I rose from the couch in her office and speed walked over to her. Mel looked so damn beautiful sitting there gazing up at me. Leaning into her, our lips met and I let myself melt into her mouth. I placed my hand on the back of her neck and deepened the kiss. I had never been so desperate to keep kissing someone. 

Sulking, I pulled away once we heard a knock on the door. Mel looked absolutely terrified. As the door knob turned, I tried to keep my face neutral to hide how much I would like to murder the person for interrupting us. 

“Hey Melly! Don’t you look as gorgeous as always. Hope I’m not interrupting some important training with the new guy,” Jason beamed, completely transfixed on Melodi. 

“Oh, no Jay! I was just showing him some previous marketing campaigns we did,” Mel replied. “Is there anything I could assist you with,” she asked looking a bit uncomfortable as Jason got closer to us.

“Just came to see if you wanted to change our meeting tomorrow to a lunch date kind of thing?” he cocked his head to the side, presumably to look charming, but looked plain creepy. Was he really just flirting with her like this in front of me? I felt my anger rising and looked at Mel. My anger switched to concern. She looked so uncomfortable, like she would rather jump out the window than answer his question. 

“Jason, my man, I was hoping to have lunch with you tomorrow and pick your brain about the previous marketing campaigns you and Mel did. Mel, do you mind if I tag along?”

Relieved, she answered, “Y-yes! That would be great.” Grabbing Jason around the shoulder, I led him out of her office making small talk. I glanced back before closing the door and saw Mel mouthing a ‘thank you’ to me with a wry smile. 

I already hate Jason and he’s in my department. What a fucking creep. I still had my hand on his shoulder when I heard him whisper, “Isn’t she fucking hot? With that tiny little body. Does things to me,” he shook his head smiling back at her closed door. I tightened my grip, “How about we keep it professional here Jason?”

I texted Mel on the way back to my office:

Want me to walk you to your train? Jason seems like a creep.

I put my phone down and slumped in my chair. I ran my thumb over my bottom lip, reminiscing about that kiss. Mel is a great kisser. 

Bzzz.

That would be great Theo. Thanks again.

“Hey Mel. Are you ready to go?” She jumped at my voice and I got angry all over again. Did Jason ever do something to her? Why is she so wry about him? She slid her laptop bag over her shoulder, while I grabbed her baking containers. 

She was pretty silent on the walk to the train station. “Thanks again Theo. Jason’s…” she trailed off, not knowing what to say probably. “You don’t have to tell me Mel. He seems like a creep. You can always text or call me if he’s bothering you.” She flicked my forehead.

“You’ll get worry lines. I’m fine Theo. We’ve all had to deal with Jason’s weird comments,” she shrugged while reaching for her containers. I held them above her head and walked into the subway with her trailing. 

“Theo I’m fine. I can make it home on my own,” I shrugged and kept walking. I followed her onto her train. It was so crowded. We stood by the doors and she wobbled on her heels as the train took off. She’s so cute. I looped my hand around her waist and pulled her closer to me chuckling in her bun. We stood comfortably together in silence until we got to her stop. 

It sucked when she pulled away and walked away from me. She ran her stuff up to her apartment while I waited for her downstairs. “So what do you want to eat? My treat as a thank you for the desserts,” I asked when she returned, noticing she switched to some vans. “Do you like Indian food?” 

“Mel, I’m Malaysian.”

Shyly she covered her face to hide her embarrassment, “Sorry Theo. I didn’t want to assume.” Her voice was so quiet. “You’re so cute, Mel.” I squeezed her hand before releasing it and requesting an Uber, “I know a great place.”

Once the Uber arrived, I held the door for her as slid in behind her. I peered over in her direction and was shocked at how truly beautiful she is. Mel’s head was propped up on her wrist as she stared at the buildings going by. She had her hair in a curly bun with two curly strands falling down the middle of her face. “Earth to Theodore! We’re here. You gonna let me out?” She laughed, nudging my shoulder. I guided her into the restaurant with my palm against the small of her back. 

“Hey Rayyan, any free tables by the window?” I asked as we approached the reservations desk. “Tsk, tsk Taish. Trying to hide your *awek from *ummi?” I elbowed my brother and walked past him to an empty table. I hadn’t realize Rayyan had already stopped Mel until I reached the table. Rolling my eyes, I headed back to the front. 

“Rayyan please stop bothering her,” taking her hand, I walked a giggling Melodi to our table. 

“So Taish, you didn’t tell me this is your family’s restaurant?” Mel looked amused. “What else did my brother tell you?” I asked a still giggling Melodi. 

“All of your deepest darkest secrets,” her little smirk was so adorable, I didn’t feel like pushing for more information. We ordered the sampler as an appetizer and I explained the different dishes.. Melodi eagerly tried each one. I was nervous, but she seemed to really like everything. 

Mel and I both ordered my favorite dish, nasi kerabu, and two rum and cokes. “I can’t wait for the desserts! I know they’ll be amazing. Can you make any of the dishes yourself Theo?”

“Taish is actually terrible in the kitchen,” ummi stretched out her hand. “I’m Taish or Theo’s ummi, Kasih.” 

Ummi = mother

Nasi kerabu = This famous Malaysian rice dish is distinct for its blue rice, which is served with fried chicken, egg, and fried keropok.

Awek = pretty girl/girlfriend