81 Really Worried

"Why are we here?" Michelle eyed the sign for the waterpark.

"You told me that you're fine anywhere. Here we are." Riley was about to open his car door.

"B-but...I...I can't..."

"Don't worry. They also have swimwear for sale." He smiled at her and took a single step out to descend from the car.

She grabbed his arm. "That's not it. I...actually, I..."

Riley patiently waited for her to finish what she was saying.

"I have my period today." she whispered as she looked down.

Riley had a hearty laugh. He stepped his foot back into the car and closed the door.

"Why are you laughing so hard?! Argh! Guys will never understand!" She crossed her arms over her chest.

After calming himself down, he said, "I'm glad it came."

"Wha-what are you talking about? How could you be happy about something like this?"

He chuckled. "After we did it, I was really worried because we didn't use protection. I was actually contemplating on how to handle the new when you tell me."

"So, have you thought of what you would have done?"

______________________

As Midori watch Dan cook in the kitchen, her phone rang.

"Niisan." She picked up immediately.

"Doko imasu ka?" Masaichi's voice was stern.

Midori looked at Dan who also turned around when she answered the call.

"I'm at my friend's place. I'm sleeping over. Do you need my report for today? I can email them tonight."

Masaichi did not reply for a while. Then he sighed. "I'll expect the report tomorrow. Keep yourself safe."

"Awww...the devil in you is worried about me." she teased.

"Manta is really worried about you not coming home." he replied, then immediately hung up.

Masaichi sent a message. "Mom, did Midori really got back together with him?" Then he stared at his teacup blankly.

On the other hand, Dan had successfully concocted a spaghetti puttanesca with anchovies and olives. The sauce was freshly made with tomato chunks. He also made medium roasted lamb chopsand opened a bottle of sweet red wine.

Midori did slow clapping movements with her hands. "Not bad. But this was a Spanish restaurant. Why Italian?"

He smugly took the plates of food and strode away.

She got up from her seat and went after him.

As they reached a cozy dining area with red brick walls, he placed the food carefully on the table and began arranging plates and utensils from the cupboard.

She shook her head in disbelief while smiling.

Then he pulled out a wooden chair with floral cushion. "M'lady..." He flashed her a smile.

Midori took the seat offered and observed as he poured out some wine into her glass. "Thank you." She had a teasing smile.

"My pleasure." His toothpaste commercial smile appeared again.

She started to enjoy the food as they ate.

"Hmmm...CEO Zhou...this...is not bad. Not bad at all!" She was chewing.

Dan laughed at her remark, then he saw some sauce at the edge of her lower lip. She has the tendency to have these stains near he lips when she eats foods with sauces. This was because her lower lip was plump in contrast to her thinner and more defined upper lip.

Just then, he wiped the sauce off her face with his thumb, reaching across the table.

Midori was surprised by the sudden gesture and she blushed. Her face contorted more into disbelief as he licked off the sauce from his thumb.

"What are you doing?!"

He looked at her with a straight face. "What? Should I have just licked it directly off of your face?"

She glared at him but blushed even more. Then she sliced on her lamb chop in annoyance. She stuffed food in her mouth as if she needed an excuse not to talk back.

He poured some more wine in his own glass and drank some as he looked at his amusing wife.