Nine

•DEMI•

(POV)

I tried not to be overly flattered.

How many times did I blushed today.

I should go to my doctor for check up?

This is not normal.

I exhaled slowly to calm my nerves and smile weakly at Kai. She enjoy silently teasing me with her mischievous eyes.

She laugh but she was called by Gun.

Turned to Bright to ask him. I got startle when he was already looking at me. He chuckles.

I should stop drinking coffee

"What?" He said amusedly

"What's the occasion today? It's seems like you all are celebrating something?" I whispered curiously

He rub his nape and furrows his eyebrows thinking "They just want to gather. It's been awhile since we visit here at Moi's."

I nod shyly.

"You're friends are really funny."

I smiled at him. he smirked

"They are all bunch of crazy people"

"They are your friends so that means your crazy too?" I whispered innocently

He laughed heartily. I love hearing his laughter. Seeing him covering his mouth shyly and his eyes lit. It's mesmerizing.

They stopped talking. Looking at us amused and suspiciously as why is Bright laughing.

I got alarm by their looks and i point at Bright said innocently

"He's just farted"

Bright looked at me as if he was tranquilize.

Then they laugh loudly. The sound of their laughter surrounds the place, made it warm and inviting.

"I like her Nong!" Off said loudly to Bright

giving him a thumbs up then he look at Gun.

Gun added "Demi, you should always come with us to tease this grumpy kid, right Win?"

"Yes Demi. I'm fed up with his hotheaded self"

Win teasing Bright

"As if i'm not fed up with you silly antics" Bright said rolling his eyes

Win stick his tongue at Bright then laughs.

The waiter put all of our drinks one by one at the table. It seems like they've been drinking before we arrived.

I picked a lady's drink and stayed away from tequila.

I don't what to repeat what happened and be unconscious again.

"Don't drink too much." Bright whispered

I furrowed my eyebrows at him and he smirk; shakes his head.

Oaf and Gunsmile called him then he excuse himself.

"Kai? I think i saw her before" Nani unconscious said. Snapping his fingers, trying to remember something.

Which made us look at him as i sip my drink.

I should be cautious on what i drink.

"Right! You are Kai Sargon. the famous chef of Kaon"

His eyes are on her like she was a celebrity.

All of them looked at Kai

"Really?" Dew was impressed

"Did i heard it right? chef of Kaon?" Win said made him turned his head.

"Yes Win, Kai over there is a michelin star chef" Nani excitedly said

"Really Kai?" Win said excitedly

Kai smiled then nod at Win.

Sometimes I forgot that Kai is quite famous too. She's humble mother-hen and talented person I know.

Win walks out of his seat. Approach Kai and whines like a kid

"I've been dying to try your food. I tried to make a reservation but the list is booked up to next year!"

I smiled on Win. He's too cute!

I signal Kai to help him.

"I can spare you some seats" Kai pats his arm calming him

"Really?" Win said softly

"What about us?" Dew and Nani said together

Kai laughs at them.

"I'll just give all of you my number if you want to visit me at Kaon."

They nod happily. Their eyes sparkled.

Men and their love for food.

Bright return to his seat and sip his unfinished bourbon.

"What about you, Demi? Excited for your 2nd exhibit? Moi said excitedly

My first exhibit was last year. It was a nerve-racking last week of May. I worked so hard of that one. I was inspired by serene atmosphere while i was visiting one of the temple here. That was the longest time i felt calm and relax again. The pressure i always put myself into.

That's where I realized, we often ignore to listen to ourselves because of noises inside our head. To be consumed by our own overwhelming emotions and keeping it inside us. Sheltering it like a skeleton in the closet. The temple help me a lot. I was reminded to Pause. Breath. and Appreciate life.

Serenity of life.

That was my theme.

We can never be healed in our wounds if we will not allowed ourselves to let it out.

Letting it go. Breath it all out.

I never knew people would buy my painting from a newbie like me.

I touch the rim of the glass and make a sad face at Moi. She mutter with concern "Why?"

Luke replied at her "She's still not done with her last piece"

"I was about to. I was working on the details" I replied defensively. Leaning back a little when i felt i lean something warm on my back. Then I remembered Bright's right arm is loosely leaning on my back chair.

I felt a little flustered.

"So, That's why you're together with Luke earlier" Mike said teasing

Win looked at me asking

"You're an artist?"

"She illustrated the background cover in our latest magazine cover" Bright add why sipping his drink.

I looked at bright curiously as he look away from me.

"You're Meimei O.?" Oaf said amusedly

Gun smiles widely

"Wow! My sister has one of your painting.–"

"And Nong Bri–"

Gunsmile wanted to say something but Bright covers his mouth.

Win grabs my both hands then asked cutely

"When is your exhibit Demi?"

I was surprised by their reaction.

This is overwhelming.

And Oh my God!

Win touch my hands!

I will never wash it again!

Win notice something and removes he hands.

"This upcoming Sunday. You all can visit if you have a time" I invited them shyly

They nodded.

"Wow! I never knew we all have famous people here." Fascinated Dew said.

They laughed at Dew's innocence.

Mike ruffle Dew's head like a kid.

Luke didn't stay long. He had a emergency call from work. Win assure Luke to take us home. Oaf, Off, Gun, Gunsmile, Mike and Taptop didn't stay long too. They had early scheduled work tomorrow.

Kai was fetched by Ren 2 hours after. Kai still keep on denying about him. But i feel something between them. Moi's gone with Tay at her office while the boys are happily chatting with their own world.

I was left with Bright on my side. We stop drinking after a hour earlier. We just chat randomly.

"Hey. Do want get out of here and eat?" Bright ask me.

I looked at him sternly

"Why didn't you ask sooner?" teasing him.

He chuckled.

"I was hesitating. But your stomach keeping on saying yes"

I slap his arm as he laughs.

_