Chapter 12.1: Cheers!

“Just drop me here.” I said to Fire as I saw the gate of our university ahead.

But Fire acted as if he didn't heard what I said and instead of pulling off the car, he accelerated it's engine amd drove straight inside the university campus.

“Fire! What's weong with you?” I scowled at him.

“What?” He arched his brow.

“Have you forgotten my one and only rule?” I retorted.

“I don't care about your rules, Solene.” He scoffed. “I don't plan on being away from my happiness,” He took a quick glance at me, “and that's you.”

I was unable to reply. I looked down and swallowed hard to prevent my chest from heaving too much because my heart was set ablaze by what he just said. And just like before, I don't know if it's even legal to feel sheer happiness by what Fire says that make my heart flutter.

The car stopped in front of my department’s building. I got out of the car as soon as I felt it become stable.

“Thanks, Fire.” I bent to peek at him in the car’s window and gave him a small smile and quickly turned my back.

I walked quickly with my eyes on the ground, preventing me from making eye contact with the students who were roaming in the hallway but now have their eyes on me after seeing me come out of Fire’s car. I still heard Fire’s voice calling me but I refused to look back at him and dashed into my classroom.

I headed to my seat and placed my hands above my chest. I pressed hard and I could feel my fast and loud heartbeats against my skin.

It's scenarios like these that makes my heart beat so wildly inside my rib cage that it seemed to want to get out and dance in front of the world. Fire always gets me off-guard with his puns.

After my first class, I received a text message from Fire telling me to eat a snack with him. I quickly replied to him with my agreement and we went together at the school’s cafeteria. Fire’s friends also tagged along with us. He introduced me to Gaille, Serene, Mark, and Frieda.

Wheny vacant time was over, I headed to my classroom to attend the rest of my classes. I paid attention really hard to my professors so that I can forget the thought of Fire in my head just for a while.

After my classes, I went with Fire and friends to their usual meeting place and stayed there for a while. After almost spending thirty minutes with them, Fire bid farewell and brought me with him. His friends also started to go home as we went our own way.

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“Were are you taking me?” I asked him as he pulled me into his parked car. “The apartment is just a walking distance away, you don't need to drive me there.”

“Just come with me.” He answered shortly.

I put my weight on my feet, “Just tell me already! Do you know my feet have been sore ever since I walked out of the campus to your car, and aahh— what are you doing? Put me down!”

“You're so noisy, Solene.” Fire single handedly carried me on his shoulder like I’m some sack of rice and let go of me inside his car. I thudded against the cushion of the seat while he walked around the vehicle to sit on the driver's seat.

“You're bad.” I scowled at him.

He just gave me a saccharine smile before starting the car’s engine. I was annoyed at him and pinned my attention outside of the window. I ignored him even though I felt his hand above mine. And when I felt him tighten his grip on it, my lips betrayed me and it formed into a curve, making me look like a shy little girl sitting beside her crush.

He drove for several minutes in the alleys where his car can fit and only a few people can be spotted walking in them. He took this route so that we can avoid the heavy traffic brought by the rush hour.

Moments later, I felt him park the car. When I looked outside, I saw us in front of a restaurant that gave off Italian vibes with it's exterior. As usual these past few days, after getting off, Fire walked around his car, and as he reached the front passenger seat, he opened the door for me. I was just sitting tightly watching him do these things and waiting until he opened the door for me. He has only been doing these for the past few days, a week maybe, and here I am completely enjoying the princess treatment from him.

On the other side of the happiness I’m feeling is where my self-pity is. I’m overjoyed with this special treatment from him because he had never done it to me before. Actually, no one had. I just realized how I haven't been treated right and how depraved I am of such privilege. Sometimes I wonder if I would feel the exact same way I’m feeling right now for him if it was some other person and not Fire. *Is it really love that I’m feeling for him? Or do I just lack of people treating me well in life that I would instantly fall for someone who will show me even the slightest concern. And take note, Lillian is a different thing. She's been kind to me but she's not a man.
We went inside the restaurant and its interior screamed elegance as I took a glance at every corner of it. I took in its neutral brown wall paint and the marble floor beneath my shoes. I could see shining gold everywhere. The cup handles, the utensils, the rim of the plates, the side of the tables, and the framework of the chairs, all of these are gilded with gold that shimmered below the hanging chandelier above that lights up the place.

I was taking my time admiring the other things inside that caught my attention when someone spoke. “How many tables, sir?” A waiter wearing a white polo shirt under a black vest, paired with black pants and black shoes.

“A table for two.” Fire casually answered.

Fire took my hand as we followed the waiter into a table located at the corner of the restaurant. I sat down across from me, a small square table between us. Fire looked at the menu and I did the same but I didn't bother taking a look at what's inside for I know that I won't have any idea of them. *This is my first time at an Italian restaurant.The waiter stood beside Fire and scribbled his orders as he spoke it out loud.

“How about you, Solene?” Fire looked at me. “What are you getting?” Both of them were waiting for my reply and in the heat of the moment, I randomly pointed out a dish listed at the back of the menu. The two looked at me, their questioning eyes made me confused. *Was there something wrong with what I ordered? I can't take a glance of what I pointed out at the menu now or else it will be obvious that I just picked it without knowing it.

“Ok, we’ll have that too.” Fire looked up at the waiter that nodded as a reply. “And double the serving of every dish that I ordered.” Fire added.

“Ok, Ma’am and Sir, let me check your orders.” The waiter looked at the both of us before looking back into the small notebook where he listed Fire’s orders earlier. “Chicken marsala, tossed salad, and strawberry cheesecake. All will be served in doubles.” The waiter looked back at us. “Is that correct?”

“Yes.” Fire answered and I just smiled as a reply when the waiter looked at me for my response.

I think it was foolish of me ro pick a random dish I didn't know earlier because I’m embarrassed to let them know that it's my first time in this kind of restaurant. *What if the food I ordered was too pricey? That might explain the way both of them looked at me earlier after pointing it out. What if it tastes bad? Then Fire’s money will go to waste.

My hands were already sweating as I fidgeted my fingers resting above my lap when a man holding a violin came up to us. I looked at him confused, and when I looked at Fire hoping for him to explain to me what's going on, he was sitting comfortably with his back pinned on the chair. He looked at me and smiled and looked again at the man that's already standing beside me.

I was utterly confused of what he's doing there until he started to play a soft, solemn tune with his violin. Fire closed his eyes, as if letting the music consume him. The musician played a slow melodious sound that lulled our ears. It was great hearing it after a tiring day. As the music continues, the same waiter from earlier came carrying a bottle of wine with him. He filles our glasses with it and smiled as he left.

“Cheers!” Fire jerked his chin to his stretched hand holding his glass of wine.

I smiled as I picked up mine. “Cheers!” I said and the clinking of our glasses was heard amidst the playing of the beautiful violin music.