The ride to the mall was anything but comfortable. Rauf had insisted on driving and asked Henson to stay back to watch the building.
With just the two of them in the car, the silence was so thick it could be cut with a knife.
When he finally parked in the mall’s car park, June almost jumped out of the car without waiting for him to help her.
She strode off, knowing full well he was well behind her, and let out a breath of relief when she saw the number of people surrounding them.
Everyone was busy with their activities, yet she could see a few people glancing at something, or rather, someone behind her.
She didn’t have to look back to see who it was. Instead, she walked faster to put more distance between them.
Rauf stared at the back of June’s head.
What was he supposed to do?
What would he do to impress her and possibly give him a chance to ask her to be his date? His thoughts were all over the place. He hadn’t paid a single bit of attention to the people around him.
His focus was just on a single woman.
Finally, she got into a store that sold foodstuffs and beverages.
Before she could pull out a cart, Rauf was already beside her.
"I’ll handle the lifting. Just pick what you want."
Standing beside her now, she could see people stealing glances at her. She didn’t want to imagine what they were thinking, especially with her bump now showing clearly.
Determined to stay a foot ahead of Rauf, she stepped forward.
She carefully looked at which products to pick and checked their expiration dates before throwing them into the cart.
Rauf, on his end, had been more like a willing cart boy, and June preferred it just like that.
With him acting that way, her shopping wasn’t going too badly.
Until she got to the flavour stand and became confused about what to pick.
She held three flavours and stared at them as if they were going to grow hands and attack her at any moment.
"I think you should pick this."
A voice spoke behind her, almost making her jump out of shock, as Rauf pointed at the strawberry flavour.
Because he had been silent, June had tried to pretend he wasn’t there, and his sudden input in her shopping came as a surprise.
She lifted a brow to examine the flavour he had picked.
"Why should I pick that?"
Rauf smirked, moving his lips closer to her ear.
"Because strawberry flavour smells just like you."
June’s cheeks turned red, and she pushed Rauf away from behind her. Her head turned around to see if someone else had heard what he had just whispered in her ear, but everyone else was busy with their shopping.
June let out a breath of relief, and Rauf couldn’t help laughing.
In annoyance, June threw one of the flavours into the cart, not knowing it was the strawberry flavour.
"Nice pick," Rauf said with a smile.
June turned to him with a glare.
"You’re supposed to blend in with the environment."
Rauf gestured with his hand in confusion.
"I’m trying my best. Just trying to help you make the best decision."
Her nose flared.
"I can make grocery decisions just fine. I don’t need your help."
Rauf shrugged.
"Fine. I’ll be quiet from now on."
But the smile on his face didn’t assure June that he meant to be quiet. Still, June took it as a promise and continued her shopping without being interrupted.
Suddenly, one bold shopper, a short woman with a bob hairstyle, tapped June on the shoulder.
June turned to her while Rauf furrowed his brow at her.
Even though he didn’t do anything, June could tell his stance had changed, as if he was ready for any attack.
The woman faced them both.
"You guys are such a lovely couple. Can I take a picture?"
She raised a camera that June hadn’t seen before.
Immediately, Rauf stood in front of June, covering her completely with his body.
"No."
His tone was cold and final.
Who knew if she was working for someone and had disguised herself to get June’s picture under the pretence of being a photographer?
The woman blinked. She had watched them argue over a flavour and thought they were such a beautiful couple. She never expected to be rejected almost immediately.
"I’m sorry," she started. "I’m a photographer who captures whatever attracts me. I believe you’re a beautiful couple and expectant parents. Your picture would make a beautiful cover for my next edition of the magazine. I can send you one if you want."
But regardless of the excuse she came up with, Rauf insisted it was a no.
Dejected, the woman left before he stepped out from in front of June.
June was frowning at him.
"Don’t you think that was a bit harsh?"
Rauf frowned.
"I’m just trying to protect you."
She sighed.
"Not everyone is dangerous or moving around with a gun."
But Rauf disagreed.
"Not in our world."
June turned away from him. There was no point arguing with him.
She stalked off, but Rauf caught up with her.
"Did you want to take a picture with me so badly?" he teased.
June turned to send another freezing glare his way.
"You don’t have to get angry about that. I can always hire a photographer to take our picture."
"I don’t want to take a picture with you."
She was now throwing random things into the cart without checking them, no longer taking the same care she had been taking earlier.
Rauf only smiled.
"Okay. If you don’t want to take a picture with me, what about going on a date with me?"
Her feet stopped, making her freeze suddenly. She threw the item she was holding into the cart without checking it.
She tried to see if there was any sign of amusement on his face, but he looked serious, like he actually meant it.
June shook her head.
What a way to ask a woman on a date?
Then she looked into his eyes and answered,
"Not in this life."