Four pairs of eyes were staring at each other.
Violet raised her head and coincidentally met Michelle's gaze. An awkward smile curled on her lips before Violet lowered her head again.
When she came to find Ryan for their usual lunch date, she did not expect that she would run into Ryan's co-workers.
Michelle, the nurse who was a good friend of Ryan, saw her and invited her to have lunch with her and her boyfriend, Chase. Michelle was an enthusiastic girl and Violet had no chance to decline the invitation.
This was how the four of them had a meal in the hospital's cafeteria together.
"I once told Ryan that we should try going on a double date. But this is not what I have in mind," Michelle said. She turned to Ryan and clicked her tongue in disapproval. "And you… It's not easy for you to find yourself a girlfriend. What were you thinking when you asked Violet to have a lunch date with you at the hospital's cafeteria? So unromantic." She glanced at Violet and heaved a sigh. "I pity you for having someone like him as your boyfriend."
Violet laughed. She could not help thinking that Michelle was an interesting person to hang out with.
Meanwhile, Ryan's expression turned uglier as seconds passed by. He shot a sharp look at Michelle, hoping that his friend would stop talking too much.
"I don't see what's wrong with having a lunch date at the cafeteria," Chase commented. He poked Michelle on the waist and smiled seductively. "We had our lunch date in this cafeteria all the time."
Michelle rolled her eyes. "We both work here. How can you compare us with Ryan and his girlfriend?"
Violet had a helpless smile on her face as she watched Michelle and Chase argue back and forth. She could tell that the couple had such a good relationship.
As if noticing that she was watching, Michelle stopped arguing with Chase and turned to look at Violet again.
Violet cleared her throat and pushed the box of cupcakes she brought with her. "I bought some cupcakes from my bakery. Have a taste and tell me what you think. I would really appreciate your feedback."
Michelle glanced at Ryan and smiled. "Ryan, your girlfriend is so nice. See, he brought you some cupcakes." She picked up a cupcake and took a bite. A faint sigh escaped her lips as the sweetness from the cupcake spread through her mouth.
"This is good," Michelle commented. "It's not as sweet as I thought it would be and the taste is quite rich. I like this. Really. One of these days, I will make sure to stop by your bakery and buy a few cupcakes."
Violet finally heaved in relief upon hearing Michelle's comment. She picked up a cupcake from the box and placed it before Ryan. "Why don't you have a taste?"
Ryan glanced at the cupcake before turning to Violet with a frown. "You know that I don't like sweet stuff." His eyes fell on the cupcakes again. His nose wrinkled as he could smell the sweet scent of the cupcakes.
"Oh come on," Michelle said. "Your girlfriend brought the cupcakes for you. You should give it a taste."
Ryan was about to argue with Michelle when his phone beeped.
The beeping sound made both Michelle and Evan pause. They both could tell that it was an important matter.
Ryan glanced at the caller ID and picked up the phone call quickly. After listening to the other party for a brief second, Ryan stood up abruptly and flashed an apologetic smile to everyone at the table. "Sorry. I've got to run, there's an emergency" he paused to finish off his drinks. Then he gave Violet a pat on her shoulder. "I'll call you later, alright?"
Without waiting for Violet to answer, Ryan ran off to the exit.
Violet watched as Ryan left until she could no longer see his figure. She turned around and her eyes fell on the cupcakes on the table.
A faint sigh escaped her mouth.
Violet could not help feeling disappointed that Ryan did not taste the cupcake that she had especially prepared for him.
…
It was a few hours later when Ryan was finally done with a meeting with his patient's family.
When he returned to his office, Ryan found Chase looking at a few documents on the table.
"Violet seems like a really nice girl." Chase smiled. He kept his eyes on Ryan, wanting to observe his friend's reaction. "I remember when you started dating her. You told us that it's impossible to get along with her. But I think you two get along just fine."
Ryan laughed as he recalled that conversation. A few weeks ago he never thought that he could get along with Violet. They both agreed to pretend dating and part their ways after a month. But why does it feel as if they were closer now when they should be further apart.
"Ryan…" Chase paused. "Tell me the truth. You like her, don't you?"
"Who?"
"Violet. That girlfriend of yours. The person who you thought you wouldn't be able to get along with.
"It's not what you think," Ryan said. "I just thought that she's interesting to get along with.
"Interesting? That's definitely not the word I'm looking for. You know," he paused and patted Ryan's back. "You should give her a call, ask her to go out for a proper dinner or something," he suggested. "I bet she's going to be delighted."
Chase recalled the disappointed look on Violet's face when Ryan left earlier and thought that he was helping his friend with his relationship.
Without waiting for Ryan to reply, Chase lowered his head and looked at his documents again.
Ryan leaned in his seat while thinking about the words Chase had said. He took out his phone and hesitated as he stared at his phone screen.
Would Violet be happy if he gave her a call?