''Because, even after working five years in the industry she hasn't changed at all. Not even in a little way. She is the same person she was five years ago. You…'' he scanned her thoroughly making her flush with embarrassment. ''You on the other hand… I am not so sure of that. I am not going to change Alice, so Miss Zeya, if this is the reason why you came here tonight, then I am sorry to disappoint you because I will always pick Alice over you and everyone else''

Zeya chuckled sarcastically and got down from the chair. She picked her purse and muttered before leaving, 'obnoxious''

''Miss Zeya, wait!'' Josh stopped her.

''What? Do you have something else to say?'' Zeya's lips contorted into a mocking smirked as she asked.

''You didn't pay for your drink. It's $15, thank you'' Josh said indifferently.

Zeya gasped in shock. She removed $20 dollars and placed them on the counter saying, ''keep the change!''

Josh looked at the money on the counter and placed the glass she drunk from on it and left it at the counter.

….

Natalie robbed her stomach when they were coming out of the restaurant. She had eaten to her satisfaction.

''What's wrong?''

''I ate too much in there. I'm afraid I will grow belly fat if I don't do something about the fat''

''Then, let's take a walk to help you digest the food. Tomorrow morning, we will start exercising together''

''No… I hate exercising''

''You hate exercising, well you will start to love it once we make progress. You need to shade off some of the fat in you''

Natalie turned to look at him with a frown. ''Are you calling me fat?''

''No, I am not. I'm just saying exercising is good for the body. It keeps you in good shape''

Natalie sighed and walked away. Mikael hurried to her side and held her hand, turning her towards the department store he spoke about.

''Our route is this way'' he said to her.

''Right''

When they got inside the department shop, Mikael went forward and picked a pair of couple wear which were pink and blue.

''Go in and change into this'' he said to Natalie.

''But, this is a couple outfit'' Natalie blushed as she looked at the two pair of top and down pants.

''Go in and change, little Missy''

''Good evening and welcome. Sir, this pair of couple outfit is very popular amongst couples. Especially during the night market as this, you and your partner will look very beautiful wearing them''

''Do you have them in different colours that could be used as gym wear?'' Mikael asked while Natalie went in to change.

''Yes, we have a lot of them. please come this way'' the shop assistant said and led Mikael to the next section. Because he was wearing a mask, she couldn't recognise him.

Mikael looked through the gym wear that was in the line and his eyes settled on the women's gym wear which was an ash and had purple strips around its waist. He picked his own outfit and added them together.

''Ring this in one payment'' he said and turned. He stood stunned for a while when he saw Natalie walking out wearing the outfit and the sneakers pairing it. As she stepped out, she looked beautiful, especially after she let down her hair which was previously held in a ponytail.

''Your girlfriend looks so beautiful in the outfit, Mister'' the shop assistant said loudly, exclaiming.

''I am not his girlfriend'' Natalie quickly corrected her but she misunderstood even more.

''I'm sorry. Your wife looks so beautiful in the outfit''

''Natie, go and sit down while I change'' Mikael held her hand and pulled her over to the couch. he didn't give her the opportunity to correct the lady again.

''But, she…''

''Be a good girl'' Mikael said and sat her down before going in to change out of his outfit.

Natalie took out her phone and looked at it. She turned her gaze towards the mirror and frowned when she saw herself.

''Why is my face so red? Natalie, what nonsense are you thinking about?'' she shook her head and started playing with her phone.

A few moments lady, her phone buzzed and a call came from Xia. ''Hello, Xiaxia''

''Babe, are you back from work?'' Xia asked over the phone.

''No, why?''

''Where are you? My boss' son is at the office making my work difficult. I thought I could use you to shake him off''

''Oh, sorry. I am out with Mikael. Call Alice''

''Right, I will call Alice. But, you and Mikael, how are things going on?''

''We are good. He is nice to me''

''Natalie, can I ask you a question?''

''Mm, what is it?''

''You… you are not perhaps in love with your brother in law, are you?''

''Huh?'' Natalie replied as her gaze travelled up and down the man who had just stepped out of the dressing room. He looked so tall and handsome that her face reddened as she looked at him.

''Xia, I will call you back'' Natalie said immediately hung up. She stood up and stifled when Mikael walked over and touched her hair. He looked at her while he tugged it behind her ear and said.

''This way is even more beautiful''

''Huh?''

''I take it that you find me pleasing to the eye. Good I am not the only one feeling this way, let's go'' he held her hand and walked with her to the shop assistant and picked the other clothes and they left.

…

Mikael closed the car door after putting away their clothes. He turned to Natalie and said to her, ''let's go. We are ready to go to the night market with no worries at all''

Natalie stuffed her hands inside her pockets and walked in front of Mikael. She didn't want to be held by him anymore because it made her palms sweaty and her heartbeat quickened. She was extremely nervous around him. It was like every little action he took made her heart skip a beat.

The walk to the night market which was a few minutes from where they were, was very quiet as they both just walked without talking. But, ironically, they seemed to be enjoying each other's company even though they didn't speak to each other.

Mikael looked at Natalie and smiled. For the past one month that he had stayed with her, he had come to know her more and his perception about her had greatly changed. He found her funny and sweet. He never got tired of being in the same space with her.

He had realised that, she was extremely intelligent but was also the type who didn't talk much. She was someone who usually kept to her own feelings and it could have been attributed to what she had gone through in life.

Mikael realised that, anytime he was with her, his instinct to protect and shield her away was always on. He didn't want her to get hurt. He wanted to always be able to protect her and make sure she was happy.

He didn't know if she was still thinking about his brother or not. He knew he could never replace his brother in her life, but lately he had found himself wishing he knew her long before. He wished he had the same place his brother had in her heart.

He wanted her affection. But the more he begun to come to terms with his brooding feelings the more scared he was. He was scared that he would unknowingly hurt her. He was a man who had a lot of enemies. He also didn't want what happened with Laura to repeat itself.

As he was in deep thought, he didn't see the man in the scooter coming his way. When Natalie turned and saw Mikael in a daze and the scooter going his way, she hurried back and held his hand pulling him away but the scooter still hit his back and he tripped, falling on her.

The people standing around all gasped as they watched them with shocked expressions.

They weren't the only ones. Even Natalie who was laying on the ground with Mikael on top of her was shocked. She blinked a couple of times and looked at Mikael whose lips were on hers. Because of the sudden fall, he had accidentally landed on her and his lips had crashed into hers.

Mikael equally flushed seeing what had happened. The last thing he could have ever thought of was his first kiss to be taken away in such a manner.

Natalie coughed and Mikael steadily got up. He stretched his hand and helped her up. The people around them started walking away.

''I'm sorry''

''I'm sorry''

They said both at the same time.

''It was an accident'' Natalie stuttered.

''That was my first kiss''

''Me too''

They turned to look at each other. As they gaze at each other, their hearts started beating at the same time. They both suddenly smiled and Mikael muttered.

''That was our first kiss… you and I too, right?''

''Huh?''