LATER that night, Lisa told her mother that she'll be going out with Yasmin to dinner. Her mother was quite surprised that her "unica hija" finally decided to go out and explore the world other than the world she have in University of Michigan.

Lisa and her mother live in a house not far from the campus to make things easy for her. Therefore, accessibility in never a problem for Lisa and her mother knows well that her daughter focuses on her studies above all else.

Lisa rarely go out to party or hang-out. She would rather read medical journals, administrative or leadership books; and watch television shows or soaps. Going out for movies and shopping for shoes and clothes are already big events for her, and that happens once in a blue moon. That's how pathetic her social life is currently.

Yasmin arrived at her home to pick her up around 7:30 P.M. that night. By the time she ran to get in the car, she noticed the man sitting in the driver's chair.

So, he's the so-called Dr. Gregory House, she said to herself.

Once, she's inside the car, Yasmin wasted no time and introduced them to each other: "Greg, she's Lisa Cuddy. Lisa, he's Gregory House, my cousin."

Greg looked over his shoulder and nodded in acknowledgement without even smiling.

Lisa withdrew her smile after she felt offended by his disinterest to the introduction. She nodded in return.

Nobody spoke a word until they reached the restaurant. Lisa observed Yasmin and Greg while talking and teasing each other. She can't set aside the feeling of awkwardness.

Yasmin noticed her silence so she tried to include Lisa in her conversation with her cousin. "Greg, you know. Lisa is Dean So's protégé aside from the fact that she's competing to be the batch's topnotch. She's currently writing her thesis paper."

"Really?" he said, although obviously not interested.

Lisa nodded and remained to be quiet until the food they ordered arrived.

"Qualitative or quantitative research?" he asked her after a few minutes, looking at her straight in the eye.

"Qualitative."

Greg nodded, turned to Yasmin and acted again as if Lisa is not there.

Lisa felt anger rise up her head although she kept the emotions tamed and locked up.

While the two are busy engaged in a conversation, Lisa secretly surveyed Greg. He is undeniably handsome, tall and has a masculine body built. She, later on in between spoonfuls, tried to estimate his age to be at around 25-28.

"How long will you be staying here in Michigan, Greg?" Yasmin asked.

"About a month, give or take,"

"Well, that will give us time to enjoy the sights and sounds of Michigan and the rest of the state. Or do you have plans of going out of town?"

"Nah. I just want to hang out in the city."

"That's great! Do you have friends to hang out with or would you like to hang out with me and Lisa?"

Greg looked at Lisa while she was sipping her drink as if he's examining her. "No. I don't have friends here. Maybe I'll just hang out with our other cousins if you're too busy to go out with me."

Lisa bit her straw: The nerve this guy has! Who does he think he is? As if I would enjoy accompanying him, he's not even charming. That face is not something to show around. As if!

After they eat, Yasmin asked Greg to come with them to a bar. "Lisa needs to find a subject for the research she's doing."

"Subject? Research? What do you mean? Why in a bar?"

"You'll find out soon enough." Yasmin winked at Lisa.

Greg sighed and threw Lisa a menacing look, obviously annoyed at her.

Lisa tried hard not to look at him.