Chapter 39 - #39

Chapter 39: Complication

Taking pictures here inside the museum is prohibited so we just walked around. This place is so admirable and beautiful. I've never been into a place where I could just appreciate things like this.

"You like museums?" he asked while we're walking around.

"I like art, but I don't have a talent for it. My sister does," I answered. Summer would love to go here. Soon, she will.

"Oh, she likes art, huh?" He had this small but sad smile that I can tell on his face.

"Yes, why?" I asked.

"Nothing. I just remembered someone," he said.

We stayed for less than an hour in the museum before we went out to go have our lunch. Me and Mr. Parker ate in a simple restaurant just across the street. The food was so good and the price is lower than I thought. He told me it's the best restaurant in this town and I have no doubt about it.

"Where are we going, Mr. Parker? The hotel is that way," I pointed to the right when I saw that he drove straight instead of turning.

"I didn't say we will go back to the hotel already."

Oh, so he's going to take me somewhere else. Am I too lucky now that Mr. Parker is my boss? He gives me everything I want. A free tour in Chicago is the best thing that I've received in my entire life.

"Where are we going, Sir?" I curiously asked him.

"Lincoln Park Zoo," he answered while driving.

...

"Aren't you afraid of lions?" he asked me.

We're already at the zoo and it looks so natural in here. The trees are all around the areas and animals are here too. I believe that veterans here take care of them properly.

"Nope. I'm a cat lover, only I don't have one," I said while smiling at the lions as if they'll return a smile too.

"But this is different. It's a thing that can swallow you whole," he chuckled.

Mr. Parker probably wants me to get scared but I'm not. When I and my family went into a zoo, I used to always go to the areas where the wild animals are. I don't know, I just want to see how they react to people because I normally don't see them by the streets like birds, dogs, or any farm animals.

"Sir, I'm afraid of those animals. Unless I'm inside a cage with it and it's hungry. I love my life too much for that," I said.

For also more than an hour, we stayed at the zoo. At exactly 5:00 PM, we decided to leave. While we're inside the car, I thought we're gonna go back already to the hotel but he said we should have our dinner outside so went into a restaurant which has a cute garden in it. 

I love the place, it's very cozy and elegant. The lights are colorful and it's an outdoor restaurant which made it even prettier. 

"We're the only ones here. Don't people like this place, Sir?" I asked after we sat down. Only us, the waiters and the staff are here. I mean, it's a cute place. It's questionable that people don't go here at dinner.

"I rented the whole place."

He what? Why would he do that? Doesn't he like being surrounded by people? He doesn't normally do this.

"W-What? Why?" I surprisingly asked him while he was holding the other menu.

"I wanted us to be alone. I don't want any distractions tonight. Just the two of us," he said, not looking at me. "I'll have a beef fillet," he said to the waiter.

"Copy that, Sir." The waiter listed his order. "What can I get for you, Ma'am?" he asked and looked at me.

"I'll have a coastal seafood pasta, please," I answered nicely.

"Do you like wine?" Mr. Parker asked me before returning the menu to the waiter.

"I don't drink wine often but I would love to try." I smiled.

"Serve us your best wine," he said to him.

"We will, Sir. Excuse me," he said before leaving us to submit our orders.

It's getting a bit colder in here. No wonder why because it's an open area and there are trees around. It's a high place so we could see the city from here. I still can't believe that I'm in a place like this in Chicago. It's like a dream and I won't be able to wish to wake up anymore.

We ate for about thirty minutes. The food was great and the fine tastes extraordinary. I can say that it's the best wine I've ever had. I would love to go back in here if I'll have the chance to.

"It's still early," he said then looked at his wristwatch. "Do you wanna stay for a while? Let's have a walk."

"Sure," I answered and smiled. 

He paid the bill before we stood up to walk around. The garden is full of colorful flowers and they look so fresh and clean. We walked for about two minutes until we got to the top. We stood in front of the railings and here, we could see the lights from the city.

"It's beautiful," I said before putting my hands in my pocket. I stared down at the city.

"It is," he said.

"I'm starting to believe that you don't have a fear of height, Sir." He always wants to go to the top of something like where we used to go on the site. He likes sightseeing in high places.

"Because I don't," he answered. "High places and a good view make me feel unproblematic."

From what he said, I remembered his problem with his mom. I still feel bad for him. After all the efforts, his mom doesn't seem to appreciate even just a little.

"Why won't you let people see the good in you?" I asked. "I mean, almost everyone at work—"

"Thinks that I'm just a strict genius playboy CEO," he said, not letting me finish.

"Yeah," I mumbled.

"I can't let them see that I'm weak. Ever since I lost my sister, I lost everything. Including the trust of my parents, especially my mom." Even he doesn't burst into tears, I can tell that he's sad, remembering all the horrible things that happened to him.

"If you think that you're useless because you failed one time, don't. There's a lot of people out there who care for you. Your friends, like Cindy and your cousin, Mr. Whitmore. I don't think they'll ever gonna let you down," I explained. I wanted him to believe that there are reasons for him to be happy.

"Do you care for me?" he then looked at me.

"I do," I said, not hesitating to answer.

"Then why are you pushing me away?"

I couldn't answer. Not because I don't know the answer but because I can't tell him. I just can't.

"I've never felt this kind of feeling to anyone, Liv. I just want you to know that—"

"Don't start, Mr. Parker," I said in a serious tone.

"Don't start what?" he confusingly asked.

"Don't start this conversation again. I don't wanna talk about it." 

Julie may have said the truth yesterday that he likes me and he's serious about that. But something inside me is pulling me back whenever I'll have the courage to talk about it. I can't understand myself either, that's why I don't think he will.

"Is it because of Cindy? When you saw us that day? Liv, that was nothing serious, I—"

"It's not about anyone, okay? I can't." Our voices are starting to be loud. Thankfully, there aren't people here.

"You can't what?!" His face was filled with confusion. I tried to walk to escape him but he didn't let me by grabbing my hand to turn around and face him. "I'm not asking you to like me back, Liv. I just wanna know what you think of me, that's all."

"I d-don't know," I said. I'm starting to stutter and I hate that I'm unable to voice out my feelings even he wants me to.

"You don't know? Or maybe you just don't want me to know?"

I'm afraid. I don't know why.

"Talk to me, Liv. Please," he begged while still holding my hand.

"I don't want to risk it. I'm scared," I shortly said. I was trying not to shed a tear because it'll just make things worse.

"You're scared that I might hurt you," he softly asked and I nodded.

Even I didn't experience being in a romantic relationship, I'm still afraid of what might happen. I know, liking and loving someone needs to risk their full trust. And I don't think I can give it to him right away.

"Won't you even give me a chance?" he asked. His eyes were lonely and look disappointed.

"As I said, I can't risk it. I'm s-sorry."

...

"Liv." 

I was doing some paper works when Mr. Whitmore called me. I stood up as a sign of respect because it looks like he wants to talk to me.

"Yes, Mr. Whitmore?" I asked politely.

"What happened to your boss? He's acting weird for the past few days. Did something happen in Chicago?"

It has been five days since we got back here in Brooklyn. I expected that this will happen and I'm responsible for it. But how can I fix a thing if I know that I can't provide the perfect tool for it to be fixed?

…