First twenty questions

"Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment."

-Buddha.

"Life gives you plenty of time to do whatever you want to do if you stay in the present moment."

-Deepak Chopra.

"Be happy at the moment, that's enough. Each moment is all we need, not more."

-Mother Teresa.

The song suggestion for this chapter is no more sad songs by little mix.

I will be dedicating this chapter to all my lovely readers. And for ghost readers, how do I scare you to vote and comment?

Anyways, this chapter will also be dedicated to Wattpad for this wonderful platform and oa_judith for being awesome. It will also be dedicated to my new friend, Jkaloko for giving raw honest reviews about this book and finally, sophie_swadil for this awesome book cover.

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Ever since I could remember, going for ice cream was an adventure. Even after we had decided where to get it and how to get there, walking into the black and white tile-floored parlour with a simple restaurant setting intensified the cool atmosphere. A huge jam box sat comfortably in a corner and played soft cool music.

It has an open glass window that gave the sunset view and little kids playing and laughing around gave us goosebumps probably from the ever-present cold and also from the excitement of the idea of peanut oreo swirl or double mint chocolate ice cream. For God's sake we are grown teenagers in twelfth grade but the idea that ice cream could enter the picture and melt away all the drama everyone had to deal with. All the tension and pressure I had to deal with the previous weeks.

The sitting arrangement is like a romantic date with each table occupying two patronisers. Ian and Lia are situated in one table having the best time of their lives. Little murmuring is heard from Eric and Mike's table as they try to murder each other with their eyes. While Ralph and I are sitting on a table living in the present moment while a comfortable silence hung between us. Ralph chose a cone dipped in chocolate and sprinkles and ate a forkful of the carrot cake in between us.

"Why did you choose to believe me now?" I wiped the smeared ice cream off my lips and stare at him while he sighed deeply.

He took another forkful bite of his cake and touched my hand that rested on the table.

"I realized I was quick to judge." He started. "I got a footage of the kiss and realized nothing happened from another angle when I zoomed in. It was just a facade."

I blinked unbelievably. "How did you manage to get footage?"

"Well I won't let all my tricks out of the bag and I'm sorry for avoiding you -"

"Like a plague." I interrupted him.

"Excuse me?" His brows furrowed in confusion.

"You avoided me like a plague or a pandemic. It just shows how much you trust me." I shrugged my shoulders and scooped a spoon of ice cream and savoured its sugary sweetness.

"About that, I apologize baby doll."

"Apology not accepted, Mr big fat ego." I snapped my fingers in his face and concentrated on the only thing that stays loyal to me at all times. My ice cream.

"Are you trying to revenge?" He queried.

"Revenge?" I chuckled shaking my head in disbelief. "I have no revenge. I am no longer yours and I was never yours, to begin with and it is punishment enough." I offered sweetly and tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear.

"It is okay if you hate me but I am not giving up on you. Mark my words baby doll." He smirked and winked.

I scoffed. "Like I care."

"Anyways, what do you say to a game of first twenty questions?" He stroked his jaw and took the first taste of his ice cream.

"It is not like I have any choice. Bring it on." I challenged while he smirked in return.

"Actually you do have a choice. A choice to either play the game willingly or play the game forcefully." He said cockingly while I chuckled.

"I actually do have the choice to walk out of here and leave you to play it by yourself." I threatened and watched an ego get destroyed as he choked on his ice cream while he blinked repeatedly trying to digest my words.

"You just slapped my ego, Who did you learn that from?"

"I learnt it from the best teacher sitted across me." I laughed.

"Okay, if I were the last person on earth, would you date me?" He threw a wink my way and playfully wiggled his brows.

"Ralph. If you were the last person on earth, I wouldn't exist." I nodded my head while he feigned shock at my smartness.

"If I punch myself and it hurts, am I weak or strong?" I asked leaning closer.

"Hmm!" He scratched his head. "An idiot Anna, you would be an idiot." He chuckled while I glared at him.

"What is your dream job?" He probed as I watch his adam apple bobble.

"Food consumption specialist."

"Seriously?" He facepalmed.

"Fine! A pharmacist." I raised my hands in defence.

If you could star in a movie, what movie would it be?" I threw at him while he raised his chin thinking hard.

"I wish my life could be a combination of the adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the desert and the emoji movie." He bobbed his head to the song currently playing. Wap by Cardi B.

"I am a huge fan of Black panther and love how realistic and factual the movie is." I interrupted and drank my melted ice cream.

"I feel like the movie is overhyped though, personal opinion, no offence." He countered and danced stylishly.

"None taken." I shrugged "Do you like pets?" I queried.

"I used to have a little german shepherd who was like a brother to me."

"Really?" I asked wide-eyed, suddenly interested.

"Yeah, but it died the last Christmas due to pneumonia." He gurgled.

"I'm so sorry." I offered and squeezed his shoulders.

"It all in the past now, you should do that more often." He nodded.

"Do what?" I took my first bite of the abandoned cake since I have exhausted my ice cream.

"Squeeze my shoulders more, it feels so relaxing baby doll." He flirted and threw a wink while I hissed at his pathetic attempt at flirting.

"Would you rather have a Beyonce or a Rihanna song stuck in your head for twenty-four hours?" He asked.

"Bad girl RIRI for life." We both chorused and began talking about how amazingly talented she is. It felt really good that we were both a fan to something.

"Game of Thrones or Harry Potter?" I questioned.

"Harry Potter, I love professor dumbledore and Snape. They are both wonderful characters." He grinned and wiped his palm.

"I love how smart Hermoine is, such an intelligent witch," I commented.

"What is the silliest fear you have?" He questioned.

"Fear of losing someone I am attached to," I replied while a little silence hung in the air.

"What country would you like to visit someday?" He threw my way while I hugged myself and shivered a little from the cold.

He removed his denim jacket and passed it to me to wear. "You should have told me you were cold."

"I had no idea I was cold myself," I said with a small smile and muttered thanks.

"Paris," I answered.

"I didn't get that." He turned his right ear towards me.

"I have always wanted to see the Eiffel tower in Paris and I love french. The language and accent sound so sexy." I spilled while he chuckled.

"Can you speak the language fluently?" He queried.

"Nah, I only know some basic greetings and words in french. I did French in freshman year but I was never serious with the course." I shrugged my shoulders and stared out the window. Some people were moving around in colourful skating board and I watched them amusingly as I thought of my next question.

"You know we can tour the world together someday in a cosy private jet with Bill gate as our flight attendant." He grinned while I burst out laughing.

"You have got to be kidding me, Ralph."

"Who is the most fascinating person you have ever met?" I asked and watched him think about it.

"The most fascinating and intriguing person I have met is situated right in front of me." He revealed staring at me while my heart hammered fiercely in its rib cage.

"Uh! Thanks." I muttered and cleared my throat.

"Where have you travelled to?" He asked.

"Italy, Colombia, Ireland, and Mexico," I answered while he stared at me in astonishment.

"Lovely countries, I heard the cold in Ireland supersedes the US." He rubbed his palm and waited for me to reply.

"I don't know for real, the Ireland weather isn't stable. It could be rainy this minute and sunny the next minute."

"So fluctuation is the definition of their weather." He cooed while I nodded in positivity.

"Wrong assumptions people make about you?" I fired.

He gave a small smile and shook his head. "I know I have the reputation as the baddest boy but most people ignore the fact that I might be soft on the inside."

"Might?" I tilted my head waiting for an explanation.

"Fine! I am soft on the inside. Happy?" He snapped.

I grinned. "More than happy, software."

"What odd talent do you have?"

"I will show you someday, but get ready to be surprised." He flashed me a cute smile that revealed his pearly white set of teeth and how pointed his angular jaw is.

His beautiful brown eyes reminded me of sweet brown chocolate and at that point, I realized why brown has been my favourite colour of recent.

"Future ambition?" I picked the last piece of cake and munched it slowly.

"To be the ultimate baddest boy ever." He raised his collar for dramatic effect.

"Pretty stupid of you, just talk."

"I want to be a banker someday."

"Nice!" I commented.

"Would you do this again with me someday?" He leaned closer and grabbed my palm while I felt my heartbeat accelerate.

"Sure, it is beautiful." I nervously replied and covered it up with a giggle.

"What is the most beautiful view you have ever seen?" I leaned closer to him while he stroked my palm. His scent lingered in the air. Cologne mixed with mint.

"I have seen so many beautiful places and things, but nothing beats the view I am currently staring at." He smiled and began drawing a small circle on the back of my hands.

A gust of wind wavered around us as it tore my hair from the elastic band that held it and Ralph's bang wasn't left untouched either. For a moment I couldn't see as my hair was in front of my face and Ralph stared deeply into my eyes and his musical voice continued.

"Your black curly messy hair intrigues me, your black innocent pupil in the midst of your white orb of the brightest fire attracts me. So innocent yet so pure and beautiful baby doll." he touched my face delicately and leaned even closer to whisper.

"Your beautiful yet perfect skin clothed in a regular simple outfit. No view beats your uniqueness. The softness of your curves with the muscle of a footballer allures me." I could feel my heartbeat tremendously, every single pound in my chest beat to the rhythm of his words. Not through my ears that drowned out the music from the parlour.

I didn't move, I dared not breathe, I was frozen to the spot. Deep thumping breathes sounds nearby. The hairs on my arm stand to attention as I grasp his face and lean closer to his whisper..his whisper that sounded like a sweet melody.

He whispered on and twirled my hair in his fingers. "Pain is evident in the crease of your brows and the curve of your full lips when you are angry. You aren't beautiful in a classical way, no fake golden curls or ivory skin. No piercing eyes of green, but your true beauty. If the gods are real, then you must be their masterpiece.

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And that is a wrap guys, I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing.