Chapter 280: A fluttered heart

Paula stood at their gate and looked at her wrist watch as she waited for Andy. She looked at herself, ''am I too dressed up to see him? What if he thinks I am trying too hard? It was a wrong idea to even apply lipstick, he would know. That man is just too detailed'' she took out and handkerchief and started wiping it away from her lips when the car pulled over in front of her and Andy got down from the car saying.

''Why are you wiping away the lipstick, it looks good on you''

Paula's heart skipped a beat as she looked up at him. He was standing close, in front of her.

''Now, you've ruined it'' he said and stretched his hand towards her, 'give it to me''

''Huh?'' Paula blushed as he took the handkerchief from her and started wiping her lips for her. his actions were unhurried, gently and sensual. Paula felt that her body had been electrocuted and she couldn't move. She just watched him as he leaned closer to her face.

His eyes were unwaveringly on her lips; he was paying so much attention to what he was doing so much that it made her body heat up. her eyes blinked a couple of times as her gaze went to his lips. He was unconsciously biting his lips and she gulped hard. She wanted to have a taste of those. She wondered how it would feel if she just got even a little taste of them, a peck would do.

Andy smiled and looked at her face saying, ''done!!'' he frowned and looked at her reddened face and asked, ''why is your face so red?''

Paula looked at him. His eyes were felt with innocence and it made her feel like she was the lewd one. She pushed his hand away and asked in an irritated tone, ''did I ask you to touch my lips? Where is my bag?''

''I'm sorry. I will get the bag for you'' Andy said and turned. He took the bag out from the backseat and gave it to her.

''Goodbye'' Paula said and turned to go and saw Lisa who had a shocked expression on her face. She was about to leave when she saw them and stopped, so she saw everything that happened. Even she had to admit, her heart fluttered when she saw Andy acting that way with Paula.

''P…''

''Have a nice picnic time'' Paula said, still irritated as she pulled the bag inside.

''Did I do something wrong?'' Andy asked and looked at Lisa.

''Well, the fact that you don't even know what you did is cute. I would have loved to explain to you but I am running late, I have a date with your brother, so see you later'' she said and hoped into her car.

Andy stepped aside and scratched his hair before going to his car. He got inside and drove away, still confused. He genuinely didn't know what he did or where he went wrong but he could tell that Paula was irritated with him. He wondered if he had subconsciously done something to her. It never occurred to him that his little actions back there was the actual cause.

Paula looked at the car going further away and cussed, ''I am so dumb. Why did I react that way?'' she frowned and closed the door before going to her room.

...

The next day.

Lisa was in her café making coffee for two men that had arrived. She had gone to work very early while Paula was still asleep.

After making her breakfast, she left a note to it for Paula before leaving and now she was about to serve her first customers.

Today, she had dressed rather modestly. She wore a long sleeved, high necked brown blouse and paired it with black jeans. She looked beautiful even without exposing herself and she felt confident in them too. The top and down were gifted to her by Paula. She had bought those from a shop while on the trip and Lisa loved them.

As she made the hot latte for the men, she heard the small Christmas bells that she had hanged on at the door ding and she looked up seeing her favourite person in the world.

''Hey, darling''

''Hey, when did you do this?'' Paula asked pointing at the Christmas decorations in the café. It felt like Christmas already seeing all of that.

Lisa smiled and sent the latte to the two men before turning to Paula. She pulled the latter to the counter and sat her down.

''It's beautiful, right?''

''Yes. When did you do all that?''

''During your trip. I was here one day and then Leslie came to see me. After looking at the café, he said it didn't look warm enough and suggested that I decorate it with Christmas tree and all of that. it will make people feel the coming of Christmas'' Lisa sounded excited as she spoke and Paula could see the light in her eyes.

Paula smiled and looked at Lisa. She didn't know whether the way her friend was acting was a good thing or not but she was happy and that was what mattered, right? She knew Lisa very well and she was not one to talk about a man so highly like that. The only thing she probably cared about in a man was how good he was in bed but lately, she had been talking about all the things she was doing with Leslie.

Paula felt that rather than being sex partners, they seemed to be like a real couple. She sighed and looked at Lisa.

''Why are you looking at me like that?'' Lisa asked.

''Nothing, you seem happy that's all''

''Happy? Do I?''

''En and I think that your no strings attached with Leslie is getting a little, I don't know. Lisa, what exactly are you and Leslie?'' Paula couldn't help but worry about her best friend.

''We are sex partners. Wait, Paula, you are not thinking that I like, like him right?'' Lisa asked and laughed clapping her hands.

''Is that not the case?'' Paula asked.

''No, like seriously no. Leslie is the last person I will develop feelings for. No, that would not only be gross but it will be fucked up. stop giving me goosebumps with that idea''

''But, you seem happy because of him''

''I am happy because my shop looks lovely thanks to him and not because of him''

''Are they not the same thing?''

''No, they are not. He was the one who volunteered to help me decorate this place because he is a businessman. It's just like how Andy convinced you to invest your money into a game company and you agreed. He is just a businessman who likes to see things flourish. He was fascinated by my café and offered to help me boost it and I accepted it. he said he was doing it because if I am happy, then the sex would be great''

''Lisa, I am always the naïve one but why do I feel that you sound naïve right now?'' Paula suddenly asked startling Lisa.

''Huh?'' Lisa looked at her and shook her head. 'Did you have breakfast?'' she asked, changing the topic. Lisa didn't know why but she suddenly didn't want to talk about it anymore. It was somewhat getting to her.

''Trying to change the subject?'' Paula asked.

''Oh, let's not talk about it. It's feeling making me feel weird for a reason'' Lisa admitted. Truth was, in front of Paula, she didn't know how to lie. She was always like an open book with her.

''If you say so, but, please be careful. You always tell me that men don't do things for no reason. You and him are just sex partners and there was no need for him to go this extent which I don't know, find it strange. But, you know you are always safe with me, right? I will never abandon you, Lisa. Don't be afraid to lean on me too. I want to be a source of strength to you but you always act tough and strong and I feel useless. I want to be able to also protect you, like you did for me back then''

Lisa sighed and wiped the tears that threatened to fall from her eyes. She nodded her head and smiled. ''I'm going to the washroom'' she murmured and turned hurriedly away.

Paula turned to see that the men had finished with their coffee and were about to leave. S

he went over to them and took the money and the mugs away.

She was washing the mugs when she heard subtle sobs coming from the bathroom and sighed. She saw a group of people coming towards the café and she hurried to the door.

''Sorry, we are out of coffee beans'' she lied and smiled apologetically at the group before placing the ''close' sign on and went back inside.

Paula went to the door of the washroom and leaned against the door. She heard Lisa's voice.

''Don't just stand there, sing for me. You are the one who made me this way'' Lisa said to her.