Chapter 11: Chapter 11

Could anyone be this happy and yet totally confused at the same time? I wondered. Because that’s exactly what I was feeling right now. More like blissfully confused, I thought with a small giggle. I’d never been in love before, never had a boyfriend, not even a summer fling. And I didn’t know if this was how being with a man felt like. It’s only been a few hours since we parted, and I was already missing him. But was I really ‘with’ Nick? I’d like to think so. There had been no gushy declarations of love and undying devotion exchanged between us, but Nick’s kiss said everything that was needed to be said. It was mind-blowing, heart-melting, and extremely arousing. It made my toes curl and set my loins aflame. Exactly what a wonderful kiss should be. Or so I read somewhere.

I wasn’t sure if we were now a ‘couple’ or what people would classify as ‘dating’. Things were moving too fast. Only one thing was for sure, Nick and I were definitely more than friends. Friends with benefits, maybe? No, Nick was too serious about something so glib. I hardly knew him, but his attitude was not that of a man who took things lightly. He was adamant about keeping Marcel away from me, even though he didn’t really tell me why. Saying Marcel was a playboy and charmer seemed too flimsy to me. As if I would entertain the man when I already had him to occupy every corner of my mind. I rather liked his protectiveness, though. I’d spent much of my life looking after myself, it was nice to have someone else do it for me.

“Hey, Mira. What time is Nick picking you up?” Jan said, breaking my train of thought. She was busy arranging a basket of grapes, apples, and bananas on the table. Due to some complications in Arnold’s work schedule, he and Jan moved their out-of-town trip to next weekend.

I already told her about Nick’s food allergies and special diet. Jan was immediately horrified, remembering the Aglio e Olio she served Nick the last time he was here. After our mind-altering kiss (or kisses as it somehow progressed to a few more) Nick sat with me on the couch and explained the reason behind his unflattering behavior that Sunday morning. Like Jan, my first reaction was horror, and then shame. We had judged him unfairly.

We spent the next couple of hours snuggled together on the couch, learning things about each other. I told Nick about being orphaned at fifteen and how I’d moved from place to place until I graduated from college. He told me he was of Russian descent but had spent most of his adult life in the UK, which was why he had such an adorable British accent. After a bit of prodding, he admitted he owned Red and a few other bars around the city. He came to the Philippines seven years ago under an Investor’s Visa and had grown to love the country. Someday, I would ask him if he loved it enough to consider having a family here. One step at a time, Mira, I scolded myself, brushing aside the sweet thrill its possibility gave me.

“Around 6, why?” I replied.

“It’s already 5:30 and you haven’t even showered.”

“Shit! I lost track of time,” I said, cursing silently for letting my daydreaming get away with me. I made a quick trip to my tiny bedroom, grabbed a towel, and slipped into the shower. When I came out of the bathroom after a few minutes, I almost tripped on my wet feet. Nick was sitting on the kitchen table, munching on an apple. His eyes turned dark as it roved liberally down my scantily clad body, his lips turning up at the corners. The hunger in his eyes turned my legs to jelly, sending my heart thumping like crazy.

“Hey,” I said, tucking a tendril of wet hair behind my ear.

“Hey,” Nick said, his deep voice sending shivers down my spine.

“Hey, you’re dripping on the carpet,” Jan said, covering her mouth to hide her laughter.

“Yeah, sorry. I’ll just...well...uhm…put on some clothes,” I muttered, dashing for my bedroom. I hated how he made stutter. But who wouldn’t, if those gorgeous blue eyes were staring unblinkingly at you? As long as he didn’t mind.

I grabbed my favorite black turtleneck, a pair of beige pleated slacks, and threw them on as fast as I could. There wasn’t much I could do with my damp hair, so I left it hanging past my shoulders. Wherever Nick was taking me, I hoped it wouldn’t be anywhere too fancy. He did say casual. Was this casual enough? I was so focused on my reflection in the mirror, I almost jumped when the door opened.

“Almost done?” Jan said, slipping through the door.

“Yeah, almost. Do you think I should put on some make-up?”

“Just a little. Here, let me help.”

After a few minutes, Jan gave me two thumbs up and declared me ready for my very first date. To say that I was nervous would be an understatement. I was terrified! Not of Nick, he would do nothing to harm me. I was terrified of making a fool of myself.

“Hey, don’t worry. Even though you haven’t given me any details about last weekend—”

How could I when I didn’t know what actually happened?

“—or when you two actually started going out,”

Well, sleeping in Nick’s house for two nights didn't really classify as going out, right?

“—Nick has my vote,” Jan said.

I sighed in relief. Jan was my best friend. Her opinion mattered a great deal to me.

“Thank you, bestie,” I said, hugging her.

“As long as he behaves and treats you like a queen, he will not have any problem with me. Now, go out there and dazzle him with that beautiful, dimpled smile of yours.”

I laughed and hugged Jan again. After grabbing the tiny bag Jan lent me and slipping into a pair of black pumps, we left the room giggling like a couple of schoolgirls. Nick was sitting on the sofa, head bent to his phone. He looked devastatingly handsome in his black silk shirt, blazer, and dark denim. Well, he would be gorgeous even in rags, I thought. How lucky I was!

Nick rose to his feet when he saw us. He pocketed his phone and walked up to us, his eyes never leaving mine.

“Ready?” he said, extending a hand to me.

“Yes,” I said, putting my hand in his. It was ice cold, but I was used to it by now. He couldn’t help it if his body could not regulate its own temperature, could he?

“Be good, you two. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” Jan said, winking at me as she slowly closed the door.

I laughed and shook my head. “Sorry about that. She means well.”

“I know. You’re lucky to have a friend like her,” Nick said as we stepped into the elevator. He still seemed uncomfortable, but not as much as the last time.

When we reached his car, Nick opened the door for me, just like he did this morning when he drove me home. I told him it wasn’t necessary, but he insisted. I guess I should just get used to dating a gentleman.

The top was down and it quite surprised me when he didn’t put it up.

“Do you mind if I keep it down?”

“No, I actually like it that way,” I said.

“You should put this on. I drive fast at night,” he said, handing a navy blue and gold silk scarf to me.

Even in the dark, I could tell it was a Hermes. “Thanks,” I said, trying to remember the way Audrey Hepburn tied it around her head in one of her movies. After I finished, I noticed Nick smiling appreciatively at me. He leaned forward and kissed me tenderly on the lips.

“I thought of you when I saw it this morning. I knew it would look good on you,” he said.

“You bought this for me?”

“Of course. Did you think I would let you wear hand-me-downs?” he teased.

“Well—”

“Mira, I don’t keep mementos,” he said; as if warning me of things to come.

As if telling me he won’t keep mementos of me either when we’re done. It made me sad, somehow. When we’re done, when he’s done with me, there would be nothing of me he would keep. He would erase me from his life. Completely and totally. Like I never even existed.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, the concern in his tone making me feel foolish.

“N-nothing. I’m...just touched. No one’s ever given me something so expensive before. Thank you,” I said, pushing away the gloom enveloping my heart.

He kissed me again, but said nothing. Once we were on the road, I felt better. Riding in a convertible was a fresh experience for me, I was like a kid with a new toy. Even Nick seemed affected by my childlike glee. He was smiling the entire drive. I didn’t ask him where he was taking me to have dinner. I didn’t care. All I cared about was how happy we were together right now. This was the only time that mattered. Whatever the future held for us, whether we stayed together for a year, a week, or a day, it didn’t matter.

Nick wasn’t joking when he said he drove fast at night. If not for the excitement of my first ride in a convertible, riding with him would've scared me to death. He wasn’t reckless; he was just driving faster than the speed he normally did. It was thrilling, like living on the edge. He only slowed down when we reached a narrow, uphill road. When we reached the top, he parked between two cars in front of a small villa bedecked with sparkling fairy lights. Nick, as usual, opened the car door for me and escorted me up the brick steps. A young man wearing a red and gold bolero led us inside and through a lively restaurant. At the end was another set of stone and wood steps that led to the outside dining area. He then led us to a gazebo where a table set for two was waiting for us. The gazebo was near the edge of the hill, giving us a magnificent view of the city below, where millions of tiny lights made it look like a sea of glittering diamonds.

An elaborate centerpiece composed of red and white roses encircling two tapered white candles dominated our table. On the side was a crystal bucket where a chilled bottle of champagne sat halfway submerged in ice cuttings. Nick helped me to my seat before taking the one opposite mine. Our escort lit the two tapered candles before leaving, promising to return soon with our dinner. Nick took the champagne bottle and popped it open. We both laughed when foam spouted from the bottle and ran down his hands. He then poured it into the two champagne flutes set beside our placements. After wiping his hands on the pristine napkin tucked under our plates, he took one glass and gave it to me.

“To my dear Mira, may this night be as perfect to you as you are to me,” he said, raising his glass toward me, his blue eyes blazing with something I couldn’t identify.

“To you, Nick. May you never get tired...of being perfect,” I said. What I really wanted to say was ‘may you never tire of me’, but thought it sounded too desperate.

Deep in my heart, as we clinked glasses, I made two little wishes—that this would be the beginning of something beautiful and only the first of many nights the two of us would share. There was no denying it anymore. I had fallen for the mysterious and fascinating man in front of me. It was crazy, I know, but it was something beyond my control. Even if I wanted to, I wouldn’t be able to stop. It was already too late for me. My heart had already chosen him. The question was, where would my choice lead me? To love and happiness, or to pain and sorrow? It was too early to tell. Then, I decided that it didn’t matter. I would take whatever time I had with him.

I smiled back at Nick, determined to make the most of this wonderful time with him.

If I were to lose everything in the end, I would at least have this night.