An hour later, Ryan drove back to the city.
Violet glanced at the man beside her with a puzzled look. She had a feeling that Ryan had something to say to her. However, even after they left the beach, Ryan had not said anything to her.
After a brief hesitation, Violet opened her mouth to ask what was going through Ryan's mind. Before she got her chance to say something, Ryan turned to her and broke the silence between them.
"It's getting late," Ryan said. "Why don't we grab something to eat first before I send you back to your place?"
Violet considered Ryan's suggestion and nodded. "Sure. I'll tell my parents that I won't be having dinner with them. " She took out her phone to text her mother before turning to Ryan with a smile on her face. "I'm guessing that my parents would be happy to know that we're having a meal together." Her lips turned to a playful smile.
Ryan chuckled. But the smile on his face quickly disappeared as he recalled that it wouldn't be long before their agreement to date would end.
Recently, Ryan was getting used to seeing Violet. She would come to the hospital to see him and sometimes, he would pick her up from her bakery before they would have their lunch at a restaurant nearby.
This soon would end.
Thinking that he wouldn't be able to see Violet again made him feel a bit strange.
His younger sister's words went through his mind again.
Ryan wondered if this would be the right time to discuss their agreement. After all, the meeting with their families would happen soon.
Ryan parked his vehicle at the roadside and watched as Violet alighted from the vehicle.
"Which place are we going to?" Violet asked as she looked at the row of restaurants in front of her. Her eyes fell on one of the premises. "What about that one?"
"Mhm…" Ryan nodded. "I'm fine with anything."
The two of them walked to the restaurant and were greeted by the staff there. After looking at the menu, Violet and Ryan were ushered to their table on the second floor.
The place was not crowded. Violet and Ryan got a table near the window facing the street. As Violet looked out the window, she could see people walking past the area.
Violet ordered her food and drinks before turning to Ryan. As their gazes met briefly, Violet could not help thinking that the way Ryan was looking at her was a bit strange.
His gaze reminded her of the scene at her bakery a few days ago.
Violet had tried so hard to forget that scene but Ryan was making it difficult for her.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Violet asked. Subconsciously, she leaned back on her seat as if to create a distance with Ryan. "Do you have something to say to me?" Her mind whirled to think of a topic to say to Ryan.
Ryan pursed his lips. His expression grew serious as seconds passed by. "Well, I do have something to discuss with you."
"What is it?" Her heart sped up as Violet wondered what Ryan was going to say to her.
"It's about the agreement."
Violet looked away.
"There are only a few days left before this agreement ends," Ryan said. "Soon, we both no longer need to pretend to be in a relationship. We don't need to go out, meet like this, or make time for each other."
"Mhm…" Violet forced herself to look up and smile. "Just like we agreed at the beginning."
Ryan licked his lips as he heard Violet mention the agreement. He had so many things that he wanted to say to Violet, but the moment he heard about the agreement, the speech in Ryan's head disappeared.
"Hey, time passed so fast," Violet said. "I can't believe that it has been nearly a month since we were forced to see each other."
Ryan observed Violet a little more.
According to his younger sister, there was a chance that Violet's opinion towards him. But looking at Violet now, Ryan was doubting Marina's words.
Was Marina speaking nonsense to him again?
"You…" Ryan cleared his throat. "Violet, what do you think we should say to our parents when the time comes?"
Violet tried to smile. "What do you mean?" Her heart continued to beat fast while she was pretending as if she did not understand Ryan's words. "Didn't we agree to tell our parents that we are not suitable for each other?"
Ryan chuckled.
Sure, that was what they had agreed on. But Ryan did not like the idea of not seeing Violet again. He changed his mind about the agreement. He wanted to continue seeing her.
"Let me ask you a question," Ryan said. "Violet, has your opinion towards me changed since the first time we met?"
"Of course it has. I told you that you were not as annoying as I thought in the past." Violet looked out the window. She had a hunch about what Ryan was going to say and was not prepared to hear them.
Violet has been thinking of her relationship with Ryan these past few days.
Sure, she found that this man was comfortable to get along with. He had a good side to him, even though he liked to nag a lot.
But did she like him enough to marry him?
Violet did not think that she could give a positive answer.
She felt that they both could be good friends. As for romance… she was not very sure. She never had the intention to fall in love in the first place. Violet only wanted to focus on her cupcake bakery.
"I think our parents would not be too happy with our decision," Ryan said. His brow furrowed deeper when he saw that Violet continued to look out the window.
His heart sank at the thought that Violet was not interested in listening to his words. She seemed to think that watching people walking on the street to be more interesting.
"Hey, Ryan."
Ryan blinked and saw Violet raising her hand and pointing out the window.
"That person," Violet said. "Isn't that your elder sister?"