Chapter 18

Chapter 18

No matter what age you are, it's embarrassingly awkward to have your Grandmother find you in a compromising position.

I looked over to Axel and his eyes were fixated at my Lola in shock, still on top of me. I pushed him a little to wake him up from being frozen, he stood immediately and offered me his hand to help me up. I took it, not wanting to cause any more drama. I don't even know how to explain this bit to Lola, how would I know how to explain a snarky refusal to accept his simple help?

I love my Lola but I can't deny how much I loathe her sexism and antiquated thinking. She still believes men are stronger than women. And of course, being raised with the 'always respect your elders' Filipino trait, I can't talk back. I've learned my lesson because I actually did one time and it didn't go well, I was grounded for a week as a result, and from then on, I just kept my opinion to myself and my mouth shut and internally vomit the words Okay, Boomer.

I know I can't be grounded now that I'm a grown-ass woman living on my own, but I'll take the higher ground. I can't have my Grandmother have a heart-attack because of me.

"Uh, I'm sorry. It was an accident." Axel fought to find his words to explain to Lola. He looked over to me, face apologetic, and expressing worry. "I better go. I'm afraid my boss told me I can't be seen with her in public."

"That doesn't make sense." My Lola said, baffled. Hailey raised her brows at me.

"Yeah, well, that's her." He replied. I just looked at him looking at Lola with a nervous smile on his face.

"It was really nice to meet you and I hope you won't hold what just happened against Lauren. It wasn't her fault; it was just an accident." He moved closer to Lola and took her right hand, placing the back of it against his forehead. He remembered. "I hope to see you again soon, Lola. If I can still call you that."

"Of course, you can, Hijo." Lola smiled. I'll take that as a good sign.

Axel smiled triumphantly, "Uh... Enjoy New York."

"I will."

"Alright, I'll just walk Axel to the elevator." I interrupted.

"Okay. You take care, Axel. It was nice to meet you too."

Axel offered a nod and a smile, took the garment cover with his used clothes then walked with me out of the apartment.

"I can't believe you just sweet-talked your way out of that. And that my Grandmother bought it!" I said as we wait for the elevator.

He chuckled, "You know, she's really nice. You're lucky."

"Well, she isn't like that all the time. You're lucky today. But yeah, I'm lucky I have her."

He smiled, "I saw where you got your good looks from."

I snorted, "Yeah, well good looks. Thanks, I guess."

He shook his head slightly, disapproving. "You do know you're gorgeous, right?"

I felt my blood rush to my face. I never really knew what to say when someone tells me this.

The elevator dinged, opening in front of us. The car's empty. Thank God.

"There you go!" I said with more enthusiasm than I'd like.

He chuckled, "Saved by the bell." He shook his head then entered the elevator. "I'll see you around, Grant." He said then the elevator doors closed.

I exhaled slowly as I walked back to my apartment.

He just said that to mess with me.

Remember the game, Lauren. He's just playing you. He said so earlier. Don't forget that.

I shook my head to clear it out of my system before opening the door. Hailey and Lola were looking through Lola's phone in the living room as if nothing happened.

"Lauren, there you are," Lola said as I walked towards them.

"Go take a shower then we'll eat. I'm starving!" Hailey said.

I guess I averted Lola's wrath but I know Hailey, she'll never let this go and pester me for information later.

* * *

We went out as soon as I finished getting ready. Hailey led the way, she said it was a surprise, she already made a reservation while I was having one of my talks with Axel. I'm such a horrible granddaughter.

My mouth opened in shock as we reach the restaurant. "You got us a table at The Brunch Street? Oh my God. How?"

"I have my connections." She said smugly.

"Who are you and what have you done with my best friend?" we laughed and went inside.

"Table for 3 under Ferguson." Hailey said to the Maître d'.

"Alright, let me just check for a second," he scrolled over the iPad, "Okay, right this way please." He said then led us to our table in the left corner near the bathroom.

"Thank you," I said as we sat.

"I'm sorry," Hailey apologized.

"For what?"

"I mean this isn't exactly the best table."

"Oh, don't beat yourself up! You pulled this last minute, and it's a miracle, dare I say, that this table was even available. Look around, it's jam-packed."

She smiled, "Thanks. I just wish we could've had a better table."

"Lola, tell her."

"Yes, Hailey, you have nothing to worry about. You're practically my favorite apo today."

"Excuse me?"

"Hi, I'm Kit, I'll be your server today. Here's the menu." The waiter interrupted and gave us the menus.

Hailey the favorite apo.

I have to up my game. But damnit, it's a long climb up since I fell rock bottom with all of the Axel drama this morning.

Infuriating.

"I'll have a turkey sandwich with a sunny side up on the side. Well-done please." I said to Kit.

"Excuse me, I need to go to the Ladies," I said to Hailey and Lola, getting up without waiting for their replies.

I need to take a breather. I feel like I'm morphing into my bitch-self and I have to calm myself down so I wouldn't fully transform.

I know myself – I could be such a brat, and irate mode is not a good look for me. I regret it all the time.

I walk towards the bathroom in small sure steps, trying to calm myself, keeping my head down. When I reached the Girls Bathroom entrance, someone coming from the Boys Bathroom bumped into me, I almost fell.

"Hey, watch it!" I looked up and saw the guy from the grocery store.

"I'm sorry." He instinctively said then his brows raised in realization when he saw my face, "Hey, you're the girl from the supermarket." He chuckled, "we keep meeting like this."

I was taken aback by his accent, I forgot he was British.

"Yeah, more than I'd like," I said with a little scoff, to which his face fell. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that. I'm not usually this... this snarky. Just..." I exhaled, "Just a pretty testing day."

"Mm, I get that."

I nodded, "You know I actually saw you last night."

"Oh? Why didn't you say hi?" a trace of hurt from his voice.

"You were walking down the runway at the Liezl Mack show." He chuckled, listening to me. "I can't particularly say hi to you in that state."

He shook his head playfully, "You saw me at work. I feel cheated."

"What? How so?"

"Well, for starters, the only times I see you is when I bump into you. And I don't even know your name."

"Is that your way of trying to get my name?"

He winced, "Poorly executed but guilty as charged."

I exhaled a small laugh, "It's Lauren. Lauren Grant."

"Hi, Lauren." He outstretched his hand for a shake.

I hissed a wince, "I wouldn't take that."

He chuckled, "Fair." then slid his hand in his pocket, "I'm Dean. Dean Harvey." He said mimicking me.

I can't help but snort a laugh.

"What?" he said amused.

"Nothing." I waved at him, "It's just that..." I inhaled, regaining my composure, "College must've been hard with that name, huh?"

"Easy. I never went."

"Oh."

"Well, I started the modeling gig straight out of Secondary School."

"Oh." I nodded, suddenly feeling embarrassed of myself. Beat it, Lauren, your mouth can shut sometimes.

"Lauren?"

"Yeah?" I said focusing back on him.

"We have to stop meeting like this."

I raised my brows at him.

"How about we meet for... I was gonna say tea but I guess coffee's more your area." he smiled at me.

"Oh, I, uh..."

He winced, "Don't tell me you're here with a boyfriend."

"No, I'm with my best friend and my grandmother." I didn't know why I was explaining.

"Oh, good. So?"

My forehead scrunched, thinking about Axel. It feels wrong to say yes to Dean but Axel and I aren't actually dating and we didn't say anything about being exclusive. Huh, how can I even be sure he wasn't still going to bars with multiple girls like he did all the time?

"Unless you do have a boyfriend." he pressed.

"No!" I said louder than I'd like, "No." I repeated in a lower voice. "I don't have a boyfriend."

"So later then?" he said, hopeful.

"Uh... I can't. My Grandmother's in town for the day. I can't ditch her."

"I'd say let her come but I guess that'll be too awkward for you?"

"Yeah, you got that right."

"Okay, how about tomorrow?"

"Hm, I don't think I have plans for tomorrow..."

"Great, tomorrow it is then." He said enthusiastically. "Let me get your number."

"You know you really need to work on that."

"But I'm getting your number, right?"

"Yeah?" I rolled my eyes.

He shrugged, "Well then I guess it's effective."

I chuckled then typed my number on his phone. My phone buzzed from my pocket.

"So you'll have my number."

He smiled with a glint on his eyes, looking at me up and down in a not-so-subtle way. He just grinned widely then walked back to the dining area, leaving me and my flustered self all alone.

I opened my phone to see his text.

"Call you later, Lauren. -Dean"

My brows knit together in amusement. I shook my head and continued to walk inside the bathroom.

I washed my hands and stared at the mirror, looking at my reflection. There's nothing much to see here, which makes me wonder how models seem to suddenly take an interest in me. Oh, that's right, because they aren't actually. One is sicklily attached to games and dares, and the other I just happen to bump into all the time.

"What took you so long?" Hailey said as I got back to the table with the food already set.

"I bumped into Dean, again," I replied as I sat down.

"Dean?" Lola asked.

"It's the guy from the grocery store that I happened to bump into a few days ago. Hailey was there."

"What? The same guy from the show last night?" Hailey dropped her fork, tableware clattering.

"Apparently, yeah."

"Okay, I'm missing something here," Lola said.

"Wait, you're interested in this?" I asked raising my brows at her.

"Don't give me that look. Of course, I'm interested in your life."

"Wow. How boring is it at home?"

She laughed, "Don't make me regret asking you, Harriet."

"Oooh, called by the middle name." Hailey jived.

Eh he, no one asked for your opinion, Hailey.

"Well, I bumped into this guy at the grocery store about a week ago. Then we saw him again at the fashion show we've watched last night. And just now, I bumped into him again when I was walking to the bathroom."

Lola nodded, intently listening as she picked on her salad. "What did he say?"

"Uh... he asked me for coffee later."

Hailey almost spat her drink. "You said yes right?"

"Yes but no."

Her brows knit together in confusion, "How is that possible?"

"I said I can't today because I can't ditch Lola. Obviously. But he's up for it tomorrow and said he'll call me later."

"Oh..." then her smile reached her eyes, "I'm so proud of you, girl! I mean it's not like you and Axel are exclusive."

I widened my eyes at Hailey.

"You and Axel?" Lola's eyes narrowed. "I thought he isn't your boyfriend." confusion evident in her voice.

'Oops.' Hailey mouthed.

I scratched the back of my head, "He isn't, Lola. He's just a... friend."

"Ay, Lauren. Your eyes can never lie." She shook her head, "Whatever it is, I need you to be careful. Of yourself and for yourself. You understand me?" her eyes bore into mine like she's speaking intently to a four-year-old needing to understand every word she said.

"Yes. Completely." I nodded then began eating my sandwich.