08

Two waitresses came while both carrying golden trays. They set the trays on the table and slightly bowed before leaving.

Dein and Lucas started eating in silence. No words left their mouth until they were done.

"How was the food?"

"Good."

Dein surprisingly felt awkward, she's thinking of starting a conversation. However, she can't think of any topic for a conversation.

"Do you drink coffee?" Lucas broke the silence and Dein is more than thankful about it.

"I'm fine with it." Dein answered and Lucas just nodded.

While spacing out Dein suddenly remembered something, the job at Carlton Inc.

"Why did you accept me in your company?"

"You have potential." Lucas answered casually.

"I know I have, but that's not what i'm talking about." Dein said with seriousness lacing her voice. She knows that she was accepted because of Lucas, just because of him.

Companies we're rejecting her and she knows that it's because of her past. Dein knows that once they see her record in highschool, they would hundred percent reject her but still, she tries.

So that at least one of them will take notice of her talents instead of her tragic past.

.

.

.

"We choose facts more than false rumors."

Dein's head shot up after Lucas' words. She stared at Lucas and he too did.

"Rumors...?"

"I know you didn't do it."

Dein's eyes stayed on his. She can't understand how the man even knew about it. The private investigator would've said only the intels that we're passed on to him. He would not have known the actual facts.

"How? How can you say you know? What do you know about me?" Dein said annoyed. She can feel her fist tightens with irritation, her nails digging into her palm.

'Why does he act like he knows me when he doesn't?!'

"I know you wouldn't do such a thing. You're not like those people." His voice laced seriousness like his words are pure facts. His eyes stared directly at hers and Dein was speechless.

"Why do you act like you know me?" Dein said in a low voice and the grip in her hands loosen.

"I don't act like I know you, I do."

Dein bit the sides of her cheeks. No one believed her before, no one, not even those people she called her 'friends' who has known her for years.

Yet, this guy whom he just met. He's saying he believes in her. Is this a joke?

"That's stupid." Dein murmured.

A knock erupted and the door opened revealing a waitress carrying a tray. She carefully put down the first cup but when she turned to Dein to put down hers, she accidentally slipped her fingers and the coffee spilled to Dein's shirt and pants. Making Dein stand up in instinct but her clothes is nevertheless soaked and Dein felt a stinging feeling in her left arm. Dein can't help but hiss in pain.

Lucas who's also surprised what at happened instantly rose up from his seat and pushed the waitress, making the woman stumble to the floor. He placed his arms behind Dein's knees and to her back to carry her. He ran towards the entrance of the building and went to his car in the parking lot.

Everything happened so fast that Dein didn't have the time to react nor struggle in his arms.

"I-I'm fine. We don't have to go to the hospital." Dein said as she sat in Lucas' car, uncomfortably.

"Don't be stubborn." Lucas said shorty and Dein kept quiet when she heard seriousness and anger lacing his voice.

The atmosphere in the car changed, it felt heavy and dark.

Dein can sense the man's anger and for unknown reason Dein felt that it was a bit..scary.

They arrived at the hospital and Lucas tried to carry Dein but Dein refused. But Lucas' didn't hear her out and persistently carried her.

Dein bit the insides of her cheeks as she felt her face getting redder. She felt flustered as she felt Lucas' strong arms on her. It was simply overwhelming for her, she doesn't know how to react to situations like that.

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

"Fortunately, the burns weren't serious. You just need to be buy this ointment. Rub this every night into the area where the burn occurred."

Lucas nodded at the doctor. He was about to carry Dein again but Dein refused. She's already embarrassed enough that he has to carry her all the way to the hospital for just a slight burn.

"Don't, I can walk." Dein said and Lucas didn't interject anymore, instead she held her uninjured arm to support her.

They bought the medicines and Lucas paid for it. Dein was about to hand the money but the next thing she knew, Lucas already paid.

Dein didn't know whether to pay back the man but thought that he's rich anyways and that amount if money didn't even make a dent on his billions. So Dein just ignored it and said a small thank you.

"We'll continue our lunch next time, you should go home and rest." Lucas said. They're walking their way to the parking lot and Lucas still hasn't removed his arm on hers.

"It's not serious, I can still work." Dein persisted and Lucas gave her a menacing look making her cower in silence.

Lucas supported Dein as she sat in the car. Dein suddenly felt the feeling of being cared for. She doesn't know why Lucas even bothered to treat her like this but Dein can feel that he's not faking it and it's bothering her.

When Lucas said he likes her. Dein didn't think much about it because she thought it would not last long and it's not any deeper than that. However, what she's seeing now is truly...confusing for her.

"D- Do you...really like me? I mean for real?" Dein asked after she tried to set aside her embarrassment.

"Yes." He answered. His tone doesn't hesitate and is straight.

Dein stayed quiet after his answer.

After half an hour they arrived at Dein's place. Dein wasn't even surprised he knew her address.

"Thanks." Dein said in a low voice before getting out of the car. She went straight to her apartment and closed the door. The room felt empty and lonely.

Dein gave out a sigh and stared at her bandaged arms.