The Continent of Europe

Chapter 53's

...CHAPTRE 53...

...SECRETLY FRIENDS'S...

"Is there anything you want to eat?"

The blonde looked at him for a moment before turning her attention to the menu list. He frowned in confusion. Because to be honest, he never even went to the cafeteria. How could he know what he wanted to eat if he didn't know what it was like. 

"Come, Smith. I've never been to a cafeteria before. So—"

"Oh poor you. All right then, let me pick it for you. I've got three tons of food in this cafeteria and I want you to taste it. Hopefully you will like it."

Unknowingly, a small smile appeared on James' face as he noticed the brunette-haired girl looking cheerful, standing among the crowd of servants ordering food. His emerald eyes moved here and there, paying attention to every menu writing that existed.

"Two potato soups, tuna sandwiches, and strawberry cakes!"

James, who was next to her, smirked, knowing that she liked sweet food. "You have a sweet tooth, huh, Smith?"

His words just now were not actually a mockery, but what Rosaline's ears received was different. The girl simply rolled her eyes dramatically, groaning as she slapped James' arm. Realizing what he was doing just now, Rosaline's emerald eyes suddenly filled with fear.

He slowly turned around, only to see the warm smile of the man he had only seen this first time. "A—ah. I didn't mean to do that. I didn't mean it."

There was a soft snort from him. "Only this time. You you do it again, I'll repay you."

Seeing her grin, Rosaline sneered. "Make me," she said, "I'm not afraid of you."

The blond man's grin grew wider, but the little quarrel they had made stopped as the salesman in the cafeteria thrust out a tray of food right in front of their faces.

"Two potato soups, tuna sandwiches, and cakes!" yells.

James snorted while Rosaline received the tray of food happily. With two trays in her hand, Rosaline had trouble picking up the wallet she had put in her pants pocket.

"Can you help me get my wallet? Sorry I—" She smiled bitterly as her eyes caught a glimpse of James' figure paying for their food.

"No, no, I get it. I'll treat you."

Not letting any comment out of his mouth, James pulled Rosaline's shoulder, leading the girl to an empty table by the window. As soon as they sat down, either Rosaline or James could hear a whisper leading their table.

With a sharp glint of his pair of gray eyes, James fired a shot of eyes that seemed to tell everyone there to turn away. At least let them eat their lunch quietly.

However, there were so many humans in the cafeteria back then. It was simply impossible for them to turn away after seeing such a shocking event. Seeing a member of the golden money in the same cafeteria as them.

"You want to eat in our room? You know, we can take the tramp there. I'm sure the seller won't mind if we return it later."

James tried very hard so that no smile curves formed on his face when he found the girl's worried expression.

"I'm doing fine. I can handle it. As long as they didn't take my picture like it was on the Edinburgh train back then, it's okay. Actually I'm sure they won't, because Oliver warned not to do it or they'll lose their job."

Acting as if nothing had happened around them, James ate his potato soup quietly. He frowned several times whenever his eyes accidentally met the eyes of others.

Yes let her think. Let them enjoy this rare sight. Rosaline always comes alone to the cafeteria. Never accompanied by others, especially the child of the golden money member like him.

"So what do you think?"

James frowned at Rosaline's sudden question. "About what?"

"This. Are we pretending to be friends?"

He grins. "Not bad, actually."

"So, are you enjoying it?"

"She."

"Then let's be friend."

James almost choked on his own soup as soon as he heard the brown haired girl's words. The frown on his forehead looked much clearer than before as he watched her in shock.

"Why? You don't want to?"

James flinched as Rosaline answered him so calmly. Well, he couldn't deny any more how bad he wanted to be friends with her, because he had already admitted it at the bar that day. But still. Wh why?

"I'm sure I heard it clearly that day."

James's face was flushed red, filled with a deep red tinge that somehow looked perfectly matched on his pale skin. He turned his head down, coughed, cleared his throat so that his voice would not sound vibrating while speaking.

"It was just a stupid mutter when I was drunk" he argued, with a red hue still on his face.

"I don't think so. I could see how desperate you were when you said it that day.

Should I ask Jordan about this? He's my witness."

Seeing the little grin on the girl's face made James stiffen. "No. No need," he urged.

The potato soup they ordered a few minutes ago is no longer hot. Even Rosaline and James had no appetite to eat it anymore. They just play it and stir it with their spoons.

"So how? Are we friends now?" In a low voice, Rosaline asked. The girl stole a glance, just to make sure the man was listening to her.

"I never accepted your offer, Smith," he said.

"Then accept it. Come on, end this one-sided feud. I know you hate me ta—"

"I don't hate you. I'm just jealous of you!"

"Isn't that the same thing?"

"Of course not stupid. There's a fine line between hate and envy!"

"Then stop your envy of me, there's no use for it."

James raised an eyebrow. Nose crept.

"Why?" She asked.

"You told me that day that you were jealous that I had a family that loved me. Yes, they love me, but do you know that I don't have parents?"

With that James' eyes glared. Terrible expression.

"I only have Reggie and Julian, and also Daniel, he's like my family now. Julian used to be an inmate and so was my father. I'm the son of an ex-con."

Rosaline stopped talking, only to see the man's expression. He let out a sigh of resignation, a little regret informing James of his family situation. But it's possible that James could understand. Not everything she should be envious of.

"My life is not perfect. There's a lot of tragedy going on in it."

"But at least you have a supportive family and good friends, and I don't."

"That's why, let's be friends. If you're afraid your dad or Clark's upset, I don't mind if we hide it. Let's have a friendship called secretly friend."

Even with the warm smile that Rosaline showed, James was still hesitant to accept the friendship offer from her. He knew that Rosaline seriously wanted to be friends with him but still, even though she wanted him to be unable to.

He feared his father if he found out his son was friends with someone from the lower caste. He doesn't want anyone to get hurt, especially Rosaline. But when else? He also wants to have friends! And Rosaline might be able to understand it.

Fine," he said in a low voice but

Rosaline could hear it. His burly hand slowly moved closer to Rosaline's hand on the table. Invite the girl to shake hands.

"Secretly friend."

Rosaline smiled. "Yes. Secretly friends!"

Like the handshake they always do to clients. It becomes a new sign for either Rosaline or James in their next life.