42: The Golden Retriever and the Black Cat part 3

“Dinner is served.” A maid called them.

The maids served the food at the dining table.

“Dude, you come at the worst time,” Drino complains about Terryl ruining his moment with Ashmille.

This glamping night at his house is still considered their prototype date, so it should be one.

“That’s right. I show up when you’re at your worst,” he took a bite of pasta. “You look pitiful, like an old man with a cane. Be grateful you have a friend like me.”

He mocked Drino subconsciously now that Drino is limping with an injured leg and a rib, using a cane to support himself.

They continued eating.

“Anthasia will be visiting you, too. I heard her family handles your kidnapping affairs. She was a witness, so her testimonials would be solid evidence against the suspects.”

“They will also deal with my company’s concerns.”

“So, the rumors about your app are true?”

“Not all of them. We’re going to clear our name fairly, that’s why I am working with her firm.”

“Talking about matters like this doesn’t feel like we’re still kids in college.”

“It’s because we’re not.”

“I missed the old times when we used to chill a lot. I’ve been chilling until now, but you guys are becoming more uptight adults now.”

“Now that you mentioned college, didn’t you confess your feelings towards Ashmille?”

Ashmille choked on her food. Terryl dropped his fork on his plate.

“Yeah, I did that!” he affirmed proudly. “You still remembered, huh?”

“How can I forget. Why don’t you face her again?”

Terryl stared at her. “I just did.”

Ashmille is bashful.

“Do you still feel the same?”

“Are you asking me if I still hold the same romantic feelings I had with her in college?”

“Yes,” he replied seriously.

Terryl squinted his eyes at Drino. “Yes”

“What?”

“I just answered, yes. Yes, I do.”

“You little rascal. I let you off the hook three years ago because I thought you were pulling a prank. It turns out you’re getting serious for a Playboy who is still in love with his college crush.”

Terryl cackled with laughter.

“My, My, Drino, you didn’t change.”

“And your feelings stayed the same.”

He continued to laugh.

“Finish your food and get out. You’re spoiling my mood.”

“I thought my visit would uplift your limping leg.”

“You’ll be getting not one but two limping legs if you don’t stop.”

“Aight. One last bite, um!”

Terryl stood up. “My bad. Not all of us made at your debut party. Soon, the whole group would be visiting you for a reunion.”

“But you’re here right now after the incident.”

“Because I always show up at your worst times.”

“Wrong interpretation of worst times.”

“Savi was worried about what happened.”

“I know. She messaged me and been wanting to meet with me.”

“Don’t worry, I will arrange our reunion.”

“The more I should worry.”

“A golden retriever and a black cat, a perfect match,” Terryl mumbled.

“What?”

“You’re outgoing, loyal, bubbly, and eager to please, while she is reserved, self-reliant, mysterious, and slow to trust.”

“And then?”

“Thank you for the yummy dinner! Enjoy your first night together!” Terryl left.

What did he mean by enjoying our night together? Did he just tease me with Ashmille? If yes, isn’t he supposed to be jealous? Drino thought.

Awkward silence filled the air. Ashmille didn’t speak a word during dinner. She hurriedly finished her plate to go to her room and be alone. She went to the kitchen to wash her dishes.

Drino followed her. “Leave that. I’ll wash those.”

“It’s okay.”

“You’re my guest. You still have your wounds. Take a seat there.”

Ashmille waited patiently until he finished washing the dishes. He spilled some water on the floor, so he mopped it with his left hand while his right hand was holding a cane.

“Where are your maids?”

She’s wondering why Drino is doing the chores, especially since he’s injured.

“I let them rest early because they've been worn out since the party until now. When I got kidnapped, they were sleepless because they were worried about me. Then, after the kidnapping, they've been taking care of me. Plus, they've had to deal with the persistent reporters outside.”

He put the leftover food in the fridge, then he wiped the dining table.

“How are your wounds?”

“I’m fine. Thankful that it wasn’t anything serious or something to worry about. Yours is more complicated.”

“I thought my manager would scold me for being reckless. I ruined my face. How am I gonna be a leading man now? But he scolded me in a way that I shouldn’t worry about it but focus on my recovery and patching my face like I wasn’t punched.”

“You should take care of your assets.”

“I’m done. I’ll escort you to your room.”

They both walked to the guest room. It still amazes her how big this house is.

Drino opened the door to her room and turned on the lights.

“They've laid out some clothes for you to change into. Feel free to pick whatever you like. The bathroom is fully equipped as well. Since the maids are now resting, you can chat or call me if you need anything. My room is on the second floor, at the corner of this side.”

“Are you sleeping already?”

“It depends if I’ll fall asleep fast.”

“You said this is a glamping date. Isn’t glamping supposed to be more than a sleepover?”

“You said you didn’t get enough sleep. This is your chance to recharge your introverted self. If you want to spend more time with me, we can do it tomorrow morning, okay?”

“W-Who wants to spend time with you? Not me! I’m an introvert.”

She closed the door.

Drino smirked. “Good night,” he whispered to the door.

***

It is now morning. Ashmille woke up two hours earlier than her usual waking-up time because it takes more than an hour to commute from Drino’s house to her house. And she’s looking forward to spending more glamping time with him.

“You rose and shine. Good morning,” Drino greeted her at the patio.

“You’re early.”

“Of course, can’t wake up later than my date, who is also my guest.”

“You’re really into this role-playing that much. You’re making it way too realistic.”

“Does this seem like role-playing to you?” he stares at her.

“Stop looking at me like that.”

Drino snapped. “Your bed hair is funny.”

She combed her bed hair using her fingers and was looking for a glass wall as a mirror when she thought that maybe there were media people outside the house.

“What about the paparazzi?”

“All clear. I have the house and the neighborhood checked by the guards. There weren’t any journalists or reports at the moment.”

“Drino, here’s your breakfast.”

The maids served their breakfast on the patio. They ate peacefully. Ashmille went straight to the kitchen after her breakfast.

“Miss, the banana spring rolls were so good. May I know what you did to keep them glossy like that? I’ve tried making many of them before, but couldn’t get the glossy and flawless texture right,” she asked the maids.

“It was Sir Drino who cooked the banana spring rolls, Ma’am. He insisted on cooking that one dish because he said it was your favorite.”

Ashmille walked back to the patio.

“When did I tell you banana spring rolls are my favorite?”

She couldn’t remember when she told him that information.

“The one you just ate?”

“I asked your maids for the banana spring rolls recipe. They told me it was you who cooked it because it was my favorite.”

“Ah, that one. I saw you eating that often in college. You tend to wipe off the banana spring roll’s crumbs on your armchair with your hand and let it fall on the floor, so you caught my attention.”

Drino smirked, recalling how often she eats banana spring rolls after lunch at school. She munches on it as a snack to fight boredom and not to get sleepy in class.

Ashmille went silent.

“I wasn’t stalking you,” he muttered.

“I never said you did.”

“You’re glaring at me as if I did.”

She checked the time on the wall clock. “I’m going home.”

“Aren’t you going to ask me for the recipe?”

“Should I?”

“Do you want to know the secret or not?”

“Hm,” she felt shy to ask him for it. And how could someone who doesn’t usually cook do a banana spring roll better than someone who always cooks?

“I will be posting a cooking tutorial on it. Fresh video content. You'd better subscribe if you wanna know the secret to my delectable banana spring rolls.”

She didn’t flinch.

“Anthasia called me earlier. She said she’s sorry for what she said to you at the party.”

“I’m feeling better. My body is recovering,” Drino answered Anthasia’s phone call.

“That’s good news. My dad will clear your business concerns, while my mom will meet with you again for your testimonies about the abduction,” Anthasia confirmed. “Your kidnapping case is shedding light faster than expected.”

“Thanks,” he sighed. “It is also because of Ashmille. Is that all you have to say?”

“After what she did to you during the abduction, tell her I apologize for my actions.”

“She did a lot for me even before the kidnapping.”

“I can see that. You deserve each other. I wish you well.”