I nodded, rearranging the pillows so I
can lay down to enjoy the sunlight, my eyes closing on their own as I let the
sound of birds chirping lull me to sleep. As I drifted off, I heard a soft
laugh echoing as I faded out into unconsciousness. I was pulled out from my nap
to a hand stroking my hair and someone humming softly. I stretched and rubbed
my eyes before opening them, only to look at sparkling blue eyes.
“Did the party tire you out that
much?” Daniel asked, still stroking my hair softly. I smiled sheepishly and
bite my lip, nodding my head a bit.
“I suppose I should apologize for
coming so early.” He said regrettably, making me shake my head.
“You came at the right time. If I kept
on sleeping, I wouldn’t have gotten anything done then.” I replied, my voice
still heavy with sleep. He nodded, his hand still playing with my hair.
“Your hair gets all messed up when you
sleep.” He pointed out and my hands immediately flew to my hair to tidy it up,
only to find tangles. I sighed and sat up, my dress hiking up to mid thighs.
“I’ll treat you out for lunch.” He
suddenly said and I looked at him in confusion.
“As an apology.” He clarified.”
“You don’t have to do that, really.” I
protested lightly.
“I want to.” His eyes is sincere and
honest, making me sigh and smile slightly.
“If you insist.”
He stood up and offered his arm. I
hooked my arm with his and we strolled out the gazebo.
“Do you mind waiting in the parlor?
I’m going to freshen up a bit.” I asked when we got inside the house.
“Of course not.” He smiled and sat
down on the couch then gestured for me to go.
“Five minutes.” I promised and bounded
up the stairs into my room. I stepped into the bathroom and brushed my teeth
then went back to my room. Hurriedly, I brushed my hair, sprayed some perfume
on my neck and wrists, applied some eyeliner and wore my white sandals before
going back to the parlor where I spotted Daniel on the phone. I took a seat
nearby and retrieved some lip-balm from my bag, applying it to my lips. He
wrapped up the call soon enough.
“Something wrong?” I asked.
He pocketed his phone, and then shook
his head. Afterwards, he stood and offered a hand to pull me up. I took it and
we headed out to his car, a black R8. I gasped in admiration and nearly threw
myself onto the car if it wasn’t for Daniel’s hand holding mine. And my
dignity, of course. I let my eyes wander all the over the car: its sleek body,
the shiny black coating. We came to a stop next to the passenger seat, the car
being unlocked and him pulling the door open for me to get in.
“Why thank you, kind sir.” I curtsied
before going in.
He hurried to the driver’s side after
I settled down, starting the engine and pulls out from my house. I messed with
the radio as we got into the highway, full of cars with people ready to spend
their weekends.
“I take you like the R8?” I hear him
ask, pulling me away from my thoughts. I smiled sheepishly and feel warmth on
my cheeks, looking down to my lap and nodding in confirmation.
“Do you have any car of your own?” He
asked, glancing at me.
I shake my head, “I can’t drive.”
We were quiet for a few moments before
he spoke again. “May I ask why?”
“I haven’t learned how to drive,
that’s it. No phobias or trauma, if you’re curious.”
“That explains it.” He smiled, putting
the right blinker on before turning right. The car entered a posh restaurant
and I frowned, looking at my attire then at the restaurant again.
“You look great, don’t worry about
it.” He said as he killed the engine.
“But this restaurant is very high
class.” I protested and crossed my arms on my chest. “There’s no way I can
enter dressed like this.”
“You’d be surprised. Come on.” He had
opened my door and offered a hand. I sighed and took it, pulling out of the car
before walking towards the restaurant.
“Ah, Mr. Haverford! Good morning!” The
maî-tre d greeted us as we entered the restaurant.
“Good morning, Jacques. Is my parents
here already?” he shook hands with him as we walked inside, people dressed
formally as they enjoyed their lunch. I frowned and hid behind Daniel.
“Your mother is here now consulting
with the chef.” The maî-tre d replied. Daniel nodded and pulled me from behind
him.
“Vanna, you look fine. Don’t fuss
about it.” He bent down so he could look straight into my eyes.
“But…” I started to protest only to be
stopped by a finger held in front of my mouth.
“No buts.” He said and took my hand,
leading me to the kitchen where I can see his mother and the executive chef
talking to each other.
“Good morning, mother.” He greeted
with smile and kissed her cheeks, leaving me to stand behind him while wringing
my hands together out of nervousness.
“Ah Daniel!” She brightened and hugged
him.
“Picking the courses for dinner, I suppose?”
He asked.
“Why yes, of course. I was hoping you
could help with it. Oh, hello there.” She said when she spotted me. Daniel went
back to my side and pulled me forward to greet his mother.
“Mother, may I introduce Ms.
Charleston?” I held my hand out and put on a polite smile. She surprised me by
giving a hug, one I immediately returned tightly.
“Your dress last night was
magnificent. Was it a vintage?” Mrs. Haverford asked after we pulled away from
the hug.
“I think so, it was my mother’s.” I replied
as I went back to Daniel’s side.
“Vintage always brings the good
couture.” She smiled, looking back to Daniel. “Would you take a look at the
menu before the both of you enjoy your lunch? I need an opinion on the drinks.”
Daniel nodded and looked at me, “Do
you mind?” I smiled and shake my head, heading out back to the dining area and
chose a table near the window with a view of the park close by. A waiter came
by bringing a bottle of wine with him.
“Mr. Haverford said to bring this and
your lunch has been ordered.” He said after he poured the wine into both of the
glasses.
I nodded, “Thank you.” He went back to
the kitchen entrance as Daniel walked out and headed towards our table.
“I hope you’ve worked up quite an
appetite since I ordered a lot.” He said as he sat down.
“I have an appetite nearly all the
time.” I patted my stomach and giggled.
“I like a woman who can eat.” He said
softly and I colored, looking down on my lap in embarrassment. He laughed
softly and held my hands, making me look up at him.
“Don’t be embarrassed, I’m just
stating a fact. You can’t find many girls who can eat without being worried
about their weight afterwards.” He smiled and squeezed my hands before finally
letting go when our food arrived.
“Enjoy.” Our waiter bowed then hurried
back to serve another diner. We unfolded our napkins then lay it over our laps before
opening the lid covering our foods. I inhaled deeply, savoring the aroma of my
lunch.
“Are you going to tell me what food you
have chosen?” I asked teasing as I start to cut the meat down.
“Grilled sea bass with hollandaise
sauce, accompanied with sautéed asparagus.” He smiled before taking a bite. I copied
him and moaned in pleasure as my taste buds exploded.
“Oh goodness, I would kill to own the
recipe of this delectable food.” I exclaimed.
Daniel laughed and shook his head in
disbelief. “You would be saying that for every dish I ordered then.”
I raised an eyebrow, “Oh? You’re that
confident about this restaurant?”
“My family and yes, I am quite confident
at that particular subject.” He smirked.
“Hmm, very well then. I suppose you
wouldn’t mind if I up the ante then?” I challenged, leaning forward.
“Bring it on. If I win, you’re going
to be my plus one at a party tonight.” He held out his hand, silently
challenging me to shake it.
“Done and if I win, I could take you
anywhere I wanted to go.” I shook his hand to seal the deal.
“One exception: it has to be by the
law.” He added, me nodding in reply as I ate, chewing considerably to get more
flavors from the food.
“Well what course do we have next?” I
asked as I wiped my mouth when we finished the first course.
“Soup. Mushroom cream with chicken, accompanied
with baguette.” Daniel said as he took a sip of his wine. The waiter soon came
with our dishes and refilled our wine. I took the first taste of the soup and
groaned.
“Yes?” He asked amused.
“I’m going to lose our small bet at
this rate.” I complained as I take another spoonful of the delicious soup.
He smirked, “Music to my ears. Now
finish up, we still have desert to follow.”
“Goodness.” I grumbled under my breath
and finished the soup, taking a few sips of water to clear my mouth and throat.
Soon another waiter cam carrying covered dishes that would be our dessert.
“So are you going to tell me what you
ordered for our dessert?” I leaned forward and rested my head on my hand,
smiling sweetly.
“Hmm, maybe I will, maybe I won’t.” He
said in a sing-song voice. I pouted and crossed my arms across my chest
childishly as the waiter placed our dessert on the table.
“Aww, I’m sorry.” He chuckled before
opening the lid covering our final dish. I groaned in pleasure when I see my
favorite dessert on the plate.
“I declare defeat.” I raised my hands
up and smiled sheepishly. Daniel smiled smugly and leaned back on his chair.
“Eat up.” Was all he said, me doing so
happily.
I scooped an unhealthy portion of my
chocolate lava cake and added ice cream before eating it, my eyes closing in
bliss.
“Thank you.” I smiled when we’re
finished with lunch, sipping the remnants of our wine.
“For what exactly?” He asked as he signaled
the waiter for our bill.
