Catherina
Slowly placing the phone back into my purse I finally let out the breath that threatened to suffocate me.
'When he gets serious with his cougar and breaks your heart' was the words that played havoc on my poor brain.
Is this how you feel when your heart is being broken?
If I'm being honest, I was so looking forward to this date, all week. It was the only thing that consumed my thoughts when I had any idle space for thinking. Now here I am, on that same very date, without a partner because he's tending to his girlfriend. I wonder if this is how a mistress feels like whenever the husband has to cater to his wife?
Ugh! Oh, I know he said it was an emergency and with her age, God knows, an emergency is an emergency but I can't seem to shrug the feeling of sadness that blossomed across my heart.
Attacking my lip with a bite, I fought back a sob that threatened to escape. Closing my eyes, I began a count to ten to ease the tension on my tear ducts.
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Five Mississippi
"Hi," a charming voice interrupted my count down.
"Hi." I forced out with a smile.
"I know this sounds like a lame pick up line, but is this seat taken?" He pointed towards the empty seat opposite of me.
Derek's seat, the one where he was supposed to be in right now.
Sadness drenched my thoughts.
I must have taken a while to respond because he continued, "I mean, I've been dying to come to this restaurant but unfortunately I'd have to make a reservation which I was unaware of.....so I snuck in looking for a good Samaritan before they can catch me and kick me out."
He stood patiently awaiting my response. I guess it wouldn't hurt, it's not like I need it anymore. That's when I heard myself say, "My date's not coming, so sure."
Letting out a breath of relief, he got in the chair with a," Thanks, the name's Adrian Chaste."
"Catherina Rosewood," I offered back.
Picking up the menu he scanned through it, "So got any suggestions?"
A smile tugged on my lips at his casualness. He's acting like we've known each other forever.
"I'll recommend the shrimp caviar with stir-fried vegetables, " I played along coolly.
"Ahhh!" Slightly closing his eyes as if slowly imagining the taste of the meal. "Okay, I like it! Let's order."
Slapping his menu shut with a clip he signaled the waiter as a greedy child. At that, the waiter came running along wearing a sweet smile. "How may I be of assistance, sir?"
"The lovely lady and I would like to place our orders."
She nodded and took out a note pad, ready to jot down the given order.
"I'll get the shrimp caviar and stir-fried vegetables and the lovely Catherina would like-" he raised an eyebrow while the waiter's eyes searched mine for a response.
Smiling I shyly added, "I'll have the same."
I can't believe I didn't think about what I was going to eat. Derek was always the one who ordered for me. He was always getting these ideas that we needed to explore, give our taste buds a little adventure.
I laughed to myself.
Every time we went out, he would select a random meal from the menu. I don't know if it's his luck or what but every meal we've tested thus far has been impeccably amazing.
"What's so funny?"
Snapping back to reality I smiled at the intruder of my thoughts. The waiter was no longer present. He curiously stared at me with interest.
I slightly shook my head. "Just a blast from the past."
"Ah, I see." Taking up the wine from the cooler he pours some in his glass. "Wine?"
"Sure." Tilting my glass I allowed him to pour the dark red substance to its waist.
Returning the bottle to its rightful place he took a sip of the liquid and so did I. Closing my eyes, I hummed as the sweet flavor seduced my taste buds. My fingers caressed the rim of my glass as it happily sang to the melody.
My eyes opened just in time to catch Adrian intently watching my every movement.
"Sorry, it's just a force of habit. Der-," I shook my head refraining from completing that sentence.
He opened his mouth to say something but clamped it back shut when the waiter returned with our meals. I got to say this 'save by the bell' term does suite this situation perfectly.
The aroma tickled my nostrils as the food was placed before us. A mutter of thanks was thrown before the conversation between our mouths and the food commence. A moan was even thrown in the mix. I don't think that was from me, though.
"So, have you ever finished a meal in five minutes?" he asked mischievously.
Laughing at his silliness, I stated, "No, but there's always a first time for everything."
He seems to beam at my response. Grabbing his phone he tapped on the screen then placed it in the middle of the table.
"Okay, so I have a timer I can set, whoever loses has to take the winner out on a date...Deal?" He held out his hand.
I've never been a fast eater, but the competitor in me would not let me pass up the challenge. "Deal! Prepare to lose Chaste." I dragged out his last name while shaking his hand.
"Oh, it's on Rosewood," he mimicked, in the same playful tone. "Okay, on three." His fingers waved over the phone, ready to start the timer. "One...Two.....Three!" The timer was set.
Diving into my meal, I shoveled the food into my mouth as fast as possible. Only allowing one or two chews before swallowing.
My eyes traveled to my opponent which was clearly winning with ease.
Damnit!
He glimpsed my frustration and playfully wiggled his eyebrows. Groaning, I thought of an idea. Carefully picking up my plate, I stared at him challengingly, before scrapping out some of the contents on his plate. However, instead of growing angry and distracted, he shook his head as a dad would at his child, disappointingly.
He then made a tsking sound with his tongue. "Ah Rosewood, you don't play fair....but not to worry." He filled his mouth and groaned aloud. Suppressing a laugh, I continued my feast.
Swallowing the last bit, I jumped out of my seat. "Ha! In your face!"
Swallowing, he wiped his mouth. "You did cheat, but, I'm still gonna be the bigger man and say, you did win."
Smiling proudly, I realized that I may have drawn a little attention to myself. Murmuring sorry, I slowly sat down.
"So your planning our next day."
"Yep!" I exclaimed, popping the P. "I've gotta think about a place but I'm free on Friday."
"Friday's good." He nodded engrossed in thought.
"Well, this was nice but I should get going." I clasped my purse.
"Yeah, don't worry, it's my treat. You can pay on our next date, Friday," he said while taking out his wallet. "Do you want me to walk you out? Take you home?" He raised an eyebrow.
Smiling at the quality feature I've gotten used to in such a short time frame. Then Sarah's words came rushing back. 'I think you should get a potential boyfriend. That way when Derek pulls the rug it won't hurt that much.'
"So, what shall it be?" he asked sweetly.
I guess it won't hurt to let him bring me home. I mean, we are going out on a date Friday. So it can't be that bad right?
Lightly clapping my hands I proclaimed, "Gosh! I thought you'd never ask!"
He smacked himself on the forehead. "I can be soooo dense sometimes."
Chuckling, he paid the bill. After which we walked quietly to his Ford Maverick Pick up. However, the silence didn't last. While on the way we talked about everything and anything. Surprisingly, he was fun and easy to talk to. I mean, not as easy as Derek but almost similar.
Derek's a listener, he allows you to talk without interruption, giving cues on the way that he's actually hearing what you're saying. If it's a situation where your sad, he'll say all the right stuff that you should or want to hear. If it's a fact that you're upset, he'll go out of his way to make you laugh, to make you forget that you were even upset in the first place.
Ahh! An am thinking of Derek again. Can I be any more of a loser?
"Oh! This is my jam!" Adrian beamed, turning up the radio while trying to keep his eyes on the road. He deepened his tone. "Prepare to be amazed."
Before I could even laugh he started singing in this God awful voice. "Cause I had high high hopes for a living. Shooting for the stars when I couldn't make the killing. Didn't have the time but I always had a vision. Always had high high hopes."
He motioned for me to join in which I did.
"Cause I had high high hopes for a living. Didn't know how but I always had a feeling. Always gonna be that one in a million. Always had high high hopes."
By the end of the song, I was laughing so hard my tummy hurt. Tears were even spilling from my eyes. He had the most breathtaking facial expressions while singing. I literally stopped breathing.
"Oh! Oh! Oh! This is my stop!" I flashed my finger all over the place.
"Alright! Alright! Alright!" He laughed, parking at the curb. "Is this where you live?" he asked curiously while peaking out the window.
Not wanting to lie I answered truthfully, "No but I don't want you dropping me off and my roommate sees."
Knitting his brows and scrunching his nose, he added with disdain, "Aggh! I know all about that. Thank God that's over for me."
"Yeah! See you Friday," I snickered before departing the vehicle.
With a smile plastered on my face, I watched him drive away. Humming, I walked the rest of the journey home.
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I just pray this doesn't come back to haunt me in the future.
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