[5] Street food

Maze hid from Ryan about the invitation of attending Ian's birthday party.

She didn't want Ryan to follow her by leaving his work.

◔ Maze ◔

I got my work done by 4 o’clock and ask for leave. Oh God, Fred's face was worth to see. But glad that he let me leave one hour prior because of that internet reviews.

I got ready in 20 min. Actually, there was nothing much to do much. Just wore a stripe wide pants, and a cropped denim jacket over a white t-shirt, and white sneakers. I don't do makeup as I was way too confident about my beauty. **Shy**

I reached the Lover's Cafe by 4:56 pm. It's a quite big and lavish restaurant. I got fooled by the name of the cafe. I thought it must be some roadside small restaurant but it wasn't.**Again shy**

I entered the restaurant. Big dark walnut tables were placed in the large room keeping enough space to move. I looked up to see the beautiful crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling.

I took a large breath to keep myself steady. It was way too amazing.

Suddenly I saw a familiar blonde girl was walking towards me.

Shit !! She is here that means Ryan would know everything soon.

Let me give a bit brief about the person I got panicked about. Her name is  Amanda. She is Ryan's friend aka full-on sycophant.

She's one of them who doesn't like me at all neither did I do.

She hates me cause she likes Ryan. She fancies trading words from one to another. Except for this flaw, she is awesome. And yes one more, she hates me unnecessarily.

"Maze why are you here?" her corny voice dragged me back to reality.

"Ian invited me" I replied her

"Good that you're here. I was getting bored around those chicks" She sounded sarcastic as we both knew how bitter and sour our relation was. Yet I gave her a light smile.

I wanted to plead her not to inform Ryan but my pride reprimanded me of doing such things. And around her, I was getting bored to death.

Here all face seemed familiar not friendly just regular passing by faces as all of them were from our college. Rather than a birthday party it more seemed like an annual gathering. And none of them pass me a friendly vibe nor did I do.

As my eyes were lingering all over the place, sudden it got stuck on a familiar tall figure. Yes, the one who invited me here, Ian. He was looking good.

He walked towards me with a wide smile on his face.

"You look beautiful" He whispered to me as he moved by my side. I didn't feel any blushing type things. I just felt uncomfortable.

"Thank you"

"Come" He urged me to walk sliding his one hand down my waist.

I tried to remove his grasp around my waist but he didn't care to pay attention to my struggle. If it was Ryan I would have broken his hand.

All were looking at me. Some were gossiping about me.

"Isn't it Ryan's Girlfriend. Shit !! this girl can't help but wonder around all handsome boys" the most quarrelsome girl of my class, Clover said. I don't know why she hates me the most.

"I hate her..but the bitch really has a pretty face," her sycophant Leah said.

"That's her MasterCard. In this way, she seduces all the boys"

"Don't know how many men have fucked her"

I pointed myself obviously and narrowed my eyes at her. Was she on drugs?!

I pretend to ignore them...But they were crossing their limits.

Except for Ian, everyone was looking at me as if I was some animal from Zoo.

I couldn't hold myself anymore from throwing a hard slap on her freaking shit spitting face.

She grabbed her throbbing cheek and stared at me widening her eyes.

"Don't even dare to speak nonsense about me, Do you think here no one knows about your shitty nature of fooling two at a time. Or you want me to let everyone know about your list of so-called boyfriend?" I asked pretending curious.

Like seriously, what was her problem? Did she have mental issues? crap! I didn't even want to respond but she just crossed her limit. So the slap was her payback. After all "Karma is a bitch". If I wasn't a respectful person enough then I would have slapped her even before she could say those disgusting words against me.

A burst of laughter sounded all around me.

I wanted to hit her sycophant face but a sturdy dragged out of the room.

The anger that was boiling inside me blinded my eyes that I couldn't see who it was and threw few punches at the person's abdomen in a row.

As I was calmed enough I noticed who it was.

I covered my face to hold the yelp leaving my mouth.

"Ryan, What are you doing here?"

I was more concerned to know why he was here, rather than asking about his pain that I just cause.

He took a few moments to stabilize his condition and made me sat in his car.

He seemed angry. I regretted coming here without informing Ryan.

"Phew" Hope he would not brag on this matter.

He kept driving without telling me where we were going. I didn't dare to ask as I was at fault this time.

He pulled the brake of his car over a streetside food stall. He darted me a hard glare stating me to get off his car. I sighed and get out as per his instruction.

"Ryan, I am s..."

He raised his hand in the air motioning to stop, holding my hand he said, "Let's eat Polenta and Braised Beef"

Hearing his word my jaw almost dropped to the ground, yet I nodded my head to agree with him.

He smiled and walked towards the lined up stall at the roadside in a row.

" Hello" Food seller greeted us. I was too excited to greet him back, so Ryan had to greet him alone and pass the food order, " two plates of Fondue, Rosti, Roasted Flour Soup, Polenta and Braised Beef"

Both food-seller and I got shocked at the amount of his food order, but he smiled and asked us to wait for ten minutes to prepare the food.

I dragged him in one corner and whispered, " Why did you order so many foods? Who would eat them?"

He smiled proudly gesturing that he would. I rolled my eyes and giggled at his silly act. I know why he brought me here, I love to eat whenever I am stressed. My eyes moistened thinking about my dumb besties who was doing his best to cheer me up.

Soon the food was ready for us to eat. And we jumped on our food. After finishing eating neither of us could move anymore as the food was too delicious that we eat more than necessary.

After taking rest for a while we get back to his car and start moving to my house.

While staring at the bright sparkling bustling streets my eyes got teary. In the midst of such a dense crowd around me, I felt alone as if there was no one beside me. A lingering pain was mounting inside my chest.

Ryan noticed and pulled the brake of his car by the roadside.

"Shhhh. Come here" He unbuckled his seat belt and then mine...He gave me a light hug, I was still sobbing..

"Maze you are too innocent to handle the world. I really worry about what would happen if I am not there for you."

"I know," I said hurriedly pulling myself out of his embrace and wiping my wet eyes.

"Silly girl. I really wonder whose luck is going to doomed by marrying you"

I chuckled at his word...I leaned over the window and started seeing the passing trees and houses. Soon I fall asleep emerging into deep thoughts pondering nothing.

◔ Third Person's Pov ◔

The room was as serene and cold as a graveyard, with three people sitting in the middle of a huge dark room.

"Why do you think she needs to spy on a normal girl?" a heavy voice murmured to himself biting his lower lips

"Did you find out who the girl is? or any information about her? why is she being spied? or anything?" the man desperately asked aiming the man squatted a bit away from him.

"I don't know, Should I find out?" the other man asked raising his one brow.

"No need, I will go there alone by myself. I need to see the reason all by myself" the heavy voice owner replied in a more deep tone.

"Seems fun," A playful voice proclaimed inducing both of their attention.

The heavy owner smirked at this remark, "Let's see"