Chapter 12: The First Date

She did not wait for him to respond and she went back to his office. She started working when he stopped in front of her. “What do you want?”

She smiled and placed her hand on her chin, cunning but tempting. Carson stared at her thoughtfully.

Today she seemed to be different from what she was before.

The last time he saw her, her vibes were cheerful, natural and full of self-confidence like she was on top of the world. But today, she seemed to be pretending to be someone else.

He's getting curious about her.

“Let’s say I want us to have a dinner date.”

Carson tilted his head, “A date?”

She nodded. Her smile never left her face, she was sure that she was a step ahead of him.

“Tonight. After work.”

He bit his lip, thinking if this could harm anybody. “Unless you want her to run after you again. I can catch up to her now.” She was about to stand up when he grabbed her wrist. She turned to him in surprise. Every time he did this, it feels as if time slows down.

“As you wish.”

She smiled widely. Her plan was slowly moving and she felt great. She just needed to do something that can catch his attention.

Avery and Carson went to a garden restaurant near the beach. She was amazed that a place like this existed. There weren’t a lot of people so it seemed like a secret hideout for some. She looked at him from head to tie and noticed that he was elegantly dressed in a grey suit, blue shirt, and paisley tie.

“So you choose a place where no one can see us?” Avery asked as she walked to their table.

He nodded, “I don’t want we will be disturbed by any unconnected person.” She stopped walking to look at him.

Avery stopped walking to look at him.

He sighed, held her arm, and continued to walk to the table. “Everyone knows our family. I just don’t want you to be part of our mess.” He stopped when they reached their table.

“So it’s not because I’m not like your ex?”

He was surprised by her sudden question. Avery waited for his response. She needed to know if she already made an impact so she can know her next move.

“No. You’re different from her.”

He then sat and asked for the menu. Avery couldn’t explain what’s happening. She heard this line a bunch of times but this was the first that she actually felt those words.

“So” he started after their food came. Both of them ordered pasta. As he rolled the pasta on his fork, he looked at her. “Why do you keep asking me out?”

She almost choked with his question. He smiled upon seeing her reaction. Carson was indeed different from the other guys. He spoke whatever it was on his mind. She looked at him directly in his eyes.

“I was thankful for you. You kept on helping me. I felt that we could be great friends. But I guess you misunderstood me.”

He looked down at his pasta with a bitter smile. “My background gives me little chance to own real friends. What they cared about is just benefit, Jenny dated me for the same reason. I respect their mind, but I want something more.”

She smiled, “I understand.” She then started eating. Maybe this plan was a bad idea after all. She wanted to back out but a part of her doesn’t as well.

“Sorry for rejecting you, too. I didn’t mean to. I know you’re a gorgeous woman.”

She laughed, “Don’t be too nice or I’ll think that you’re in love with me.” He chuckled and continued eating.

“So, what’s your story?”

“What do you mean?”

He sipped some wine and looked at her. “Why help the orphanage? Where are your parents?” She gulped and drank wine.

“My mom died of illness. Seeing the kids reminded me of myself when she was gone, alone. So I tried my best to be there for them.”

He looked at her in admiration. It was not every day he met someone who had the same mindset as hers. He smiled.

Carson continued to drink as they chat. What he did not notice was that she wasn’t drinking much. She just watched him finish his glass and she would help him pour wine.

The date went great. Carson talked about the things that interested him like climate, world issues, and other intellectual stuff. He was so amazed that Avery had her thoughts on these things as the women he knew didn't, especially Jenny. He longed to have someone to talk to regarding these topics and now that Avery was here, he felt great.

After a few more topics, he could feel his body become heavy and his head was spinning. His eyesight started to be blurry and all he wanted to do was sleep. He wanted to lay down but he knew he couldn't.

He looked at Avery who now sat beside him. He can’t remember when she sat beside him. He placed his head on her shoulder as he could not sit still anymore. She looked at him with those seductive eyes. She started to hold his face, slowly but with care.

He could smell her sweet perfume because of their close distance. He couldn't understand what he was feeling right now.

“Hey, Avery?”

“Hm?”

She asked. She was inches away from him. He can feel his body grow weaker, the same time, crave for her touch. “What do you want, Carson?”

Her voice was seducing him, making him weaker as she spoke. Everything felt slower except for his heartbeat.

There were a lot of things on his mind right now. He wanted to move away, hoping he could control himself from this desire he was feeling. At the same time, his eyes were glued to her lips. He tried to hold her beautiful face.

She watched as he struggled. His facial expression made her smirk. Her hand was now on his thigh while her other hand was on his ear.

“Kiss me”