When the ice cream was brought to their table, Andy noticed Paula staring at the strawberry flavoured ice cream with a glaring gaze and he asked her, ''why are you staring at the ice cream like that?''
''Strawberry isn't my favourite'' she answered.
''Then, why did you order for it? I will get them to change it for you'' Andy said and was about to call for the waiter when Paula stopped him.
'Don't. I want this flavour. This was Gideon's favourite flavour. He always insisted that I take strawberry simply because he liked it. Anytime we went out to eat, we only ate what he wanted. I was forced to eat what he wanted. That damn asshole, he even made me eat vegetables for a month claiming I was too fat''
''Why did you force yourself to do what he wanted? You have your own preferences''
''Because I was stupid. I thought that it didn't matter even if I changed myself, it was fine as long as he liked me''
''Paula, you are unique in your own way and shouldn't have to change yourself for anyone. If someone really likes you, then that person would have to accept the kind of person that you are. Also, he must be blind to think that you are fat. You are just okay the way you are and it's not your fault that he is so blind to see that about you''
''Now that I think about it, it has always been about him. I was always trying to do what he liked, eat the food he liked, watch the shows he liked. I never got to be myself since I started dating him. I am suddenly feeling for furious''
''What kind of emotions are you experiencing right now?''
''The feeling of wanting to kill that pig who embarrassed me at the restaurant today. Who does he think he is? I hate the fact that he thinks I'm stalking him. Why would I stalk him? I went there to eat and then I just bumped into him, I mean he used not to like eating at that restaurant so how in the world was I to know he would be there and to top it all with some skin tight woman as his new girlfriend?''
Andy looked at Paula as she talked nonstop. He had an unknown broad smile spread across his lips. He found he really love hearing her talk. She looked cute and he didn't seem to get bored listening to her.
''What makes him think that I can't live without him, what is he? My monthly aunt?'' Paula immediately pursed her lips after saying the last part. She just realised she had said too much and flushed. With her head lowered, she apologised, ''that was gross, right? Sorry, I just start to babble when I'm angry''
''I like the way you are comfortable around me. I don't mind you babbling at all'' Andy said to her with a serious expression.
Paula blushed and looked at the ice cream that was now melting, ''it's all melted'' she murmured softly but he still heard her.
''What's your favourite flavour, I will go and get it for you'' Andy stood up as he asked.
''Chocolate''
''Nice taste'' he said and went to the counter to personally get it for her. Paula noticed some group of girls murmuring while they looked at him as he walked to the counter.
Paula looked at his back view and smiled. She suddenly felt that those ladies must be jealous of her. She didn't also know why, but she felt she was a little too comfortable around him. This was considered the second time they were meeting and she was already acting so normal and carefree around him.
Looking at him, Paula realised she didn't know anything about him. She was starting to get curious about him.
''Wait, I don't even know his full name?'' Paula just realise didn't even know his name. she had just casually written 'man who came bearing bad news' as his contact name. Her gaze followed him till he sat down with two bowls of chocolate ice cream.
''Here'' Andy pushed one of the bowls towards her and looked up to find her looking at him. ''Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?''
''No, there is nothing on your face. But, what is your name? I just realised I didn't even know your full name''
''Is that why you are looking at me so seriously?'' Andy chuckled.
''What is your name?''
''I thought you would never ask''
''Well, I'm asking now. I can be a little clueless sometimes, sorry for not asking your name before''
''My name is Andy Lee Bassey and the one you saw the other day is Leslie Sun Bassey''
''Hi, Andy Lee, I am Paula Abdul'' Paula stretched her hand towards him and he smiled and shook her hand.
''Hi, Paula Abdul''
''Nice to meet you''
''The pleasure is mine'' they looked at each other and chuckled. 'So, friends?''
''Definitely friends'' Paula answered.
Both of them didn't know that the innocent friendship that they started was later going to blossom into something more. A strong bond was forming between them unknowingly.
They both ate their ice cream making small talks and laughing at each other.
…..
Andy pulled over in front of Lisa's apartment and got down together with Paula, ''is this where you stay?''
''This is Lisa's apartment. We are sharing it together''
''What do you plan to use your inheritance to do?'' Andy asked and cocked his brows at her and she laughed shaking her head.
''You aren't ever letting this go, right?'' she asked and he shook her head.
''You almost turned me into a pimp with that money. Forever engraved in my mind''
''I was drunk, Andy''
''And I was on the receiving end of your anger. Do you know how embarrassed I was that night? Everyone thought I was the one who dumbed you. The psychological trauma you made me go through is enough to steer me away from couples from now onwards''
''Well, I didn't ask you to be the man who came bearing bad news''
''Go inside, or your friend might come out at this rate'' Andy pointed at Lisa who was spying at them curiously from the window.
''Then, I'm going inside''
'Sure, call me anytime you want to meet up. I promise to let you eat anything you want''
'That will make me fat''
'The fatter the better. That way I can have you all to myself'' he winked at her and her body stiffened.
Paula blushed and her face turned red even as she watched him leave in his car. she touched her face and felt that her face was getting hot.
''What was that? Did he just flirt with me?''
''I know, right?'' Lisa appeared behind Paula.
''Lisa'' Paula touched her heart and glared at her friend, ''you scared me''
'Why? Do you have something to hide? Paula, why do I feel that you and that beautiful lad were flirting just now? The way you were smiling, I haven't seen you smile that way even when you were dating that…£$%^&''
'Huh?''
''Tell me, what did you two do?''
''Right, assh. I forgot to ask him something important'' Paula suddenly remembered she didn't ask him something important.
''What? Were you going to ask him whether he was single or not? You should call him right away and find out if he is dating someone'' Lisa said and Paula sighed.
''The way your mind works is just so eccentric. I wasn't going to ask him whether he had a girlfriend or not. I was going to ask him the work he did''
''Oh, that's really important. You need to know what he does first. If he is a gigolo, you could just sponsor him. You are rich. A beautiful man like him is worth spending all your money on''
'Lisa, can you be serious for once?'' Paula shook her head and went inside and Lisa followed.
'What? I am telling you. I would have slept with him if I were you. You don't get to see such beautiful men every day. Paula, don't tell me you didn't noticed how women looked at him when you were with him?''
''How did you know that?'' Paula sat on the couch and Lisa sat across her, ''now that I think about it, a lot of women looked at him when he got up to get me ice cream''
''He even saved you? Paula, this is the perfect chance to get laid. Please, are you going to let that piece of tasty meat go? Sister, aren't you curious about how it would feel? Let me tell you, sex is the most beautiful thing in the world. Bodies becoming one…''
Paula covered her ears and stood up, ''Lisa, that's enough. Don't fill my mind with nonsense. I'm going to take a shower''
''I'm going to the club. Are you going with me or not?''
''Are you going to drink or look for handsome bros?''
''The latter. I haven't gotten laid in the last two weeks''
''Lisa, make sure you use protection''
''I always do, what do you take me for?''
''My most eccentric Lisa, the only friend I have in this world. Be careful and call me if you encounter any problems, which you almost always encounter by the way''
''You know me so well''