The restaurant was huge, opulent and looked quite expensive. The tables were arranged properly without a single chair out of place. There were couples everywhere, silently eating and whispering sweet nothings into each other's ears. The waiters were swiftly gliding from one table to another, carrying delicious plates of exotic food, taking orders politely with a bright smile and clearing The tables as soon as the customers left. The light was dim with a smoky kind of soothing fragrance in the air and some couples were dancing slowly, moving to the rhythm on the elevated stage. There was an entire orchestra too with singers who beautifully sang soul songs.

After a forty-five minute drive, we had finally arrived here, in the city. We were silent the entire ride with occasional awkward talks about the city lights and buildings. I didn't ask about Jessica nor did he tell me anything, but from inside, I was burning to know what happened between him and her.

"Sir, what's your order?" The waiter asked respectfully and Noah and I skimmed through the menu. After giving our respective orders, I stared through the glass door towards the silent street, aware of the fact that Noah was staring at me. Somehow I couldn't stop thinking about Jessica, although his past was none of my business and I didn't want to pry.

"Jessica was your ex?" I blurted out suddenly, shocked by my own actions since it was random and spontaneous.

"No," he replied calmly and my eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"Then why is that tattoo--- "

"Its because one day I was drunk and Jessica, Chad and all others including me were playing truth or dare. I was forced to ink the initial letter of her name," He explained and simply shrugged.

"That's it?" I asked in disbelief and He nodded, my burning jealousy finally cooling down.

* * *

Noah and I were discussing about this country's involvement in the world war when I heard a faint familiar voice. I turned towards the glass door and saw a tall figure talking on the phone. His back was turned to me so I couldn't see his face. His familiar tall stature, curly mop of black hair and broad shoulders itself sent shivers down my spine.

"What happened, Strawberry?"

"Nothing," I muttered quietly and Noah smiled at me. From the corner of my eye, I was still watching the looming figure pacing around and talk animatedly on the phone.

"Hey, do you mind if I pick up the call?" Noah asked suddenly and I quickly glanced at his phone, my eyes wide.

"Y-Yeah, sure. Go ahead," I stuttered while cracking a smile and he raised his eyebrows in suspicion.

I waved dismissively, so Noah stood up and walked towards the corner. Immediately, I looked through the glass door. The person was still talking on the phone and I strained my ears to hear what he was saying.

"I'm looking for her, yes, according to-in the city. Yes, yes. Find her, quick."

I could hear only these words. I wondered who he was looking for, but my instincts said that something was definitely wrong.

Suddenly, he whirled around and I quickly ducked down. No, it couldn't be him. I shuddered, my chest tightened and I couldn't breathe anymore. My fingers wrapped around the fork trembled miserably. All dark thoughts were racing through my mind as images after images haunted me. My legs were shaking, sweat formed on my forehead and my throat went dry. I surely was hallucinating because this wasn't real. This couldn't be real!

"- they were the officials. The polo match is next week they said. Strawberry? Are you alright?" I heard Noah's distant voice but my mind was occupied by only one man.

"Ethan!"

"Who?"

"Ethan is here," I mumbled in a shaky voice and scrambled in my seat.

"What happened exactly? I can't understand what you're trying to say," Noah said with concern laced in his voice and I shook my head frantically.

"I'm sorry . . . Please, just take me home," I whispered and I felt my lips quivering in fear.

Noah cupped my cheeks and asked, "What happened? Are you alright? Breathe in, Strawberry."

"P-Please, take me home," I pleaded desperately while holding his hands. Ethan was still out there, but fortunately he didn't see me. Would he recognize me even in this disguise? Maybe, but I didn't want to take a risk.

"Do you want water? You look pale--- "

"No, I'm fine," I interjected with deliberate emphasis and Noah sighed wearily. He quietly paid the bill and took me to the car. I cocked my head a little and saw Ethan yelling and cursing in his phone.

Noah's hands were firmly wrapped around my waist and I nearly ran from his grip to rush into the car. The entire ride back home we didn't talk. Noah thankfully didn't ask me anything either. He just rubbed my back occasionally to calm me in some sort of way and it did work.

We just listened to mainstream pop songs the entire forty-five minutes ride.

Finally, he asked, "Do you want to come to my house? You can relax and if possible tell me what happened."

"Well . . . "

"Its just eight-thirty and your curfew is at ten," He reasoned out and I gave in.

"Okay."

Noah pulled over at his place and we stepped out of his car to walk quietly towards his house. We both entered his cosy, little house and Noah switched on the lights. Carla and Kyle were not at home when we entered and Noah told me that Carla had taken Kyle to her friend's house. I felt awkward being with him alone in his house, but brushed those thoughts away.

We went to his basement where he offered me some water to drink and I obliged. The cold water was calming my scratchy throat and I immediately felt at ease. I sighed audibly and looked around his place. His basement was pretty huge and there were lots of beautiful paintings hung up on the wall. I admired them with awe and wonder, most of them landscapes and sceneries. The more I looked at them, the more it made me feel better.

"What happened back at the restaurant?" He questioned and I kind of expected to hear that, considering how secretive I was being. He noticed me hesitate and added in understanding, "Alright. You can tell me whenever you feel better, I'll always be there."

Although, I could see Noah's disappointment which he quickly covered it with a feigned smile, I couldn't do anything. I did want to tell him terribly, about everything, but I couldn't. I was bound to keep these secrets and I swore that I wouldn't reveal them.

My gaze settled on a bluish canvas and I sauntered towards it. My breath hitched when I realized that the painting was awfully similar to something or rather someone. "Wow, this is beautiful . . . "

"You like it?" he asked dubiously and stood right beside me.

"Yes!" I praised the painting and carefully studied the details which were put effortlessly into the gorgeous painting.

"It would be beautiful because that's you, Strawberry," Noah whispered and I swallowed hard, already suspecting that the girl in the picture was indeed me.

I put up a façade by blinking rapidly and bursting out cluelessly, "Me?! You're kidding, aren't you?"

"No, it's you and that's Coco," He said seriously and I felt myself trembling due to the emotions that swamped me. I wasn't dumb to know that probably the girl was me because she was a splitting image of me with black hair, my wig colour. Her skin was tanned, like my skin due to the tanning cream. She was looking down with her hair placed on one side of her neck just like I styled mine. Coco was dark brown in colour, almost black. This imagery was when I was crossing the river with Coco, the resemblance was uncanny.

The only difference was that the girl was a bit thinner than me and did not wear glasses.

"Y-You drew me?" I stammered because if he drew me, I might be something to him . . .

"Uh-yeah. Just a couple of days ago," He forced out the words awkwardly and I tried my best to not hug him in overwhelming feelings that gripped my body.

"But w-why me?" I asked in a shaky voice, my eyes never leaving the picture. He didn't reply so I awkwardly changed the topic, "It's so pretty and perfect. Who taught you to paint?"

"My father," he said with a stoic face and I noticed his Adam's apple bobble.

"He was a very talented person, right?"

"Sure, he was a very talented liar," He remarked and let out a bitter laugh. My heart pricked and I couldn't think about the day when he would find out that I was a talented liar too.

And that day was going to come soon . . .

* * *

A/N :

The painting in the picture does not belong to me, it's taken from the internet and belongs to the respectful sources.