Sparks Fly

Expectation

Chapter 4

Zarina's pov:

I met a man I never expected to meet. He helped me get Nico away from me, and now I am returning the favor. He was looking for a place where he could stay for a few weeks. I remembered Mrs. Amalia's vacant unit in her apartment near our bakery, so I took him with me.

I entered the bakery with him, and our customers, as well as my mother, immediately turned their gaze to us. Why are they staring at us? Or should I rather say… why are they staring at him?

I turned to the man behind me; I was a little confused to see his head slightly lowered as if he didn't want to show his face. Does he feel shy or what? His face is so handsome he should be proud of it.

But of course, I can't say that to him, it's embarrassing!

…

…

…

Mommy approached us with a noticeable look of astonishment on her face. She was probably surprised that I was with a man because it was the first time it had really happened.

"Sweetie, who is this handsome man you're with?" Mom asked with a broad smile.

She probably thinks he's my boyfriend, and maybe the rest of our regular customers think the same. Oh, come on! People these days are very judgmental!

I glared at my mother with my eyes signaling her to stop the teasing look. "Mom! He is—" I paused when I remembered I didn't get his name, so I turned to the man again.

The man removed his sunglasses and smiled at my mom. "Please, call me Rye!"

Mom and I almost rolled our eyes when we saw how handsome the man in front of us was. I pursed my lips and caught a glimpse of mom, who was also obviously amazed at his good looks. Mom held out her hand and introduced herself with a smile, "I'm Lina, I'm Zarina's mother!"

Rye gladly extended his hand to mom, and they shook hands; after that, mom took turns looking at us, which made me frown.

"Are you two dating each other—"

"Mom, of course, we're not!" I answered immediately.

Gosh! Why did she ask that!? Do we look like a couple? So embarrassing!

I looked at mom badly, and I wished in my mind that her lips were sewn up so that she wouldn't ask any more questions. Oh, hell!

I heard Rye chuckle, so we looked at him again. I felt my face turn red when I saw how handsome he was when laughing. His face is so radiant, and I feel so honored to see him like that. Oh, cheese and whiskers! Why does he look so good from any angle?!

"Are we that nice to look at together?" he asked and turned to me with a smirk.

Sh*t! Did he see me blush?!

I quickly turned to mom to avoid his tantalizing emerald eyes. I don't know why I felt nervous just because of this man, but I didn't want him to notice it, so I quickly told mom why I had brought him there.

"H-he was looking for temporary accommodation, and I remembered that Mrs. Amalia's tenant had left, so I brought him here," I explained.

Mom nodded, but she still didn't seem to believe what I said. I just gasped at her behavior.

"I got a little lost, and Zarina arrived just in time. I'm a little tired, and it will be dark in a few hours, so I need to find a place where I can rest," Rye said.

"Ow, I see. I'm sorry, but I can't go with you to talk to Mrs. Amalia about that because I have a lot of orders for tomorrow," Mom said and shifted her gaze to me with a taunting smile. "But Zarina can."

I was a bit surprised at what she said, and I mouthed to her 'Mom!' in irritation. She is so obvious! Tch!

"Well, if it's okay with Zarina ... I'm happy to be with her," Rye replied politely.

"Ow, of course! It's okay with her, go ahead and leave!" Mom said as she pushed Rye and me out the door excitedly. "Nice to meet you, Rye. I hope we meet again! Bye," Mom said happily and immediately closed the door as if she didn't want to let us in anymore.

Oh, Mom!

Rye and I just stood in front of the closed door, and I gasped again. My mom is really something! I heard Rye smirk. He turned to me and seemed to be still happy with what had happened. Eh?

"I like how cool your mom is," he complimented.

"I used to like that too, but now I'm starting to hate it," I said lamely, and I turned my back to start walking.

From the bakery, we crossed to the other side of the road. Mrs. Amalia's apartment is fifth from the house opposite our bakery.

As we walked, my lips were just purses, and I didn't say a word. Rye walked casually next to me while his right hand was holding the bag slung over his shoulder, and his other hand was inside his pants side pocket.

Should I ask him where he's from and what he's doing here? But wouldn't I look intrigued when I asked him? Hmn?

"So, Zarina, would you be angry if I asked who that man was before? It's okay if you don't answer, don't worry," he said suddenly.

"Who? Nico? That's nothing. One of those courting me for a long time," I replied as I continued to step forward.

He turned to me a quick look with a smile and said, "I knew it."

I also looked at him with a wondering expression. "You know what? That he is my suitor?"

"No, that you have many suitors," he replied and smiled again.

I feel my face turn red. Do I look smug when I say that? S-sh*t!

"Wouldn't your boyfriend be mad at me for... ahmn," he asked which suddenly turned the moment awkward.

I immediately realized what he said. I was a little taken aback by the embarrassment. Ow, geez! He was probably talking about that… that kiss. Mmn.

"N-no, I don't have a boyfriend," I replied shyly.

He seemed to think and didn't seem to believe me, "Oh, really? Now, that's confusing!"

But why is it so surprising? I know in myself that I'm not that easy at being attracted to a man, so I haven't had a boyfriend ever since.

I suddenly thought of what had happened to us earlier. How about him? Isn't there a woman who will be angry with him when she finds out that he kissed another woman? Ahmn, I'm embarrassed to ask.

Tzk! Never mind!

I sighed at my thoughts.