Chapter Sixteen

Chapter 16: CONFESSION I

Alexis's POV

You only get to find true love once. I do not think I made the wrong decision.

"I'm sorry Lena." I shook my head and started the car ignition. She's going to kill me anyway. I better enjoy today while I'm still alive and I have a really good feeling about today.

***

Jolla Restaurant

Switching off the ignition of my car, I inhaled and exhaled deeply. "Here we are" I whispered to myself.

"I Daniel here yet?" I looked everywhere till I finally noticed Daniel's car not too far away.

He has arrived!

We agreed 8am but it was just 7:45am. Punctual. I like it.

Does he feel the same way I feel about him?

I looked at myself in the mirror again to make sure no hair strand was threatening to dangle. I have really long, full hair. It was a huge feet just to pack my hair into a ponytail. Satisfied with my look, I stepped out and rushed to the building. I shouldn't keep him waiting since I know he's already here.

"Good morning miss, Welcome to Jolla. Do you have a reservation?" A black beautiful lady greeted.

" Mr. Daniel made a reservation." I said to the lady, a light smile surfacing on my lips. It was really happening.

I am not dreaming this time around.

"A minute miss. Let me confirm this."

I distracted myself with the furnishings in the room as she made some calls. Classy. He's got taste. Today is the third time I'm meeting him. I hope he asks the question today.

"Miss Krystal?"

"Yes." I smiled brightly at the lady. She froze for a second but quickly recovered. My smile must have startled her.

"Gabrielle would take you to your room."

Your room?

***

It was a private room. We'd be the alone, together for maybe, more than an hour. I squealed inside.

Gabrielle knocked the door lightly then opened it.

"Miss." She opened the door with a head bow.

I smacked my lips together and composed myself before walking in...

He stood up to greet me.

"Alexis." I loved it when he called my name and he always did with a smile. His smile was captivating, I don't seem to cease getting lost staring at him. Time felt like it had stopped. I wish it stopped. I wish I could stare at him forever.

I want to be with him forever.

Did I also tell you he had the most alluring lips. That's also one of the things that made his smile so spellbinding.

"How long are you going to stand there?" Our eyes met for a second but I looked away quickly, freezing the next instant. When did he get so close to me? His pleasant musky fragrance mixed with a little vanilla essence oozed into my nostrils. It felt like I was in a garden with a vanilla sundae in my hand.

"Let's get seated. Shall we?" He took my hand and my heart fluttered. He let go of my hand and that's when I realized I was already seated. When and How? I don't care. I clutched my chest with the same hand. Like a seed, a gnawing ache was planted in my heart.

Why did he have to let go?

He took his sit across from me, then picked up a tiny bell from the table

I giggled "What's that for?" It was really small.

He chuckled "You'll see"

He rung the bell and less than five seconds later a lady dressed in white and black walked in with a tinted jug and filled out cups with its content.

Did he order for us in advance? He's so considerate.

I sighed inwardly. Punctual, classy and considerate. What else am I looking for? I went straight to dreamland.

"What are you thinking of?" His asked

"Nothing." I bowed my head in embarrassment. Even if he doesn't know what I was thinking, it was still embarrassing.

I stared intensely at the drink almost drilling a hole through the cup. It was anything but his face because if I looked at it once more, I'd turn into a tomato.

"It's freshly squeezed. You should drink a lot." He said.

I shook my head and studied the drink properly. What fruit is this?

Wait. Where did that waitress come from? I thought we were alone?

For the first time since I got here, I finally looked round to study the room. The decorations weren't much. It looked like a cute cottage. The walls seemed like they were made of wood. The window was covered with grey and black striped curtains. The floor vases used to perk up the room looked antique. Everything was a huge contrast to the outside look.

"Each private room has a different theme and a secret door for service." He answered all the questions I had with that sentence.

it'll be quite disturbing if they pass through the main door all the time.

"What are we having for breakfast?" I asked once I was done with my tour, our eyes suddenly locking. His emerald green eyes were sparkling, warm and calm. It didn't carry the unexplainable emptiness other men I'd dated had. It had life. A life that wants real love.

"Have you ever dated before?" I blurted out.

He nodded. My heart felt like it had been pierced. Second time today.

What's wrong with me? I can't be jealous or angry over this. It's not like I'm innocent too.

"How many?" I couldn't contain the curiosity eating deep. He looked like the ladies man. I think he has dated a lot.

"Three." He took a sip of his drink. My eyes flew wide and my lips dropped.

I wasn't expecting that number.

"How about you? We agreed last time met we'd answer the question we asked each other too." He placed his right hand on the table, slowly tapping with a finger.

I stayed mum for a while. I should be sincere with him. I think he was with me.

"I've dated five. But, I haven't dated anyone since I graduatded. Three of them were dares. I'm serious. We didn't even kiss. One lasted a week , the other two weeks and the last one a month."

"But you kissed the other two and dated them for a long period of time" His voice was soft and had a hint of mischief.

It wasn't his fault. You dug a whole for yourself again Alexis.

"When was the last time you dated or took a lady out? " I asked; "Before you met me of course"

"Four years ago."

"That's a really long time. No one looked appealing again or something?" I folded my arms and relaxed completely on the chair

"Well, a lady did" He copied my actions.

"Who?" Why didn't he ask her out?

"I met her at a blind date. She's also seated right in front of me." He stared straight into my eyes and smiled with both his eyes and mouth.

Is this a confession?

My back subconsciously straightened. my heart was jumping inside. My eyes crinkled and my teeth exposed.

"We are having waffles and whipped cream, with strawberries."

"Did you just change the topic."

"Why can't I?" He shrugged

"Weren't you just confessing." I raised an eyebrow

"Do you want a confession as simple as that?"

"What?"

"I'd never give a girl I love a confession as simple at that."

"A girl you love." I muttered.

A waiter walked in at this moment with our food, with a curt bow he served it and left.

"This waffles are amazing." He spoke with a stuffed mouth, his face completely expressive. It was sweet watching him eat.

I shook my head and concentrated in eating my food. I was starving.

I had no appetite for dinner yesterday and I didn't sleep well at night. I better eat a lot now because it might be the same tonight.

I dug in, my gaze not leaving the table. Taking my first bite off of the waffles, I almost bit my tongue. It was so crispy and fluffy, the whipped cream melting almost immediately as it enters my mouth increasing the sweet sensation I was feeling.

Why haven't I even been here?

"Are you free today?"

"I can make myself free for you. It's not like I have anything else to do than daydream of you." I said absentmindedly with a half filled mouth. I smacked and licked my lips once the waffles passed down my throat and raised my head. Shutting my eyes immediately, I face palmed myself turning sideways.

I'm on a real date with Daniel. I was daydreaming again and I said it out straight.

He laughed and I glanced at him. He was covering his mouth but still laughing and staring at me. He was doing it on purpose. I don't think I'm going to raise my head up anymore.

Lord please, split open the group now. Today can't get anymore embarrassing.

"You look beautiful."

"What?" Why is he complimenting me out of nowhere.

Is something on my face?

I fished out my cellphone and used it as a mirror.

No! There's whipped cream on my nose. I immediately covered my face and bowed my head. I fought the tears back with everything I had, but fought harder to push back the desire of running away.

This doesn't mean anything right? He wouldn't stop seeing me because of my clumsiness. I wish Lena was here.

"It's okay. It was cute."

Cute?

He removed my hand from my face and leaned in. He gestured with is hand that I do the same and I subconsciously did. He used the tip of his thumb to scoop the cream away.

"Better."

Our face was the closest it had ever been. I could feel his breath on my face. My eyes trailed every part of his face and stopped at his lips.

"Kiss me."

I blinked immediately and jolted to my feet.

"Excuse me. I'd be right back."

***

I rushed in to the toilet and walked immediately to the sink, splashing water on my face. After calming myself , I plucked out a lot of tissues from the dispensing machine and dabbed my face. I stared at my sorry self in the mirror. A mocking smile took birth on my lips. I looked down at the person in the mirror. She was a big fool.

Everything I planned tonight, my sleepless night gone down the drain thanks to her. A tear dropped on my cheeks.

"It's all your fault."

How could I ask him to kiss me? I closed my mouth and screamed. When I was almost out of breath I stopped. Gripping the toilet sink, I stabled my myself.

I closed my eyes and nodded profusely. "Pull it together Alexis. You got this. He's just a guy. Even if you said 'f*** me' you'd still have the guts to speak to him. He's human like you. He's human.." I muttered

I breathed in and out for the last time, then a forced a smile. Retouching my make up, I encouraged myself again "Time to get out there. I can do this."

I sighed.

Who am I kidding? I wish the world would end right now.

I stepped into the room and he turned my way. He did it again. He was smiling with his eyes and mouth. Bright and captivating. It was turning me into a fool again.