Chapter Eight

Traven's POV

I was thwart, at the fact that Rana was ready to leave, but I agreed to go on the date.

I craned my neck to look at Rana. She looked really excited. I felt like an asshole for cheating on her. I promised, after high school, she would be the only woman in my life. Or, Ellen.

I heaved a sigh and took a bite of my Beans on toast.

"I'm sorry for yelling." Rana bent her head, in abash. 

"It's fine." I grinned and brought my phone out of my pocket. I went to the ringtone to make it seem like I had a phone call.

"Hello." I smiled. "Dad?" I looked at Rana. "Oh. Yes. I'm coming." I placed the phone back in my pocket.

"You're leaving?" She frowned, sadness registered in her tone.

I heaved a sigh, drove my fingers into my hair. "No. I have to meet my dad for business. I'll be right back." I planted a kiss on her forehead and scuttled out.

I ran to the restaurant Ellen was.

"Hi." I smiled, waved, and sat on the chair.

She grinned. "I'm so glad you're back."

"I've been waiting like hell." She smiled and gulped an orange juice down her throat.

"I'm sorry. My dad was pretty annoying." I sighed.

"It's okay." She took a deep breathe."Let's play truth or dare."She smirked.

"Okay." I didn't have a good feeling about it. "I'll start first." I forced a smile.

"No. I will." She smirked. "How many girlfriends have you had since you were born?" 

My jaw dropped to the floor. "Are you kidding me?"

"How?" She frowned.

"I don't know." I scrunched my hair, tight. "About... Maybe... Maybe... Well..." I stuttered.

"It's fine. I already know the answer. Being a high school popular isn't easy at all." She chuckled. "Your turn." She took a sip of the juice.

"How many boyfriends or crushes have you had?"

"I don't know." She bit her lower lips. "I have had only five boyfriends, but, there are millions of boys I've liked." She blushed.

I nodded my head.

"Now," She stopped, placed her index finger on her chin, like she was thinking. "Have you ever made love with a lady?" She busted.

My phone fortunately rang. I was so grateful. It was Rana calling.

"Hello." I said gently.

"Where are you? You said you were coming." She sounded annoyed.

"I'm coming now. Please wait there."

"Okay. Hurry up." She said, and cut the call.

"Okay dad." I said.

"You're going again?" Ellen frowned.

"I'm sorry. My dad is so mean." I smiled. "I'll be back." I said, scurried out of the restaurant.

I got to the restaurant Rana was.

"I'm sorry." I said, when I noticed her furious look, and sat.

"Traven?" She whined.

I intertwined our fingers, planted a kiss on her knuckles. "I love you Rana."

Her cheeks went completely red.

"I love you too. I'm also sorry for always getting scared."

"Why?" I shot her a confused gaze.

"Sometimes, I feel like you're going to leave me for someone else. I feel like you don't really want to be with me and I'm forcing you." She craned her head in embarrassment.

"What?" I yelled, louder than intended. "Is that how lowly you think of me?" I was furious, even when I knew that what she was saying was true. 

"I'm sorry." Her orbs became hazy with tears. "I'm sorry, Traven." 

I heaved a sigh. "I'm sorry for making you feel that way." I apologised sincerely.

Her lips twitched into a smile. "You're the best Traven." She gave me a soft kiss on my cheek.

"How have you been?" I smiled, trying to change the topic.

"Great!" She smiled. "I love you Traven."

 She frowned, and muttered something to herself.

"What's wrong baby?" I asked, in curiosity.

"Never mind." She tried to hide her face. I knew something was wrong.

"Rana! You can tell me." I tried to encourage her.

"Well... Are... Do you... Do I... Have you..." She stuttered then bit her lips, exhaled deeply. "Am I the only girl you love?" She blurted in a rush.

"What? Of course you are." I tightened my jaw. I was not being fair and I knew it. How could she have expected me to say 'no'.

"I'm sorry again." She heaved a sigh. "Are you-" She bit her trembling lips.

I had to avoid any other questions. I brought my phone out.

"Hello. Dad!" I shouted. "I'm coming." 

I sprinted out of the restaurant.

***

After several times of interchanging,

"Traven!" Rana snapped in annoyance.

"I'm sorry." I sat down, stroke her hair gently. "My father is really ghastly." I tried to sound encouraging as ever.

She folded her arms across her chest, rolled her eyes.

"You're not going again?" She arched her eyebrow in a questioning manner.

I heaved a sigh. "Rana!" I cupped her face with my palms. "I love you, but you know how terrible my father is?" 

She rolled her eyes. "Fine! I just don't like it." 

I smiled and raked her hair with my fingers. "I love you." I said sincerely.

"I love you too Traven." She smiled and kissed my cheek.

"I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry too." She blushed.

My phone rang, a true phone call.

It was Ellen calling. I heaved a sigh.

"Who is it?" Rana asked, with furrowed brows.

"It's my dad again." I smiled.

I swiped my phone screen up to answer the call. 

"Hello." I frowned.

"Max! I really don't understand what is going on and I'm really pissed off by this nonsense. It's really annoying. I'm leaving. Now!" She yelled.

"No wait. I'm coming." I cut the call and looked at Rana, "I'll be back very soon. I promise." I sprinted out of the restaurant.

I ran as fast as I could. I could tell that Ellen was furious and no longer interested in waiting.

I bump into someone, and lucky for me, it was Ellen.

"Max!" Ellen frowned.

"I'm sorry. Please don't go. I'll drop you off." I breathed heavily.

"This is so frustrating. I'm tired. I need to rest." She ranted.

"I'm sorry Ellen." I grasped her shoulders.

"No way!" She brushed my hands off her shoulder.

My phone rang again. I could tell that it was Rana, so, I didn't bother to answer it.

"Your father, again?" She rolled her eyes. "First impressions matter to me, a lot. I'm no longer interested. I knew this was too fast. I had my doubts." She walked past me but I gripped her hand, and pulled her to me, forcefully.

I wrapped my arm around her waist, held the back of her head, tight, with my hands, and forced a hard kiss on her lips.

Rana's POV

I was getting tired and fed up of Traven leaving constantly. 

I watched him leave the restaurant.

"Traven." I yelled, but, i knew he couldn't hear me. 

I heaved a sigh. 

I waited for few minutes, before deciding to leave.

I dialed his phone number, and called him. It rang for a while but he didn't answer. 

I finally gave up, grasped my purse, and left the restaurant. I was about to cross the road when I noticed Traven talking to a lady. I couldn't see her face but her back view. 

I wanted to cross the road but came to a complete halt when I noticed him wrap his hand around her waist, hold her head, and lean forward for a kiss. 

My whole body began to fumble, I fell my purse to the ground. I couldn't believe my eyes. I lost my breath and wanted to run home in disgust, but froze when Traven's eyes met mine.