221 Striking couple

She tried to pull her hand out but he paid no heed and tightened his hold on it.

"Just till we reach the place," he said quietly, his hazel eyes burning with intensity.

She was taken aback at the husky tenor of his voice. The easy going demeanour from a minute ago had vanished. She didn't reply but stopped fighting his grip on her hand. While walking towards the restaurant, she pointed out a few landmarks which were visible at a distance. He nodded his head in acknowledgement and showed appropriate interest. But both of them were acutely aware of the warmth of their joined hands, which was spreading across their respective limbs.

"Oh God! I am not going to survive this evening," Jia Li thought in near hysteria.

To the outsiders, they probably looked like one of the many couples out to enjoy the evening. Hopefully, no one could see the slow burning which both their bodies were undergoing.

What the two of them didn't realise, was how striking they looked together - dark haired, brooding, tall guy with his fair, green eyed, petite lady. A lot of people's heads turned and gave the pair a second look. But Jia Li and Tang were busy keeping their facial expressions impassive and missed the entire episode!

They reached the restaurant and chose the outside open air seating. After placing the order for drinks and appetisers, they spoke about inane stuff. Jia Li's eyes accidentally spotted a red slash on the side of his neck. She tried hard to keep her vision above his chin but couldn't stop wondering about the mark again and again.

"It was the cat, who did it," he said suddenly.

He had been in the middle of narrating an incident about a common friend whom he had run into, the week prior.

"Huh? What did you say?" she asked, confused at his sudden change of topic.

"I said that it was the cat who scratched me on the neck when I went to pet her. She is a wild one!" he said, amusement lacing his words.

Jia Li coloured at his words. She thought about pretending not know what he was referring to but gave up the idea the very next second. He knew her too well for her to get away with it. Thankfully the food arrived just in time to save her from responding.

"Uh, the dish's description didn't mention that it had artichokes in it. Can you please take it away?" she frowned at the appetiser and instructed the server.

Tang looked into her eyes, with enough warmth to toast her!

"It's alright. Let it remain," he interrupted softly.

Jia Li looked at him in surprise. Artichoke was one of the few vegetables, which he completely abhorred.

After a bemused server went away from their table, she looked at him questioningly.

"Now, I am not so fussy about my food. I eat almost everything," he said as a means of explanation.

She felt foolish after the reaction that she had given to the man. Of course, things change.

"I shouldn't have assumed and I definitely shouldn't have acted all proprietorial… who am I – his girlfriend???" she scowled to herself.

"Thank you! Thank you for remembering my likes and dislikes," he spoke so softly that she had to strain to hear his words.

She acknowledged his words with a slight nod. They were being so formal, awkward around each other, as if they have met each other for the first time.

"So, have I told you about the time when dad turned spy and helped me?" he asked her, hoping to ease the atmosphere.

Though he was acting all cool and casual in front of her, the truth was that his heart was in his mouth. He had the driver circle her building at least fifty times that evening so that he could catch her at the right moment when she came out of the office. His first reaction had been to take her in his arms and kiss her senseless. Of course, he had done nothing of the sort and instead reigned in his passion and emotions. He didn't want to scare her away nor did he want her to push him back. So he had maintained his distance.

Jia Li couldn't believe her ears when Tang told her about the whole Mei Zhen episode. She knew she shouldn't derive any joy out of it, but she couldn't stop a tiny smile leaking out from the corner of her mouth. It was all his fault. He had narrated the whole episode with exaggerated gestures and hand movements. She could almost see Mr. Xie and Mei Zhen on his face!

"Stop, I can't take it anymore. I have no interest in knowing how her love interest looks like," she said, trying hard to hold her laughter in.