Chapter 191 - Scarlet's Reply

Bumping into Edward after class was one good way to end Scarlet's three-month-long bridging program with the university. There would be a short one week break before the actual school starts for the philosophy course and Scarlet still hasn't heard from him until today.

"Do you have any other appointments for today?" the teen asked in a cheerful voice and Scarlet felt as if her immunity to his charms had completely disintegrated over the last one week of waiting for his confession. Was he going to do it today?

Scarlet shook her head and Edward had already expected that much. He didn't mean to act like a stalker but the teen had taken the initiative to find out about Scarlet's schedule after getting Alex's contact from Elfie. The Wilde heiress wasn't going to say no to getting Edward's number and was rooting for him to get together with Scarlet although she did threaten to break a rib cage or five if he made Scarlet sad. Why was everyone around Scarlet so violent? Edward couldn't understand how they could remain beside such a docile lamb like the writer. Didn't they say birds of the same feathers flock together?

The unofficial couple strolled down together and Edward proposed a place to stop by for lunch outside the campus. Scarlet agreed to it and texted Claire that she will be heading out of the campus with Edward so that the head maid wouldn't worry.

Edward was hyper-aware that there were people following them throughout but acted as if there wasn't anything wrong. He had already known that the head maid that Elfie warned him about was in charge of Scarlet and Alex's security arrangements. Today, even more guards were tagging along and the spy wondered why. On a normal day, there were only two but there were four guards today.

Scarlet remained oblivious to the people following her. She was already used to seeing a few shadow guards and spotting them in the area ever since she knew Max. These guards weren't very discreet but they were polite enough to respect Scarlet's wish for them to stay further away and not crowd around her while she was a student. If she was an actress, they would be walking beside her and behind her instead with Pamela in front. The feeling of being boxed in by people wasn't peasant and Scarlet was grateful for a more ordinary life.

The lunch venue that Edward proposed turned out to be a small Japanese restaurant that also sold cheap take-out sushi. Edward grinned at the owner who bowed and asked if Edward wanted his usual. The teen shook his head and glanced at Scarlet before the owner took a cue and offered them the best seats.

"I will bring the green tea, please take your time with the menu and let me know when you are ready to order," the Japanese chef smiled and left with a bow.

Scarlet took around. The Japanese restaurant was clean, small but cosy. From how familiar the owner and Edward were, she inferred that this was also one of Edward's regular haunts. It didn't look as if Edward brought anyone else here from the owner's casual behaviour and Scarlet blushed. Could she be the first person he brought to share his hideout with?

Edward didn't look at the menu and was playing with a pair of disposable wooden chopsticks instead. Scarlet was staring at him too seriously and too obviously at it that made him feel squirmish. Wasn't she being too obvious? Her intense staring was making him shy and the courage that he had gathered up over the week was slowly shrivelling in front of her. He didn't know how long more he could withstand it but he could now understand why some men turn into puppies in front of their wives. Apparently, girls had the power to make even the strongest man feel helpless.

"Have you decided on what you want?" Edward asked and looked up from the chopsticks, unable to withstand Scarlet's continuous staring. The question took Scarlet by surprise and like a rabbit hiding in a hole, she quickly brought the menu up to cover her face.

"No, I can't decide... what will you recommend?" Scarlet asked. If she was honest, she had been too distracted by Edward to look at the menu. Now that she looked at it, she realised that it was written in Japanese with very little English translations.

Edward chuckled to himself when he watched Scarlet try to cover up her embarrassment at getting caught staring at him. Was she trying to hide that? It was adorable how badly she tried to cover it up. For some reason, Edward didn't think Scarlet was the kind of person capable of lying. Even though she was an outstanding actress full of mystery, Edward was beginning to think that Liu Xiu Wen wasn't just another self that Scarlet created for the world to see. In fact, it was a part of Scarlet that was blown up while she hid the other parts of herself in front of the camera. The similarities between the famous actress and the university student in front of him can be seen now that he observed closer. Liu Xiu Wen never answered questions she didn't want to answer honestly. She would always divert it with a question and hide her embarrassment by looking away or behind an object if she could before peering back up like right now.

Edward felt as if his heart died when Scarlet peeked from behind the menu. Those thick-framed glasses only served to highlight her dorkiness more and the teen swallowed hard. Why wasn't the tea here yet?

Speak of the devil and he shall come. The chef interrupted the moment when he saw some awkward tension between the young love birds. If Edward wasn't a regular customer, he might not have interfered. However, if his good customer and friend needed help with the girl he liked, Joe Yamamoto will offer tea and some good advice.

"Are you ready to order?" the chef asked and Scarlet blushed, shaking her head.

"Sorry, I don't really know what to order. Could you recommend something?"

Joe hummed and looked at Edward. "This regular customer likes to eat seafood here. Are you a seafood person as well, miss?"

Scarlet thought about it. "I won't say I'm a seafood person but I like fish. Does that count?"

Edward listened with interest as Joe and Scarlet struck up an easy conversation about the different types of authentic Japanese food that he thought would interest Scarlet. Listening to them, Edward learned that Scarlet was a fan of fresh sashimi and not a fan of hotpot. She also didn't like crabs and shellfish much and was horrified at the idea of eating fish milt even though fish eggs were alright. Joe recommended something that was low in calories for Scarlet who expressed her regret at not being able to have dessert if she ordered too much.

"Here, you must eat at least one kind of Japanese dessert. Because you like fish, I recommend a dessert in the shape of fish called Taiyaki."

Scarlet laughed at the owner's sense of humour and agreed. Then, the chef turned to Edward. "You must also eat, good for you."

Edward was puzzled. "I've never heard that eating dessert could be good for anyone. Give it ten years and they'll be complaining about diabetes."

Joe tutted. "Not this one. You know what fish this is? The Taiyaki is a koi fish, a KOI fish I tell you. And koi in Japanese has another meaning."

"What meaning is that?" Scarlet asked and Joe smiled knowingly.

"Is the meaning for love, you can look it up on the phone. So I repeat the orders again, one sashimi platter assorted, small. One assorted tempura set. One plate of takoyaki. One plate of salmon roe sushi. One plate of chicken karaage. Two Taiyaki."

Edward nodded and shooed the old man back to the kitchen when he gave the teen a thumbs-up for the mission. Scarlet blessed and couldn't look into Joe's eyes the whole time after she found out what 'koi' meant. Were they being too obvious that even other people could see?

Edward didn't really care about it and looked at Scarlet who was flushed. She looked as if she wanted to bury herself somewhere. Since the food will take some time to arrive, Edward decided to strike while the iron was hot, thanks to Joe's opening.

"Here," he said almost casually and held out a white envelope.

Scarlet stared at it for four seconds and linked. Was this what she thought it was? Looking up at Edward, she noticed how pink the tip of his ears were and smiled, accepting it with both hands.

"Can I read it here?" she asked and Edward heard his heart in his ears. Here and now? He wasn't mentally prepared but nodded stiffly. There really wasn't anything he wouldn't do for her at this point.

Scarlet thanked him and opened the envelope nicely. She took out the folded note and took some time to appreciate his cursive writing. Edward must have put a lot of thought and effort into this one letter. Even though it was only half a page long, Scarlet read it as if they were gems.

Edward tapped his feet and looked away, too nervous to do anything else while Scarlet read the short letter. What did she think about it? Was it too short? Was it too ridiculous or did she not think that waiting a week for such rubbish was with it?

As he waited, Edward could feel his courage melt away. All he wanted to do was go back to his apartment and hide under the covers to cry alone. Then, Scarlet folded the letter and tucked it away. With a shy glance in his direction, she asked. "Can I still say yes?"

The words were soft but for Edward, it was as loud as fireworks. His face lit up and he nodded vigorously, taking Scarlet's hands across the table in his.

"Please say yes. Scarlet, won't you be my girlfriend?"

This time, Scarlet giggled and teared up a little before nodding her head with a smile. "Mm, yes I will. Please take care of me."

From the counter, Joe watched the new couple confirm their feelings for each other and smiled. Seeing happy couples made him happy too even though his wife had passed away more than four years ago.