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Chapter 7
"Hello, Daisy! I've come up with a plan. I thought I would have to spend the whole my life at this beach."
"Good luck to you!"
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After dressing up smartly, Brian waited outside the inn for Summer. It was Summer who asked him out for a date. Inside his heart, he was excited though curious.
"Wow, you look good today," praised Summer.
"Thanks."
"Let's go."
They got onto the scooter and went to the town.
In the café, they sat opposite each other and started chatting.
"Why are you treating me lunch?"
"Well, Christine and the guys are away. It's a great time for the two of us to spend time together, to understand each other better."
"Why? I thought you want to talk about the beach."
"Don't spoil the atmosphere. Let's not talk about it."
"That's good," Brian smiled.
"After knowing you for a week, I realize that you're not bad a person. Nice, gentle and strong!"
"You mean it?"
"Yeah," she nodded. Summer looked around the café.
"Not bad. It's a nice place," she paused and fixed her gaze at a girl, "Daisy?"
Brian followed the direction of her gaze, "You know her?"
"Yeah. She's by best friend. Silly girl! Didn't even tell me that she's coming. And with a guy! Too bad he is backing me. I must go and see his face."
Summer walked over to Daisy. Brian followed.
"Daisy! How dare you? When did you arrive?"
"Sum…Summer?!" she stuttered, and seemed shock at the sight of her friend. Summer finally took a good look at the guy who was with Daisy.
"George? Why are you here?"
"Since you saw us, let me tell you. We've been together for two years," said Daisy.
"What?" Summer turned to George's imposter, "How could you? She's my best friend?"
Actually, the two good friends had made this arrangement to gain Brian's sympathy. It was just a trick, an act.
"Brian, see? This is my ex-boyfriend who made me lost my place in college and now, hooks up with my best friend."
Summer tried to force tears out of her eyes, "I'm sad. I'm really very sad."
"Summer, listen here. It wasn't that your love faded. The fact is he never loved you. Someone so selfish, arrogant and waspish like you will not have friends. Just that you're the last person to know."
"Daisy, you…fine," Summer said in tears as he turned and walked out of the café. Brian who didn't know what to do or say went after Summer.
When they were out of the café, Summer told Brian to go and get his scooter.
"I'm going back up there to dry my tears. Wait for me here."
Summer ran into the café again. Taking her bag was an excuse. She wanted to talk to Daisy.
"How was it?" asked Daisy concern.
"He seems to believe our story."
"That's good."
"All I have to do is cry sadly. Friend, you are the best. And I should have prepared an award for 'Best Acting Actress' to you. Thanks, Daisy, for flying especially to Malaysia to help me. Got to go. He's waiting for me downstairs."
"Hey," Daisy held her up, "Did I look like I was joking?"
"What?"
At that moment, the real George appeared.
"George? What are you doing here?"
He stood beside Daisy and put his hand around her.
"I told you. We've been together for two years. He told me to come and help you for the last time."
"George, you're hopeless."
"I don't like it when people scold my boyfriend. Summer, someone so selfish, arrogant and waspish like you will not have friends."
What the couple said and done rankled Summer's heart. This time, it was really broken. She lost all her self-esteem. Impeding the tears from coming out, Summer ran out of the café and found Brian waiting for her.
On the way back to the tea inn, the two didn't utter a word. The pillion rider held Brian tightly, lying on his back, feeling desolated. Although the streets were congested with rowdy crowds, to Summer, the world was in pin-drop silence. Finally, the tears that had welled in her eyes for a long time let themselves free, wetting Brian's shirt and heart.
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Night fell, Summer sat alone on the verandah, watching the waves hitting the shores. Brian came and sat beside her, hoping to cheer her up a bit.
"It's a very big blow to me. One was my boyfriend; one was my so-called best friend who I had known for 10 years. Today, they were telling me off together," Summer started crying again.
"They not even made me lost all my self-respect, but worst still, they cheated me. Who can I trust now?"
"Me. You can trust me. I haven't work hard in impressing you. But I have been doing little things for you. And I hope that all those little things can be added up to touch your heart."
Summer looked deep into his eyes and once again found a safe and cozy place to live in.
"I promise you. I will not be like them."
"You won't bluff me right?"
Brian nodded. Tears of happiness rolled down Summer's cheeks.
"Don't be so nice to me. I'll fall for you and when I love someone, I will feel like biting him."
Upon hearing her words, Brian put out his arm and let Summer bit it. Innocuously, Summer bit his arm with all her strength.
"Does it hurt?"
Brian shook his head, "But my heart is aching."
"You'll keep your promise, won't you?"
"Yes," Brian answered firmly.
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