Ventina followed Ven’s gaze and finally noticed that they were the center of attention of everyone. She realized what Ven had meant by ‘pests’.

“What? Are you feeling possessive of me?” Ventina teased him, feeling hopeful even though she knew that it was nothing.

“Wha-why should I feel possessive? I’m just protecting my friend!” Ven retorted back quickly as he also questioned himself. Why did he feel the need to protect her that much? She wasn’t a weak woman that needed any protection.

‘Of course. It’s always like that. I’ll never be more than a friend to him.’ Ventina thought to herself and looked down, trying to hide her sad expression. She pushed him away lightly, so she wouldn’t fall for him more than this.

Being pushed away, Ven felt like something was amiss. Surprisingly, he felt a little hurt that she had avoided his touch. He wanted to continue holding her delicate shoulders for some reason.

“Let’s go. I don’t want the ice-cream anymore. Let’s continue shopping.” Ventina suggested as she cleared her mind of negative thoughts.

“What? Even though we just lined up?” Ven asked, feeling confused as to why she had suddenly changed her mind. Why was it so hard to understand the female mind?

“Yeah. I want to go shop for clothes.” Ventina said as she walked on ahead without waiting for him.

Ven sighed and followed behind her, glaring at all the guys that were ogling at her.

After what seemed like half an hour, Ventina finally found a shop that sold gothic clothes. As Ven saw how excited she was once again, he felt relieved. He had noticed that she was feeling a little down after they walked away from the ice-cream shop. Maybe it was his fault for nagging at her about the long line.

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Feeling a little guilty, Ven decided to go buy her something to cheer her up.

“I need to go to the toilet. Go in the shop first.” Ven said as he walked away, to the opposite direction of the toilet.

“Wait! That’s the opposite way…” Ventina said but Ven had already walked away.

‘Where was he going? To buy something?... For Lilica?’ Ventina thought to herself and felt down again. She lightly shook her head to clear her head. She was here to enjoy herself, not to feel down at every little thing.

With that, she went into the store, in search for her favorite style. After a while, Ventina came out of the store, her hands full of shopping bags. She had found many sets of clothes that she liked. However, even now, Ven was still nowhere to be seen.

Suddenly, a hand grabbed her bags, startling Ventina. She turned back and saw a tall guy looking at her, his eyes filled with lust. Ventina felt disgusted by him and tried to grab her bags back. However, she was a lot smaller compared to him and couldn’t reach her bags.

“Beauty~ Are you alone?” The man asked in a flirtatious tone.

“Give my bags back!” Ventina shouted as she tried to reach for them.

“If you want them back, go on a date with me.” The man demanded as he pushed Ventina against the wall, trapping her.

“Move!” Ventina said angrily as she tried to struggle out.

“Stay still or I’ll kiss you!” The man threatened.

Although there were many passersby, none of them helped her since they all thought that the girl was just playing around with her boyfriend.

Ventina was stunned at the man’s words, stopping her actions immediately. The man saw how she had stopped struggling and thought that she had consented him to kiss her, so he went in closer to her.

Feeling disgusted, Ventina tried to push him away but to no avail. Suddenly, the man was pulled behind by someone, saving her from his disgusting lips. In the next second, the man was punched by the person who had pulled him away.

Ventina looked at who her savior was, feeling extremely grateful and a sense of déjà vu. The person was handsome even when he looked angry. It was Ven! Ventina felt relieved when she saw him.

“What are you doing?!” The man shouted back, holding his red cheek that was punched.

“What do YOU think you’re doing?!” Ven talked back, preparing to punch him again.

“Who do you think you are? I’m her boyfriend!” The man lied, hoping to not be punched anymore. The first punch was already so powerful his cheek was still stinging.

“Hah! Boyfriend? I’M her boyfriend!” Ven shouted angrily. In the spur of the moment, he had even blurted out something like he was her boyfriend! In reality, he didn’t know whether this man was Ventina’s boyfriend or not, but he could tell that she felt disgusted by this guy’s actions just now.