Dante opened the door to Samson’s hospital room.
Dante: Sam, I am gonna drop Lea off at her house or anywhere she can take a transport to her home but afterwards, I’ll come back.
Samson: Alright bro, I trust you. Keep her safe. (Dante nods)
34Please respect copyright.PENANAhQM1SrqXTF
Dante closed the door and walked towards Lea. Lea, he noticed, looked a bit pale and stiff.
Dante: Are you ok?
Lea: Yeah, I’m fine. Though a bit emotionally overloaded.
Dante: Look, I’m sorry for what my friends and I did to you prior to coming here. It was not right, and I apologize on their behalf.
Lea: Ok, and? (crosses her arms)
Dante: (exhales and stares at the ceiling) You’re not a b**ch.
Lea: Look into my eyes and say it. That’s what shows you mean it.
Dante: (looks into her eyes) You’re not a bi… (thought: Whoa, was that there before? I looked into her eyes the first time before we came here but this time, it’s like I could drown in her eyes…) (slaps himself) Get yourself together, Dante!
Lea: What? What did you say? Why would you slap yourself…?
Dante: You’re not a... ‘the b-word’. Satisfied?
Lea: Fine. Let’s go. By the way, you’re weird.
Dante: What?
Lea: It’s fine. Lead the way and let’s go.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAurMIMG06AP
They got into the car.
Lea: Ahh… now lemme just fasten my seatbelt and enjoy the ride. (tries fastening her seatbelt but hears a loud ‘CLICK’)
Lea: Ah-ah-ah, where’s your seatbelt?
Dante: Seatbelts are for babies. I love danger.
Lea: So I am a baby? (tries fastening her seatbelt again)
Dante: Yeah. You can’t even fasten the seatbelt, can you?
Lea: (pulling the seatbelt) It is a bit hard to do, but I just have to pull harder…
34Please respect copyright.PENANAUWgsSlTYyf
Dante stretched over her and pulled at the seatbelt. As he was busy tending to the seatbelt, Lea couldn’t help but notice his daring eyes, sharp look and masculine body. His left bicep bulged as he was pulling at it. She felt quite weird and guilty for admiring him as he had stretched over her just to help her with her seatbelt so she closed her eyes. Soon, Dante finished, sat back down and she opened her eyes.
Dante: See, I did it. Baby. (starts to drive)
Lea: Wow. So you’ve transitioned from ‘the b-word’ to baby?
Dante: Yeah, because you are a baby.
Lea: Well, don’t call me that in public, people will think we’re in a relationship or something.
Dante: Ok, baby.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAS3tDe6Clco
Lea’s heart skipped a beat, then two, then three. Lea clutched at her chest. Was she starting to like this guy? The cold and stone-hearted Lea? Nahh, it’s just heartburns, she assured herself.
Dante: So, where to? Where should I drive you to?
Lea: Umm... Gangnam Station.
Dante: That busy place? Let me drive you home myself.
Lea: NO.
Dante: Why? Your house all old and rickety?
Lea: You mean that for your car?
Dante: Damn. Don’t swallow me. Just looking out for you.
Lea: I thought guys only looked out for girls for something in return.
Dante: That’s most guys. I’m not one of ‘em. I’m different. I look out for others the way I do because I possess empathy. I can’t bear to see others in pain, no matter how angry I am at them.
Lea: You sound like a mother with four kids. (laughs)
Dante: (laughs) That’s exactly what my mom says and she says it all the time.
Lea: But it’s refreshing to know I’m not the only one who’s different.
Dante: Yeah, it is. It is refreshing. (Awkward silence)
Lea: Turn left.
Dante: We’re going home?
Lea: Yes, we are. But I’m giving the instructions and directions.
Dante: Whatever you say, baby.
34Please respect copyright.PENANA926NKU3yHS
Lea’s heart skipped a beat again.
Lea: Stop calling me that.
Dante: Oh come on, you know I don’t mean it romantically.
Lea: Still...
Dante: Baby.
Lea: Stop...
Dante: Baby.
Lea: Don’t...
Dante: Baby. Baby. Baby, baby, baby.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAVDvBCiyizj
Her heart skipped so many beats that her chest began to hurt. She clutched her chest hard and clenched her free fist.
Dante: Why? What’s wrong?
Lea: It hurts. It hurts...
Dante: What hurts? Your chest?
Lea: Yeah.
Dante: Give me the instructions so I can take you home.
Lea: No, it’s fine. I’m fine.
Dante: But, baby, you said we were going to your house now you’ve changed your mind.
Lea: Yeah, (wails) ‘cause you’re annoying.
Dante: (chuckles) Baby. You’re scared something bad may happen if it’s just the two of us, huh? Don’t worry, I’ll just drop you off at your gate or...doorstep.
Lea: (exhales) Carter should come here and listen to what his ‘bro’ is saying.
Dante: That’s right, he’ll blow (makes a puffing sound) up. I bet you, he’ll collapse if he hears me calling you baby.
Lea: Oh really? Bet challenged. He won’t collapse.
Dante: Deal. The loser has to fulfil the winner’s one wish.
Lea: (scoffs) I can’t believe I’m doing this...Deal. It’s a deal.
Dante: Yes! I’ll definitely win!
Lea: (scoffs) Whatever. Turn right at the next junction.
Dante: Yes, baby.


