472 Just A Friend? (2/2)

”What are they looking at now?” asked Xiu because when she looked back at Nora and Ah-Si, both of them were staring at something intently.

....

Back on Nora's side...

”Can you pretend like I didn't speak nonsense just now?”

”Which one? Where you cursed in Spanish or where you just...”

Nora lowered her head again and stared at her feet as if it was the most interesting thing in the world. ”Both.”

He nodded his head, ”I can forget both. But it's not something new to me. In fact, I still remember how I used to find it amusing when you cursed in Spanish at someone just because they couldn't understand it and you'd get away with it easily.”

Nora covered her mouth in shock, ”Where did you hear me curse?”

”Quite a lot of places,” he replied. Nora ended up covering her face hiding from him. He tried to pull her hands down but she refused. ”If you think I fell in love with that innocent side of yours, then you're wrong.” Nora peeped through her fingers as he continued, ”In our circle, every other girl is the epitome of innocence. It annoyed me a lot seeing them acting weak, well-mannered, and pretty. You on the other hand always made a blunder with your fiery personality.”

Nora kept staring at his face sweetly, ”Did you just say you fell in love with me?”

Ah-Si's brows furrowed up, ”Haven't we already established that? I do love you. It didn't change in all these years. And I don't want it to change anymore.”

”Is it weird that I find it weird when you say something sweet? And when you're being so straightforward?”

Ah-si laughed at her and shook his head, ”No, I don't think so.” He was still laughing when he leaned against the glass railing but paused when his eyes caught the sight of a familiar face.

Nora came to stand beside him and followed his line of sight. ”She's beautiful.” She couldn't help saying it but felt indignant because of the way his attention was caught by that beautiful face.

”I know Ying Jie is beautiful,” he mumbled softly.

Nora's face lit up, ”Oh, is that Ying Jie? I heard so much about her from Xiu. I was so eagerly waiting to meet her.”

”She indeed is Ying Jie. But the real question is... Who is that guy with her?”

”Can be her boyfriend,” replied Nora thoughtfully.

”Boyfriend?” repeated Ah-Si and shook his head. ”How is that possible? If she had a boyfriend, my dad might throw a party for the whole city on her behalf. It must be a friend or colleague. It must be.”

Nora pointed back in Ying's direction and said, ”That doesn't look like just a friend to me though.”

Ah-Si turned his head and was dumbfounded by the scene before him.

[1] 'La Madre Que te parió!': Spanish for 'Motherf**cker!'