Whisling

As Maria was still looking at Steve with an anticipating look in her eyes, Steve's eyes were filled with determination. He took a deep breath and said, "Well, I just wanted to let you know that after you returned to your room last night, I found your letter. Or I guess I should say your answer to my letter. It got wedged under the bench by the bed and I didn't see it until I dropped one of the pillows on the floor." With a chuckle he added, "You must have some strength in those arms of yours to be able to slide it so far under my door". But he then remembered why he had stopped Maria in the first place and he refocused. "Uhm, but never mind that. The reason I asked you to wait is because I wanted to ask you if you meant what you wrote? Because you checked that box yesterday and you said you would go on a date with me tomorrow, which is today..."

With each word that followed his chuckle, Steve felt himself becoming more nervous and less sure of what to say next. "I mean, I was super happy with your answer. I'm only asking because I wanted to make sure that we are having our date today. Since you weren't sure yesterday when we were talking and today is probably going to be a hectic day. So, I would understand if you changed your mind."

Seeing Steve struggling so badly, Maria decided to end his suffering. She had enjoyed the show for long enough. The best part about all of this? Steve being so nervous, actually made her calm down. It made her more sure of her answer and she even managed to have a little fun with it. She chuckled behind her closed fist before she said, "I knew it was going to be hectic when I read your letter and I knew it was going to be hectic when I checked the box. So, don't worry. We'll find a way somehow." After finishing what she wanted to say, she turned around, gave Steve a wink from over her shoulder and walked away.

Steve was flabbergasted. To him Maria's actions had happened so fast and he needed time to take it all in. She had not only confirmed that their date would indeed take place today but she had winked at him?! The same girl who could barely handle being in the same room as him? But who was he to doubt the good things in life. Since she had said yes twice, one in writing, he could be certain that she meant it. He needed to stop second guessing himself so much and return to the confident and strong willed man he has always been.

With a big smile on his face, while whistling a happy tune, Steve happily walked to the dining room. He opened the door to the room where both the girl who had made his day and the woman who had made that possible, where waiting for him. When he entered the room, both pairs of eyes shifted in his direction and whatever conversation was going on, stopped instantly to pay attention to Steve's cheerful entrance.

With raised brows and a teasing look on her face, Laila asked Steve, "So, aren't we cheerful. What has gotten you to whistle so early in the day?" Steve shrugged and pretended to not know what Laila was hinting at as he said, "What? Can't a man whistle without there being some shocking reason behind it? I slept well, it's a good day, so I am feeling happy. What better way to express that, than by whistling a cheerful tune." But Laila wasn't one to give up easily. Something which would come in handy later in the day when she would be meeting up with Olivia at her house. "Well of course. Any good day can be celebrated with whistling. BUT...How come the whistling only started just now? I heard nothing while we were still upstairs and you seemed plenty happy there. Are you sure nothing happened to cause this sudden extra happy mood of yours?"

This was when Laila suddenly felt a sharp, harsh pain and yelled out, "Auch!" as she reached for her shin. After opening her eyes that had closed on reflex, she noticed Maria glaring at her and telling her to stop it with her facial expressions. This was also when she realized that the pain had come from Maria kicking her under the table to make her stop teasing Steve. She rubbed the sore spot on her leg and quickly dismissed Steve's worries, who was asking her if she was alright after her sudden exclamation of pain.

After this little forced topic shift, Laila decided to stop teasing the two of them and simply enjoy a nice breakfast as they went over the plans for today. She had planned to meet up with Olivia at one o'clock for lunch and she would stay all the way until after dinner. This gave her plenty of times to place all the cameras and microphones in the different rooms of her house. Plus, she had Noah there for half of that time to pose as a distraction. So, even if she didn't succeed during the first half of their little get-together, she would have plenty of opportunities during the second half!