Trial Relationship II

From the restaurant terrace, which overlooked the sea, Lijuan watched the sunset at the horizon. Rich hues of red blended with oranges, spread its largess into a grateful sky. The clouds were cotton-candy, as though they blushed at the warm touch of the sun. Silhouettes of birds flew home over a sky that was now fuchsia; and the sun was half into the water, but its reflection in the sea made it look complete.

The moment Chang Wu parked the car over at the restaurant's parking lot, he moved swiftly into the marbled anteroom of the building, looking at his iced wrist that glinted casually under the Chandelier's light.

After talking to the head waiter, the senior left to affirm if Miss Qin was anticipating any guests. He recommended that Chang Wu should wait at the parlor while he addresses Lijuan. 

Wu sat on one of the embroidered chairs in the waiting area and observed the busy restaurant while absorbing the soft orchestral music. From his survey of the hall, he could tell someone was looking at him. But little did he know, his presence caught the attention of more than half of the women in there. Young to old. 

Once his eyes darted to a group of women in their thirties, they fidgeted and pretended as if they weren't looking at him some seconds ago. They faked giggles and discussions, which got Chang Wu Wandering if they were laughing at him. "Is there something wrong with what I'm wearing? Is it out of fashion?" He wondered.

He switched his gaze from the faces of the people to the slate floor beneath his feet. There was no denying how beautiful and ideal the restaurant was for an evening meal. Not once did he expect to eat in a minimalist-classical place with a celebrity like Lijuan. It seemed too much like a fan's number one dream of meeting their favorite idol face to face. Wu felt fortunate.

"Hello Sir. Miss Qin has confirmed her meeting with you. Follow me. I shall take you to the balcony." Chang Wu followed the Italian, but his eyes didn't stop observing the people around him.

They passed by old couples eating side by side, one glass of wine each studiously bent over their meals. Entrepreneurs in their grey suits, foreign tourists, trying to decipher the menu, families and their teenage children enjoying the splendor of the environment. 

The building was enormous. It was understandable that they would take an elevator to get to the VIP area of the restaurant. Wu was excited. His grip tightened around the bouquet in his hands as he quietly practiced Fu Hong's most loved lines.

From the corner of her eyes, Lijuan glimpsed the two men approaching after she heard a sharp beep. The stern look on her face made Chang Wu check the time. Fifteen minutes had passed, and he kept her waiting. The headwater excused himself so they'd have their privacy.

"Good evening Miss Qin" He presented her the bouquets, and she observed the mini-sunflowers, white daisies and purple asters. They were surprisingly her favorite. 

"Good evening and thank you for the flowers" Her face remained indifferent though, but she still looked beautiful in her greenish-blue gown made of delicate, silky texture, long and loose. 

"You look beautiful tonight, Miss Qin. And despite the distance, I could already tell that my future would be next to you."

Her eyes narrowed in disgust, but she quickly composed herself, ignoring and refusing to accept that he's also one of those wannabe Fu Hong. It was too early to think that way. 

"I'm sorry, did I say anything wrong?" He asked as he took his seat.

She shook her head then rested her chin on her palm "it's nothing." 

'No compliments to me, she's not grinning, I think what I said bothered her. Is this a date or a business meeting?' Wu's confidence was depleting and he was feeling uneasy.

He lit the smooth white candles held up by two tall, silver candelabras at the center of the table, and the flames ignited the beautiful shade of her eyes, making Wu's heart skip a beat. 

He cleared his throat, recalling Fu Hong's pick up line lessons on a reality show other than Lunar Tv. 

He said: In case you say something she didn't like, there's always a suave way to recover. 

Chang Wu placed his hand on hers, and she looked at him in shock. He gulped, but it was too soon to reveal his fear of rejection, and he had a feeling she was thinking of walking out of the date or business meeting, whatever it was. 

"I'm sorry if I said anything wrong. Look- looking—" Chang Wu plastered a weary smile on his face and cold sweat trickled down his forehead. He failed to remember his lines, and he was thinking hard to remember them.

Lijuan decided to help him remember since she'd heard those lines over and over to the point she would never be able to forget. "I'm sorry if I said anything wrong. Looking at your beautiful eyes, I can barely concentrate on the things I say" 

"How did you know?" Wu asked.

"I don't have time for this" Her tone hinted on her annoyance and she stood up, picking up her bag. 

"I'm sorry" Wu held her hand, but she swiftly withdrew and commanded him to not touch her hand without her permission ever again. She walked again, but Wu stopped her. He needed an explanation. 

"Please, where did I go wrong?" She wanted to walk away, but she stopped once she got close to the elevator door, then decided to let him know something.

"Those line's are Fu Hong's right?" 

"Yes?" 

"I hate Fu Hong. And I hate men that try to be like him." She turned away from him and pushed in the button to the base floor. Before she could step in, Chang Wu held her hand back. He didn't have any choice, that was his only way to get her to stay.

 "I didn't know. I ask for one more chance, please." 

"Let me g—" 

"Please, Miss Qin. I was nervous because I've never had a date like this for a long time. Especially with a woman like you. I wanted to be conscious because I feared getting rejected. I'm really interested in this date, Miss Qin, and I wanted to make this the best you'd ever have. Forgive me if you found everything I said offensive, I can apologize a million times just to save this date and the only chance I have with you. I—" 

Already tired of his yapping, Lijuan cut in "Okay. Another chance. Just one more. Act like yourself and not Fu Hong. I'll text where we'd meet up tomorrow. I forgive you for coming late this time because of the confirmation procedure, but you have no excuse tomorrow. Did I make myself clear?" 

A bright smile appeared on Chang Wu's face and he let her go "Yes ma'am and thank you."