I don't like you Neil D'Silva

*9*

THE next day at the restaurant, they both tried really hard not to look at each other. There were loads of paint cans everywhere, ready to be applied on the walls. Farah's hair was tied up in a ponytail, hair glasses were perched up on her head and she wore a pink bandana to push back her hair. Her grey t-shirt hung loose and her shorts hidden underneath them. Neil was wearing sweats with a loose white shirt, standing as far away as he could. When they showed up at the restaurant, they awkwardly smiled at each other and looked away, as if them looking at each other would burn them to the ground.

She dusts her hands and pop opens the paint cans, pouring some on a big palette. She picks up a roller and covers it in Red Opal paint and starts painting the wall on the left side. Neil clears his thought, looking out the window instead of helping, "you know you can hire workers right?" He asks, "yes I do, but doing this on my own gives me a sense of accomplishment," Farah says, her tone clipped. She felt way too awkward being in the same room as Neil. Flashbacks of yesterday ran through her mind and her cheeks heat up. She shouldn't be thinking about him like this. She shouldn't be thinking about him at all. Completing the restaurant would be a task for her.

Neil stared out the window, completely distracted as scenes from yesterday kept playing in his mind on a loop. The way she held him, the way she pulled him close, the way she touched him... Neil couldn't help but think about it again and again. What they had yesterday was real. The spark was still there, he could feel it, and he was pretty sure she felt it too. He turned around to see her painting the middle of the wall. Her hair kept getting in her face and she couldn't move it because her hands were covered in paint. Neil had the urge to go to her and move that strand away, and so he did. He walked to towards her and moved that strand out of the way. She stiffened but continued her work anyways, "thanks" she muttered, not looking at him even once. Neil wanted her to look at him, he wanted her to bicker with him and fight with him, anything as long as she looked at him. He did not like her silence. He never did.

Just as Neil was about to say something, he heard the restaurant doors open. Neil's assistant had walked in. He knew that he didn't need an assistant, he was a chef after all, but he kept one to make his work schedule easier when he was busy between his restaurant work and his dad's restaurant work. "Hey Jared, what's up?" Neil greets and gives him a brief hug, "well there wasn't much to say, your dad just asked me to see how everything's going on here and asked me to tell you that if you have time please go to his and check if the work is up to the quality," Jared replied. Neil's dad knew about this restaurant, of course he did. He even offered Neil some money incase he was ever short of it, but Neil never accepted. He wanted this place to come in reality by only his money and handwork, and he had save enough to make it possible.

"Ask him not to worry, everything's going fine here and I'll check up at his later on," Neil said and tried to dismiss him when he noticed Jared eyeing Farah. His eyes roamed around her body and Neil felt his blood boiling. He muttered some incoherent profanities under his breath and looked towards Jared, "who's she?" Jared asked, his gaze never leaving her for a second.

"That's the designer. I'm pretty sure you have some other work to do so you may leave," Neil said in a stern tone. "she is so hot!" Jared complimented and Neil clenched his fists at his side, taking deep breaths to calm himself. Jared's eyes were covered with lust and Neil wanted to do nothing but knock him out. Jared walks towards Farah, standing too close to her for Neil's liking. "would you like some help?" He asks and flashes a grin. Farah smiled back at him and shook her head, "no I think I'm good, thank you though for asking," she sincerely said. Neil looked at Farah as she smiled at Jared and only wished that the smile was for him and not anyone else.

"I insist, let me be of some use," Jared said as he tried to take the roller from her hand, his fingers brushing hers, making Farah smile awkwardly at him. Neil's anger was at a another level now. He wanted to walk towards Jared and punch him square on the jaw. He let out a low growl, and walked towards them, "you heard her, she doesn't need help," Neil tried to say as cooly as possible, trying to contain his anger.

"Neil come on, she's working alone and so I might as well help her," Jared didn't take a hint even after Neil shot him a murderous glare. Farah took the roller back and continued with her and Jared tried to reach out again but was stopped by Neil grabbing his hand and throwing it back to his side, "she said no, Jared. Leave," Neil snapped at him, making Jared look at him confused. "Alright man, I'll go, but call me anytime you need help with the work here,"

Jared smirked at him and Neil tried very hard not to slap the smirk away. Jared turns on his heel and leaves the restaurant and Neil lets out a breath he didn't know he was holding. Farah picked up a step ladder and placed it against the wall so she could paint the top. She climbed and did her job. Sweat trickled down her forehead, so she lifted her t-shirt to wipe it off, giving Neil full access to gawk at her stomach. The shiny stone on her belly button he didn't seem to notice before caught his eye, "when did you get this pierced?" He asked out of curiosity.

"It's been a while, have it for over three years now," she said without any emotion.

Neil suddenly touched her stomach lightly, and it caught Farah off guard, making her lose her balance on the ladder and fall and because she tried to catch onto Neil's t-shirt and gain balance, she pulled him down with her. He was on top of her. Farah groaned as her head came in contact with the concrete floor,

"fuck!" She hissed and tried to massage her head,

"shit Fay are you ok?" concern covered his face as he placed a hand below her head, gently pressing it. She tried to move from below him but couldn't. Neil realises and moves from on top of her before pulling her onto his lap. He starts to gently massage her head, "you ok?" He asks and she nods, giving him a smile. "you really would find any reason to fall into my arms huh?" He tries to lighten the mood and smirks at her. "well," she starts, "technically, you fell on top of me so..." and they laugh.

******
Sending love your way
HappyWatermelonKid•~•