THAT evening, Isla was already washing the dishes when she heard a familiar sound of an engine on the mansion’s car parking.

Her heart started to pound rapidly. She knew that Vincent will use the kitchen door so she prepared herself for that and she was right.

The young man automatically looked at her when he entered the kitchen.

Maybe because she was the only person in there, that’s why.

“Sir, good evening,” she said and shyly glanced at the young man then forced herself to smile.

Vincent gave out a light chuckle. “I told you, just call me Vincent, or that nickname that you used to call me is so much better.”

When he smiles, that was when Isla felt that all the pain that she has a while ago suddenly washed away. So in the end, she was unable to stop herself from smiling as well. “Yeah, that’s right, Vince.”

“Isla, Miss Beautiful? I’m sorry if I scolded you at school this afternoon,” Vincent said in a passionate and soothing voice that causes her to shiver, automatically.

Isla blushes quickly so she decided to avoid his gazes. “Have you eaten your dinner already?” she asked and took a clean cloth to dry her hands.

The young man shook his head and stood right next to her. “I think I want some dried fish for tonight’s dinner?” he said whispering.

She looked up at Vincent. Her five feet and six inches height reach only the young man’s neck. He was so close to her that she was able to witness the beautiful sparks in his eyes as he looks at her.

“Okay, I’ll cook some dried fish for you. Sit and wait for a few moments,” Isla pointing on the Kitchen Island and distance herself from him tactically.

Isla watched Vincent as he eats with his full appetite. She couldn’t even help herself secretly admiring the young man and his expertise eating using his bare hands. When for a fact, he was born and grew up having everything in life.

“Really good, I’m so full,” he said finishing the water in his glass.

Isla nodded. “You have eaten a lot,” she said in amusement.

“Well I’m broken-hearted, you know, stress eating, that’s why” Vincent replied and gave out a slight chuckle in the end.

She felt sorry for Vincent because of what he admitted. “I’m sorry to hear that and also, I am inexperience to that kind of stuff so forgive me if I can’t give you any advice” she actually meant what she said.

“Hey, I was joking okay? Maybe I only want something different for dinner, that’s why” Vincent explained as he clears up everything he said a while ago. “But seriously, you are very beautiful and intelligent. How come you haven’t had a boyfriend even in secret? Not even once?” the young man asked in disbelief.

Isla nodded shyly. “My father told me not to. He said those can give destructions to my studies. And when that happens, surely I will lose my full-scholarship, in the end, I won’t get any chance to finish my college” she admitted.

Vincent stared at her with admiration. “If a woman like you can only multiply, for sure a lot of men would be very lucky.”

It was when the young lady decided to move and clear up the kitchen island. “You’re just saying that because you are sad. For sure when all of this is over you will never see me again, like always” Isla winced after realizing her last words to the young man.

She saw the amusement in Vincent’s eyes when she glanced at him. “That’s not true; it’s just that, you’re still very young.”

“W-What?” she couldn’t help but ask.

That was when the corner of Vincent’s mouth rose. And with his eyes glistening, the young man steps closer to her. “I promise to save all the best, for you,” he said caressing her face and bent over.

Isla was stunned when Vincent planted a simple kiss on the top of her head. “Sweet dreams, sweetheart” he added and left her speechless.

____________________

AT THE University the next day, Isla was surprised when Vincent excused her to their English Professor. Enough reason for her classmates to start teasing at her especially Renz who has been so loud so she gave him a warning look despite the fact that she can’t even stop herself from smiling at the same time.

“Hi,” Vincent was smiling broadly standing outside their classroom.

Isla pulled the knob and closes the classroom door to prevent the coldness of the air conditioning from coming out. “H-Hello, do you need anything? Is everything okay?” she was unable to control the intense pounding in her chest when Vincent smiled.

The young man nodded as the beautiful smile on his lips remains. “I would like to invite you for lunch, later,” he said in a tone that is actually asking for permission.

She stared at Vincent in great disbelief. “W-What? You are inviting me to have lunch with you later?”

Vincent laughs with her reaction. “What kind of reaction is that?”

Feeling awkward, Isla looked down to avoid his eyes. “S-Sorry, it’s just that,” she said in trembling voice and hesitation.

“What do you think?” the young man again.

It was when Isla raised her head to meet Vincent’s eyes. “I-I have packed lunch, meaning to say, I eat lunch anywhere that I prefer” she explained feeling insecure.

“Really? I didn’t know that huh. Nowadays girls like you are truly rare and difficult to find” Vincent said with a bright aura. “Anyway, nothing to worry, that is not a problem for me. So, I will be staying here since this is your last subject before lunch. I’ll just wait here. Okay?”

Isla automatically protested because of what the young man wanted to happen. “Oh no! You don’t have to wait for me here. Let’s just meet somewhere else” she suggested.

With so much amusement in his eyes, Vincent smiled and slightly pinched her cheek. “You go back to your class. I’ll just wait here” with the kind of tone the young man used, it sounded more like she will not win on that conversation so she decided to do what he said.