A few days later…
Customers slowly began leaving the restaurant.
"Buti na lang half-day tayo ngayon," Ayisha said, stretching her arms wide.
The door suddenly opened.
"Sorry, but we're about to—"
Her words died in her throat as her eyes widened.
"I'm not here for the food," Simon said with a grin. "I'm here for you." He tilted his head. "Are you ready to go out?"
"No, I'm not," she replied flatly as she removed her apron.
Simon grabbed her wrist. "No excuses."
"Hey—!" she protested as he dragged her outside.
One of the employees leaned toward Marie and whispered, "Do you think they're really just acquaintances?"
Marie smirked. "Nope. Definitely more than that."
Outside, Simon handed Ayisha a helmet. "Wear it."
She frowned. "Wait… this isn't yours."
"Yeah," he replied casually. "That's yours. I brought it for you." He put on his own helmet.
"Why?" she asked, already slipping it on.
"Because I noticed my helmet's too big for you," he said. "And too manly."
She snorted. "I'm flattered. Thanks for your generosity, old man."
She wrapped her arms around his waist. "So… where are we going?"
Simon chuckled as he started the engine. "Museum."
Ayisha nodded against his back. "By the way," she added, "the way you asked me out yesterday sounded kind of romantic."
His ears turned red beneath the helmet. "Stop that," he muttered.
She giggled at his reaction.
______________
Inside the museum, artifacts filled glass cases and paintings lined the walls. Visitors snapped photos and murmured praises.
Ayisha wandered slowly, eyes glowing as she admired the artwork.
A sudden flash of light caught her attention.
She turned and saw Simon holding his camera.
"Wow," she said, walking toward him. "Taking pictures without my permission? I'm sure that's a bad shot."
"It's not," Simon replied. "You look stunning."
He showed her the photo.
…Okay. I really do look stunning, she thought.
"Can you take another one?" she asked.
Simon smiled. "Sure."
He continued taking photos of every movement, every expression.
"Hey!" Ayisha protested. "That's too much. You don't have to take a picture of me every single second!"
He chuckled. "Relax, kid. Every shot's a good one."
"Putang ina… niloloko mo na ata ako," she muttered as she walked away.
Simon followed her. "Don't be such a spoiled kid running away just because I don't listen to you."
She glanced over her shoulder while still walking. "You're such a jer—"
She bumped into someone and stumbled, falling to the floor.
"Ah—sorry po!"
Simon rushed to her side and knelt down. "Do you always bump into people?" He helped her up.
"It was an accident," she muttered, embarrassed.
He sighed, then softened. "Do you want some ice cream?"
She blinked. "Huh?"
"There's a vendor nearby," he said, slipping the camera strap over his shoulder. "I saw it on our way here."
Ayisha smiled despite herself.
"Fine," she said. "Ice cream."
Simon smiled too quietly, relieved that she hadn't run off again.