Chapter 3

3.

Early in the morning, someone was knocking on my door. Half-asleep, I got up and opened the door, only to find Shawn standing there with a suitcase. He looked tired from the journey but was smiling at me.

"Open the door without asking? What if it was a stalker?"

Thanks to Shawn, I could finally have a decent meal.

He orders meals for me three times a day. And in the evening, after finishing his work, he would bring snacks to my hotel room so that we could have a late-night meal together.

"Save more, spend less. I told you. And you just wouldn't listen. Now you are out of money, right? "You look so skinny. I bet you must have been eating instant noodles for all three meals a day to save money."

As he cheerfully set the table and laid out the barbecue, he looked at me with a smug grin. "Just be patient. It won't be long before I make you a Paella de Marisco."

He seemed unusually dedicated to make me a dish himself.

When we were children, he made friends with me by sharing his candies. As we grew up and he had a crush on me, he courted me with snacks. Once we got together officially, he often took me to diverse restaurants to try different cuisines.

If he hadn't gone abroad for studies, I probably would have been as obese as Jabba the Hutt.

I once asked him why, and he said it was influenced by his parents.

"My dad always said, 'The first step to be ambitious is to be greedy, about food first. If someone can enjoy the moment of her life without worrying about other's opinion when she's with you, it stands for your success as a boyfriend.

Growing up together, I knew Shawn's parents well. His mom was kind and cheerful, always beaming with smiling, while his dad was humorous, with friends everywhere, and genuinely generous. Their marriage was indeed harmonious, and according to Shawn, they never had any arguments, not even once.

As I watched Shawn pouring me a drink while chatting non-stop, I thought that perhaps we could be just as happy in the future.

"Ugh-this taste. No matter how I try, I just hate it."

He always tried it, but failed every time. Seeing his grimace, I laughed and snatched the cup back.

"Only a fair lady can admire its delicacy."

He chuckled, "Whatever, my Sprite is still the best."

"You got no taste."

With Shawn around, now I had walked away from the distress. I even started considering returning to school and home, heading back to my normal daily life.

Two days later, Shawn took me out for Italian cuisine.

Without reading the menu, Shawn just made the order as he was familiar the procedure. Antipasto was Prosciutto Platter, filled with cheese, prosciutto and pickles, which aroused our appetite.

As I was about to begin my meal, a sweet voice sounded beside me.

"Stephanie, is that you?"

Startled, I turned around and see Claire.

She wore a water-pink dress, with her long black hair cascading down her back like a waterfall. A strand slipped to her cheek, which was tucked behind her ear. Her delicate features smiled softly, under the reflection of the crystal chandelier in the restaurant, she looked particularly graceful.

She continued speaking to me, "Stephanie, why haven't you been to school lately? Your parents are really worried about you." Before I could respond, she added, "Are you upset because your they treat me well? But you misunderstand. They really care about you! I'm sorry, Stephanie. I have no mean to take your place."

Her eyes misted with tears, displaying pitiful sorrow.

"I can do whatever you want. Just don't be mad at your them anymore. They're in deep concern about you. Please don't make them worried."

A tear rolled down her cheek, seemingly her sorrowful demeanor almost overwhelming her.

Her words drew all the attention, guests glaring at me with disdain.

Trying to suppress my frustration, I sneered, "Thanks, but I have already informed them before I moved out. Also, it's not your business."

Her face turned pale, her slim body swaying slightly. "Y-you are right. I shouldn't have interfere. Stephanie, please don't misunderstand my motivation."

Her hypocrisy was really off-putting, and even the delicate Prosciutto Platter no longer tempted me. Every time she showed up, everything would be ruined, none spared.

Before I could say anything, Shawn's impatient promptly cut in.

"Claire, right? What are you doing here? Could you step aside? The waiter has been trying to serve us for a while, and you just kept standing in the way."

Claire, startled, moved aside right away, her eyes red as she glanced at the waiter behind her. "S-Sorry, I didn't know you were waiting."

The waiter blushed, avoiding her gaze, clearly infatuated. "It's fine, it's totally OK."

"Ugh,"

Shawn frowned. "Really? Is it OK to keep the customer await?"

The waiter got chocked by Shawn's word.

Shawn pointed to his tray and reminded, "That's our order. Please place it on our table, thank you."

"Ah, ah, sorry!" The young waiter blushed even more and rapidly set the dish down. He didn't dare to look at Claire again and hurriedly strode back to the main hall.

From the moment he spoke, I was utterly amazed. It was the first time I'd seen someone speak to Claire so coldly but maintaining composure. When I turned to look at Shawn, I realized he had been on guard long before from my previous descriptions. Throughout the conversation, he never lifted his head, only glancing at Claire's lower half, with no intention of making any eye contact.

His composed demeanor seemed to work quite well.

I couldn't help but feel a bit smug.

Claire stood there, waiting for next move to me, but Shawn interrupted her directly.

"Is there anything else? Are you planning to enjoy the meal with us? Sorry, Claire. We only ordered food sufficient for two people. I'm afraid it won't be enough for you. You should probably get your own table, so you don't have to squeeze in with us."

Claire pursed her lips, looking uncharacteristically embarrassed. "No need, Shawn. You and Stephanie enjoy your meal. I'll... I'll just leave."

Hearing her call him "Shawn," both Shawn and I got displeased. Just as Shawn was about to inquire thoroughly, Claire turned and ran off. Her flowing pink dress fluttered like a petal of peach flower, making her look like some noble lady in Games of Throne.

It wasn't until she had run quite a distance that Shawn dared to lift his head. "Seriously? What kind of relationship does she think we have? Calling me Shawn when first meet? Wait, how does she even know my name?"

"Maybe my parents or Kaelyn told her," I speculated.

"What should we do then?"

Shawn laughed at me. "Look at you, don't you forget why we are here?"

I hadn't snapped out of it yet," Why?"

"Hahaha!" He laughed so heartily that he was nearly bent double.

Seeing my confused look, he laughed and placed a Polpette on my plate. "We are here for the Italian cuisine, right? Just forget that weirdo and enjoy the exotic food."

I thought frustration of that day would make her give up the harassing. Unexpectedly, it was just the beginning.

From then on, every time Shawn and I went out to eat, we would "coincidentally" run into her. At the barbecue place, the Japanese restaurant, even the MacDonald-she was everywhere.

Who knows how she managed to match our schedule every single time?!

Shawn was quick-witted. Every time he caught sight of her, he'd immediately lower his head like a stranger. Yet, Claire always spotted on him. She'd insist on coming over for a long chat.

This time, as soon as we spotted her from afar in the mall, Shawn grabbed my hand, and we dashed out, hailing a cab to a place three miles away. We quickly located a buffet restaurant nearby. It was only after we had sat down inside that we finally let out a sigh of relief.

Recalling Claire's stalking, we both felt horrible as we were two preys to her.

We were like on a wild escape.

Anxiety made Shawn sweating. "She's too uncanny! Maybe ordering delivery is the only way to hide from her. She's like a fucking hound!"

I nodded in agreement.

Shawn, catching his breath, waved his hand. "You get some food first, I need to catch my breath first."

I handed him a few napkins to wipe his sweat. "Want me to get you something to drink? How about a cup of Sprite?"

"You know me best, darling! Thank you!"

Laughing, I gave Shawn a kiss and went to get some food. When I reached the beverage area to get his Sprite, I suddenly saw Claire approaching with a drink in her hand, surrounded by people sneaking glances at her.

I was completely shocked! How did she manage to cross three miles and locate this restaurant?

But it was too late to hide. Claire had spotted me immediately and trekked to me with a bright smile.

"Stephanie. You are here!"

Her voice was more terrifying than a death knell to me! Just then, Shawn's voice came from behind me-

"What did you get, darling?"

Claire was getting closer, and without thinking, I shouted, "Don't look at her!"

I distinctly felt Shawn paused. Claire, superficially startled by my shout, slip and, with a deft maneuver, bypass me and slide right into Shawn's arms!

How can that be possible? I quickly turned to pull her away, only to see her gripping Shawn's shoulder with one hand while the drink in her other hand spilled all over Shawn's front. Her eyes, wide like a startled fawn, gazed at him directly.

Shawn, shivering from the sudden cold drink, instinctively raised his head and found himself staring into Claire's eyes of seducement.

He froze for about four or five seconds before steadying Claire in blush.

"Are you okay?" His eyes could tell his obsession, his face flushed, much like the waiter at the Italian restaurant that day.

"I'm... I'm fine. Sorry about your clothes."

Claire, who blushed as well, her long eyelashes trembling in a way that tugged at one's heartstrings.

"It's okay, I don't wear this shirt often anyway. What truly matters is your safety."

The handsome man and beautiful woman gazed at each other, the atmosphere getting romantic and ambiguous.

I stood beside them, deadpanned, feeling the fear spread through my spine.