Finally Face to Face

It's been 4 days since Thea contacted Duke. Neither did Duke. Duke just wants Thea to think calmly and not disturb him in making decisions.

Thea was upset for days that made her not focus on her work until finally she was reprimanded by Mr. Edward.

Thea returned to her room and covered her face with both hands.

"Hey ... What's wrong with you, Thea? You've been weird lately," Alice asked.

"Hmm, I'm just a little bored," Thea replied casually.

"Sorry, I haven't seen you in a while. I was too busy with my date," Alice said laughing softly.

"Is dating that fun?" asked Thea.

"Of course. Aahhh he's so nice and sweet. I'm crazy about him, Thea," replied Alice happily.

"Do you think I should try it?" asked Thea.

Alice looked surprised at Thea.

"Do you have a boyfriend?" Alce asked.

Thea shook her head.

"So?" asked Alice.

"You remember that dating app you installed for me? I found that guy there...and we made love a few times. But I didn't want to make a serious relationship with him. And he wanted more."

"He thinks I'm playing him. Yes, I did contact him when I wanted to just fuck him. Tonight we will meet again and he wants me to make a decision. If not, he will no longer make love to me," Thea said at length without pause.

And Alice seemed to be silenced by Thea's explanation. Alice still did not expect Thea, who was introverted and straight, to have sex with a random man on a dating app.

"Alice, are you listening to me?" asked Thea who saw Alice daydreaming.

"Ah yes, I can't believe you dare to do this, Thea. Do you know, Thea? I think he's a good and responsible man. He doesn't just want sex from you. Accept him because not all couples on dating apps want a serious relationship, Thea."

"You both have more feelings. Don't let yourself regret losing him. Live it like water flowing. If you are heartbroken, I will comfort you non-stop. Make this your first experience. You will enjoy it. Trust me," Alice said seriously.

Thea was silent and thoughtful. Even so, Thea was still not sure about this.

Lunch time arrived, Alice invited Thea to eat at a fancy restaurant because today Alice was very happy. Because her lover gave her a new credit card that Alice could use as much as she wanted.

"He is very rich, Thea. And I think I will be very prosperous with him," Alice said.

"I'm going to the toilet," said Thea after finishing her lunch.

At the same time, Duke sat on the back side of Thea. And Thea didn't see him. Duke was talking business with his daddy's assistant.

Thea walked to the restroom and while turning accidentally bumped into a waitress who was carrying some cold drinks.

Because the restaurant was not too crowded, it was of little concern including Duke who was not too far away.

"Sorry, Miss. Oh my God. I didn't see you. I'm sorry," the waiter looked down and was scared when he saw Theas's clothes soaked on the front.

"It's okay, never mind," Thea said.

Duke was a little surprised to hear Thea's very familiar voice in his ear. Duke looked sharply at Thea.

Alice immediately followed Thea because Thea's clothes looked wet.

"Thea ... are you okey?" Alice shouted.

Duke immediately stood up and moved from his chair when he heard Thea's name being called.

"I'm okey," Thea said.

"Let's go home. I'll drive you," Alice said.

"Thea?" called Duke and Thea was surprised to see Duke.

Thea stood like a statue because Duke saw her now.

Alice saw the interaction between them and seemed to know the situation.

"She's coming home with me," Duke said, pulling Thea by the hand and leading her to the car.

Alice looked at him with a gawk. She had no idea that Thea's date was Duke.

*

*

Thea just followed behind Duke with her hand held by Duke.

Thea was silent until Duke took her into the car and drove the car to his apartment.

Duke picked up his ringing cell phone.

"Postpone all my business. I'm busy today," Duke replied and immediately closed his cell phone.

During the trip, there was no conversation at all.

Thea was a little nervous and looked outside the car.

"Where are we going? I have to go back to work, Duke," Thea finally said.

Duke did not answer at all and remained focused on driving. Arriving at the apartment, Duke opened the car door and pulled Thea's hand out.

Duke just obeyed because she didn't want a scene there. Duke went up to his apartment and brought Thea to his couch.

Thea sat down and Thea's sharp eyes looked at her intensely. Thea looked down but Duke held Thea's chin to keep her looking at him.

"My memory is very sharp, Thea. I saw you at the dinner the other night," Duke finally said.

Thea sighed.

"You've known about me before. Didn't you?" Duke asked and held Thea's chin for her to see.

"Look at me. Say something, Thea," Duke said looking into Thea's beautiful green eyes.

Thea bit her lip because she didn't know what to say.

Then Duke kissed Thea's lips that he missed. Thea couldn't resist the kiss, because she wanted it too.

After kissing for a long time, Duke cupped his cheek and looked deeper into Thea's beautiful eyes.

"Don't avoid me, Thea," Duke whispered.

"I don't know what to do," said Thea looking down because she didn't want to look too long into Duke's eyes that would break her heart.

Duke lifted Thea's face again and kissed her cute nose.

"I want you to be with me," Duke said.

"I'm scared. I won't be able to," Thea replied very quietly.

"There's me, so you don't have to be afraid. I will not disappoint you. We are both trying. Not just me," Duke said.

Thea was silent again for a long time. And Duke patiently waited for her explanation.

"I wouldn't be able to share you with anyone else if we hooked up. I would be too possessive of you. I don't want what's already mine to be taken by someone else."

"I want my path to be unhindered and I would be a very annoying person, Duke. I'm such a perfectionist. I'm afraid you'll get tired of me and leave me."

Thea was silent for a moment and then resumed her speech.

"I don't want to get sick. So I'd rather avoid it in the first place," Thea said at length that she could finally express to Duke.

Duke listened carefully to what was a burden on Thea brain.

"There is no relationship that always goes straight, Thea. But we can avoid it with honesty and sharing. That's what relationships are for. You won't know until you try, right?" Duke asked.

"But I'm really scared that love will make me fall apart. I don't want my life to fall apart, Duke," said Thea who was still stubborn.

"What should I do to make you believe me?" asked Duke.

"I don't know," said Thea.

"Even without seeing you, I'm already crazy about you," said Duke.

"It's just sex, Duke. Not love," Thea replied.

"Okay, I admit it was because of that at first. But ever since I hooked up with you, I haven't hooked up with another woman at all. And I've never felt this way before," Duke said.