CHAPTER: 3 "The Imaginary Paradise"

As the dishes were served by Nicole, the air was filled with the tantalizing aromas of roast beef, lamb, goose, and more. Nicole's eyes sparkled with a look of pride as she took in the feast spread out before us, her smile radiant with affection.

"Doesn't it all look wonderful? How do you find my cooking?" she exclaimed, her voice soft with affection. "I've been looking forward to this evening for so long. I wanted this evening to be special."

I nodded absentmindedly, my attention drifting toward what story would unfold next. I watched the flickering candlelight dance across the table, my thoughts wandering as I picked at my food. The flavors seemed to be non-existent as I struggled to focus on the food in front. Above all the romantic settings was not to my liking.

"Isn't the roast beef amazing?" She complemented her cooking on and on. "And the lamb, it's so tender and flavorful. Everything tastes even better when we're together, don't you think?"

I forced a smile, my mind still preoccupied with flickering thoughts. Even though I nodded in agreement, my words felt hollow, my responses lacking the same enthusiasm as her affection.

As the evening went on, her efforts to express her love became increasingly apparent, her gestures filled with tenderness and care. Yet, my mind was filled with topics related to work and the small book. I knew she liked me but wasn't sure how I felt about her.

"Nicole, you seem more excited than usual. Have you fallen in love or something?" I inquired, feigning ignorance toward her feelings.

"Ummm ... Vergil, how is your work on the delivered documents going?" She asked, clearly dodging my question. I didn't mind her reaction and replied.

"Very bad, my supervisor keeps demanding more and more productivity. That pig hogs all of our work, taking all the credit. Well, I am not one to complain, as I too sometimes do that to my juniors." I exaggerated a little bit about my work stories to make the atmosphere more fun, before I knew it, the plates were empty, leaving only oil stains to identify what food was placed there.

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"Oh, can you excuse me? The desserts are still in the kitchen." She said while gracefully raising from the table

"Sure, but may I ask what is the occasion for organizing this luxurious meal?" I asked, curious about what might have made her want to celebrate.

Nicole flinched at my question, but it was subtle enough for me to not notice it easily.

"Well, isn't it normal to have good food once in a while? You looked so tired these days. I just wanted to treat you to a good meal, yes, a good one, since I am your friend and neighbor." She was good at making stuff up, but it was not entirely false either. I have been straining myself just so I could raise my standing in my job.

"Well, I am pleasantly surprised by your generosity for the friend whom you used to call a creepy bastard a few years ago." I chuckled, while gazing at her.

"Twice a decade is not a few years, Vergil." She said before pausing then continued. " It's enough time to change a person's heart, mind, and soul. Even turning a creepy little bastard like you into a fine gentleman." She joked back.

"Well, I'll take that as a complement." The tension from before and her vain attempt to woo me slowly subsided.

"Hah, you are still so dumb, just like how you were two decades ago."

"Well, one thing has changed for sure over these past few years." I grinned.

"What?" She asked, seemingly expectant.

"Well, for starters, I am richer than you."

SLAPP!!

After hearing my answer, she slapped my back. It was painful, so much so that I was gasping for air and the food I ate was trying to exit from the wrong hole.

"Gasp ha ha ha, what was that for?" I asked her, shocked by her slap and the disaster of what the slap could have caused.

"Well, I don't know, it just moved on reflex." She defended, trying to act cute.

"If trying to kill someone is a reflex, then you sure have one hell of a reflex." I retorted unable to keep my calm.

"Thanks for the compliment." She spoke cheerfully.

"That was not a compliment. Please, can you go and get the dessert while I try not to puke on your table." I had to make some space to breathe before I could keep my cool.

"Sure thing." She replied and left like a wind and returned like a squirrel.

'Wait, is this Angel's tear?' the teardrop logo on the box of sweets looked familiar.

"Did you rob a bank or something? How did you afford this?" I inquired, seriously questioning the character of my friend.

"That is not the case. I just got a decent amount for the translation of one of my clients' books." She said while putting on a disappointed look.

I took one of the sweets from the box and tasted it.

'Ohhhhhhhh!! Who under Heaven could bake something so delicious?'

"I am happy you like it." Nicole laughed while looking at me.

"Was I that obvious?" I asked seemingly confused by her ability to see through others.

"Come on, you are literally crying tears of joy." She exclaimed pointing my eyes.

I rubbed my face and found tear rolling down.

"That's the reason why it's called Angel's tear, I guess." I tried to sound funny only to make a joke out of myself.

There was a short silence and after a while, we both burst into laughter releasing all the tension between us.