Caelum chuckled lightly at the sight of the eager girl leaning towards him, looking at him with big and dilated eyes when he had mentioned stories. He knew she’d love stories. Everyone in the hospital loved hearing them, so it’s not a surprise that Sydney wants to hear them, too. Besides, who doesn’t like a good story?

“Alright, alright… I’ll tell you my stories.” He looked at her once more and his heart softened at the sight. “I hope you’ll love it.”

With a big grin, she nodded once while some of her black hair fell on her face.

He took a deep breath and sighed, “Okay.”

Turning to face Sydney, he began. “12 years ago, there was a man named Julius…”

‘Julius was a very sophisticated man. He was a workaholic and had no time to even have fun. Of course, it wasn’t just because he wanted that life, but life required that from him.

His family is wealthy and he knew he needs to be responsible for their company. So he gave up on his dreams and spent his youth inside the company.

However, despite his hard work, it was never enough.

“Julius, I have found you your bride.” His father announced as soon as he entered his son’s office, throwing the papers on his desk, “Cancel your appointments tomorrow.”

Julius' eyes widened at the sudden announcement. Full of shock, he took the document that was on the table and scanned it through, seeing the girl’s formal picture. His head shot up, looking at his father in confusion, “Father, I thought we’ve already talked about this!”

He promised that if Julius does his work very well and meets his father's qualifications, there will be no bride in the picture.

His father sighed, “Yes, I know. But we have no choice. The company’s been under for a while now and it might get buried through time if we don’t act now.” He leaned close and rested his wrinkled hands on the table, “This is you saving the company, my son.”

Julius’ brows furrowed. He felt betrayed and upset, “But father—”

“Enough!” He cut him off with a shake of his hand, not wanting to hear anymore, “You will listen to me and accept this. There is no other way we can save our company. And if you don’t want your forefathers’ hard work go down the drain, then be a man and sacrifice some for the company.”

With that being said, the father stood up, turned around, and walked out of the office.’

“Oh no! Julius must’ve felt very upset!” Sydney breaks the story, contributing a reaction with her brows furrowed and her cute lower lip pouted.

Caelum stretched his lips on one side and nodded, “Yeah it was very difficult for him. But he had no choice… So what happened was…”

‘” Hello, I am Alliana. It is nice to meet you.” The fragile young woman bowed gracefully before Julius’ family.

“What a beautiful young lady.” Says Julius’ mother.

The young girl’s family thanked the compliment, “And you have a very handsome and capable son.”

Julius had to compose himself not to snort at the ‘compliment’. He really purposed himself not to look decent that night. He bowed, “Thank you. that is very kind of you, sir.”

The old man gave a small chuckle, “Well I’m just glad that my daughter won’t be marrying just any man. It is nice to meet you, Julius. We won’t stay long here now, we want both of you to know each other well.” He grinned.

The two bowed at their parents as they wait for them to leave. Once they did, they went to their reserved seats for the night.

It was a very quiet blind date. So far, the only thing they’ve talked about is what are their names and their jobs, and how are their companies going. It wasn’t a pretty sight, seeing the two being awkward and all.

Julius coughed lowly, “Will you excuse me?”

The girl nodded her head and Julius took this chance to go to the restroom and breathe some fresh air. What he didn’t know was, an unexpected thing would happen.

“Psst. Psst!” He heard someone making a sound, and his head turned to the cubicles, seeing an eye peeking out from one of them.

He was shocked when he saw the person’s long hair.

“Hey, hey you!” The whisper sounded like a girl which just confirmed his doubt. He stood there frozen before checking the toilet if he had entered the wrong one.

But he wasn’t mistaken, it was this girl inside the men’s room who’s mistaken!

“Yo, bro!” She whispered out loud, just enough for him to hear, “Help me out, please!”

With his jaws a bit ajar, he walked near her.

“I need your help!” She said once Julius has come near.

“Why are you here at the men’s room?” Now he also whispered too, for some unknown reason.

The girl, although only peaking from one slit of the door, scratched her head, “I know. It was my bad, I’m sorry. But I really need your help if I were to leave this place!”

Julius’ brows furrowed, “You can just run out, but wait a minute. You’re a pervert!” He coldly accused.

The girls’ eyes widened, “No, I’m not!” She whispered loudly, “I was in a hurry and now I’m stuck! Help me please…” She begged.

Julius, although cold in exterior, was very warm-hearted inside. He sighed as he closed his eyes, “Alright, I’ll help you. Now don’t do anything fishy, I’m just going to cover you until you get out of this—”

“That’s not the help I need.”

Confused, his brows knotted, “What?”

The girl then shyly looked down and requested in shame, “C-Can…” She trailed off, “Can you please get me a napkin?”

His brows flew high, “A what?”

Her eyes rolled up at him, “A napkin.”

Julius thought. It’s not that difficult to get a napkin. So he nodded, “Alright, I’ll get you a napkin.”

He straightened his back and turned. But before he could even take a step forward, the girl’s words froze him, “With wings, please.”

The young man’s face turned 180 degrees back, too fast that a bone sounded, “With what?”

She shyly replied, “Wing wings, please… I’ll pay you later, I promise!”

He stood there, dumbfounded, “You didn’t mean a napkin that’s used in tables, but instead, you meant a napkin—”

“Menstruation pad, yes. Why would you think I needed a napkin? Do I look like I plan to have dinner inside the men’s room? Yuck.” Oh, the girl and her blabbermouth.

Julius felt insulted, “Watch your words, woman. I might not help you at all—.”

“No, no, no! I’m so sorry~” She immediately apologized.

But where would Julius get a napkin?!

“Uhm…”

“Oh, you’re back.” The young girl smiled. “What are you doing there, standing? Please have a seat.”

Julius paled, “Yeah, uhmm… I would like to ask you for a favor, Alliana.”

Alas, he needs my help! She thought. “Of course! What would that be?” She placed her fork and knife down and listened to him.

“Do…” He trailed off. He’ll be scarred for life because of that damn woman! “Do you have a… napkin?” Julius whispered at the last word. “For womanly needs?”

Alliana chocked on her food, “A what?”

In the end, she gave him her extra napkin and he immediately ran back to the men’s restroom. There were some guys inside so he made sure that everyone leaves first before he locks the door of the whole room.

“Here.” He stretched his hands under one of the cubicles, passing the napkin.

“Oh my, thank you!” The girl squealed in happiness and relief when the package arrived. The napkin swooped out of the man’s hand and now there were some packaging paper sounds as she began to change. “You’re a hero! Thank you, sir!”

Julius cleared his throat, “So now that everything is settled, I will leave you now.”

Eyes widened, the girl begged, “No, no, no, wait!”

But it was too late. She heard the door unlock, open, and close.

The young man wiped the sweat that has formed on his forehead as he went back to the table. “I’m sorry I took a long time.” He sat down.

“That’s okay.” Alliana smiled.

Julius stretched his lips and gave a curt bow before holding his fork and knife and continue eating. Now it has become more awkward for the two of them. Damn you, woman—

“Hey!” He froze. He heard the familiar tone of voice and it felt just right behind him. Alliana’s head was up and looking at someone in front of her.

“Hello.” She smiled, “Do I know you?”

The young girl scrunched her nose and shook her head, “No. I don’t know you. But I know him.”

Julius flinched once a sudden hand landed on his shoulder. Alliana’s brows rose in confusion. “You know her, Julius?”

“Oh, so that’s his name.” The girl looked oblivious of what was going on, or she might’ve just didn’t care. “Thank you Julius for earlier!” She cheerfully showed her appreciation.

He was too taken aback to even do something, but Alliana was too curious to know, “Earlier? What happened earlier?”

“Oh Nah.” She flicked down her hand to show it wasn’t such a big deal, “He helped me look for a napkin. I’m on my second day now, you know.”

Alliana’s eyes widened, “What—”

Julius coughed hard, cutting off her words. “Please excuse us, Alliana. I will be back in a second.” He couldn’t take the embarrassment the stranger has caused him, so he dragged her from the top floor of the building, down to the first floor.

“What are you doing?” He hissed, but the stranger girl just smiled her biggest smile and it caught him off guard.

“That was a blind date now, wasn’t it?” She was bubbly.

His eyes narrowed at her, “Don’t try to change the subject—.”

“You two are arranged for marriage, aren’t you?”

“Who are you? Are you spying on me?” He asked, but she shook her head.

“No, I’m not. I’m just interested in you, that’s all.” She confessed to him just like that, and it shook Julius’ core. It was his first to receive a confession. No one dared to because of his social status, but this girl…

“Give me your number!” She excitingly asked, showing her sparkly eyes at him.

“No, I won’t—”

“Too late!” It happened all too fast, the young girl has swiftly taken his phone from his pocket successfully and began to punch in her number.

“Hey, give me that!” Julius tried his very best to take his phone back, but the petite young girl’s reflexes were too fast and in no time, her phone’s ringing with the man’s contact details recorded on her screen.

“There!” She smiled widely before looking up and seeing an annoyed and hot man, sending daggers at her with his hands both rested on his hips.

She was about to give him his phone when suddenly, a drop of rain hit her hand.

A smirk played her lips. Looks like she still wants to stay longer with this man. “Come and get your phone~!” She said before running away, fast.

“What?” Julius' eyes widened, “HEY!” He ran after her, but despite the fact that his legs are longer, he couldn’t catch up with her.’

“…and they ended up running through the rain together.” Caelum chuckled, imagining the scene on his head.

Sydney’s eyes were just as intrigued as she looked like the first time, “So what happened next? Did Alliana get angry? What happened to Julius and the girl?”

“Well—” Caelum was about to continue his story when suddenly, a drop of rain landed on his hand.