With her mind going off in fumes, Yana stepped to the counter ignoring every attempt of Luka to catch her attention. Why in the world was Luka here? She saw his missed calls and messages but thought it was clear they didn't have anything to do with each other now.

If he wanted to apologise she didn't care. She was annoying and that was the truth. Once people were angry, they'd always blurt out what was really on their minds. That was why Yana didn't doubt that Luka meant what he said. He probably only wanted to make up because he didn't want to take care of the project himself.

But it didn't matter to her, she didn't want to be around him anymore. No matter what he said, it'd all sound fake in her ears. But then again, Yana couldn't deny that she was a bit happy to see that Luka did make an effort to see her.

Yana waited for Linda to take care of the guest before waving Linda to her.

"What's wrong?" Linda stared between Yana who refused to look at Luka and Luka who desperately wanted Lia to meet his gaze. All of a sudden, Linda wanted to laugh. She seemed to understand the situation and the reason why Yana was in a bad mood the whole day. They had a fight!

"Take him to yours or Alex's area, I can't take care of another guest," Yana crossed her arms seeing how Linda tried to hold back her laughter.

"Back then you wanted him to sit in your area and now-"

"Just do it please," Yana didn't want to hear it.

"Alright, I can't force him though, I'll try," with that Yana saw how Linda approached Luka.

However, during their conversation, Luka only stared at Yana instead at Linda. Luka was like an aggrieved puppy searching for his owner's attention after it broke the table accidentally.

But Yana didn't fall for it, instead, she marched to the kitchen to help take the food to the tables. Once she got out, she saw that Luka had indeed moved tables but he was stubborn enough to remain at evening. The restaurant was about to close.

Yana could feel his burning gaze on her back but never once gave in to stare back at him. She wouldn't budge and make a fool out of herself. Luckily, during the whole time, Luka made no attempt to disturb or talk to her apart from the beginning.

"Seems like he's keen on not leaving," Linda wiggled her eyebrows as she approached Luka to tell him that they had to close. Seeing that Luka nodded and obediently left, Yana let out a sigh of relief.

Yana quietly got changed and parted with her coworkers. She wanted to go home and lay in bed. 12 hour shirts were horrible, despite the fact that there was a lunch break, it didn't make it any better.

The night was as dark and uninviting as ever. Yana loathed to go home at night, she was always paranoid that someone was following her. Although the bright city lights and vibrant nightlife of a metropolitan city reassured her that she wasn't alone.

In addition, her apartment was in the centre, so it was in a fairly safe spot. However, just when Yana turned right to another street, a handsome face soured her mood 1000 times more.

Ignoring the obvious lone person that wanted to talk to her, Yana picked up her pace and slung her bag tighter so it wouldn't get in her way. But her big steps were easily matched and soon Luka's even breathing lend her unwanted company.

Yana brushed her messy hair into a ponytail and was determined to get rid of him but against his tall figure and long slender legs, Yana stood no chance and had to submit to her fate enduring him.

"Let's talk, Yana," Luka's pleasant low voice matched the deep night and his eyes that shone whenever he looked at her even put the stars to shame.

Yet when he said her name his tone became incredibly soft like a gentle breeze carrying a fallen leaf to the ground, ensuring nothing would harm it.

Yana's heart unwillingly skipped a beat and she cursed the fact that she, too, seemed to have a soft spot for him.

"Leave me alone," Yana was hell-bent on escaping Luka to the point the stance she took reminded of a marathon sprinter ready to take on 10 kilometres. Seeing this, Luka couldn't help but laugh.

His amused laughter was like waves crashing against Yana's eardrums, taking everything, including her feelings, with it back to him. Yana knew she must look incredibly ridiculous. What was even more ridiculous was the painful fast pace Yana soon couldn't keep up. The sweat ran down her body and soaked inside the hotpants she was wearing.

She wasn't bluffing when she wanted to shout that her underwear was sticking to her private part and it was uncomfortable, so he should just leave her alone but luckily she stopped herself at the last minute.

"Yana, I'm-"

"Ohhhh," Yana hollered and quickly ran across the crosswalk before it turned red leaving Luka behind on the other side of the street.

Yana turned back and gave him a triumphant smirk before she dashed away. The thing that Yana didn't want to hear the most was him apologising because she knew she'd give in.

On the other end, Luka regrettingly had to watch Yana get away. Even when the light turned green and he rushed across the street there was no sight of her. Although Luka knew where she lived, he didn't want to appear unannounced again. Seeing how vigilant she was towards him, Luka thought it'd be best to give her some more time.

However, finally seeing her smile again, even if it was incredibly cheeky, made his chest feel lighter and the suppressed feeling inside of him was lifted. Before he knew it, Yana's contagious smile and bubbly personality were what he was starting to crave.

Although he was still a man and liked something more revealing, none of the girls from a few days ago could even capture his attention. He didn't even know why he agreed to go with his friends to the club and... he didn't even know why he bothered calling these guys his friends.

All he knew was that Yana liked him making friends and if he could see her smile again, then he'd do anything. But what did it matter now that he was about to lose her?

----------------------------

Yana: Why...am I being so annoying?

Luka: Just come into my arms already if you know it.

Yana: Dammit, what the hell happened to you? Just a few chapters ago, we both loathed the idea of getting close to each other!

Luka: *aggrieved* I'm sorry, let's make up ok?

Yana:...It's out of my hands. Ask the author.

Luka: *raising a bat* author???

MatchaMilk: Cough, see you guys, next chapter!