Blue Lake restaurant, a luxurious bistro resting above a human-made lake which made for a picturesque view with its pleasant and peaceful ambiance. The place and food alone could already do justice from the outrageously expensive prices of its menu.Even so, amidst the colorful banquet of mouthwatering dishes, no one seemed to be in the mood to eat.
Sisley pursed her lips before nibbling her lower lip again and again. Her hands on her lap unknowingly clenched and unclenched, grasping her dress so tightly that colors left her fingers. She was boring a hole at the innocent dishes that was laid before her.
Her mood already plummeted since the time that Daniel offered Evangeline a ride. And now, slapping on her face that this was a restaurant that Daniel and Evangeline had frequented to and that these were all Evangeline"s favorite dishes.
How did she know?
Daniel had asked Evangeline what she liked, but Evangeline just replied. "The usual."
Those simple words were enough to make Sisley basked in layers and layers of thick jealousy and resentment that she didn"t even notice that Daniel ordered her favorite food too.
But of course, this was food after all, a commodity that should never be wasted, and an expensive one at that.
Thus, everyone still finished their meal in silence, engulfed in each of their own thoughts.
Occasionally, Eric would glance at the food that Evangeline picked and would serve it to her casually afterwards causing Daniel"s brows to raise while Sisley glanced at Daniel, expectation in her eyes.
But Daniel just retracted his gaze and resumed to eat like nothing happened, causing Sisley"s eyes to moistened in disappointment.
While Evangeline, after finishing eating a dish she picked out once, she would momentarily place her knife and fork down. And like a cue, Eric would start to serve her another dish she likes, being careful with the amount of food he was serving her since it was already night time.
To the onlookers, it appeared like Evangeline and Eric were the couples and not Daniel and Sisley.
After the waiter cleared the empty plates on the table, Eric casually served Evangeline some tea to aid in her digestion while Sisley ached in envy. She couldn"t help but stole a peek at Daniel once more.
But the handsome man appeared to be busy in his thoughts, looking intently at his teacup.
Sisley poured tea into her cup and quietly sipped it afterward with an aggrieved face. Though it was true that Eric was like a servant to Evangeline, one couldn"t help but feel jealous by the amount of care and attention the man placed upon the cold woman.
After all, what woman didn"t like being served and attended by a guy she likes?
Daniel"s forehead remained wrinkled from start to finished.
True that he carried all of Evangeline"s things and did her a.s.signments and projects when they were still dating, but those were all gentlemanly and boyfriend performances. He never did once act like a servant to her. Slicing her meat and serving her dishes or pouring her tea.
Being a male and of royal blood, he was raised with the highest pinnacle in terms of etiquette and manners. He was breed to be a Prince, a King – not a servant.
At the thought of his role and responsibilities, Daniel"s brows furrowed even deeper. A nagging uncomfortable feeling was stabbing him, hitting the barriers of his conscience.
He slightly took a quick peek at the cute girl seated beside him. Watching her like an abandoned kitten with puffed cheeks, perky lips, and misty eyes, that nagging feeling immediately dissolved and was replaced by warmth and adoration.
Then Daniel"s face turned serious as he looked at the cold woman diagonally opposite him. He slightly coughed before he called out.
"Evangeline."
Evangeline raised her head and met Daniel"s gaze.
"Yes?" She replied smiling.
Daniel quickly made eye contact with Eric and then back at the woman. He squeezed Sisley"s cold little hand under the table as he spoke in all seriousness.
"Sisley and I… we are very sorry for what we did to you."
"….."
"….."
Eric took a side glanced at the cold woman beside her, only to found that she was still smiling, yet her eyes shone in complex emotions that even he couldn"t decipher.
Evangeline remained smiling while she took a quick peek at the quiet girl beside Daniel.
Sisley had her head low. No one knew what she was thinking nor feeling. However, Evangeline knew that it wasn"t pleasant which made her feel slightly satisfied.
After all, she was a vengeful and petty person.
Nevertheless, Daniel was indeed a gentleman and very kind to her throughout their relationship, and she couldn"t entirely blame the man as she knew that she had her faults too.
Evangeline held her head high and smiled even more. Her smile was warm and friendly, yet it didn"t reach her eyes. No one knew if it was a triumphant smile, a fake smile, a condescending smile, or a mocking smile.
"It"s fine Daniel. I accept your apology. Let the past be the past." She beamed and raised her wine, indicating her good will.
Daniel breathed a sigh of relief. That suffocating feeling he held for many weeks dispersed in an instant. He could now face the cold woman with a smile on his face once more.
"Yes. Thank you..." Daniel too raised his cup, and they both drunk it at the same time. Then he eyed Eric and glanced at his girlfriend.
"Can you two leave us for a moment. There"s something I have to talk with Evangeline alone."
Eric looked at Evangeline. When he saw that the woman didn"t even glance at him, still busy twirling her goblet in her hand, he stood up.
Sisley on the other hand, gripped Daniel"s hand, silently protesting which caused the latter to stare at her.
"Don"t worry. It won"t be long," Daniel whispered and urged.
Sisley slowly and unknowingly stood up as she forced a smile. "Alright."
Then without looking at Evangeline, she walked towards an empty table with Eric following behind her.
…..
…..
"What is it that you wanted to talk about?" Evangeline started after a while that she and Daniel was left alone.
Daniel didn"t answer. Instead, he looked at the woman he found beautiful and captivating in the past, and even now, and maybe… until the future.
Memories of that time came flashing in his mind.
Her soft silky hair swaying against the wind as her eyes, devoid of any emotion, looked at the scenery outside their cla.s.sroom window. Her soft lips parted as if she was whispering. Her long, dense lashes fluttered as if she was about to cry. Her smooth and supple skin was pearly white almost luminescence under the morning light, making her appearance glow in a mesmerizing sight.
But that was not it.
He did not like her for her appearance alone.
It was her personality.
Cold, sharp, strong and independent, but somehow, he felt that she was fragile and… delicate.
Like just from the tiniest blow of the wind, she would shatter and break.
"….."
Daniel"s eyes lowered, hiding the emotions beneath his quivering thick long lashes.
When…
When did it happen that I started to resent you?
Without even realizing it himself, he blurted out the words that his heart ached so much for an answer.
"Did you ever like me?"