Movie Night

I have to admit, I did my job well. Even if I say so myself. When I went to the Liu family's garden in the afternoon to do a last-minute check on everything, I found the decorations more than perfect. The maid even put a vase of roses on the table to make it more romantic. And some candles, even though the spotlights are also turned on. But it’s still fancy, not too much. She has good taste.

I carefully moved the plate of sweets a bit to the right, so they could reach it even without having to get up during the film. I checked if there are enough ice for their drinks and when I confirmed there are, I decided to go back to the house to check the dinner menu with Mrs. Nichols. And after that, my work here is done.

******

Ms. Chen arrived on time which didn't surprise me at all. She does want to make a good impression after all. Jack was already waiting for her in the garden, so after letting Ms. Chen in, I escorted her there.

The spotlights are already turned on, which makes the scene in the setting sun look a thousand times more beautiful. Jack was standing with his back to us, in the middle of pouring something for them to drink. He is dressed more casually now but still looks damn fine. He must have heard our footsteps since he suddenly turned around.

"Ah, you're here, Mimi. Do you want something to drink?" He asked cheerfully and smiled at her.

"Sure," she replied and took the glass from Jack's hand. They both sat down, so I started the movie for them. I was just about to hand over the remote control to Ms. Chen, who was closer to me. Jack was still standing at the table putting some sweets on a plate.

"Here, just in case you need it," I told her but instead of taking the remote control from my hand, she grabbed my wrist and pulled me down to sit next to her.

"Ahem," I cleared my throat nervously. "I don't wish to intrude on your date, Ms. Chen," I said which made Jack turn around to look at us. I didn't see his face, I was too embarrassed to look at him.

“Don’t you think you shouldn’t sit so close to each other? I might take it the wrong way,” he looked at her seriously.

“What, are you jealous?” She asked Jack playfully.

“Yeah, I am. Now let him go,” he said arrogantly and hold out his hand toward her, so she reluctantly let go of my arm and took the plate of sweets from Jack.

I thought I will take this opportunity to leave, however, as I was getting up, Jack pushed me down by the shoulder to sit back, while he also sat down between us. I froze for a moment in utter shock but Jack just took the remote control from my hand and started the movie nonchalantly.

“I shouldn’t be here. I’d better leave,” I whispered to him without turning my head to look at him. I waited for a few seconds for him to let go of my arm which he held onto in the dark to make me unable to leave. When he didn’t, I looked at him from the corner of my eyes before whispering to him again. “Please, it’s embarrassing.”

As soon as I felt his grip loosening on my arm, I got up quickly before he changes his mind. He didn’t even flinch when I did so, which made me upset even though I was the one who wanted to leave in the first place.

After a few steps, I looked back at them one last time. They were smiling, probably even talking a little. They were eating from the same plate and it seemed to me that the girl’s eyes lit up a little when Jack smiled at her. As sad as this makes me, I have to admit they look good together. Whatever. I need to leave before they notice me looking at them. So, I turned around and left them for good but somehow I felt Jack’s gaze on my back but it’s probably just me imagining things. He is currently too busy to be concerned with me. Although, I didn’t look back again to confirm it.

The house felt empty without Jack even though Mrs. Nichols was still busy in the kitchen and I’m quite sure Jack’s father is also at home now. Carl is also here somewhere waiting for Ms. Chen to leave to take her back home, so he himself can go home as well.

I heard some voices from the kitchen, so probably the maid is also there talking with Mrs. Nichols. I was about to leave when I heard something which made me stop to listen.

“She is such a fine young lady,” I heard her say as I passed by. “She really is a suitable partner for the young master.” I heard some clattering noises as if they are packing away some dishes.

“Yes, she is,” replied Mrs. Nichols. “And they seem to suit each other, too. But who knows...” Her last sentence made me curious but I don’t know what to make of it. Does she already know about Jack’s preferences? Or did Jack talk about it with her?

“Well,” the maid laughed awkwardly. “We can’t know for sure, of course. “But it would be such a pity not to see them get married. They would look stunning in wedding clothes. Ms. Chen dressed in all white, while the young master wearing some dark colored suit,” she continued in a fanciful tone. “Even their children would be so beautiful like models,” she added.

“Just because they are childhood friends, it doesn’t necessarily mean their marriage would be happy,” Mrs. Nichols said gloomily. I almost felt like she even stopped what she was doing before talking, though I couldn’t see her from where I was standing. “Just like how two beautiful people having a beautiful child is not a given.”

“Come on, you shouldn’t be so pessimistic! It ruins the mood. Be happy for them like me,” the maid replied and I didn’t stay longer to hear the rest of their conversation.

Mrs. Nichols has a point, I thought as I was sitting down in my room to read a little before taking a shower and going to bed. It doesn’t necessarily mean they will be happy but I bet they will be happier since they have both their parents’ approval. While in my case... My parents wouldn’t mind, they long since know that I’m into guys. But Jack’s father... I don’t want to be there when he finds out his only son... Even thinking about it frightens me.

Am I a coward for not wanting to be here when that happens?

Or if it happens. Jack doesn’t seem to want to enlighten his father in the near future. Which hurts me but I can’t complain since I was the one, who told him not to make a sacrifice for me. And I meant it.

I just about realized that I haven’t read even a single page yet, when I heard a knock on my door.