Chapter Twenty-three.

It was past 5 in the evening, the following day and Lina was already dressed for dinner with Arnold.

Although, she didn't have any decent dress amongst the clothes she packed when she travelled down to Arkansas, as she didn't dare to dream of going out for dinner with her former lover.

She had to rummage through her old clothes, and eventually found an orange polka dot dress that still fits perfectly. 

She didn't want to do to much, so as not to appear desperate or all over the place.

Then swung her hair up in a messy bun, with a few pins and hair clips here and there, she was satisfied with the outcome. 

Her family returned from church late and Lina was extremely grateful she didn't go with them.

Just like she skipped breakfast until after her family left for church, before she had hers.

She also made sure to have her lunch before they'd arrived, just to avoid seeing her father.

She still had two weeks left to stay in the countryside, and she dreadly loathed the moment when she said she would be staying for a month.

At 6:00pm sharp, Arnold appeared at the front door and Catherine let him in.

'Hello.' She said to him unsure of the reason, he had showed up at their grandmother's door, looking dashing.

'Hello, Catherine.' Arnold replied her greeting. 

'I'm here for Lina.' He added.

'You are here for Lina?' Catherine blurted in awe, and laughed in excitement.

'Yes.' Arnold retorted.

'Alright, have a seat. I'd go get her.' Catherine said and turned towards the stairs.

'I'm here already.' She saw her sister scurrying down the stairs.

'Let's go.' Lina added swiftly, before Catherine could say a word. 

Then she proceeded to the front door and literally yanked it open.

She made sure Arnold got out first, while holding the door for him before she walked out too.

'Please tell mom I'm having dinner with Arnold tonight. But, I wouldn't stay out for too long.' Lina said to Catherine, walking out.

'Take your time, sis. Stay out for long, if you need to.' Catherine teased her.

'Ugh, whatever.' Lina scoffed.

'I will be back shortly. Just tell mom that.' She said and shut the front door, to avoid Catherine's further teasing.

'Phheeeww.' Catherine chuckled after Lina left.

Then, she proceeded to find her mother to break the news.

Lina could only hope she wouldn't run into Christopher also, before they took off.

She couldn't afford to be teased by her brother too.

When they got to Arnold's car, he held the door for her like he did the previous day, making Lina feel like a royal highness.

'I know I didn't get the time to say this before we got to the car, but you look absolutely beautiful tonight.' Arnold said as he fastened his seatbelt and Lina flustered. 

'Thank you, Arnold. You look great too.' Lina replied as he started the car.

'Come on, don't say that out of courtesy. You don't have to compliment me just because I did.' Arnold muttered and started to drive.

'It's not just courtesy, Arnold. I really meant it.' Lina said.

'Thank you too, then.' He chuckled in response.

'You're welcome.' Lina muttered, gawking at his face.

Dear lord, it seemed like he gets even more handsome by the day.

She stared at his neatly shaved jawline, it was close to nothing short of perfection. 

His intensely green eyes on the road complemented his manliness, and that wasn't something she usual see in any man she comes across. 

She was still lusting over him when he suddenly shot her a stare that threw her off balance.

Then, she cleared her throat and calmly looked away, swallowing the mild secreted saliva in her mouth.

'Where's Freddie?' She queried to clear the awkward atmosphere.

'Still at my mom's.' Arnold replied.

'She's bringing him back today and will tuck him into bed before leaving. I should be home before she leaves though.' He added.

'Such a sweet boy.' Lina stated.

'He sure is.' Arnold muttered in response.

'He is the only reason I feel like I've got it all figured out. He's the reason I act strong.' He added.

'You are not acting to be strong, Arnold.' Lina said, moving her gaze back to him.

She reached for his hand that was rested on his thigh and cupped it in hers, before she spoke again.

'You are strong. Probably one of the strongest people I know, even.' 

'Freddie may be your reason for being strong but I'm completely certain that you're far from acting.' She went on.

'And you may not have it all figured out now, but I know that you will, you always do. It is who you are, Arnold. It is who I've known you to be. I strongly believe that the you I know isn't just hiding in there somewhere.' She concluded. 

'He is not hiding.' Arnold voiced.

'Maybe just taking a rest.' He added.

'I know, right.' Lina let out a subtle laugh.

'It's perfectly okay to take a rest until you feel like you again. Take as much time as you want.' She said.

'But, what if I take too much time and forgot about how to feel like me again?' Arnold asked in a tone that made Lina feel like the question was directed at her.

'Ughhh.' She chuckled and let go of his hand.

'I know you will always remember yourself. You have a reason to and that is Freddie.' She replied finally, fixing her gaze on the road.

'And you?' Arnold questioned again and Lina confirmed that he was indeed referring to her with the posed question.

'Do you have a reason to feel like you again?' He added.

'What makes you think I don't feel like myself?' Lina threw a question back at him.

'I know you too well, Lina. I know you are also struggling as much as I am.' Arnold replied. 

'I just need to be sure that you wouldn't forget yourself also. Who you used to be.' He added.

'I wouldn't forget myself.' Lina blurted, blankly. 

'I'm glad.' Arnold said, his voice conveying that he really meant it.

After a while, Arnold parked his car in a lot and they both alighted the car. 

Lina stared at the building in front of her, although it looked so familiar, but the memory she had of the place was rather too vague. 

'You don't remember this place?' Arnold uttered after he noticed the skepticism in her gesture. 

'Not exactly.' Lina said. 

'Well, I understand because it has a different name now, but this used to be our favourite restaurant back in the days.' Arnold replied. 

'It was sold a years ago after the former owner died and a young man runs the place now. So I heard.' He added.

'Sammie's.' Lina read the new name out loud and couldn't help but think about her nephew, Christopher's son.

'Let's go in.' Arnold said, arching his arm so she could hold on to him.

Lina held him and whispered quietly.

'This doesn't mean we're on a date, though.'

'Of course.' Arnold whispered back and chuckled. 

They got in just in time to see Christopher approaching the counter in his chef's robe.

And then it dawn on her that it was his place after all, stylishly she withdrew her hand from Arnold's arm.

'I should have known.' She whispered to herself, dreading how much teases her brother has in store for her that night.