Chapter 2012


    ?


    "I don''t feel like talking," Hertha said, her voice t and devoid of emotion.


    "Then just tell me what you want to eat. That''s thest thing you''ll have to say," ric nudged.


    "Whatever," Hertha replied, clearly not interested.


    "Alright, ''Whatever'' it is then," ric yed along.


    Hertha was too absorbed in the passing scenery outside the window to pay attention to ric''s words.


    Soon, the car stopped, and ric got out, walked around to the passenger side, and opened the door for Hertha, his hand guarding her head to prevent any idental bumps a perfect gentleman.


    "We''re here, so what''s it gonna be?" Hertha asked, curious.


    ric pointed behind her.


    Turning around, Hertha saw a restaurant sign that read "Whatever." The name gave no clue about the type of ce it was, though a menu board by the entrance listed various dishes.


    A restaurant named "Whatever"?!


    Hertha looked back and forth between ric and the restaurant, her astonishment growing. "What the heck is this?"


    She had lived in Starhaven for many years and had no idea there was a restaurant called "Whatever"!


    "Didn''t you say you wanted ''Whatever''?" ric replied, hands in his pockets and a mischievous smile ying on his lips. Even this simple gesture was enough to send hearts racing.


    Hertha swallowed hard, her heart skipping a beat at the sight of ric''s devilishly handsome smile.This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    It was as if he didn''t know the effect his good looks had on her.


    Trying to maintain herposure, Hertha quickly turned her head away, refusing to let him charm her any further.


    "I meant I didn''t care what we ate, but you knew that. Anyway, since we''re here, let''s go in," Hertha said, trying to save face.


    The restaurant''s menu surprisingly catered to Hertha''s tastes.


    As they ate, ric took out his phone and asked Hertha what kind of movies she liked.


    Lifting her gaze to meet his, Hertha asked with a hint of yfulness, "Is this your way of asking me on a date?"


    "Only just realized? After all this time


    of beating around the bush, we''ve never had a proper date. Tonight''s ourst night of being single, so why not make it a night to remember?" ric leaned in closer, infusing the moment with romance.


    "Have you been this romantic with lot of women?" Instead of being ttered by his words, Hertha was guard, inadvertently voicing her concern.


    Thinking about ric''s past rtionships, especially the one with Georgia, made Hertha uneasy.


    The image of ric and Georgia


    together on the same bed-a sight she had unfortunately


    witnessed-was something she couldn''t shake off. epting his past was one thing, but seeing him with another woman was entirely different.


    ric''s smile froze, caught off guard by Hertha''s probing eyes. The flirtation in his gaze suddenly seemed out of ce.


    He looked away, straightening up and changing the subject, "Let''s focus on the food before it gets cold."


    As he ate, his actions were casual, but underneath, there was an unmistakable sense of difort.


    Being the sharp person he was, ric realized that Hertha''sment was her way of expressing concern over his past rtionships.


    Indeed, he had been quite the yboy, involved with many women before.