Chapter 19 Back on the Patio

Somehow I had managed to sleep. Not a lot, but enough I could drag myself out of bed and to the office. I was dragging through all the things I had to do that day when Gisele's evaluation of how others viewed me popped into my head. All of a sudden I had a spring in my step and I was moving with purpose and vigor I hadn't felt on the job in years. The day flew by and it was time to get ready for my date. For a change of pace Gisele had texted me both our plans for the evening and a request for my attire. She had fancied my spring dress and wanted to see me in something light and playful like that. We were going back to the restaurant we had had brunch at. We would be dining on the patio. After dinner she was hoping I'd be inclined to stroll through a small shopping district near by.

I agreed to both requests of course. I selected a light pink spring dress this one had a small bird embroidered on the bottom right corner in black with a couple star-like patterns around it. She picked me up a little before six in a short Kimono in a deep red color and a black belt. It was very plain and much like the last one she had worn it stood no chance against her massive bust. This time she had finished the outfit with a shameless laced deep blue bra. Ensuring that even the most devout monk would have is gaze drawn to her barely hidden peaks of pleasure.

"How am I supposed to make it through dinner with that staring me in the face?" I asked in lieu of a greeting. She smiled and grabbed my arm.

"Can we talk after dinner tonight, sweetie?" She asked, instead of responding. I nodded, I wasn't sure I could ever tell her no, honestly. With that we were off for our third official date. Though I had already been on more dates with her than I had anybody else. If you counted all the non dates we had been on, and my heart still raced with anticipation. I knew I would still love her in my very soul, but I wondered would this excitement and anticipation stay after I knew her secrets was the uncertainty driving these emotions or the desire to be with my love? I figured only time would tell and I pushed such thoughts from my mind. we made small talk until we were once more at the table on the patio. Once more there was a table set up with pre-prepared food salad, ribs, roasted potatoes. Once again a simple, but elegant menu. We ate in near silence and rather quickly. I wondered if she was in as big of a hurry to tell her secrets as I was in to hear it, or if she was simply trying to keep pace and tone, with me. She could be dreadfully considerate. It made it hard to tell sometimes if her actions were her own or the manifestation of her need to be there for me. I was now aware she was truly ashamed of the decadent lifestyle she had lived until now. It reframed some of my memories of her and made me ache at the realization my girlfriend for all her amazing attributes and qualities viewed herself as less than me and she sought even now to somehow atone for a sin she had never commitment. Her live before me molded her into the person she was now and there person she was now occupied every inch of my heart. So with my whole soul I vowed to find a way during this week to make Gisele realize I love all of her and she is more than equal to me in My eyes she is the sun and I a random planet trapped in her orbit by a force called love. Knowing she chose now to shower me with her life giving rays was more than enough for me.

We finished eating and Gisele sighed, "Our you curious why I favor this restaurant so?"

"Of course my love. It is the only place we've been to twice."

"Yes well, it belongs to my sister. Like you I am one of several siblings. Nine in fact, but only my baby sister talks to me. She even insisted we use this lovely patio when I told her about you and our plans for the week. My family is complicated but they are all successful. You are unlikely to meet any of them save her, and if we get married my parents, but I'll warn you now my parents will not like you and they may not even accept you. My success is my own as are my decisions. You will not be affected by them except at the wedding itself. As far as why my siblings don't speak to me I can't blame them. Time and time again I chose a good time over family obligations and at a certain point one by one they could no longer forgive my carelessness."

"I see, I'm surprised your family is so large and I'm grateful your baby sister is still looking out for you. If you want to try to fix things with your family I'll support you, but if you've moved past them... Well I'm in love with you not your family so that's all up to what you want baby. So let's go for our walk," I did the best I could to be indifferent on the subject, but I could tell the estrangement bothered her and that weighed on me. Still I took Gisele's hand and we walked out of the restaurant and to a small brick road going off the main street it was lined with artisan shops on either side and random stalls and carts scattered on the wide sidewalk. I wondered how I had never noticed this time capsule of an experience in the middle of this metropolis. However we walked down the one side and back up the other. our holding hands became her clinging to my arm and leaning into me. I could see the genuine joy in her face and feel the excitement in her body. Our conversation was spotty and inconsequential. Mostly about the unique wares that were for sale in the small shops we passed by. As we returned to the beginning of the road her town car was waiting for us. A short ride later, with us seated much closer and a quick kiss in the back seat and another date had come to an end. As I lay down that night I could help but wonder what waited for us beyond the week. With that heavy on my mind dreams crept in and happiness flooded my body and I thought just maybe this could last forever.