Chapter 20: Stolen kiss
"Oh, Gods... so you two are really that close, Miss Sofia? I never imagined the daughter of this city’s respected ruler would be so close to someone," the waitress commented with feigned astonishment upon seeing how close Sofia was to Aziz.
Hearing that, Sofia, who had her head resting on Aziz’s shoulder, blushed deeply.
"I-it’s nothing special being close... after all, he’s my friend."
"Hehe, if you say so, miss..."
Watching the entire scene unfold before his eyes, Aziz was quietly entertained by that childish clash between the girls.
"So... what’s your name again, little one? And you two seem more than just acquaintances," Aziz asked the waitress, after she finished her little confrontation with Sofia.
"My name is Zia, and Miss Sofia and I are not just acquaintances. Actually, it was funny... I remember just like it was yesterday when she came into the restaurant disguised as—"
"Mmph!"
Before Zia could finish the sentence, Sofia, who until then had been calmly resting on Aziz’s shoulder, jumped up and ran over to the girl with surprising agility. In a swift motion, she covered Zia’s mouth with her hand, her eyes wide and cheeks burning bright red.
"Q-quiet! D-don’t you dare say that!" she exclaimed, her voice choked with embarrassment, casting desperate glances around as if the whole world were about to discover her secret.
Zia blinked a few times, surprised by the sudden attack, but soon relaxed. Still with Sofia’s hand over her mouth, she slowly raised both hands in a very theatrical gesture of silent surrender, as if to say, "alright, I give up." Seeing that Zia wouldn’t try to speak again, Sofia finally let go of her, huffing with her face still burning from the embarrassment.