Dinner with Him

Waiting inside her car while staring in the air, Kim could hardly believe that she'll be having a dinner with Eric. It never occurred to her that one day he would invite her to one, since obviously he was not interested in her. Which is why she could not help but to wonder, what made him?

'Well it doesn't matter now' shaking her head's off as she finally decides to go out from her car, followed by Eric's arrival. When he got out he scanned the area and soon found Kim already waiting. Walking towards her as he was a feet infront of her.

"Shall we head in?" He offered his arm to her which Kim immediately understood. Even she was hesitant at first, she quickly grab hold his right arm.

From the parking lot underground, they took an elevator. Kim saw their reflection as the elevator closes, she immediately felt self-conscious that she was holding Eric's arm. Making her cheeks painted in crimson.

As the sound from the elevator heard, it opened revealing a spacious lobby where few people could be seen. They got out and head towards the entrance of the restaurant that Eric reserved for them.

As soon as they were inside, that's when Kim realized they were in a formal type of restaurant. Most of the people inside were in group or in couples, which wore business attires and casual attires. It was a little awkward for her since the place was so huge that even a beautiful crystal chandelier was placed above them, the table settings was too spacious. It was really embarrassing if she made a noise when she walks, but thankfully the floor was in carpet.

She scanned her attire which thankfully an acceptable for the place. She felt a little flustered as if she was floating while they made their way inside. But then again she can't stop thinking why would he bring her in a place like this?

"Good Evening Sir, Ma'am, May I ask what reservation did you named for?" a waiter came to them.

"It's under the name Eric Johnson" he fluently answered which the waiter looked in his book pad.

"There it is. I'll now guide you to your table Sir, Ma'am." He gestured for them to follow. Taking a stairway towards the second floor of the building, not long enough they arrived infront of a huge curtain, he lifts his hand to tie each side of the curtain which separates the place from the view. Since it was already dark outside, with the light from the column lightings, they can clearly see the setting of two chairs in a standard circular table with flowers in a vase decorated on top of it. Also, what captures Kim's attention was the outside view that can be seen by the glass walls facing the city harbor with lights shining from the reflection of the water. Mesmerized by it, she forgot that she was still standing.

"Have a seat." That made Kim came back to her senses. Eric offered her a seat and as soon as they sat, the waiter hand them the Menu.

"May I take your order?"

"It would be great if you serve us today's special dish, and for drinks, a glass of wine for me then… What would you like for your drink, Miss Kim?" looking over the menu where he could see Kim to confirm her preferred drink.

"A wine also would be fine." She ordered to the waiter which the waiter immediately jots down to his pad.

"That would be all." He folded the Menu and returned it to the waiter.

"Okay got it. We will serve it right away. We'll send some refreshments while you wait." He stated before leaving and silent was enveloped to the two of them, it was passed minutes before Eric broke out the silent..

"Sorry for the short notice to suddenly invite you to this place." Eric broke out the silent treatment.

"Oh no, it's a pleasure I was invited in such a place." She answered immediately, felt a little startle to the sudden words from him.

"Is this place to your liking?" he asked feeling a little burden if she was not. The idea was too sudden when he offers it earlier, but thankfully he knew worthwhile place to invite her.

"Yes it is. The view here is great. I've never knew there is such a place like this." Indeed it was a first for her to be invited in such a place since she never had any appointment in a place like this. Usually, most of the places of her meetings are in a dinner which was convenient to her as well as for her clients.

"It's great that you liked the place." He smiled satisfied that she like the place.

"Sorry if it's rude, but can I ask why you suddenly invited me to have a dinner? I knew there must be something that you want to ask regarding to the project since we'll be working in It." Even though it was a little sad if it's about the project but she can't stop her hopes up. But, she was still curious of what he was going to tell her. It was really unbelievable that she was with him alone in such a fancy place.

"Right, it was too sudden… I… I just want to treat you Miss Kim, since we'll be working together in the project." A petty excuse he could come up. Truthfully, he was surprised when a picture was sent to his email. He could not guess who on earth would send that to him but it made him a little bothered by the photo.

"Oh… Right, but it was not really necessary since we'll eventually be with it. But I hope we'll not talk about work tonight, since it's not a working hours." She felt a little disappointed from his answer, it was her fault since she keep her hopes up.

"What would you like to talk about then?" Eric had no idea what to talk about aside from work. He was not into gossip ever since, he was most likely the one in most of the gossips in his company but as soon as his employees saw him they would stop to talk about it.

"What about few personal introductions to know each other or a few personal stories." Kim suggested, though it was partly her interest to know more about him. She wants to know what he did after they graduate from high school. How was his life after it? Did he do some activities while he was out from the country? And so on that she want to ask but it was too rude for her if she ask those things as if they were too close. It was different when he was the one to tell that to her than hearing from other people.

"Well, okay if that's what you want. But I'm not sure if you'll enjoy my stories." he thought a little while before he answered, a little hesitant if he wants to talk about himself.

As Eric started to re-introduce himself to her followed by little info about his past life, she realized he does not remember her. Even the little encounter they had, he did not mention it, only his time with his few friends. It was too short stories, which did not really elevate the atmosphere. Even for Kim she did not mention her high school life since it was too boring to talk since it was too short and she does not want to talk about the embarrassing encounter they had. She mentioned that she does not have too many experiences in her school life since she was home schooled. When she reached her college life that's when she started focusing to finish her studies.

Her face change when she remembered the day her both parents died in the accident. She doesn't want to ruin the dinner so she smiled back and talked about how she meet her friends. Even though it was sudden, Eric noticed her change of expression at that time. 'She must have something she does not want to talk about.

"…I mostly refuse them since I'm not pretty sure if I can reciprocate their feelings. That would be awful if I lead them believing I would. I'm really hopeless about it. Hahaha…" Kim laughed, feeling a little drunk. Their food has been eaten, and few wine has been already served to them that she did not realized she drank too much. It was too late for Eric to realize since he was occupied in their conversation.

"Well, that's enough for that, since I've never had any idea about real relationship to begin with. I've been really want to ask you about this a long time ago, Mr. Johnson. What is your idea about first love?" He was caught off guard by her question. He never expected to have such a question from anyone. But she was really drunk that she spouts so many random things. How did it end up like this when he just invited her to dinner? But it also made him think about it.

"I- I'm not sure what to say, and more importantly, you drank too much Miss Kim." She placed down her empty wine glass.

"I understand, it was a despicable question. That's why they made fun of it when I ask it." She laughed halfheartedly.

"No, there's nothing wrong in asking it since we're born to be curious in all things." He looked at her sincerely.

"Since you're the first ever to say that, I'll gladly be able to tell you about my first love. Even though I have no experience in a real relationship, like to have a boyfriend. I could tell that I've once had a first love. I can tell it's a first love since I've never liked someone that too much before other than my family. Even though i could not have the chance to show or express it to him, he was still part of my past that helps me to be brave and move forward. It was a little sad that I can only admire him from afar but it was still great time." She felt happy that made her smile from the moment she started to talk about it. She slump her head down.

"So even though, you never had a chance to be with him, he still gave you strength to move forward?" he thought deeply about it.

"Yeah! That's right! But I'm coward for not confessing it." She stated lifting her head to say it it even though her eyes were close. Eric was surprised when she suddenly spoke, and then sighed as he noticed she was slightly conscious.

"Well then, my first relationship was not my first love since I've never shown any affection towards her. Maybe that made her easily decides to breakup since she never felt love from our relationship." He softly whispered before he stand and lift Kim. Leaving the bill for their services and orders, he carried Kim to the parking lot. He notifies the guard about the car to be left since Kim was too drunk to drive. Going back to his car and making sure the seatbelt was attached he drove off. Since they live in the same subdivision and he knew her residence, he manages to take her home.

"Who's there?" a young voice answered when he press the doorbell. The image can be seen from the screen in it. The door was immediately unlocked when Zen saw the people outside.

"What happened? Before that, can you please carry her inside?" She led him inside that he has no choice but to obey and carry her all the way inside. He was surprise when she led him all the way to the stairs going up to the set of rooms. He never complained since she will surely could not carry her alone.

Until they stopped to a room, she immediately opened it as she prepare her bed, she lift up the blanket as Eric followed to place her down. Zen tuck her before she faced Eric.

"Thank you for taking her home safely Mr. Johnson."Zen stated as she can't stop overthinking what just happened to them. 'I must know what happened when she wakes up tomorrow'.

"It was my responsibility since I was the one with her. Since she's safely here, I'll take my leave then." He slightly bowed taking a step out the room.