It didn’t took that long for us to wait until the food was served. We did converse while waiting although most of the time it’s Cody ranting about whatever matter crossed his mind at the moment. All the shyness gone through thin air.

“And you know, Mr Collen. He told me to ditch that class when I’m the one who was suppose to present. Isn’t that crazy?” Then he laughed before sipping on the red wine.

I didn’t respond him right away, just staring at every action he makes. Savoring the detail of his smile that was fading as his lips touches the rim of the glass and took a sip on it. Maybe I was staring for too long, not noticing that the boy’s already staring back with a worried face.

“Oh, I’m sorry that you have to hear my childish stories. I shouldn’t bore you with that kind of stuff.”

“No, no, it’s okay. I love seeing you excited.” Yes, I do love watching him sharing stories about ridiculous thing that I had nothing to do about like it’s the most exciting matter in the world with the aid of his hands going everywhere, expressing his emotions.

He stop on track when he’s about to grab a certain sauce located a little further than him and blushed upon my words. You liked that compliment, don’t you?

“And please, puff, call me Derek. You slipped Mr Collen before and I’m telling you again so you’ll remember this time.”

“I-I know, I’m sorry.” Then proceed with the sauce. He dip the whole sliced chicken breast into it with his fingers when there’s a fork right beside him and say, “That reminds me, you changed my contact to Derek with a heart emoji.”

“Your point is?” I said as I pop a bite size of medium rare steak inside my mouth. Hm, that’s so good. I can’t never get bored of it.

Another bite on the chicken, “Duh, the heart emoji?”

“What about it?”

“What do you mean what about it?” He pause to take another huge bite of it, I swear I heard him moaning but I choose to ignore it. “It’s kinda off to put a heart on a guy’s contact. I’m removing it but I’m telling you beforehand. Else, you’ll be angry like I’ve stolen your food or something.”

“Don’t change it.”

“Why not?”

“I’ll change yours to Jigglypuff for real if you make any changes.”

“You cannot do-”

“Can’t I?”

He furrowed his eyebrow, looking at me for confirmation as he’s chewing. I stare back at him while lifting one of my eyebrow. Silently battling for dominance through each others’ eyes.

He sigh. That’s the signal I knew that I won the staring contest. “Fuck.” He said before reaching for another plate, continue on eating other food.

That ‘fuck’ was so hot.

He grimace at the broccoli on his plate. I can see it across the table although he’s trying to hide it. “You hate broccoli, puff?”

He didn’t look at me but reply, “Hm, it’s not that I hate it. I just don’t like the taste of it on my tongue. Taste so… broccoli, you know what I mean.”

I crack into a laugh. “No, I don’t know what you mean. Of course, it’ll taste like broccoli because it is a broccoli.” I laughed so hard that my stomach started to hurt and tears pooling in the corner of my eyes.

“Shit, Derek. I don’t know how to explain it, okay. You don’t have to make fun of me.” With the upset tone as he said that but forgotten as he strike his, once again, fingers on the neatly chopped salmon burger into his mouth. Another moan escaped his lips.

Please, Derek. Get a grip.

“Give me a bite of it.” Shit, shit, shit! I accidentally blurted that out. I didn’t mean to but I can’t take it back now. Play it cool. Put on my facade, trying to stay calm as I took the napkin on my lap and wipe the edge of my lips where there’s no stain or whatsoever there. Pfff, ops.

“What?”

“The broccoli. If you don’t like it, just give them to me. I don’t want it to go to waste.” What a mood, minimalist Derek. So convincing.

“Here,” He grabbed one of the broccoli that was suppose to be the side dish of the salmon burger and stretching it to me before taking it back quickly. “Oh my god, I’m sorry. That’s so gross of me using my fi-” He was in a hurry to grab the fork but I cut him.

“No! It’s okay, just use your finger.” I said, a little too excited to be honest. I saw him lifted his eyebrow. “Besides, the fork will get dirty anyway if you use your already dirty fingers so what’s the point. Just use your fingers, I don’t mind.”

“Oookay.” He resume with his action and stretch it to me which I gladly move closer to him until it reach my mouth directly from his fingers.

I tell you, his finger slightly brushed against my lips. It’s like electrocuted down to my groin. While I’m chewing, I stare at him to wait for response but he simply continue on eating. Is he not paying attention to it?

He’s there acting like nothing happened and me here dying from the overwhelming sexual frustration. Maybe it didn’t bother him. He’s straight after all, shit! You’re getting bold, Derek.

It’s 6.37pm now and we almost at the end of our dinner since Cody already stopped stuffing his face with food. By now sat back at the leather chair while rubbing his belly through the fabric of his shirt, mumbling words about being full he has never been like a mantra.

“Are you ready to go?”

His eyes suddenly widen, “What? What about these foods? They’re mostly untouched.”

I sigh. “Then, what do you suggest to do with it?”

“I don’t know. It’s your fault that you ordered way more than you can take. Now it’ll all be a waste.” He pouted.

I can see pure disappointment as he looked at the untouched foods. This food meant nothing to me. I mean I don’t really care if it go to waste but for regular person like Cody who’s an intern and rented an apartment with the allowance, he might felt guilty for wasting money since he appreciate every little things that much.

“What’s your usual breakfast?”

“Hm?”

“What you eat before going to work everyday?”

“Hm, I usually just grab a slice of bread to wo-”

“Then, you can bring the rest of it home for breakfast. You can just reheat it tomorrow.”

“You’re a genius, Derek!” I smirk at his exclaimed. He got really excited over a small matter. Maybe it’s his age or maybe it’s just him being him. I’m not sure, I have to make a further research on it.

After everything settle, wrapping all the food for Cody to bring home, we got ready to exit the room. I walk out first to the opened door of our private room before I felt a hand grabbing the hem of my suit.

I turn around and saw Cody with a worried face. “Did you forgot to pay the bills or you’re doing it purposely so I can go pay myself?”

I chuckle. Can he be any cuter? “Puff, this restaurant is mine remember? I don’t need to pay if it’s only going to go back to my pocket.” His lips shaped an ‘o’ alphabet’ but without the sound.

When his face seem satisfied with my answer, we continue walking out to the elevator escorted by the manager and staffs straight to the lobby. As we got out of it, I pull Cody to the side so that we’re not blocking anyone’s way.

“I have something to discuss with the manager. Can you be a good boy and wait me here?”

He glare before saying, “Of course. Don’t treat me like a child.” Which I replied with a chuckle and walk away with the manager.

It didn’t took that long to end our discussion since their service’s already excellent along the evening, only a few suggestion here and there, that’s it. I got back to where he’s standing while holding the plastic bag full of food in his hand, watching people wandering around the fancy lobby.

“Let’s go.” I said, made him jolted.

“O-Okay.” he said, hiding the fact that I surprised him a moment ago.

I can see the figure of Harry waiting at the entrance with the limo’s door opened. I told Cody to get inside first which thankfully he did without a hassle and turned to Mrs Demara for the last time.

“It’s good to know that Aurum is under your supervision, Mrs Demara. I had a great time here, thanks to your excellent service. I’m really pleased.”

“Oh, good sir, it is thanks to you I had the opportunity to prove my worth. We’re really happy to know that you’re pleased with our service. Do visit us again and this time we’ll serve you with our service to the max.” Then smile.

I return the smile and turn to get inside the car, joining the boy who’s focusing on his phone. Harry close the door, bid the manager and staffs goodbye before got inside the driver side, pulling out the restaurant.

“Hm, you can just drop me off at the train station. I’m walking back home.” He voice out after a moment in the car.

“No, I’m dropping you to your apartment.”

“The road to my apartment is narrow for a vehicle like yours. You’ll end up bumping onto the side walk. Besides, you don’t even know where it is.”

“Are you sure I don’t know?”

He turned to face me so fast that his hair got messed up from the sudden harsh movement. “No, you don’t.” I didn’t reply, letting my face expression be judged by him, quirking my eyebrows.

“Derek, oh my god! You need to stop looking at my resume. It’s creepy.” he said in disbelief.

“I can’t help it, puff when all you did this whole day was pushing me away. I need to step up my game.”

He shook his head. “Did Tara gave you a copy of mine?”

They’re on first name basis real quick. Hm, suspicious. “Tara, huh? And yes, TARA scanned your resume and sent it to me so I don’t have to bother her every time I wanted to know something.”

He sigh but remain silent throughout the trip to his apartment. It’s true that the road to his apartment is quite concerning for a car like mine so when Cody recommended to drop a block away from his home, I didn’t argue. I’m afraid that I might damage the property there.

He warned Harry in advance to not go out or otherwise, he’ll beg me to fire Harry if he insist on opening the door for him. I only chuckle at the statement.

Cody quickly exit with the plastic bag in hand and close it behind him. He stand there as if waiting for something so I pushed the window button to lower it all the way down.

“Yes?”

He looked fidgety. “I just wanna say thank you for the dinner. It is the most delicious food I’ve ever eaten in my 24 years of living. I enjoyed it very much.”

“You’re most welcome. I told you we’re going to have fun and if I remembered correctly, when I told you to buy me coffee before, you didn’t have the time to eat lunch, right? So, this is more like an apology for it too.”

He gave a toothy grin. “Yes, you should be sorry. Don’t get me started on that one.”

“Yeah, I know. I’m kind of a jerk at that time. Or should I say Mr Jerk Off?”

His face become red in an instant. “You saw that?”

I nodded. “I would be dumb if I didn’t noticed that.”

“Damn it!” Followed by a cute laugh that made me unconsciously curving my lips when I heard him, almost sound like a heavenly laugh in my ear.

“Let’s do it again, maybe weekend? You said you know a good place down town?”

“Oh, yes I did. I’m totally in.”

“Alright, then. See you tomorrow or Saturday maybe.”

“Yes, yes. Thank you again and goodnight,” showing a wide grin, “Derek.” Fuck, it sounded so good when he said my name. I can hear that all day long.

“Goodnight, puff.”