and teased her.
"It seems to me that every time I'm around, you always fall into minor accidents. And I'm always the one that saves you."
"Ha...ha... It seems that is right. I'm always thankful to you for saving me. I guess I'm just so clumsy; that's why." She awkwardly laughed.
Lord Val motioned for her to follow him, and so she did.
"Well, isn't this what they call fate? Maybe fate is bringing us together, don't you think?" He smiled mischievously.
Seraphina was not sure if that was a joke or not. Honestly, she doesn't know how to act around Val, since she doesn't have any clue as to who he is. Why was he approaching her? What's her role in Seraphina's life? Is he a passing character only?
Honestly, who were the persons that got involved with the original Seraphina in the novel before she returned back home? She's wary of her surroundings and the people around her, since she doesn't have a single clue about what might happen.
"Ahaha... I wouldn't call it that way. Maybe I'm just lucky that you're always around every time I get into minor accidents," she replied, dismissing the idea that Val was insinuating.
'It might even indicate a warning for me not to associate with you,' she added to herself.
They arrived in the teahouse a moment later. The staff welcomed them and guided them to the table that Val reserved for them.
Seraphina looked around the teahouse. The ambiance was light and refreshing, and the theme of the shop was like that of a greenhouse. The smell of the flowers inside helps the customer to relax. And the tea they served tastes amazing as well.
'No wonder they're the most famous teahouse in town,' she commented.
She feels so awkward about the deafening silence at their table. Val was not talking and was just looking at her while she drank her tea. If she were a sugar, she would definitely melt instantly by how intense Lord Val is staring at her.
'Look at me comparing myself to a sugar. Goodness! '
"By the way, Lord Val, I would like to deeply apologize for being late today." She puts her cup down and finally stares at Val.
"Now that you mention it, I almost believed that you ditched me, since you didn't arrive for more than 3 hours already," he replied.
"I'm really sorry. On my usual weekend like this, I usually woke up late due to exhaustion on weekdays, and I was not able to ask the time when we were going to meet. I just learned of it when I woke up and saw your note," she explained, and Val was just listening to her.
'I didn't even know how you knew my place. It's giving me chills! ' She felt a cold chill run down her spine.
"Also, I didn't expect that you'd really wait for me for 3 hours. Even I would just leave if somebody made me wait for more than an hour," she added.
"Right? Can you believe how loyal I am? I was waiting here patiently for you for 3 whole hours. Don't you think I deserve a reward?" He looked at her with a puppy look and teary eyes.
'Please don't look at me like that...' she cried in her thoughts.
She was fighting the urge to pinch his cheeks. He looks like a lost puppy.
"I didn't tell you to wait for me. And what reward do you want?"
"You're so cruel to me, my lady. What did I ever do to you to treat me this way?" he dramatically exclaimed.
The other ladies were glancing at their table and would gossip at each other. Seraphina can hear some of what they're saying as well.
'It's so obvious that they're talking about us. Can they at least pretend they're not? '
"Tone down your voice! One would think that I'm rejecting you for confessing," she scolded him, looking around at the scrutinizing eyes.
"But YOU ARE rejecting me." He smiled candidly, in which Seraphina just rolled her eyes.
'That's because you're giving me a creep,'
"So, what reward do you want?" she asked impatiently.
She wanted to get this over once and for all and return to her house.
"Mmmm..."
They fell into a moment of silence as Val was thinking what reward he would ask from Seraphina. While she just sat there finishing her tea.
"Before I tell you, promise me first that you'll say yes."
'HUH! It seems like he wants to con me. But I'm smarter than you,' she scoffed at him inside her head.
"I'm not so stupid to agree to things I didn't know! Just tell me, and I'll see if I'll agree."
"Fine, there's just no winning to you." He sighed in defeat.
She just smirked at him. He smiled as well and leaned forward into the table.
"Go out with me 3 more times," he said, showing 3 of his fingers to her.
Seraphina's eyes widened in shock.
"What!? Why should I? Isn't this enough? Can you make another request instead?" she asked hysterically.
"C'mon, I've helped you 2 times already! Going out with me for 3 more times is not a big deal!" he reasoned out.
"Well, it's a big deal, dummy! Some people might think we're dating!"
"What's so bad about it? We're both adults and single; no one would care if we dated," he said.
'I do care! I have a boyfriend! Even if he's not here... Jeez! 'She replied in her mind.
"Unless you have a secret lover?"
The mood suddenly changed when he asked that question. Seraphina was scared at Lord Val's face; he looks murderous. And his aura grew dark.
But that's just for a fleeting moment. Lord Val returned to normal after a while. Seraphina almost let out a breath of relief when the tension she felt earlier was gone.
"Which I knew you don't." He took back what he said and smiled at her again.
'Weirdo! ' Seraphina commented to herself.
"Yes, I don't have, but still..." She paused and thought for a while.
If she said yes, she'll have to go out with him thrice. And after that, she'll have nothing to do with him, and he'll finally leave her alone. If she said no, he'll keep on bugging her, and he might even demand another ridiculous request!
'Between the two, it's safer to choose the first option. Right! I'll just go with the first one.'
"Fine. I'll go out with you. But just 3 more times, okay?" she asked, making sure of the deal.
Val smiled cunningly and clapped.
"Sure! That's a deal!"
He reached out his hand for a handshake to seal the deal, which Seraphina hesitantly took.
'Why do I suddenly feel like I've made the wrong decision? 'She asked herself nervously.
While Val was thinking something different at the same time.
'You took the bait, my little angel. Very good.'
Val smiled victoriously, which he hid under the cup of tea he was drinking.
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