Because I Cannot Hurt You

Zizi's voice faltered. "Y-you shouldn't take a ladies's purse from her. Don't you know that she keeps her personal stuff inside?" She glared at him.

Yunru smiled. "With the way you are charging at me with full speed, I won't find it a surprise if you mind me seeing your 'personal stuff' if it exists in the first place. I guess you would be happy to let me know about it."

She choked and so did the receptionist. "Y-you…"

Zizi grudgingly handed him her purse. "Don't peek inside."

He raised his brow. "FYI, I am an honest cop. I don't invade someone's privacy though I think inwardly, you want me to peek inside by raising my curiosity."

Zizi gritted her teeth. 

Is he a mind-reader? Sometimes, I really wish that you are not so sharp!

He sighed and gave a light chop on her head. "Instead of cooking schemes here, you should take some rest."

Zizi grinned. "That is exactly why I was bri- a-asking the receptionist to help me. I feel comfortable and at peace when I am with you which means that if I have to rest, your presence is my best option!"

His mouth heavily twitched. "Princess…"

The receptionist was dumbfounded.

This woman is a pro in flirting! And with such ease!

"Princess, you should really start flirting classes."

Zizi brightened. "Does that mean that it's working on you? Have I occupied your heart? Are you starting to have feelings for me?" With each question, she stepped closer and closer to him.

"..."

So direct…

But seeing her stare at him with her pure, sparkling gaze and practically leaning forward, their chests being at a threateningly close distance from touching, he felt his heart skip a beat.

He cleared his throat and pushed her back. "You have to work hard."

"Great!"

"Why are you happy with that?"

He thought she would pout again.

"Hm? At least you didn't say that it didn't work at all. That means it's working a little bit and that is progress."

He widened his eyes. He parted his lips to deny it but he couldn't gather his words.

"What?" She raised her brow. "Now don't you dare go back on your words just because I gave such a super awesome deduction!"

Yunru averted his gaze. "Whatever. I am heading back and you too now."

"Wait, wait! The conference is tomorrow, right?"

"Yeah."

"So what will we be doing today?"

"Nothing much I guess…"

"That is so boring. Instead of spending the whole day in the room getting bored, why not we enjoy the day here?"

"Well…"

"Great! It's decided then!"

Zizi didn't want him to give any chance to think more and then reject it.

My shopping will finally be of use today haha!

---

When Yunru stepped outside, all freshened up and dressed in a white shirt and jeans, he was surprised to see Zizi already outside his room.

He glanced at her from head to toe in a slight daze. The peach dress on her looked beautiful that accentuated her figure perfectly. Her hair was tied into a neat bun and the matching peach earrings added to her charm. The makeup was just light but refreshing. The warm sunlight from the corridor windows gently shone on her side profile and the smile on her lips looked even prettier.

And just like him, Zizi was also mesmerized by the casual vibe he emanated. He looked just like the day when they had met for the first time for their date.

Yunru was dressed in a white shirt and jeans just like today. His hair was a little messy at that time and even now they were. He looked charming just like that day and now that Zizi thought about it, she had felt her heart race at his sight. But she has refused to admit it because of his status that bothered her.

"How are you ready before me?" He asked, "I thought you would take your own sweet time."

Zizi snapped out of her stupor. "O-of course! Hmph. I didn't want to make you wait, get bored and then cancel our plan. So, I got ready before you."

Yunru widened his eyes. "Ah? So you did it in a hurry?"

"Not really…"

But an extra ten minutes would have helped. Damn it, I hope my bun is not too ugly, she sobbed.

Yunru stared at her and smiled as he shook his head. "You don't have to worry so much. I wouldn't be so heartless to cancel the plan just because of that. If I say yes to anything, it's a deal then."

"Really?" She blushed.

"Yes. Plus, all the men on this planet have already accepted the worldwide truth that women take time to get ready. So we already prepare ourselves for a long, treacherous wait."

"..."

She didn't know how to retort that.

He chuckled. "Let's go."

Suddenly, he felt tugged behind and he saw Zizi holding his wrist. "What is it?"

"You...This is like a reset, isn't it?"

He blinked his eyes in confusion. "Reset?"

"Yes. Hehe, when we met the first time, you had worn similar clothes and you gave off that similar charm as today in the restaurant. Remember the day right when Grandpa set us up for a date? I was wearing a light pink dress too which kind of matches this peach dress now."

He slowly widened his eyes.

"And now we are alone again. So we can consider this as a fresh start! Our first date ended on the worst possible note, but we got a chance to reset it today! Isn't this like a new beginning?"

He stared at her in a stupor and now that she made him realize it, it did make sense.

Yunru broke out of it. He coughed. "I-Is that so?"

He had felt it too. Something felt awfully familiar to him ever since he saw Zizi in that peach dress.

"Yes! So, let's go!" She grinned.

His lips couldn't help but curl into a smile. "Sure, Princess," he chuckled. "Try not to get yourself arrested today."