Chapter 8 - OK For Now

Gail

"can't stop thinking of mr. victory. bakit? is it because i see in him the bad boy that brent is not?" tanong ko sa sarili ko while our car was driving through the streets to libis.

i was looking out the window watching the many cars pass by and the many lights that started to come to life in the many stores lined in the streets. eastwood area is really coming to life during this time of early evening.

"thinking too much, babe?" sabi ni brent breaking my strain of thought as he reached out his right hand to my left hand that rested on my lap.

the warmth of his hand on mine reminded me of where i was kahit ang mind ko ay lumilipad sa kung saan. i slowly looked to him. and i saw those loving eyes stare at me for a few seconds before staring back at the road. i took his hand and brought it up towards my face and kissed it.

"there are alot of things on my mind lately, babe" sabi ko as we passed a church in the area and made the sign of the cross as we were passing in frontof it.

"well... for tonight... try to forget those things. its time for you na mag relax and give time for yourself, di ba? so let the night relax you, babe. let me relax you" sabi ni brent as he let go of my hand as he held the wheel for the moment.

brent always has the mindset of being cool, calm and collected. may control siya sa mga bagay bagay. different to what i usually am. spontaineous, sometimes even out of control and even stubborn. i think i have never seen him not being in control... well, except yung first time na he thought he accidentally ran me over. but aside for that, he is very in control and very loving. he is the perfect man. but is he for me?

"so try to relax tonight babe. kahit ngayong gabi muna" he said with a sweet smile on his lips.

i was staring into the night skiy through my window side of the car when we turned to a familiar looking street. and then i realized something.

"gosh! brent... is this..." sabi ko.

"yes... the restaurant we went on our very first date since we became a couple. i think its nice to have that relaxed moment again, di ba babe?" he said winking to me as he slowly parked the car to the exact same parking slot we parked about less than three years ago.

this brought back so many memories. so many happy memories. like flashback but in real time. brent unbuckled his seatbelt and bent to me to give me a kiss on the lips. as i felt his lips on mine, i felt being brought back to the time when i didn't think too much of things. when i was this girl who was learning the ropes of love. brent is my first boyfriend. well, the first guy that took me seriously. his warm lips on mine. his breath on my skin. i felt so loved. so wanted. then after a few minutes, he separated from me.

"pag di tayo pumasok sa loob ng restaurant, people might think we're up to something here" he said winking as he unbuckeld my seatbelt and gave me a quick peck on the cheek.

with that, we left the car and made our way to the entrance of the restaurant where we were greeted by the receptionist who checked our names in the reservations list. then after confirming, we were led to our table. the same that we had for our very first date.

"you are such a sweetie..." i giggled to brent as we walked to the table with hands in each others.

it was all set for the night, with a small collection of flowers on the table. the glasses were polished well. crockery looking very well cared off. this restaurant is not very formal. but in its simple appearance, you feel special and very elegant.

"this would be the menus... i will be giving you some minutes to be browse... and will be back with you shortly..." the waitress, wearing an "ycle" nameplate on, said with a smile before letting us be in the table.

brent folded the menu he held and started at me intently with his face resting on his right hand. he slowly edged his hand towards mine. and he held it with all care. i looked at him. i could see the love in his eyes. all those warmth. those caring.

"babe... we should order now... we can't have the night all to ourselves, you know..." i smiled as i touched the tip of his nose with my index finger.

"it's just i feel how lucky i am to have you in my life, babe... meeting you back then reminded me of how life has changed... for good..." he said before opening the menu again and reading it as it lay on the table, his hand still holding onto mine.

i stared at this wonderful man sitting across me. he said he was lucky to have me in his life. but am i really his lucky charm? i know i love him. but my mind is going all weird now. because of mr. victory. no. i will not ruin this night for brent. he deserves better. i clasped my fingers in between his own. feeling the warmth of his palm on my palm. it was very... nostalgic. how it happened here about two years ago.

brent gestured to the server and ycle returned to take our orders. she was very patient as she took our orders by course. brent and i settled to have some few items to be shared between the two of us.

"time to turn off the phone..." i said to myself as i got my phone from my bag and turned it off. there is no need for distractions for moments like these.

dinner was very well spent. the summer salad with light vinaigrette was fresh and very light. the rustic fall vegetable soup... not piping hot... but was perfect. the herb crusted spring chicken was juicy and very tasty. and the vegetables served with it were not overcooked and had that crunch in it that had me as a fan already.

"so how was dinner? may i offer something to cap the night, guys?" ycle said as she slowly removed the used plates on the table.

i was actually not thinking of dessert. but now that it was offered... yes please! i would love to see if they have changed already their dessert menu. i am not a big fan of chocolates since i am allergic to them, so i usually opt for other choices.

"do you have anything that is not made or has chocolate? may allergy kasi ang date ko" brent said to the server as she was slowly bussing out his plate in front of him.

"certainly, l we have sir. have you tried our latest dessert, winter solstice?" she answered as she placed the dirty plates on the side station nearest us.

i quickly glanced at the pages of the menu to see what this new dessert is. and i was very pleased to see what is in store.

winter solstice...

let the festivities begin!

butternut cookie crumble glazed with creamy caramel...

two scoops of frozen sherbet placed in waffle cones...

fresh fruits sliced and topped with confectioner's sugar...

sweet macarons in different flavors...

morsels of cheesecake with both blueberry and strawberry compote...

savor the culmination of the seasons... for the culmination of the senses...

"wow! this looks awesome!" being a dessert fanatic, i tried to control myself.

"we'll take one... for sharing" brent said smiling to me, to which i answered with a very eager smile.

I patiently waited for the dessert to come like a child waiting for Christmas.

"You do enjoy sweets, don't you?" Brent asked as he reached over to my hand.

Brent made me always calmer by his ways. When he touched my hands. By the way he hugged me. By the way he kissed me sweetly. I just wished that hwe would hug me more... more passionately. Or kiss me longingly. With more eagerness. Yung tipong mapusok. Mas may pagnanasa. Pero pagnatitignan ko ang mga mga mata niya. Nakita ko ang lalaking mahal na mahal ko. I was deep in thought when...

"So guys... here you go... Winter's Sotice", Ycle said as she laid down the dessert .

The dessert was... majestic! It was placed in a big platter. The butternut cookie was placed on the side of the plalte and some of the caramel drizzled on top of it. The cheesecake was placed on the other side with the two different compote placed on th top of the morsels making it appear to be cute icing in different colors of strawberry and blueberry. The sliced fruits appear to be in their seasons, full of color and flavor. The macarons are so colorful one would want to have a pic of it. And the two waffle cones are placed to one corner of the plate with the sherbet scooped on top of it with some colorful candy sprinkle on top of them.

"Please enjoy! If you have any other request, just call me" Then Ycle left us to our dessert feast."

We looked at each other before we took our spoons and literally digged in. The sorbet was delicately rich. Each cheesecake tasted daintely touched by the two compotes on top. The cookie crumble was moist and chewy tothe bite. The fruits were sweet and very fresh.

"I do think we picked  something that ended the meal nicely" Brent said after taking a bite on the watermelon he had on his fork.

I nodded chewing a bite of the caramel covered cookies. I love this dessert!

"Whew! That was awesome!" I said putting my spoon down o the plate.

After some time, we finished the dessert and were quiely pondeing on our next task. Brent called for Ycle. Please don't tell me he isng to order something again.

"The dessert was wonderful. I commend the chef for the whole meal!" He started to which the server smiled and thanked us.

"Can we order for some coffee? I would like to have a black coffee. And she would like an order of cafe latte, please" he said as he smiled to me.

He really knows me well. A cafe latte to close the night. Such a gentleman.

When coffee was served, we had already stared at each other for some minutes with our hands holding on to one another. Then we talked more about work for the night then i remembered to turn on my phone.

Beep! Beep!

Sis, we have a problem.

Its Dinah. Family problem.

Sender: Jeannie.

Sis, please reply when you get this message.

Sender: Jeannie.

"Brent, i have to make a call... its an emergency... with my besties... excuse me..." i said as i stood up and left the table as brent looked worried. i walked over to the window as i made the call.

i called Dinah at once. she picked up in a few rings.

"Dinah... what's the problem?" i asked hurriedly when Di answered the phone.

"Sis... our family business is gone... we have lost everything..." her voice answering the phone, crying.

i made my way back to the table where Brent was already signing the slip for our meal for the night. as i made my way to him, he stood up and walked towards me.

"You look troubled babe... maybe its time to call it a night?" Brent said as he held to my hand. i felt the warmth of his hand travel up to my whole being.

"Th-thank you babe... i enjoyed the dinner... so much..." i answered as i held his hand tightly as we left the restaurant.

the night was wonderful. or should i say very... magical. the night sky was very clear and the stars were twinkling lightly on the background of the full moon. as we walked to the parking lot, brent took off his coat and placed it on my shoulders.

"i saw you were a bit cold..." he whispered as we walked to the car.

brent walked me to my side of the car and he opened the door for me. i have never met someone who has been this sweet and caring to me. with the door opened, i slowly slid onto my seat. in a few seconds, brent has already entered the car and turned on the ignition. i sat there quiet clutching brent's coat on my body.

"don't worry, babe... i can drive you there if you want..." brent said looking into my eyes as he held me close to him. his hand held onto my chin as he leaned closer to me. with that, we kissed dearly inside his car.

"this man really loves me... he really does..." i said to myself.

on the way to Di's while in the car, i rattled thinking of what happened to my friend. then brent's hand rested on my trembling hand. warmth and comfort slowly crept to me as i let his hand hold onto me before making another turn on the road.

"I hope Dinah is alright" i said to brent who smiled at me.