I've heard this somewhere: "Couple who enjoys eating together at the same table is happier than couple who spent only of their time on the same bed."

  "I hate the way you eat. It gross me out." My boyfriend broke up with me with this reason.

  And so I made a promise to myself — I will never eat with a guy.

  "Please! Please? You know Maz will get mad if he found out that mom set a blind date for me," my friend, Jecey, begged me a favor.

  She is dating a guy in secret due of her family background. Because she's from a wealthy household, her mom always set her with another guy from the same league. Surely, her parents won't accept Maz who works diligently at a coffee shop.

  "Okay, okay," I agreed. "But in exchange, can I borrow a hundred dollar? I'll have to pay for my apartment this month. So..."

  "No problem! I told you before that if you need help, just say it. We're friends dude, like come on~"

  Jesey soothed my back. Borrowing money to my bestfriend isn't gold digging. But everytime I ask for help, I'm ashamed of myself.  Of course she isn't thinking that I am taking her for granted! Yet still...

  "So you'll gonna meet him right? Right?" She insisted. "Sunday morning, at Yeli bricks, 1pm. I'll doll you up sis so don't worry. You will be my perfect disguise."

  This sorta sounds like in typical novel. A plain girl is acting like her rich friend. She met a prince looking guy who isn't on her league. Soon, they fell in love. A trouble arise when the guy found out that her name and her status are all fake. But in the end, he'll choose her despite of their difference; even if it is them against the world.

  However, it won't happen to me. Just thinking of this made me laugh.

  All I need is to date him for 6 hours. Then I'll tell him that we aren't match with each other so we don't need to have our second encounter. A clean end.

Sunday morning arrived. Jesey brought me in her favorite salon and doll me up. You know, having make-up done by professionals and wearing different branded clothes until she's satisfied.

  I didn't glow up like Cinderella but to be honest, my confidence went up even just a little bit. My height also, because I am wearing high heels. R.I.P feet.

  We set foot at Yeli bricks steak restaurant exactly at 12:30pm. Jesey left me alone after lifting my fighting spirit, though it doesn't help since I'm trembling so much.

  Waiting in this seat, surrounded by unfamiliar setting, is like the time when I was first went to highschool.

  'Calm down (Y/n). You were a member of theater club before so calm your nerves like asdfghjkkll... damn!'

  "Hi."

  Sweet voice.

  A sweet voice called me and woke me up from messy daydreaming. It was as sweet as chiffon cake coated with chocolate icing and sprinkled with another chocolate toppings.

  The owner of that voice took the empty seat across mine.

  His eyes are very unique; it's rounded at first and rigid on both sides. If his eyes are allowed to make sounds then it could be giggling right now. The positivity overflows that I was drawn by his stare.

  His nose isn't big, isn't small, but pointed enough to call it perfect. And his lips? It looks like it was drawn symmetrically.

  Aside from his small face, what caught my inner wild attention was his Adam's apple. It moves... very sexy.

  "Nice too meet you. I hope you didn't wait for too long."

  Like a kindergarten seeing her classmate for the first time, I wordlessly stared at him. 
 

  "Ahmmm, are you okay?"

  Somehow, I managed to calm myself so I could response. "Y-Yeah."

  'Very short but... nice try (Y/n).'

  "Great," he sighed with a smile.

  His smiles reminded me of myself when I was finally allowed to eat cheese as much as I want.

  What am I thinking food too much today?

  "Should we introduce ourselves first?" He started. "My name is Joshua Hong. I'm 26 years old and I'm living alone. My parents reside in Los Angeles. I worked as..." He paused for a moment.

  Why? Something's wrong with his work?

  "Well. My salary is huge and it was made by a clean... yeah... very clean way."

  If he is too defensive like that, I'll suspect him even more. Anyway, he's cute.

  "I love watching movies and walking at the park. How about you?" He placed his elbows on the table and put his chin above his clenched hands.

  He is staring too much that I am getting conscious on my appearance. I know I'm not pretty but at least, I can be cute in my own way.

  "My name is Jesey, but my nickname is (Y/n). So you can call me by my nickname. I preferred it. Ahmmm, I'm working as editor in chief in fashion magazine. And I love...dogs."

  I do love dogs. But I guess it's weird to say in this moment? Or should I thank myself for not mentioning that I love frogs too?

  "Dogs. I wish I could raise one," he chuckled. Phew~

  Fanning myself, I glanced on my wrist watch. It's 1:15pm already.

  His handsome and gentleman but sorry. I wished time flies fast so I can go home. Pretending to be someone else is tiring~

  "Do you have another appointment? You keep on glancing on your watch. Or maybe, I bored you?"

  Widening my eyes, I waved my hands mid-air. "No no no. It just that... ahmmmm. This is... ahmmm, well."

  I almost said that this is my first blind date but since I am acting like Jesey, it won't make any sense. Jesey been in many blind dates before.

  "You're uncomfortable?" He guessed. "It's alright. To be honest, this is my first blind date. I'm nervous too. Here, look at my hand." He raised his hand and I saw it tremble. It is trembling too much that I guess he is doing it on purpose.

  "You're shaking it," I laughed.

  "At least, you laughed," he replied then pointed my smile.

  He's a good guy. Now I feel guilty for lying like this.

  "Ahhhh, let's eat. I bet you're hungry," he offered.

  Before he could call the waiter, I declined furiously, "No. I'm not hungry at all. If you wanted to eat then eat comfortable. I'm okay with water."

  The disappointment on his face showed very clearly.

  After I broke up with my ex, I didn't eat with any other guy. And Joshua won't be an exemption. He might felt offended but what should I do? Just raising my spoon in front of a guy fright me so much.

  "Well, I'm not that hungry at all," he replied then beamed. "How about spending our time watching a movie?"

  He is the first guy who gave positive feedback over my harsh decline.

  Because of his kind consideration, I came together with him at the cinema and watched the latest SpongeBob the movie.

  The two hours we have spent watching weren't that memorable. Maybe except for the part that I caught him crying over cartoons. That caused a total shock for me.

  An adult guy crying over cartoons? Very unique.

  After watching, we went at the park and walked around while talking this and that.

  It was enjoyable that I almost forgot that I should not make this fun.

  6 hours of dating is 'bout to end.

  The two of us are walking in the busy crowded streets of 6pm. It is the time when commercial buildings, stores, shops and street lamps are turning their lights on. The sky is purple and the dawn air kisses on my skin.

  "I had so much fun," he said.

  "Me too," I replied. "But..." I halted my feet and looked at him.

  Joshua stopped his pace so he could hear me. "Hmm?" He mumbled.

  "I don't think that we should see each other again."

  His smile evaporated very quick. Again, I disappointed him.

  "It's true that I had fun but I cannot meet you again."

  In the beginning, I promised myself that no matter how handsome, gentleman and perfect Jesey's blind date partner is, I must not create a way for another meeting. Because I am not her. I am only... a substitute. It's better to end this early before the lies go big.

  However...

  "Are you hungry?" Is what he has replied.

  Of course I am. We never ate anything for the past 6 hours! But, asking me this after I dump him, isn't it weird?

  "I'm not hung..." I am about to lie but my stomach growled right in front of him.

  "Grrrrrrrrrsldhaakakk~"

  This is so embarassing! I wanted to dig a hole and burried myself!

  "Eyyyy," he teased. "You are." Next, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me somewhere.

  Wondering if this is okay, I looked at the food truck in front of us. They served takoyaki, beef-yaki, chicken-yaki, fried dumplings and hot buns.

  I am watering by just the look of these.

  "Excuse me, can I have two takoyaki, two hot buns and two ice tea?" Joshua placed orders.

  Oh no! I'm going to eat with him if I'll let my guard down!

  "Joshua, I..."

  "Eat."

  "Huh?"

  "Please. Eat." The way he asked me sound more like a beg.

  Since we aren't going to see each other again in the future, maybe, he will be my first exemption.

  "Ahmm sir, this is the sauce for your takoyaki," the old woman from the food truck advice him to use the original sauce. But Joshua declined. "I know. But I want to have these." He put sauces one after another. It looks good though, not a messy one that end up looking terror.

  When he finished, he places the takoyaki in front of me. "Try it."

  My eyes went on it. Then it came, my fear, my trauma and my loneliness. How come eating with someone become frightening like this?

  "It's good," he whispered.

  Using a stick, I took a bite on my takoyaki. The flavor is new to me: it is sweet, sour, spicy, bitter. Very unique but it blends well.

  I kept on taking bite after bite until I realized that I finished everything. I'm full. I'm happy.

  "Did you like it?"

  "I do. It's good. I love it."

  Slowly, I traced his gaze. Joshua is smiling at me.

  I am scared. I am scared that I'm feeling this happy while eating with someone.

  Without signs, tears fell from my eyes.

  "W-What's wrong?" He worried. "It is spicy? Do you want some water?"

  "I'm scared."

  "Huh?"

  "That you'll say that my eating habit gross you out."

  "..."

  "Someone told me that. That's why I don't eat in front of anyone. I feel disgusted to myself. Not because I have physical obsession issues. I just... I was hurt so bad. Because he is my first love."

"..."

  "I'm sorry for being too emotional. Sorry," I bit my lips and laughed at this absurdness. Fixing my hair, I bid him goodbye. "I'll take my leave. I know, you probably saw me very weirdly so... yeah. This is embarrassing. Thank you for today. Bye."

  He grabbed my wrist before I could even take a step away.

  "Jesey and I know each other," he shared.

  Without looking back, I keep getting goosebumps from my scalp.

  "We set this so I could meet you," he added.

  Puzzled, I looked at him once more.

  "I'm sorry," he apologized then soon released his grip. "Actually, I've known you before."

  'When? How?' I asked inwardly.

  "Years ago, I was there. When your ex-boyfriend dumped you."

  I am starting to get the picture complete.

  So I asked, "Are you doing this because of pity?"

  "No. I am jealous."

  "Huh?"

  "Before he broke up with you, I watched you eat. And you know what? You're wonderful. I really wanted to date a girl who enjoys her food. I'm tired of watching women acts so elegant in front of me while they eat. Because I believe that the way people enjoy their meal shows courtesy and honesty. Believe it or not, it was love at first sight. The first time I saw you, I hope that I will be given a chance for us to have a meal together. So... when I heard your ex-boyfriend lame excuse, I am disappointed at him. How could he let you go?"

  "..."

  "I hesitated to approach you that day since you were crying so hard. And because of that hesitation, I lost you. Years after, I've met your friend, Jesey. We already went on a blind date but because she has a boyfriend and I am not interested in dating, it ended up with friendly date. She talked about you, boast how awesome you are and even showed your pic on me. Then..." He paused and nodded his head. "I recognized you. That's when I thought that maybe, we are meant to see each other again. I begged Jesey a multiple times. She declined at first, but for the fifth time, she agreed."

  "..."

  "I promised her that I'll make you happy. That I'll try mending your ache. That we will enjoy eating together in every meal."

  They said you'll eventually fall in love with someone who enjoys eating with you. If that's true, if this is a second chance for me, then I wanted to try it with him.

  "What's your occupation?" I asked.

  "Huh?"

  "When you were introducing yourself before, you hesitated to show your work so I was suspicious. Tell me your work, then let's date."

  He smiled at me, shoved his hands on his pocket and answered, "I'm a chef."

The end.

A/n: I hope you love this one shot!

P.s I made a season 3 of Seventeen Imagines. Since this book is about to end, I decided to make another one. You can check it on my works. (I did prepare lots of imagines for that book)

Enjoy reading~ and if you haven't eat, then LET'S EAT!