Chapter 45: No.45: Childhood Sweetheart’s Dilemma {2}
Earlier...
Upon noticing it was Summer who was seated outside, the waitress was reluctant to attend to her. But recalling the surveillance cameras, she secretly gritted her teeth and approached Summer.
On doing so, she noticed Summer’s brief surprise at her presence as well, resulting in her simply stating that she’d place an order once the person she was waiting for arrived.
Feeling even more irritated by being put on standby despite putting her ego aside, the waitress simply offered a practiced smile in return before heading back to the counter, where her senior partner was currently sitting.
Not long after, the person Summer appeared to be waiting for arrived.
Surprised, the waitress hadn’t expected it to be someone so attractive that Summer would be meeting this time.
Watching as the duo acted somewhat coy around each other, coupled with the fact that they looked like a match made in heaven, she felt even more irritated.
Noticing the handsome guy signal for her to attend to them, she became a bit hesitant.
Steeling her nerves, she reluctantly approached the duo.
"Have you guys decided on what you’d like to get yet?"
Enquiring as she drew closer, she watched as a gentle smile appeared on the hunk’s face, causing her to forget how to breathe for a second.
"We’ll have the same thing we had last time, thank you. Oh, and could you add a few more snacks with it this time?"
Confused upon hearing this, the waitress hesitated a bit before replying, her voice gentle and respectful.
"Umm! Sorry, sir, but I’m not familiar with what you guys had last time, as this is my first time attending to you. So, if you could kindly specify what it was exactly, I’d gladly get it for you."
Seemingly surprised by her words, the handsome man appeared mildly hurt as he responded.
"Oh! It seems you’ve forgotten about me already. And here I thought I’d made a bit of an impression on you the last time we met. Such a shame."
Pausing as he shook his head in feigned disappointment, the young man reached over before gently placing his hand on Summer’s.
"Anyways, we’ll have the same luxury milkshakes with extra toppings we had last time. After all, the taste was truly memorable."
Even more confused upon hearing this, it took the waitress a few seconds to realize who the young man before her truly was.
"You...!?? B-but... How!!??"
Smirking upon seeing her reaction, the young man casually replied, his response further cementing her suspicion.
"Glad to see you finally remembered. I was beginning to fear you might’ve forgotten because of my new look."
As the café was still relatively new, they didn’t have many customers who could afford their luxury beverages.
Much less one who was acquainted with her and seemingly close with Summer.
Though it was extremely hard to believe such a thing was even possible, she now realized that the handsome young man before her was likely the same disturbingly oversized man she’d been indirectly impolite to while attending to the two of them a few days ago.
Meanwhile, Summer was now struggling with something else, as her mind seemed to be short-circuiting over how Bruce’s actions earlier had made it seem as though they were already a couple.
Despite only having held hands and kissed on the cheek at most, she still couldn’t help entertaining the thought, her face turning flushed as it continued hovering in her mind.
Unaware of Summer’s inner turmoil, Bruce didn’t give the waitress time to process the realization before making the payment for the snacks and luxury beverages to the café’s business account by scanning the QR code on the table.
Urging the waitress to get their order ready, he turned his attention back to Summer, noticing the waitress return to the counter, her expression still a bit dazed from the realization.
Ignoring the waitress’s confusion, Bruce gently tightened his grip on Summer’s hand as he muttered,
"Summer, there’s actually another reason why I asked us to meet again today."
Pausing, Bruce appeared to hesitate a bit before continuing.
"I have something I have to do over the next few days, and I won’t be able to meet up with you because of it."
Snapping out of her thoughts upon hearing this, Summer’s expression turned serious as she realized Bruce wasn’t joking.
"Is it dangerous?"
Realizing Bruce was serious, she asked, a worried expression visible on her face.
Replying after noticing Summer had quickly understood what he meant, Bruce added, his expression turning a bit solemn.
"Honestly, yeah. It might even end up being one of the most dangerous things I’ve ever done in my entire life..."
"I’m going with you!"
Cutting him off, Summer sternly interjected upon hearing his words.
Having somewhat expected this, Bruce was still a bit surprised by how she’d immediately decided to go despite barely even knowing what dangers awaited him.
Smiling warmly, he gently rubbed her hands in his grasp as he muttered,
"As much as I’d love to have you by my side, always, I can’t bring you with me."
Adding immediately after noticing she was about to interject once more, he continued,
"This is something I have to do alone. Otherwise, it wouldn’t count."
Releasing one of her hands from his grip, Bruce outstretched his arm before gently placing his palm against her cheek.
"But I promise I’ll fill you in on the details once I get back. And don’t worry. I’ll be sure to return, no matter what."
As he said this, he planted a soft kiss on her hand before staring directly into her eyes, gently caressing her cheek with his other hand.
Surprised by his sudden actions, as well as his resolve, Summer froze for a bit, struggling to compose herself.
Regaining her composure soon after, she simply nodded, realizing he was determined to go through with whatever it was he intended to do alone.
"Then you have a lot of explaining to do once you get back. And don’t even think about weaseling out of it this time."
Already knowing how Bruce tended to be a bit vague with his explanations, Summer intended to get a direct answer this time.
Chuckling softly at her behavior, he exaggeratedly saluted as he replied, a feigned serious expression on his face.
"Yes, Ma’ma!"
Laughing at this, the duo burst into laughter at Bruce’s words.
Stopping soon after, as the waitress finally returned with their order, Bruce adjusted himself in his seat. His hand had left Summer’s cheek after he was done telling her about his intentions.
However, his other hand still remained gently pressed against hers on the table.
Drinking her milkshake, Summer savoured the taste while sneaking glances at Bruce’s new features as a thought surfaced in her mind.
’I guess being a bit flashy isn’t all bad.’
With that thought, the tips of her ears flushed slightly as she continued enjoying her drink.
Unaware of this, a notification soon appeared before Bruce, causing a subtle smirk to appear on his face.
[Affinity Level: ...67]
[Affinity Level: ...68]
[Congratulations on spoiling the Bonded Target, Summer Monroe, with Affection]
[Host has been awarded 420 Rebate Coins]
{5% has been deducted from amount earned}
{Current Rebate Coins: 417.75 » 816.75}
---------
’Not bad!’