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Chapter 8

195 COUNTRIES

That night, I decided to have dinner at this pizza restaurant and ordered a plate of pasta with a bottle of beer. The restaurant had a very calming ambiance with golden yellow walls, maroon flooring and a few paintings hanging, and a very Italian atmosphere. The food was really tasty and it made me feel as if I had been taken to Italy while eating it, as the restaurant was filled with an Italian song in the background.

The entire day, I spent most of my time on my social networks and staring at people who were really enjoying their time. People were talking and meeting random strangers, some were sunbathing and enjoying their time with a few of their friends and there were people who surfed and caught some waves while complimenting each other. Women were flirting with a few good-looking men while I was just staring at everything that was going on around me, but I was guarded and had my walls up since I think I couldn’t trust anyone else after Charles.

“There are 195 countries in the world.”

I flinched when I found Harry standing next to me while he was leaning forward and popped his head out over my right shoulder directly facing me. His face was so close that I could see his pores, some subtle freckles, a few elusive wrinkles, his fine hairline and a growing stubble over his pinkish plump lips. His tantalizing green eyes match his emerald green top which has designs on it while he leaves two buttons open on which I can see his chiseled chest. His eyes were so captivating that I felt completely out of words. His hair was pulled back and tied in a small manbun while he smiles his dimpled smile at me.

“I can name all 195 countries all night if you want.” He adds.

“How in the world did you find me here?” I peeled my head away from him as I watched him take the seat right across me as if I allowed him to share a table with me.

“I told you, the island is small.”

“Well, you’ve said that many times already. And, you do know I am having dinner,” I told him.

“Yes, I know, but you looked very lonely so I joined you.” He leaned over the table. “You’re welcome.”

He flashes me his dimpled smile and this guy looks a little redder than earlier, but it made him look a little bit more attractive than he actually is.

“Whatever mojo or charm you try to show me, like how you try to magically lure those other women, it does not work on me.” I leaned over the table too. “So, you should stop it.”

Harry chuckles under his throat, “There’s no mojo happening around here, love. I’m just naturally charming, but I really appreciate the fact that you see it.” He winks at me.

I shook my head and tried to ignore him as soon as the waitress served his order. He thanked her with his low voice and looked back at me, “You mentioned country.” He said.

I nodded, “Yeah and you said Australia.” I smirked.

He pulled his forefinger up, “It can be a country and a continent.”

“Right.” I snort as I shake my head as I take another slurp of my pasta.

“Is your name somewhere in Asia or South America?” He asks before taking a bite from his penne pasta. “North America?”

I bite my inner cheek, “Warmer.”

Harry popped his head up while he kept the fork in his mouth before opening his mouth, “Carolina.”

I laughed again, “If you’re forgetting, it’s not a country.”

Harry blinks, “It just popped inside my head out of the blue. Anyways, Brazil would be a good name for you.” He wiggles his brows.

“And why?”

“Because you look so Brazil-liant.” He cracks the corniest joke I have ever heard in my entire life, but I still couldn’t help myself from laughing at it. He smiles at me, “I see you love my jokes.”

“They’re awful.”

“Right, says the one who laughed.” I stared at Harry with a smile on my face, who was hiding his smile by pressing his lips together.

This smug knows well he is undeniably charming and he’s right. He’s so naturally charming.

“Hate to break it to you,

but I’m not Brazil-liant.” I responded.

He pursed his lips, which looked adorable while he nodded his head, “Maybe Spain.” My brows creased as he continued, “Because you’re in-Spain-ly beautiful.” His grins at me.

I chuckled softly under my throat as I tried so hard not to laugh aloud. He laughs with me, “Come on now, and don’t stop yourself from laughing.” He encourages me while smiling in my direction.

“You’re crazy.” I commented with a smile.

He chuckles, “Yeah, I’ve been told.”

I shook my head sideways as I kept hiding my smile.

“You know, it’s kind of unfair how you’re trying to make me guess your name.” He tells me.

I nod, “Yeah and you have 193 more countries to name.”

He groans over his seat, “Let’s make a bet.”

I took a quick drink from my beer, “Okay, what are we betting on?”

“Your name, of course. If I make you laugh again or smile with my notoriously great jokes, you’ll tell me your name.” The waitress came to our table with a bottle of beer to which he thanked again.

“Okay, and if you won’t make me laugh?” I arched a brow.

“Then I guess I have to name all 193 countries.” He smiled tight-lipped. “Don’t worry, I’m patient.”

I fork my food as I kept staring at him while he did the same, “You’re really not going to leave me alone, are you?”

“Nope.” He pops the P. “Alright, this knock knock joke is going to make you pee.”

I placed my fork down to be attentive, “Okay, let’s hear it.”

“How to make a tissue dance?” He smirks at me.

My brows crease as I stare at him and his dimples appearing while suppresses his smile. “How?”

“You put a little boogie in it.” He smiled widely and I ended up making a disgusted face as I laughed under my throat. We laughed together and, to be honest, it was a not so bad joke, at least a little more improv would make it better, but it was somewhat good.

“That’s the most disgusting joke ever.” I commented.

He chuckles, “At least you laughed.”

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