Tomorrow may never come

A Real Date?

"The chemical needed to make the mixture is hydrochloric acid."  Tamara patiently explained.

Peter and I were nodding our heads as Tamara explained to us how the mixtures we were making in chemistry would look once completed.  We were at the Amore Mio doing a few projects and assignments that were due tomorrow.  I was finished with two of them and needed an assessment done by Tamara before I can pass it to the subject teachers tomorrow.  Peter, on the other hand, was just here to join in our girl time.  Liam, who was supposed to be visiting his gym for a follow up on the finances, sent his assistant in his place and was now our personal chef.  Every minute, he would poke his head on what we were doing and even join in teaching us some of the things we didn't get.  Tamara would tease him mercilessly before rolling her eyes at her cousin.  I actually find it adorable.

It has been a day after the gym thing that I had with Liam and he was still his insufferable and teasing self.  So far our relationship was only through bashful looks and blushing touches.  Tamara complained that we were like five years old with our first crush but I was skeptical.  I mean why would a guy like Liam be interested with a girl like me?

I breathed a sigh of relief when I was able to answer the last question.  Peter grinned widely and Tamara clapped in glee.  

"Oh my goodness.  I'm glad that is over."  I breathed out as I shifted my pens and books back into my bag.  We have been at this for two hours now and I am hungry.  I was only nibbling on the hors d'ouevres that Liam was dishing out and I am feeling like I need to eat something substantial.

"Yeah, I know.  I really want to eat a horse."  Tamara blurted out.  "Hey, Liam.  We're hungry here.  What's for lunch."  I tried to shush Tamara because I was nervous at how Liam is still our boss and today was our day off.

Just in time, Liam came out with a pan pizza balanced on his right hand and a pitcher of iced tea on his left.  We scrambled to help him out before he went back inside the kitchen to get plates, utensils and glasses.  All four of us sat down side by side and started to eat the pizza Liam baked.  Liam squeezed himself by my side which earned hoots from Tamara and Peter.  We talked about stuff at school and studies and how to advertise Amore Mio to the public to get more customers.

"Why don't we have a certain costume day every holiday in our shop?"  I suggested.  "If we have a Halloween themed pizza, then we could get a lot of people to see our shop as not only an Italian pizza but a creative one."

"Good thinking.  I mean, Halloween is just around the corner.  We could do that as advertisement."  Tamara chimed in.  I can see she was already planning on her costume for that day.

"Well, it is a good idea.  We'd better start making designs for the shop during your breaks and then plan the menu for that day."  Liam pondered slowly.  I can see that he was excited but a bit skeptical since it would be an expense with no assurance of a profit.

"Hey, I'll take care of the menu.  I'll cook it right now so you can decided if they would be usable for that day."  I offered.  I still remembered the food that my mom would think was edible.  I tweaked the recipe to really make it edible but I wasn't able to cook it for my family.

Tamara and Liam looked at each other before nodding.  Clearly they did not believe that I could make a good Halloween recipe.  I smirked at them.

*****

"Oh my God, this is out of this world!"  Tamara moaned as she sampled my ice cream version of Bloody Mary.  Liam and Peter groaned in reply as they sampled my Black Thorn Truffle.  The Molten Lava Pepperoni Pizza and Slimy Cheddar Cheese Crust were also a success.  They begged me for the recipe and I happily showed it to them.  We had fun planning the menu for the Halloween event that we'll be having.  Tamara volunteered to make the advertisement posters while Peter will make sure to dress up as the Angel of Death to be Amore Mio's mascot for the day.  Liam and I were thinking of the decorations for the shop and had fun in buying the whole lot from the mall.

Liam was holding all of the shopping bags as he didn't want me to carry anything.  I was thinking that we should divvy up the bags since I can carry whatever he wants me to carry but being a true gentleman, he didn't allow me to lift a thing.

We decided to rest on a cafe near Starbucks.  He left me for a moment as he forgot to pick up a few things for Tamara.  I was happily sipping my mango shake when I felt someone standing behind me.  I looked up and my eyes widened at seeing James and Janine standing beside my table.

"Hey, Cat.  Long time no see."  James greeted me half heartedly.  His eyes were twinkling but the way Janine was clinging to him was an indication that she will not let him get away.  I nodded at him before turning to Janine.  She smirked at me.

"So the village slut is at the mall alone.  What your date left you alone?"  She asked sarcastically while eyeing the shopping bags littered around me.  Village Slut?  Why I oughta...

"It takes one to know one, right Janine?  I hope you liked leftovers.  After all, he was never really any good."  I replied before fixing James a glare.  James turned red in embarrassment but Janine puffed red like a tomato.  She was about to lunge at me with an intent to sink her claws at my hair.

"Sorry about that, babe.  I forgot the bag that you told me to buy from your favorite shop.  Hope you weren't lonely."  A deep voice murmured in front of me before kissing my forehead.

Janine's and James' eyes widened incredulously.  I know the feeling.  I would too if I was unaware of why he was doing this.

I took a quick look at Liam and saw him wink.  I smiled widely in gratitude but I wouldn't do that to him.

"Um, Janie and James, this is Liam Ricks, my friend and Tamara's cousin."

"That's Liam Ricks, her BOYfriend.  It's our couple time here at the mall and my babe here is a little shy.  I believe you are Cat's friends?"  He held out his hand but his voice turned hard and ominous.  I turned to look at him and saw the hardened glint in his eye.  He heard what Janine called me?

Oh no!