Chapter's song: Photograph by Sam Tsui & KHS cover. (This is seriously cool. Don't skip this.)

Andrew was kidding. Thank God. I was worried as we took the bus, but the bar looked normal. The tables and booths were crowded and the sound of laughter and background music filled the place. There was a small stage on the back, and I noticed that on the tables next to it were mostly girls.

Andrew found us a free spot at the counter bar. He bump-fisted the barman after taking a seat. "What do you want?"

"A beer is fine." My eyes roamed all around the place. People were mingling and soft rock music was playing on the background.

A bottle was placed in my hand. "You don't go out too much, do you?"

"Define much." I grabbed the bottle, it was slippery from the condensation, and took a gulp. I cringed at the bitter taste. I wasn't really keen on beer, to be honest. Yet it was the least expensive drink.

Andy laughed at me. "You just answered my question, sweetie."

My eyes narrowed. "I don't like endearments, Andrew."

He gazed behind me. "Too bad. I don't give a shit. Sweetie." His mouth curved up in a smirk. I rolled my eyes. "Although, I'm sure that if I was chef Bryan, you would think otherwise..."

His words stunned me into silence. I shifted in my seat. "Why would you say that?" I asked warily as I touched my throat.

His whole demeanor seemed casual but his eyes were sharp as he glanced at me. He tipped his bottle to me. "You couldn't keep your eyes off him today."

I huffed. "That's so not true." But my whole face felt in flames.

I couldn't be that obvious! Maybe that's why Bryan stayed away from me all day long.

Andrew laughed loudly. "I think this goes both ways!" He winked.

Scratching the back of my neck, I turned away from him. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Well, probably because you didn't notice the way chef Bryan stared at you all the time."

"I'm his student, he's checking what I do, just like he supervises anyone else."

"Right." He sounded so skeptical that it made me wonder if what he said was true.

Thankfully, his friend showed up on stage. He was holding a guitar on his hands as he sat down in the middle. The girls started to gush and I smiled at how excited they looked.

The guy seemed overwhelmed at the attention. He seemed to be around his twenties. Brown hair, light brown eyes. Simple outfit. Cute enough.

Then he started to sing.

Holy crap. He was good. I gaped at him and Andy nudged me with his elbow. "He's good, isn't he?"

"Insanely good!"

He smiled at me. "I knew you'd like him. The guy is like a chick magnet." We stayed at the bar for a while, listening to his friend's covers, singing with the crowd. It was pretty amazing.

We left after midnight. We were both hungry and as we walked through the streets, we found a small burger stand. I got a cheeseburger and fries, and we found a nice spot in a park nearby.

"So, do you admit that you like chef Bryan?" Andy teased me as I was about to take a bite on my burger.

I glared at him and threw a fry his way. "I don't!"

"Truth be told, I'm somewhat jealous," he examined his burger carefully, before glancing at me.

"Says the guy who has no problem in finding someone to have fun with." I raised an eyebrow.

He cracked up. "Well, it's not my fault that chicks dig me! And if a random girl appeared next to me this morning, it was definitely not because I pushed her!"

Smiling, I shook my head. "Oh my God! You're so full of it!"

He sobered up. "Seriously," he looked at me with a straight face, "Do you like him?"

I frowned at his question. "I don't. I can't." I pursed my lips. "He's incredibly talented and passionate, but I don't know him. Plus, let's not forget that he's my boss and teacher." I stared at the fry on my hand, creasing my brows. Wow. Talk about a confession.

Andy finished his food. He smiled at me. "He'd be an idiot not to notice a girl like you." He threw a fry my way making me yelp and I almost throw away my burger in the commotion. "You need to work on your self-esteem, woman!" I glared at him. "Besides, you should go for it. You're too good. It's annoyingly sick."

I laughed at that. "Look at you! Trying out to be a modern matchmaker?"

Chuckling, he started to pick on my fries. I tried to swat his hand away but he was faster than me. "If you want to miss on this," he patted himself on the chest, "The least I can do is encourage you to be happy." His brown eyes sparkled mischievously, "While encouraging you to brake a few rules. I mean, hell, we only live our life once. You might as well enjoy it."

This was starting to sound too close to home, so I changed the subject. "I like your lip ring, by the way."

He raised an eyebrow. "I've been told that it makes kissing more exciting." He wriggled his eyebrows. "Wanna try it?"

Smiling, I shook my head. "You are relentless."

"No harm done in asking," he shrugged nonchalantly. He checked the time in his phone and joked about taking me home or my brother would beat his ass.

We took the trash and started to walk back home when I turned to look at him. "What's your story Andy?"

He snorted. "The usual. Drunk Father. Weak Mother. I joined a gang when I was sixteen and one day, when he was hitting my brothers, I beat the crap out of him. He left and we never saw him again."

A pang played in my chest. I knew too well what he was talking about. "How many brothers do you have?"

"Two. One's thirteen and the other is sixteen."

"And what made you want to change?"

He gazed at me with a small smile on his face. "What's this? Revenge?"

I rolled my eyes playfully. "Humor me."

He chuckled. We kept walking as his tone turned serious. "My little brother joined a gang." He shook his head. "He's thirteen. And he's acting out like he's eighteen." Silence reigned for a moment. "I quit the gang and made my brother quit too. It hasn't been easy, since you can't exactly quit, but I don't want that kind of life for my brother, you know?"

I did know. That was my darkest fear. That Seth joined a gang or turned to drugs. I was doing my best not to let it happen.

"You're really brave, and your brothers are lucky to have you."

Andy smiled at me. A real smile this time. Not the usual smirk he plastered on for everyone. We kept walking and as we reached my street, he asked me how I'd gotten the job.

"Bryan knocked me off my feet. Literally." I smiled before telling him all the story about Tom's being concerned I might sue them and all that. Andy burst out laughing.

We reached my house. "You're okay, Andrew." I shoved him playfully on the chest. "Thank you for inviting me. I had fun tonight."

His brown eyes roamed around my face for a moment. "You're welcome." Smirking, he added, "Don't I get a goodnight kiss?"

I shook my head. "Go home, Andrew."

He chuckled. "Let's see how your dearest chef reacts as I tell everyone we were out on a date."

My smile faded. "He won't mind."

His smirk widened as he raised both eyebrows. "Are you sure?"

"Bye," I stressed out as I walked to the front stairs of my house.

"Good night, sweetie." I rolled my eyes.

That night, as I laid in bed, I couldn't stop thinking about what he said.

Was Bryan really looking at me? Nah. He was probably just checking that I did everything as they showed us.

Stupid Andrew for making me feel like I was special to Bryan. I wasn't. Even if he sort of was for me. 

I'd never seen a cover like this. I loved the song and the water thingy is so amazingly cool!!!

And well...there was no Bryan but I couldn't help myself and I had to post a picture. He's just too handsome.

I'm really trying to finish my NaNoWriMo Word count but I'm not sure that I'll make it. Anyway, I'll keep the updates coming but please be awesome and comment! (don't forget to vote, either!)

Thank you!!!