"Just till we reach the place," he said quietly, his hazel eyes burning with intensity .

She was taken aback at the husky tenor of his voice . The easy going demeanour from a minute ago had vanished . She didn't reply but stopped fighting his grip on her hand . While walking towards the restaurant, she pointed out a few landmarks which were visible at a distance . He nodded his head in acknowledgement and showed appropriate interest . But both of them were acutely aware of the warmth of their joined hands, which was spreading across their respective limbs .

"Oh G.o.d! I am not going to survive this evening," Jia Li thought in near hysteria .

To the outsiders, they probably looked like one of the many couples out to enjoy the evening . Hopefully, no one could see the slow burning which both their bodies were undergoing .

What the two of them didn't realise, was how striking they looked together - dark haired, brooding, tall guy with his fair, green eyed, pet.i.te lady . A lot of people's heads turned and gave the pair a second look . But Jia Li and Tang were busy keeping their facial expressions impa.s.sive and missed the entire episode!

They reached the restaurant and chose the outside open air seating . After placing the order for drinks and appetisers, they spoke about inane stuff . Jia Li's eyes accidentally spotted a red slash on the side of his neck . She tried hard to keep her vision above his chin but couldn't stop wondering about the mark again and again .

"It was the cat, who did it," he said suddenly .

He had been in the middle of narrating an incident about a common friend whom he had run into, the week prior .

"Huh? What did you say?" she asked, confused at his sudden change of topic .

"I said that it was the cat who scratched me on the neck when I went to pet her . She is a wild one!" he said, amus.e.m.e.nt lacing his words .

Jia Li coloured at his words . She thought about pretending not know what he was referring to but gave up the idea the very next second . He knew her too well for her to get away with it . Thankfully the food arrived just in time to save her from responding .

"Uh, the dish's description didn't mention that it had artichokes in it . Can you please take it away?" she frowned at the appetiser and instructed the server .

Tang looked into her eyes, with enough warmth to toast her!

"It's alright . Let it remain," he interrupted softly .

Jia Li looked at him in surprise . Artichoke was one of the few vegetables, which he completely abhorred .

After a bemused server went away from their table, she looked at him questioningly .

"Now, I am not so fussy about my food . I eat almost everything," he said as a means of explanation .

She felt foolish after the reaction that she had given to the man . Of course, things change .

"I shouldn't have a.s.sumed and I definitely shouldn't have acted all proprietorial… who am I – his girlfriend???" she scowled to herself .

"Thank you! Thank you for remembering my likes and dislikes," he spoke so softly that she had to strain to hear his words .

She acknowledged his words with a slight nod . They were being so formal, awkward around each other, as if they have met each other for the first time .

"So, have I told you about the time when dad turned spy and helped me?" he asked her, hoping to ease the atmosphere .

Though he was acting all cool and casual in front of her, the truth was that his heart was in his mouth . He had the driver circle her building at least fifty times that evening so that he could catch her at the right moment when she came out of the office . His first reaction had been to take her in his arms and kiss her senseless . Of course, he had done nothing of the sort and instead reigned in his pa.s.sion and emotions . He didn't want to scare her away nor did he want her to push him back . So he had maintained his distance .

Jia Li couldn't believe her ears when Tang told her about the whole Mei Zhen episode . She knew she shouldn't derive any joy out of it, but she couldn't stop a tiny smile leaking out from the corner of her mouth . It was all his fault . He had narrated the whole episode with exaggerated gestures and hand movements . She could almost see Mr . Xie and Mei Zhen on his face!

"Stop, I can't take it anymore . I have no interest in knowing how her love interest looks like," she said, trying hard to hold her laughter in .

She tried to pull her hand out but he paid no heed and tightened his hold on it . Just till we reach the place, he said quietly, his hazel eyes burning with intensity . She was taken aback at the husky tenor of his voice . The easy going demeanour from a minute ago had vanished . She didnt reply but stopped fighting his grip on her hand . While walking towards the restaurant, she pointed out a few landmarks which were visible at a distance . He nodded his head in acknowledgement and showed appropriate interest . But both of them were acutely aware of the warmth of their joined hands, which was spreading across their respective limbs . Oh G.o.d! I am not going to survive this evening, Jia Li thought in near hysteria . To the outsiders, they probably looked like one of the many couples out to enjoy the evening . Hopefully, no one could see the slow burning which both their bodies were undergoing . What the two of them didnt realise, was how striking they looked together - dark haired, brooding, tall guy with his fair, green eyed, pet.i.te lady . A lot of peoples heads turned and gave the pair a second look . But Jia Li and Tang were busy keeping their facial expressions impa.s.sive and missed the entire episode! They reached the restaurant and chose the outside open air seating . After placing the order for drinks and appetisers, they spoke about inane stuff . Jia Lis eyes accidentally spotted a red slash on the side of his neck . She tried hard to keep her vision above his chin but couldnt stop wondering about the mark again and again . It was the cat, who did it, he said suddenly . He had been in the middle of narrating an incident about a common friend whom he had run into, the week prior . Huh? What did you say? she asked, confused at his sudden change of topic . I said that it was the cat who scratched me on the neck when I went to pet her . She is a wild one! he said, amus.e.m.e.nt lacing his words . Jia Li coloured at his words . She thought about pretending not know what he was referring to but gave up the idea the very next second . He knew her too well for her to get away with it . Thankfully the food arrived just in time to save her from responding . Uh, the dishs description didnt mention that it had artichokes in it . Can you please take it away? she frowned at the appetiser and instructed the server . Tang looked into her eyes, with enough warmth to toast her! Its alright . Let it remain, he interrupted softly . Jia Li looked at him in surprise . Artichoke was one of the few vegetables, which he completely abhorred . After a bemused server went away from their table, she looked at him questioningly . Now, I am not so fussy about my food . I eat almost everything, he said as a means of explanation . She felt foolish after the reaction that she had given to the man . Of course, things change I shouldnt have a.s.sumed and I definitely shouldnt have acted all proprietorial… who am I – his girlfriend??? she scowled to herself . Thank you! Thank you for remembering my likes and dislikes, he spoke so softly that she had to strain to hear his words . She acknowledged his words with a slight nod . They were being so formal, awkward around each other, as if they have met each other for the first time . So, have I told you about the time when dad turned spy and helped me? he asked her, hoping to ease the atmosphere . Though he was acting all cool and casual in front of her, the truth was that his heart was in his mouth . He had the driver circle her building at least fifty times that evening so that he could catch her at the right moment when she came out of the office . His first reaction had been to take her in his arms and kiss her senseless . Of course, he had done nothing of the sort and instead reigned in his pa.s.sion and emotions . He didnt want to scare her away nor did he want her to push him back . So he had maintained his distance . Jia Li couldnt believe her ears when Tang told her about the whole Mei Zhen episode . She knew she shouldnt derive any joy out of it, but she couldnt stop a tiny smile leaking out from the corner of her mouth . It was all his fault . He had narrated the whole episode with exaggerated gestures and hand movements . She could almost see Mr . Xie and Mei Zhen on his face! Stop, I cant take it anymore . I have no interest in knowing how her love interest looks like, she said, trying hard to hold her laughter in .