C6 six

"What are you doing, Armando, stop it! Look, Yoreh is blushing!" Aunt scolded Uncle Armando.

"I-I'm not," I said shyly.

"Sorry!" Uncle Armando intervened, laughing, to his wife.

"Dad," Cyrus called out irritably. "Stop it, we're just friends," he said, turning to me.

Uncle Armando shrugged. "Well—"

"Armando, stop it! Come on, let's go see our other friends! You're so annoying, teasing your own child again," Aunt Alejandra scolded again.

I chuckled slightly at Aunt Alejandra's behavior. It's funny to watch them like teenagers having a fight.

"Oh, okay. We'll go now. We'll give you some quality time," Uncle said jokingly, getting punched by his wife again.

Aunt Alejandra turned to me, awkwardly smiling as if embarrassed by what Uncle was saying, so I returned her smile.

I glanced at Cyrus as he slowly wrapped his arm around my waist and looked around.

"You're just groping me!" I said irritably and swatted his hand away.

He laughed. "Good thing you know," he teased, pulling me closer.

"Stop it, Cyrus. Your ex might see you and get jealous. She might not come back to you," I threatened.

He pouted. "It's fine if she sees me and gets jealous. She never cared about the girls I was with ever since we broke up," he said, fake laughing.

"She'll be even less likely to come back if she sees you surrounded by girls. Be careful," I replied, amused.

He just rolled his eyes and let go of me. He remained silent and didn't speak anymore. I felt guilty about what I said!

Eventually, we approached another server and got some food.

"Aren't you going to introduce me to the birthday celebrant? It's embarrassing if I eat here but don't greet her. She didn't even invite me; she doesn't even consider me a guest," I said as I laid out my plate to the server.

The other servers looked at me as if they wanted to take back the food they gave me, but I quickly moved closer to Cyrus, who seemed to be familiar to them.

Thankfully, they served me food; otherwise, they would taste the bitterness of a Yoreh Selene.

He chuckled. "I didn't bring you here to meet her," he replied emotionlessly.

Seriously? Sometimes I wonder what kind of person this guy is, maybe his brain is wired backwards.

"It's rude not to greet her. I don't even have a gift for her, and neither do you, yet we're eating. You should return that lumpiang shanghai; you didn't bring a gift. My rule is 'No gift, No Shanghai'. You shamelessly took five," I said, shaking my head, and walked back to our seats.

"I already gave her my gift yesterday because I wasn't sure if I could come here today. I thought I wouldn't have any girl to bring who wouldn't be clingy afterward. So make sure you won't be my stalker; I know I'm handsome but—"

"Yeah, you think so," I interrupted him.

Because his words might turn into a tear-jerking speech. Maybe he feels the same way whenever I start rambling. So right now the feeling is mutual.

He's really annoying, like this bland juice!

"Tss," he muttered, grabbing the lumpiang shanghai.

Sometimes I wonder if his ex is really his target here or this lumpiang shanghai. So we just ate quietly.

"C-Cyrus," a shy voice interrupted us.

She was wearing a red long tube gown that accentuated her fair and smooth skin. Her brown hair was short, reaching her shoulders. I felt insecure looking at her angelic face, even though she only had light makeup on.

I immediately looked at Cyrus and quickly stood up. So this is her? The girl he still loves?

"Akia," Cyrus said affectionately and hugged her back.

Why does he need me here? If at the first place, he'll be weak?

She looked at me and smiled awkwardly. "Hi, Cyrus didn't mention your name. I'm Akia," she said, extending her hand.

Even her laugh is intimidating. She's so beautiful. Even her hand, it's so pretty, making my brown skin feel shy.

I smiled and stood up. "Yoreh Selene," I replied, accepting her hand.

I turned to Cyrus, whose gaze remained on Akia.

"Nice to meet you. I need to go home now," Akia said to both of us.

I nodded. "Take care,"

Cyrus took a deep breath. "Why so soon? We just arrived, and you're leaving already?" he said, sounding sad.

Akia pouted. "I need to go home; I still have things to do. I've been here since earlier, so Ben agreed to let me go home," she explained, slightly pushing her hair back.

I remained standing as they talked. It would be rude to suddenly sit down, right?

Cyrus chuckled. "Let me take you home," he offered.

I was surprised by what he said. What?! He's leaving me here?! Alone?! I glanced around to find Aunt Alejandra and Uncle Armando. They were both still talking to other acquaintances, so I just sighed. Is this my role now? To be brought along and then left behind?!

Akia looked at me and smiled awkwardly. "Come on, Cyrus, Yoreh has no one here,"

Finally, Cyrus looked at me, but quickly turned back to Akia.

"Even just at the exit," Cyrus insisted, turning to me. "Is that okay, Yoreh?" He even raised his eyebrows when he asked me, as if reminding me that he'll pay for it, and I have no right to refuse or complain because who am I anyway?

"Sure," was my only response.

Akia paid attention to the shift in mood because of my sudden response.

Cyrus closed the door and turned to the driver's seat.

"Are you happy?" He asked seriously and opened the front seat of his car for me.

So I looked at him and nodded. "The food was delicious, and your parents are nice. It's beautiful here, so yes, I'm happy. Why?" I replied and got into his car.

He still had a serious expression. What? Wasn't his conversation with his ex resolved? They didn't bond for a long time? Is that why he's pouring his frustration on me?

"No... I mean," he stopped, fastening his seatbelt, so I did the same. "I mean, you? Flirting with my ex-girlfriend's cousin," he accused me harshly.