Enemies by Fate, Lovers by Choice

Mira went to the Garden Villa and started to get ready. She picked this place because it was so pretty, especially all the flowers around it. It was just like its name - a beautiful garden with a little house decorated in the Chinese style. The air was thick with the scent of jasmine, its delicate aroma mingling with the faint fragrance of incense. The path leading to the villa was lined with vibrant azaleas and peonies, their petals opening up in a mix of bright colors.

 

As she walked through the fancy wooden door, she saw a courtyard with tiny bonsai trees, their branches trimmed carefully to look like old landscapes. A fountain in the middle of the courtyard made a nice bubbling sound, and the leaves were rustling softly. The house itself was a beautiful example of traditional Chinese design. Its walls were covered with detailed carvings and paintings of mythical creatures and cherry blossoms in bloom. The roof was covered with bright green tiles, and the edges had pretty wooden decorations. The windows were made of thin paper, letting in soft sunlight that made the inside of the house look bright.

 

Looking around, Mira didn't know what preparation could still be done if it was already in her standard. That being said, after looking around, she went to the kitchen to start cooking. Luckily, she learned to cook when she was younger. This time she chose to cook something she hadn't done before, just to match the mood and place.

 

' Although I wanted to cook something delicious, but I'm not a chef like those in 5-star hotels. What if she didn't like it? ... Ugh ... I don't even know what she wants. What if I cook something she's allergic to? ' Her sudden thought in the latter made her pause.

 

Mira put down the condiments and decided to ask directly instead of thinking too much without any answers. She called Luna.

 

"Hello?"

 

"Luna,"

 

"En?..."

 

"It's like this ... I plan to cook later, but I don't know what you want to eat. Is there anything you're allergic to?"

 

Luna, on the other side, who was sitting on her bedroom, was shocked by Mira's consideration. She couldn't help but tease her.

 

"Will you cook it for me if I said what I want?" Luna asked with a smile while playing with the strand of her hair.

 

"Yes, but ... don't expect too much,"

 

"Good, I want stir-fried shrimp with chili and salt,"

 

"... good,"

 

Luna noticed Mira's pause and quickly asked,

 

"Do you like shrimp?"

 

"Yes,"

 

Luna quickly used her brain to think what the pause was for. "Do you like spicy food?"

 

"... not really,"

 

Luna breathed a sigh of relief then said, "Then don't put chili,"

 

"No, it's okay, as long as you're not allergic to it, do you want to add anything?"

 

"I haven't had any allergic reaction to any food I eat since I was little so I can eat anything. Just add any dish you feel like to cook,"

 

"Alright," Mira was about to hang up the phone, but Luna quickly stopped her.

 

"Is there anything else?" Mira asked.

 

"Are you alone? Do you want me to help?" Luna asked, even though she had no experience.

 

"No, I can take care of it. I'm faster when I'm alone,"

 

"Oh.. good," Luna replied with her voice that seems to be no emotion

 

Mira looked at the phone with confusion. She felt like Luna got angry for some reason, but they were talking just fine a second ago. ' Why is her temper so weird? '

 

 

---

 

At 6 in the evening, the Garden Villa's lights were on, and the food was already set. Mira changed her clothes into a simple navy button-up shirt and black suit pants. Because of her 5'7" height, she really looked like a model.

 

She looked at her wristwatch and knew that Luna was coming soon. She looked at the table with satisfaction before she went to the gate to meet Luna.

 

 

Luna was about to call Mira when the gate opened. She saw Mira with her long hair down and in a different style of clothes, unlike her usual white t-shirt and jeans. Although she looked good in anything she wore, but seeing her in this style, she couldn't help but think they were really on a date.

 

While Luna was in a daze, Mira was also stunned because of Luna's soft and casual style. She was wearing a blue midi dress with a white t-shirt layered underneath. It had a v-neckline and a fitted bodice with a cinched waist. The skirt was tiered and flowed out from the waist with braided hair. If people on campus saw Luna like this, Mira was sure they would go crazy.

 

Although it seemed it took a lot of time for both of them to appreciate each other, it actually took just a moment as they both acted as if nothing happened. They didn't even compliment each other because both people didn't want to take the initiative to say anything.

 

However, along the way, the awkward atmosphere quickly faded as they walked along the pathway with flowers and lights around. Luna was mesmerized by how it looked, and suddenly felt good again because of Mira's effort for her.

 

Luna decided to take the initiative to talk. However, this time, Mira also talked.

 

"Mira,"

 

"Luna,"

 

"Ah?"

 

"Ah?"

 

Luna and Mira both paused, then pointed at Mira. "You go first,"

 

Mira nodded. She remembered Minji's advice to her before that compliment will makes people comfortable, and earlier Minji also messaged her about it. "You ... look good, different from when we're in campus,"

 

Luna stared at Mira. She didn't expect to receive a compliment all of a sudden, and to a person like Mira who seemed to be indifferent to anything. And to hear it directly from someone she wanted to get close to, Luna couldn't help but blush. She looked away from Mira.

 

"Thank you, you too. You look like a model. Our schoolmates will definitely come running if they see you like this," Luna complimented too.

 

"They're too scared to even get close to me. Maybe if it's you, it's possible,"

 

Luna chuckled. "Then don't scare them. You always look so serious,"

 

"They're not just brave enough. Just look at yourself, you're not scared of me,"

 

"How can I? Beauty is justice," Luna quickly covered her mouth as soon as she said it. She felt embarrassed somehow.

 

Mira smiled and lowered her head to Luna's level. "So ... you like my face?"

 

Luna saw Mira's face zoom in, and their eyes met. At that moment, her heart throbbed faster. She looked away and pushed Mira's face away from her.