For a moment, silence hung in the air. It felt like even a falling needle would make a sound.
“What’s wrong? Are you mad, babe?”
Gia spoke in a playful voice, desperately trying to soothe Hamza’s discomfort.
“I’m sorry for making you mad. I won’t talk about Kent Hollis anymore.”
After saying that, Gia gently caressed Hamza’s face with her hand. Then, looking at Lola, she gestured and said,
“Since you both are uncomfortable, let’s stop talking about Kent Hollis.”
Lola, who had unwittingly talked quite a bit about an outsider man with Dylan sitting right next to her, realized this only belatedly. Feeling the sharp gaze on her side profile, her heart raced, and she quickly looked down, responding in a voice as small as a mosquito’s.
“Okay.”
“I’m really sorry. I was wrong. Should I give you a kiss? Would that make you feel better?”
Watching Gia kiss Hamza’s cheek and lips right in front of her, Lola couldn’t help but admire it anew.
It was a kind of playfulness she felt she could never pull off, even if she were to come back from the dead. While their affectionate display was nice to see, it also made Lola feel embarrassed, leaving her unsure of where to look.
“Eat!”
Only then did Hamza’s expression seem to lighten as he picked up a piece of fully cooked chicken with his hand and placed it in Gia’s mouth. Gia chewed and accepted it with a smile.
The atmosphere quickly lightened due to the couple’s overly sweet display of affection. At that moment, a clicking sound was heard. It was Dylan.
At first, Dylan felt unreasonably uncomfortable as Lola poured out stories about a strange man. However, as he watched Hamza and Gia’s overly affectionate actions and smooth lines, his unpleasant thoughts about Kent Hollis faded away long ago.
“This is why I didn’t want to travel with you guys.”
Dylan complained, shivering as he placed a hand on Lola’s shoulder.
“Are you okay? I feel nauseous just thinking about food.”
In response to Dylan’s continued complaints, Lola smiled faintly. Hamza, looking very displeased, asked Lola.
“Do you think so too, Lola?”
“Huh?”
“Do you feel nauseous when you see Gia and me being affectionate?”
Lola waved her hands vigorously.
“Oh, no. You two look great together. I feel good seeing Gia happy.”
“See! Only my brother thinks it’s weird.”
Hamza glanced at Dylan, as if to say, “Isn’t that right?” Dylan frowned in discontent. Gia, sitting closely next to Hamza, quietly observed the changing expressions of Dylan and Lola while sipping her beer.
“Lola, your partner doesn’t usually express affection, right?”
When Hamza asked, Lola felt flustered, unsure of how to respond. Seeing her expression, Hamza nodded knowingly and suggested softly.
“You should express affection often; it deepens your feelings and improves your relationship. If he doesn’t, maybe Lola should take the lead?”
“Huh?”
What kind of absurd suggestion was that?
Lola was taken aback and waved her hands vigorously.
“We’re not suited for that.”
“Not suited? That can’t be! You never know. If Lola acts cutely, my brother might just fall for you.”
Lola’s face turned bright red.
The thought of being cute in front of Dylan, who was like the ‘grim reaper,’ was unimaginable. Just thinking about it made her feel strange, and her body twisted uncomfortably.
“Why are you making Lola uncomfortable? Such expressions of affection should come from the man first. You should learn a bit from Hamza.”
Gia defended the flustered Lola. Dylan sighed and spoke as if pleading.
“Hey! Can you all please tone it down a bit!”
“Babe, let’s take a picture!”
Gia, affectionately linking her arm with Hamza, quickly changed the subject.
“I’ll make sure it looks pretty.”
Lola, saying that, picked up the camera and pressed the shutter.
Click, click!
To the sound that rang out quite cheerfully, Hamza and Gia struck various poses. They kissed, made hearts above their heads, and hugged each other affectionately.
The couple’s overly sweet display of affection was so cringeworthy that Dylan, who had to watch it all, was in great discomfort. He sighed deeply and shook his head.
I must be crazy!
I will never travel with this cockroach couple again.
Dylan made a firm resolution.
“Brother, take a picture with Lola too.”
“Do you think we’re childish like you? No way!”
Dylan rolled his eyes and firmly refused. However, determined to raise the couple’s affection level, Gia was very persistent.
“Why not? It’ll be a nice memory.”
“Yeah. Since we’re here, you should take a picture with Lola, brother. How can you be so clueless about romance?”
As Gia’s words were echoed by Hamza, Dylan’s displeasure grew.
What should I do about this annoying cockroach couple?
“Brother, take a picture with me.”
After handing the camera to Gia, Lola timidly mustered the courage to link her arm with Dylan.
