Palinoia

Chapter 16

I found where the steak was on the menu and ordered the best out of all of them. Of course it costed more than the ones I ate at the diner but it wasn't that bad.

"So..." Velvet began. Oh gosh, the awkward conversation starter. I scratched the back of my head while staring at her.

"What's your last name again?" I suddenly asked.

"Omari," she answered.

"Velvet Omari..." I said aloud. "It sounds nice."

She blinked, not expecting me to say that and then slowly bit her lip. "Um thanks?"

I sighed and palmed my forehead to the table. "I'm not exactly good at conversations just to let you know."

"I don't mind," I heard her say. I lifted my head from the table and stared at her curiously.

"I'm hungry," I said.

She chuckled. "Geez. I didn't take you to be the moaning type."

I gave her a pointed look. "I do not moan."

For some reason, what I said caused her to blush furiously and shift uncomfortably. "I-I didn't mean it like that."

I furrowed my eyebrows and stared at her in confusion, not having a clue what she was talking about. "What do you mean? Why are you blushing?"

She shook her head and placed her palms on her cheeks. "Moving on, moving on."

I could tell that she started to feel awkward but the food came as if on cue and I immediately examined the steak.

It was cooked well but it didn't have the dark highlight on the edges like the other one did which made it stand out. I lightly jabbed my fork into it and watched as oil oozed out. I made a very small pout. My favourite steak also leaked a bit of oil. Nevertheless, I took a bite and also examined how it tasted.

"Mhm...not bad I guess," I commented. Velvet who was staring at me laughed out loud.

"I swear you're the only guy I know who pays such close attention to food," she pointed out.

I scoffed. "I like detail in what I do. Peter on the other hand is the foodie so you should tell him that. Besides, I don't see the problem."

"I never said it was. I just find it interesting that's all," she retorted.

"What? Previous boyfriend wasn't interesting?" I challenged.

She shook her head with a smile. "Yeah, the last guy I dated was a total eyesore because it's obvious I had one."

I couldn't help but smirk at her cheekiness but then I remembered the situation I was in and the smirk disappeared. Restaurant, food, surrounded by couples and sitting right across from each other. This definitely felt like a date.

A freaking date.

I was on a date with a girl I barely knew having dinner at a place that didn't match my style. What was wrong with me? I couldn't even say that I liked her because as I've said before: barely knew her.

Although, she wasn't that bad. She seemed to have a particular interest in me for some reason and I wasn't going to be an ass and leave her be. At least that was what I thought until I glanced over at the window.

And in that moment, all fun and games stopped for me. I removed all attention from Velvet and focused purely on those familiar auburn eyes. The auburn eyes that stared into mine. I almost wanted to slam a fist on the table but that would've startled everyone.

Why does she keep following me and how? Not only did she know who I was but it was clear that she also knew where I was twenty-four seven. That, or she really did follow us like I suspected. She had that smile on her face. The smile and look in her eyes like she did when we were at the diner.

She wanted me to follow her again. In hell would I do that.

Her eyes then left mine and focused on Velvet. It was then that I turned my attention to her and I saw the look of concern that she gave me. I tried to hide my own concern as I thought of an excuse to leave.

It felt as if that woman was threatening me with Velvet and it was partly my fault. If I hadn't have followed her, she wouldn't have been mistake for someone who was close to me because she wasn't. I wasn't doing this because I cared but because too many people in the restaurant have identified Velvet with me so if anything happens to her, I'd be the first one people came knocking to.

"Sorry. I just remembered that I have to help my mum mind her friend's kid. Meeting and those stuff," I lied. It was a terrible one in fact.

"Oh um okay. I'll see you at training then," she said.

I had to keep in a sigh of relief because I couldn't have been more satisfied that she bought the lie. I bid her a goodbye, paid for my meal and made my way out.

I made sure to run quickly in case Velvet decided to follow me. Not that she should anyway but she could've made up and excuse just to be near me. And I just made her sound like a stalker. But she did drag me to have a date that I did not want with her. Okay, I was drifting from the main issue which was a Demolisher who seemed to have an eye out for me. And that was the only reason I agreed to follow her. I wanted answers and she better start talking.

I met her at the same spot where she had been before but had to be careful not to let Velvet spot me. I looked through the window and saw that she was busy eating her food while scrolling through something on her phone.

The Demolisher girl took notice of this and began to taunt me with the "Is that your girlfriend?" questioned.

I turned back around and glared at her. I did not trust her motives so I had to make sure she didn't get near Velvet. "No. She's just someone I met."

She smirked and allowed one claw to grow. "So you wouldn't mind if I had her as an ally?"

I didn't say anything, trying to be careful with my words. "Who are you?" I asked.