Chapter 14 Brunch and a Surprise

I was dazed as we walked through the restaurant to a private patio already set up with a small buffet and a server standing at either end.

As we sat I looked at her quizzically and in typical Gisele fashion she noticed instantly, "You can ask whatever you like. I'm not prepared to answer everything just yet, but I'll do what I can and you don't need to worry about the gentleman serving us. They have been tipped well and they are very discreet."

That sounded ominous in my ears, how did she know they were discreet. Even so it relaxed me as her words always did which I realized meant I could trust her when she said she would tell me everything in time so I converted that trust as best I could, "No I think I'll wait till this week is over to ask any questions. I still love and trust you and I think it will be an interesting journey, but is there nothing you wish to know of me." 

"Ha ha, of course. There are tons of things I still don't know about you. Why don't you tell me what made you such a romantic, while your sister and brothers are all realists." 

"How'd you know that?" I couldn't help, but ask.

"Well it came up when I was looking into your relationship background. You never had a relationship for more than a couple months and even those were rare. It took some digging and a lot of convincing, but when we told them it was for your soulmate we were able to find a couple people who had heard you mention that relationships were hard work and if you were going to but in that level of work it needed to be special. The stance of a true romantic. Your siblings were all married and though I insisted on not being told the details the investigator used there means and found there was evidence they all, especially your sister had pressured you to stop being so demanding and settle down. So that's the gist anyways. How did the spread in views happen?"

"A right, your investigator was truly thorough. Well I mean there is no grand story. My siblings were busy growing up, living life, making plans, and building futures. I was more self conscious and awkward. I wouldn't say I didn't have friends, but I certainly didn't socialize on the same level they did. So I spent my formative years watching rom coms and reading trashy novels. So in college when I finally came out of my shell I thought if I'm going to be in a relationship I want it to feel like in the movies. A special place for just us two. I never could get myself to settle for less. Thankfully as it turns out, because now I'm here with you and I could never ask for more prof that true intense and instant love is possible."

"Wow I thought maybe there was an Aunt you admired or a teacher or something. I never thought you got such a silly notion like true love stuck in your head without any evidence it was real. God Julia you're amazing. I'm so lucky you were so stubborn about something so hard to believe in."

I didn't know how to answer so I reached out and patted her hand that was laying next to her plate. We ate the food after, with only occasional and simple conversation. I started to realize though even these conversations about things we had seen and rumors we had heard were deepening our understanding of each other and our bond with each other. Than I thought maybe this week without sex wasn't such a bad idea at all. After we finished the food and the table was clear we exited the restaurant and loaded ourselves back into her car. I was surprised a simple bartender could afford to have a car on standby. I thought for sure we would've had time to talk while we waited for her arrival.

"Um, are you gonna be ok? The car, the restaurants, whatever that stunt you pulled yesterday was, it can't all be cheap. You know I love you. You don't have to try so hard to impress me right?"

"I'll be fine, but thanks for your concern." 

The conversation had been so long and then the meal after it was afternoon already, but still early even for a Sunday I wanted to spend more time with her, but I couldn't make my voice ask. She had made a plan and seemed determined to stick to it and that plan seemed to include one activity and one secret a day. After today I couldn't help but wonder what else she was hiding. We were driving in silence when she patted her lap with excitement.

"You know after I drop you off I'm meeting up with some friends. We are making a whole night of it. In celebration of me finally settling down. I wasn't really looking forward to it, but if you wanted to come then it probably wouldn't be so bad."

"Really I was wondering what I was going to do with my afternoon. Where are you going?" I asked only to figure out my outfit, there was no world where I would miss a chance to meet her friends.

"Movie, dinner, than drinks, but um. You weren't supposed to meet my friends yet, but I don't really want to go without you so can you agree to some selfish ground rules before we go."

"Sure love, what do you need?" I answered without a moment's hesitation and then a vision of me being lead into a room in a blindfold, laughter echoing around me filled my head. I shook the vision from my mind. She was playful and loved to tease, but her lines were clear and they always put me front and center. I didn't believe for a moment she'd humiliate me and I was sure her love was true.

"Don't ask or answer any questions while we are there. You can talk of course I want you to have fun. But casually, please for me," She requested, with a begging tone in her voice I wasn't used to.

"Ok, but if I'm well behaved at each event that in the car from each event I should get a reward," I teased her give off the slyest smile I could manage, "Don't worry we already agreed on your physical limits so how about just one of your little secrets at each event?"

"How about a bonus kiss for the first two and a secret at the end of the night. I'm really not the emotionally courageous I'm afraid."

I realized she didn't want to over promise and the extra kisses sounded like a fine reward in their own rights so I nodded. Moments later we pulled up outside my house and surprisingly she followed me to the door. There was a woman, not her driver behind her. She was young as young as I had original thought Julia was and she was holding a bag. Gisele took it not commenting on the young woman's presence and then the woman in a man's suit retreated back to the car. I couldn't really wrap my mind around her presence so I hadn't really noticed her features, but she had certainly struck me as objectively attractive.

"You don't mind if I get ready here do you?"

"No do come in."

With that we went inside to prepare for our evening out.