19: First date, stood me up
Ten years ago.
Ruth gave another beaming smile to her reflection on her compact-sized mirror before she turned around.
Her eyes dilated in excitement as her gaze focused on the man climbing down the cemented staircase of St. Mary's University.
It was her one and only Marcus Andrew Lewis Hughes.
She tucked her hair behind her ears and glided towards his direction.
She made sure her dress was pretty enough for him to notice her that day.
After all, it took her two whole hours to choose the right dress for this special day. After a whole wardrobe raid, she finally opted for a light pink A-line sweetheart dress and a three-inched skin toned stiletto.
Her makeup was light and her long straight blonde hair was freely let down on her back.
She fixed her smile on her face and watched him stride towards her.
He got the most handsome face she had ever seen in her entire life.
How lucky she could get and ended up as the lucky girl who'll be taken by Marcus on a prized and once in a lifetime dinner date?
His face was blank of expression with his eyes looking straight to the black car waiting by the side of the street.
"Hi Marcus!" She flashed her sweetest smile as he walked before her.
He didn't even look at her and continued walking.
She panicked.
She minced on her steps as she rushed to follow him to his car.
He was still a sight to behold even if it was only his back facing her.
She sighed.
How could his back be this good-looking too?
His long wavy locks were fixed on his back and touched his sharp and wide shoulders as if every strand dance in his every stride.
That day, she made a few mental notes on what he was wearing. He was on his usual blue elements: Dark blue cashmere sweater paired with black dresser pants and dark brown leather loafers.
So casual yet still so handsome!
He was like a real-life prince less his white horse and shining armor gracing every soul he meets there.
Her soul was definitely one of them.
She gave herself a slight pat on the shoulder.
Her decision to wait there was right all along. The intel she received was spot on. She'll give him a bonus later.
"I-I'll see you tonight?"
She tried to walk beside him but his steps were bigger than hers. Obviously, Marcus has longer legs and she was on her heels too that was why she was being careful with her steps.
He stopped in front of his car and turned to her.
"What?"
Her smile never left her lips.
"I-I was the winner of the dinner date, remember? The contest your music company launched last month."
He lazily eyed her from head to toe.
"You're still in high school." It wasn't a question from him.
"But I'll graduate soon. Very soon."
"Age?"
"Pardon?"
"Your age. How young are you?"
"Oh! I'm turning sixteen this year."
He paused.
"Your name?"
"Sorry for forgetting my manners." She extended her hand to him. "Hi Marcus! My name is Ruth Therese Hamilton, and I am your number one fan!"
He crossed his arms over her chest instead.
"My number one fan, you say?"
She giggled.
"I know, it's quite embarrassing but I've been following you since you and your twin launched your first album together. I was so surprised when I heard I won the contest. I can't wait to see you so I dropped by to let you know that I am the luckiest girl who'll share a meal with you tonight, Marcus."
"So, you're saying you even came here just to remind me about that lame dinner?"
She was held aback but she hid it.
"I'm sorry. I was only too excited for tonight. I should give this to you, though. This is my gift." She took out a small box from her purse. "Here."
Marcus looked at it skeptically before accepting it.
"Please wear that tonight. I want us to have some matchy items later."
He irritatingly threw it inside the car.
"Are you done?"
"Huh?"
He rolled his eyes and stepped in the passenger seat.
Ruth hurriedly knocked on his window. He rolled it down.
"I'll see you at 8?"
He just smirked at her before he rolled up the car window.
She watched the car sped away and disappeared from her sight.
"Where to, milady?"
It was Tobias, her new closed-in security and driver.
"Miss?"
"Did you see that Tobias? Marcus smiled at me. He smiled at me for the first time." Her eyes turned heart shape as she clutched her hands over her chest.
Tobias gave her a confused look.
"He smiled at me." She repeatedly uttered as she walked towards her car, smiling like she was in cloud nine.
Tobias opened the car door for her. She stepped in the passenger seat and grabbed her phone from her purse.
"Daddy?"
"Yes, my princess. What can I do for you?"
"I want Marcus Hughes to marry me."
Her old man on the other line paused for a while as if he got choked on something.
Mr. Hamilton's awkward laugh followed.
"But you're just fifteen, my dear."
"I know. I'll marry him after I graduate from the uni. Just let me marry him, daddy. Please?"
"Very well, my princess. Finish high school first then let's talk again, all right?"
"Daddy?!"
"Fine. Fine. Fine." He cleared his throat. "Are you leaving St. Mary's now?"
She eyed Tobias on the rearview mirror. "Tobias told you?"
Tobias veered away his gaze.
Her dad sensed that she was beginning to be upset.
"Hush my princess. I just want to keep you safe, that's all."
"Whatever."
"Can you go back home now? Your mother keeps on asking me about you. I guess she's more anxious than you for your dinner later with Lord Hughes eldest son."
She smiled again as she imagined her mother's surprised face when she told her about the contest.
"Don't worry Daddy. He's going to be your in-laws soon."
"Young lady!" Her dad voice became thicker.
She grinned.
"I'm on my way, daddy. See you. Love you!"
...
"Excuse me, Ma'am, do you have any final order? I'm afraid we'll be closing in ten minutes."
Ruth faced the restaurant crew and desperately asked for extension.
"He could be late. I can wait a little longer. Let me wait a little longer, okay?"
She eyed the main door hoping to still see even a glimpse of Marcus' shadow in there.
Four hours.
It has been four hours.
Yet there was no sign of him coming.
It was supposed to be their first date.
How could he stood her up like that?
She prepped and dolled up for this special dinner.
She even joined a music contest just to get a chance to be with him and yet he did this?
She was all excited and amped to finally share a meal with Marcus but he was a no-show, after all.
"Miss?"
Tobias handed her his phone.
It was a text message from the organizer of the contest.
They were saying something she couldn't understand.
"Miss Hamilton?"
Then a man came rushing inside the restaurant. He looked around and his tired yet worried eyes rested on her face.
"Marcus?!" She stood up quickly and approached the young man.
"I'm sorry, it's Matthew."