Chapter Thirty One.
968 Words
“Hey,” Austin jogged towards me, grabbing a bottle of water on his way before collapsing on the chair beside the one I sat on.
“You did well,” realizing how couple-like I'd sounded, I quickly added, “hopefully my novel character can be that good,”
“You're not with your note,” he pointed out, opening the bottle cap and gulping half its content, “didn't you write it all down?”
“I made mental notes which I'll write down once I've laid comfortably on my bed,” there was no way the sight of his handsome self playing could wash out of my memory.
It seemed like something that'd stay there forever. But then, why?
“Hmm,” he closed the bottle, dropping it beside him.
There was silence afterward, but surprisingly, it was rather peaceful than awkward.
Why was it peaceful? Why was I even with a guy who I'd agreed to date for the meantime?
Why did his presence make my heart race so much?
All these questions were confusing me further, only leaving me with slight fear of what the answers might be.
So it felt better burying it deep down and instead, breaking the silence, “can I ask you something?”
“Hmm,” he also seemed to have been enjoying the silence.
“How did you become a basketball player?” When I noticed I was getting deeper into his personal life, I quickly added. “I might use it for the character in my book.”
But truthfully, I knew it wasn't for the character. For some unexplainable reason, I was interested in his life.
He went silent, giving me the feeling he might not talk, but then, “I became one because I can play.”
From his tone, I could sense there was more to the story, and although my curious self wanted to ask more, I knew best than to pester him.
Especially when he actually replied and didn't totally ignore me.
Rising to his feet, he turned to me, his eyes not having the usual sternness that always resided in it.
“I'm going to be the elected CEO as you know,” he began when I rose to my feet, “and as my girlfriend, you should be around as a means of support or whatever.”
His tone made it evident he found that silly (just like I did), but was something that'd prove to his dad that I was actually his girlfriend.
Because, I mean, what girlfriend won't be there to congratulate her boyfriend the day he becomes the CEO of his dad's company.
“What time?” From my tone, one would think I had something doing at home, rather than just sit down and create storylines.
“I'll come pick you up by twelve in the afternoon on Friday,” he started towards the door, causing me to involuntarily do the same.
“Okay,” we had reached the door, whose knob he turned, pulling the door open.
For the first time since I'd met him, he was gentlemanly enough to allow me walk in first before he did, then closed the door.
The surprise must've been blatant in my expression, because he raised a brow, “is something wrong?”
“Hmm,” I got myself back with a shrug, “just didn't expect you to be a gentleman.”
His expression made it evident he hadn't expected me to say that, “am I not a gentleman?”
A sarcastic laugh escaped before I could control it, but then he raised his brows further, proving he was actually questioning that.
“Wait, seriously? You're asking that?” Did he seriously not know?
“Well….?”
“Well?” Couldn't he guess the answer already. “Maybe to others you're a gentleman,” though I doubted that, “but when it comes to me, I am certain you dislike me.”
“Huh?” For the first time, I sighted an emotion that wasn't cold from his part, but total bemusement. “I never said that, what would make you think in such a direction.”
“You don't need to say it Austin,” I hugged my body, “you just need to express it.”
“But I don't dislike you,” I thought I detected the need to clarify himself in his tone.
But that was brushed off because why would he care about my thoughts on how I saw him?
“Of course you don't,” there was no hiding the sarcasm in my tone.
“I really don't,” he stated explicitly, only startling some emotions in me that I certainly didn't want.
He held my gaze, seizing my breath, “then why are you always so stern whenever it came to me?” How I was able to form words, I didn't know, and didn't even care how low it had come out.
“Maybe because that's how I am,” surprisingly, his tone matched mine, only thickening the air around me, “but there's no way I'll teach someone I don't like basketball,”
He took a step closer, leading to my heart racing a billion times faster, “to tell you the truth, you're the first person I'd ever do what I did today. That is, teach you.”
My heart thumped against my ribcage, I had to wonder if he'd heard, but that didn't lead to me breaking the gaze.
“You should change so I can drive you back home,” with that, he broke his gaze, heading straight towards the door.
The breath flowed into my lungs, but my feet stayed glued to the ground at the thought of it all.
What just happened?
- Writer
