"Alright, I'll see everyone Thursday. Have a good night, everyone." Bella waved goodbye to her student before promptly leaving the lecture room. Her last lecture every Tuesday would end at seven in the evening. Because of this, Bella would have her dinner right after class before going home. She immediately went back to the office and wasn't surprised to see Mo Li sitting on the table next to hers.
"Dinner?"
Bella smiled and nodded. After not seeing Mo Li for a few hours, she had finally had a decision about where to start with her quest. And that would be him.
"Mr. Mo… do you want to have dinner with me?" Amy's voice suddenly echoed behind Bella. The woman was still catching her breath, obviously running towards the office right after her class.
"I already have an appointment, Miss Sy."
"With Miss Qin?" Amy looked at Bella, expecting her to decline Mo Li's invitation. Unfortunately for Bella, she wasn't planning on doing that. She looked at Amy and sent her a gentle smile.
"Yes, Miss Sy. With me."
Amy's eyes widened. Seeing the woman's speechless expression, Bella continued. "Please don't bother going to your father to complain about me. I will submit my resignation tomorrow. There is no need for you to tell him to fire me anymore. That would only waste your effort."
"You— I— I never said that."
Bella only gave her a wry smile before she looked at Mo Li. "Let's go?"
Mo Li didn't tarry. He stood and grabbed Bella's coat before nodding towards Amy's way and opening the door for Bella. Amy's loud shriek echoed the moment Mo Li closed the door of the office. "Trouble… everywhere." He chuckled.
"Hmmm. I know."
"Where do you want to eat?" Mo Li asked.
"I don't know… Japanese?"
"Alright. Ramen?"
"How did you know I love Ramen?" she asked before pursing her lips and laughing. "Right. Let's do Ramen." In her mind, Mo Li knows Bella because he was once her lover. After a few minutes, Mo Li led her towards his car but since Bella also had her own car, the two decided to ride in two separate cars towards the restaurant.
"So, you finally decided to become my political strategist?" Mo Li asked. He was already in the parking lot when Bella arrived.
"Yes. I think you would need my help if you want to run as a mayor."
"Even if I am running against the Qin's?"
She smiled. "I am no Qin." Shrugging, Bella stared at him. Talking to Mo Li felt really peaceful and comfortable. It made her feel calm. Though she kept on wondering why her body seemed to react towards his, Bella couldn't deny the pull that he had on her. Probably because of their past.
The two went inside the restaurant and immediately ordered their food. Surprisingly, Mo Li knew her favorite type of ramen too. Well… that is no longer a surprise considering the man seemed to know a lot of things about her.
"Where are you going after this?" he asked.
"I have yoga at nine." She answered almost immediately before she laughed inwardly. Why does it felt like she was talking to a husband? She didn't even hesitate to give him an answer.
"What time do you sleep?"
"Hm? What kind of question is that?"
"I mean… you still do a lot of work from school. You will have some yoga for an hour at least and do some work. So… what time do you sleep? Isn't that a valid question?"
"I sleep at one." She answered, nodding her head.
"But you will submit your resignation tomorrow?"
"Yes. I will."
"Does that Amy keep on making trouble for you?"
She frowned and eyed the paper lanterns in the restaurant. They are currently inside one of the cubicles in the Japanese restaurant just a few minutes drive away from the school. It wasn't big, but it was enough to accommodate at least six people. This restaurant does have low tables set on tatami flooring, making everyone adapt to the Japanese traditional sitting.
The sound of the bamboo hitting the water can be heard in the background, giving the restaurant a peaceful ambiance.
"Why do you ask?"
"I just never thought you are the type of person that would allow anyone to bully her." He smiled.
He was right. She was never the type that allows anyone to bully her. "I heard that her father might also run for vice mayor on the election."
She didn't miss the suspicions glinting in his eyes. Mo Li only gave her a mysterious smile as he nodded. "Then tell me… if you need any help." He said. Surprised, Bella wondered if Mo Li had quickly understood what she was trying to say. Was she that easy to understand? Or… was this because he seemed to know her like the back of his palm.
A smile lingered on Mo Li's face.
"Why are you smiling like that?" she asked.
"Why? Is there something wrong with my smile?" He leaned forward. "Do you think… I don't look handsome when I smile?"
She leaned back and glared at him. "Yes. Your smile makes me uncomfortable." It was cunning and dangerous, or was she the only person thinking like this? To the other people, Mo Li's smile was really beautiful and gentle.
"So you think, I'm ugly?"
"What? No! You're not ugly." She quickly blurted out before she widened her eyes. "I mean… you are not ugly, but you are not handsome either. Just you know… average."
These words only made the latter laughed out loud. While this infuriated her a little, Bella chose to stay silent. She grabbed the tea and downed it.
"You know… this personality of yours is quite entertaining." He said, his eyes were on hers. The smile on his face didn't disappear.
"So, you think I'm a clown?"
"I didn't say that."
"Clowns are entertaining. You said I am entertaining. Therefore, you think I am a clown."
"Your logic is somehow flawed." He said, quickly chuckling at her words as if it was the funniest thing that he heard in a long time. Bella only frowned. Why was he teasing her so much? No, most importantly, why was he acting like they were really close? She opened her mouth wanting to remind him to keep this relationship professional but decided not to say it in the end.
She couldn't even convince herself to keep all this professional. How could she ask him to do something she wouldn't do herself?
"Alright, I'm sorry. I just thought you were cute when you do that." Once again, he laughed and poured her another tea. "You know… I miss this."
"Excuse me?" She lifted an eyebrow. Did he miss all this after seven years of not seeing each other? Isn't that weird?
"I mean… This peace. I miss this calm and cunning you." He gave her a knowing smile, which only made her confused. Seven years ago, Bella was certain that she was far from calm and cunning. She was nothing but a hormonal teenager who cried over texts and unanswered calls. Pursing her lips, Bella decided to drink another tea instead of asking him about the past.
Talking about the past… is just useless as that was the previous Bella— the original Bella. And that Bella was no longer here. "Is that a good thing? Or a bad thing?" She dared to asked.
"What do you mean?"
"The calm and cunning me. Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"
Mo Li grinned. "It's perfect. You are coming back."
"Hm?" She blinked.
"I mean… its good since you are coming back to the city with me. Wouldn't it be good to you know… show them this side of you?"
Bella nodded. Of course, she would start to act like Lily once she would arrive at the main city. "Thank you." She smiled. At least, he liked it? Alright…. Why was she thinking about Mo Li liking this side of her? Does that even matter?
"This… brings me to my next proposition."
"Hm? You still have another one?" She smiled. "Does it include a salary?"
"Still love your money, eh?" He chuckled when she saw her frowned. Then he continued, "I want you to become my woman."
Well… that was a surprise. Bella squinted her beautiful almond eyes. "Where's the punchline?" She managed to ask, hoping that he would say he was only joking.
"It wasn't a joke." His expression turned serious. "I want you back."
"So… Ummm… where is this coming from? Are you drunk?" she asked, quickly laughing as she tried to lighten the atmosphere. "Did you forget that I am a divorced woman at twenty-four in a place where divorced is frowned upon?"
"Does that matter?"
This question again. For some reason, Mo Li had the tendency to asked this question, and she would immediately find herself saying, "No." She gulped. "Not if you aren't planning to run for office." She added.
"Does it matter to you?" he reached out and held her hand that was on top of the table.
Bella met his gaze. Does it matter to her? Of course, she immediately found herself saying, "No."
"Then… that's good enough for me."
