Chapter 208: The Past [14]

"N-No," I replied, shakily. "I don’t wanna know who you really are."

The moment those words left me, I regretted them instantly. Crap! He was gonna think I was just using him to get off or something.

That was exactly what it looked like, after saying something like that!

Unable to meet his eyes anymore, I reached for the cart to wheel it away, but he snatched my wrist and pulled me back to him.

"Leaving so soon, kitten? You still haven’t given me an answer."

What?

"B-But I just—!"

"About our date."

I gulped. Is he being serious, right now? Despite what I had just told him, he still wants to go on a date with me.

Did my words not affect him?

"Y-You’re insane."

He grinned. "Is that a yes or a no?"

My breath quivered, and then I heard footsteps approaching. At the end of the aisle, the shadows rose, and I could tell someone was coming toward this area.

I veered my eyes back to Zade, and something told me that if I didn’t give him an answer, he wasn’t gonna leave.

"Z-Zade, please!" I begged, knowing if anyone saw him, it would be all over.

Yet he remained like an immovable wall.

"Fine!" I got fed up and desperate. "I’m gonna go on that stupid date with you, so yes!"

"Good girl."

I quickly pushed away from him and gripped the cart with two hands. My heart pounded like hell when Jacob came into view.

Oh no!

"Hey, you taking so much time? I got worried."

There was no reaction; there should be, but...! Just play along.

"E-Everything’s good here!" I pitched. "No worries, haha!"

Calm down, Ana! Act cool.

"There are just so many options. I gotta be mindful and take my time to avoid..." I threw a look over my shoulder and found great relief when Zade was nowhere in sight, as though he had just disappeared.

I cleared my throat and looked back at Jacob. I was freaking out for no reason. Jacob hadn’t seen a trace of Zade at all.

"Seems to me like you made quite the choice already," Jacob said, eyeing the cart.

"Yeah! Just needed a few more... things." I licked my lips nervously, still coming down from the high of what happened earlier.

It felt as though I had hallucinated everything, but my sticky panties were a constant reminder.

Jacob suddenly fixed me with a pointed stare, as though he had caught something.

"W-What? Something on my face?"

He stepped closer, and my heart skipped a few beats, only for him to reach up and gently pull the slipped strap of my dress back onto my shoulder.

"H-How did that happen?" I questioned nervously. "Must be when I was trying to reach for that damn premium kitten food. A few inches of heels aren’t gonna make me tall, huh?"

"You shouldn’t have told me to wait outside."

"And risk letting you see such an embarrassing sight? Not a chance!"

He laughed, and I forced a smile.

"Any more things you wanna get?"

"Nope! I think I’m good." I pushed the cart, and he followed.

When we got to the checkout counter, Jacob helped me unload the cart, and when it was time to pay, I reached for my purse, but the cashier’s words stopped me.

"Your things are already paid for, Ms."

I froze. "What?"

She said nothing else as she packed everything.

Jacob gave me a questioning look. Is Zade trying to make this more difficult for me?

"I-I actually met a high school friend of mine. She came here for her puddles, so we talked and exchanged contacts. She must’ve covered my bill."

"That sounds like enough reason why you took a while."

I shrugged. "We got chatty, don’t blame me."

After we were done, we walked out of the store, and along the way I felt the hairs at the back of my neck stand up in alert.

For a brief moment, my eyes passed around, but I couldn’t catch a glimpse of Zade. I knew without a doubt that he was watching.

Having that thought in mind, a smile curled on my lips.

~☆~

I pulled the muffin pan from the oven, placed it on the island, and then took off my mitts.

I smiled broadly when I saw how perfect my cupcakes came out. Even though I have baked so many times, I wanted this to be special, so I completely exhausted myself.

I can’t wait for Zade to taste them.

He had texted me the location and the time for our date, and I couldn’t wait to see him. Through baking, I had imagined the expression on his face when he’d taste the cupcakes.

I have done this more times than I can count, yet I was fucking nervous! I kept circling back, thinking I had overused some ingredients and even hoped I didn’t ruin them.

God, it was so torturous, but this was the moment of truth now. My stomach twisted with every turn, especially since I had no idea what kind of date he had planned.

I mean, it couldn’t be a five-star restaurant if he wanted me to bring cupcakes. What then? I don’t mean to be rude, but was there even enough budget for our date?

That thought was quickly halted when I recalled how he paid for the things I got at the pet store.

That pet store was one of the most exclusive ones in the Harbor Quarter, yet he could afford to pay for them.

I wonder what kind of work he does for a living.

I fished out my phone and took pictures of the cupcakes. I sent the photos to him as I typed.

Me: Fresh out of the oven.

I gasped when the dots popped up. Was he staring at his phone waiting for my text or something?

UNKNOWN: Delicious.

That phrase was obviously meant for the cupcake. I had no idea why my train of thought wandered elsewhere.

I couldn’t stop thinking about what happened in that store. Each time the image comes up, I stop breathing for a moment, and my body pulses alive.

I clenched my phone tightly before typing.

Me: You still haven’t told me anything about the date.

UNKNOWN: Why spoil the surprise?

"Ana!"

I jumped, my phone almost falling from my grip if I hadn’t held it tightly.

Annabeth giggled. "Why so jumpy? Doing anything sneaky?"

"N-No," I said, quickly putting my phone away. "What’s up?"

"Wow, these look so—"

I slapped her hand away before she had the chance to take a cupcake.

"These are not for you."

"Ouch!"

"Sorry not sorry."

"Meanie! You’re lucky I’m in a good mood right now..." She smiled, then squealed. "Today’s the day, so I’m so excited!"

"Excited for what?" I asked, puzzled.

"Well, of course! I forgot to tell you that day. You know... about the head start?"

Head start?

I blinked. "Yeah, I remember. But you never quite mentioned what that head start was all about."

I gathered everything I needed for the buttercream frosting. I didn’t know if Zade was a sugar person, but... I guess I’d have to find out.

"I’m meeting with him today. I already made plans."

"Him?" I replied distractedly.

"My soulmate, silly. The person I told you I picked to be my husband."

"Oh..."

"And I want you to come with?"

"W-What? Why?"

"I mean, you’re my baby sister, and I really, really need your support in this."

"I-I..." I stuttered. "I have um... Ahem! I have somewhere to be, and—"

"I’m sure you can skip that. This is more important, Ana. I didn’t even tell Father or Jacob about this, but I’m telling you."

"Y-You should have waited for Father’s approval, and let him make the arrangements."

"I know, I know! But I’m getting so impatient." She said unapologetically. "Father won’t be back any time soon from his trip. I thought this was the best time, you know."

"Anna—"

"I have to meet him at least once and build up some interest instead of just meeting him for the first time when Father arranges the meeting."

I had no idea why she was willing to go this far. I mean, this was Annabeth. She was naturally likable. I have never seen her like this.

Annabeth doesn’t need to work hard for anything she wants. It just falls into place as the universe willed it.

If she was willing to work through this, then this must be very important.

"Please, Ana, I’m sure it won’t take so much, and then you can go wherever you wanna go. Where are you going exactly?"

"N-Nowhere important."

"See? Which means you can spare some time, right?"

"What about Jacob? You may not have told him, but—"

"Don’t worry, I got him distracted with an errand, so we’re good."

Wow. That easy? Wasn’t something like that supposed to be hard for her? Given that they shared something.

I cleared my throat. That’s none of my business anymore.

"So! Where are we going?"

She grinned broadly. "The Old Quarter."

"The Old Quarter?!"

"Shhh!" She placed a finger against her lips.

"Annabeth, that’s like another place entirely, isn’t that like the territory of another Don?"

I have a bad feeling about this.

Her chest swelled with pride. "Yes, it is... my future husband happens to be a Don, and he’s the CEO of Monarch Group."