Chapter 33

Aiden and Cindy were silent, looking at the food Nina ordered. Regular Pepperoni pizza, plate of spaghetti carbonara, a few pieces of fried chicken wings and strawberry gelato.




Meanwhile, Aiden and Cindy's side only ordered a plate of pasta and fruit juice each. Aiden already suspected one thing that he was the one who had to pay for everything that Nina ordered.




"Wow... let's eat!" Nina said while holding her spoon and fork.




"You can eat it all?" Asked Cindy, who could hardly believe that a small woman could eat food for three people.




"Haha... if I can't afford it, I won't order it!" Nina replied with a chuckle.




Aiden gulped, even just looking at it, his stomach already felt full. Especially seeing Nina who was able to devour the pepperoni pizza she ordered.




Aiden and Cindy didn't focus on their food, even when the spaghetti on their plate had not finished, Nin had already eaten four slices of pizza.




"Hey... slowly eat it!" Aiden said.




"Don't mind me, please you two just talk!"




"She's an interesting woman, Aiden. You're in luck!" Cindy said with a smile. You can be sure that Cindy is misunderstanding.




"Oh yeah? I don't know where she pulled from?" Despite Aiden's repeated attention, Nina's figure is far from being literally attractive. Especially for him who has repeatedly been bothered by her.




"You! But you've been paying attention to her?"




"I noticed her not because she was attractive, but because- well you can see it, right?"




"Haha... Nina, watching you eat makes me think of someone I know!" Said Cindy.




"Oh yes? Who?" Asked Nina with a mouth full of unchewed food.




"My old friend, in the past he could even eat more than what you are eating now. Even though he was still small at that time!"




"Really? Hahaha... is he a fat kid?"




"Uhm... yes, that's it!" Cindy glanced at Aiden while holding back a laugh. Aiden who realized that the fat boy Cindy said was him could only smile awkwardly.




"Wow... then, I don't know what he's become now, huh? Hahahaha...vI think he has fat reserves on his back like a camel." Said Nina, laughing. Cindy who heard Nina's chatter could not hold back her laughter. In contrast to Aiden who could only remain silent and listen with embarrassment.




"But he is a very good boy!"




"He's a boy?"




"Yes, he is a boy,"




"Of course he has to be nice, with a body like that it must be hard for him to date a girl. So, he has to rely on his kindness."




"Oh, I see?"




"Yes, I think so. But it doesn't matter to me what he wants to be like, the most important thing is that he is rich!"




"Rich?"




"Yeah, right Aiden?" Aideb, who had been silent all along, immediately flinched when her opinion was asked.




"Ah... what? What are you asking?"




"The most important man must be rich,"




"That's what you think!"




"That is something realistic,"




"What about love?" Cindy asked.




"Love?"




"Yes, love. Isn't it that in a relationship the most important thing is love? Because you can't always buy happiness with money."




"You're right, Cindy. Did you hear that? The most important thing is love!" Aiden emphasized.




"If a couple is having an affair, love is the most important thing. But if you are married and have children, then people's perspectives will definitely change by themselves. Your stomach won't be full if you just swallow the word love!"




"You really don't want to lose, do you?"




"Because I'm right! Never mind, I want to order food again!"




"You still want to order again? Are you crazy, huh?"




"Don't be like that, Aiden! I'm still hungry. Okay?"




Aiden held back his patience because Cindy was in front of him who kept smiling and holding back laughter watching the useless debate between him and Nina, the banana girl who was very greedy.




"Up to you!"




"Yeay... excuse me, I want to order again!" Nina called out to the maid who came up to her and she immediately ordered a serving of lasagna.




"That's all? Don't you want to order anything else?" Aiden asked annoyed.




"No, I'm getting full. Can I go to the toilet first?" Nina got up from her place and walked quickly to the restaurant toilet.




Meanwhile, without Nina who had been able to break the ice, awkwardness ensued between the two childhood friends.




"How is your work?" Aiden asked.




"Well, it turned out to be quite pleasant in New York too,"




"Is that true?"




Yes, uhm... how long have you and Nina been in a relationship?"




"Who?"




"You two-"




"We don't have any relationship,"




"Really?"




"We're just, she's just- how can I explain it? She obviously- we don't have any relationship!"




"Hahaha... is that so? You were so excited to answer that. But when we just met, I never thought you were Aiden, my old friend. You've really changed,"




"So it's worse?"




"No, of course not! You- you're so- yes, that's how it is-"




"Then, the only thing that hasn't changed is you!"




"Is that true?"




"Yeah, you're still kind and sweet as ever,"




"Sweet?" Cindy blushed, not expecting Aiden to compliment her so openly. Seeing Cindy's embarrassment made the shy attack reappear.




Aiden and Cindy are actually shy people alike, although they try hard to socialize confidently with other people because of the demands of their jobs. In contrast to Nina who is too confident to the point where she is almost shameless. A natural attitude that is ingrained in her body.




Three minutes of awkwardness, finally the savior appeared. A figure that Aiden initially thought of as a nuisance, but this time, Aiden needed his services and expertise.




"Hi... I'm back! How about chatting?" Nina asked as she returned to her seat.




"Here's your order, hurry up and eat!"




"Yeah, uhm... delicious! Very delicious, the food at this restaurant is really good!"




"Nina, where are you from?" Cindy asked.




"I'm from philippines."




"Philippines? Really? I've been on vacation to El Nido."




"El Nido is indeed famous, but there are also many beautiful places in other areas."




"That's right, I feel like I want to go on vacation there again. It's really an extraordinary place. Aiden, have you ever been to Philippines?"




"No!"




"He just doesn't know where Philippines is!"




"Is that true?"




"Hey... that time I was just kidding, don't take it seriously!"




"Oh yeah? Where then? Guess what?"




"Southeast Asia,"




"How come it's true? I know, you must have searched the internet, right?"




"You think I'm stupid?"




"Yes, of course!"




"You!"




"Aiden was a genius when he was still at school," Cindy said who for some reason always defended Aiden.




"Genius? Impossible!" Nina looked at Aiden with a mocking smile.




"What's impossible? Your mouth has always been careless, hasn't it?"




"Hahaha...you guys are so funny, huh?" Cindy laughed, what a very beautiful face and laughter. Aiden and Nina seemed to be able to see angel wings on her back.




Funny? Aiden really doesn't want to be funny. Over the years he has built his image as a hot and charismatic guy. But within an hour, the new image he wanted to show his childhood friend was shattered in an instant.




***




"Thank you, it's great to see you again. We can have lunch together again sometime, okay?" Cindy said.




"Sure. You want to go back to your office now?"




"Yeah, the office is nearby. Then, bye Aiden? Bye, Nina?" Cindy waved before walking away.




"Bye, Cindy? Take care, okay?" Nina said who returned Cindy's wave with enthusiasm.




Aiden took a deep breath, then turned around and walked towards his apartment which was only 300 meters away.




"Aiden, where are you going?"




"Go home !"




"My money how?"




"You can still ask for your money? How much do you think the food you ordered earlier cost?"




"What? Aren't you the treat?"




"Who said that? You just go into a restaurant and order food as good as your stomach. You are too much!"




"Don't be like that, Aiden! I'm-"




"What? You want to say that you are Julian's future girlfriend?"




"Isn't that right?"




"Oh My God, what sin have I committed to meet such a troublesome person like you?"




"That's a sign, you have to share what little wealth you have to help overseas students like me!"




"You have an answer, okay? never mind, I want to go home!"




"How about my money, Aiden?"




"It's gone! I cut it to pay for the food you ordered!"




"Don't be like that, Aiden!" Nina  shouted while walking quickly following Aiden's footsteps.




Aiden who was already too annoyed, tried to ignore her who kept following him, even going into the elevator.




"Aiden, don't be like that! I need the money to pay for my food until the end of the month!"




"It's not my problem!" He said firmly. When the elevator doors opened, Emily who was already in the elevator, immediately ran into Aiden and Nina.




"Aiden?







***