Chapter 82

82 iv. Their First Date

Her eyelids fluttered, and all she can see is two burning fires of gold. So beautiful, she mused. She felt like she will get consumed by the fire but she couldn’t stop watching.

She came to her senses when a deep voice resonated in her ears, she had to blink twice to realize she has been staring at Dominus’s eyes the whole time. It turned out she had fallen asleep.

“Hi,” her whole body jerked from hearing his deep baritone voice. Dominus.

“Ohhhh. I fell asleep, didn’t I? I am deeply sorry,” she gulped seeing how he was looking intently at her. Those eyes can melt her so easily.

“It is fine. I wouldn’t have woken you up, but I think our food might get cold. I ordered while you were sleeping, and I was informed they were about to serve,” his eyes lingered on her lips.

“Ohhhh, food? I thought we were supposed to have coffee!” she panicked, she only have loose change in her wallet.

“You were asleep for two hours,” he informed her, his deep voice making her feel hot once again.

“You should have woken me up! I’m really sorry,” she looked away from him, staring into his shoulder instead so she won’t feel hypnotized by those golden eyes of his.

“It is fine, really. You don’t have to worry about it. It wasn’t wasted time on my part,” she felt cornered as he leaned closer.

.....

Oh no! She panicked and as if on repeat jolted back from her seat. To which he smiled playfully at her as he unclasped her seatbelt.

“Let’s go,” he whispered, his hot breath fanning her ear as she blushed.

He went out first and opened the car door for her, holding her hand as he assisted her. His strong arms felt so solid, she blushed when her mind went to all the other parts of him that must feel just as strong as his arms.

She blushed as her lascivious mind made her think all evil thoughts. Well, she fancied him for quite a long time, so how can she not?

She was surprised to see a floating restaurant, the architecture thereof built from woods. It was floating on top of the river, defying nature it seems.

She wondered how deep that river must be and if some alligators might suddenly appear while day were dining. What amazed her more is how they were the only customers left.

She glanced at her watch and saw that the time is only past eight o’clock. Doesn’t it have other patrons? She felt it will be rude to ask so she kept silent as the waiter lead them to their seat.

He pulled out a chair for her like some chivalrous knight. She wondered how many girlfriends he have. He is simply perfect in every way. There is no way he is not taken.

Before she can say anything a beautiful bouquet was handed to her by the person who introduced himself as the manager. He wished them well and bowed his head, leaving her to gush over the extravagant bouquet.

“Compliments of the restaurant,” he assured her. She realized she is in too deep, if the compliments given by the restaurant are already this grand, there is no way the money she had with her can pay for anything.

Her mind immediately thought of her online banking account, luckily for her, she does remember her account number and password. Hopefully, he didn’t order much.

The first they served them is some type of creamy soup. She liked it a lot, it has a velvety texture and she loves the way it soothes her throat.

She didn’t ask what it was for fear of looking as ignorant as she reallys is. She was busy gulping until the last drop when she observed he hardly touched his.

“Are you not hungry?” she asked him.

“I am famished,” he assured her but had the waiter clean up their bowls when he came.

She wanted to complain when dishes after dishes came to their table. Every time they finish a course, the waiter will take out the dishes and bring new ones to the table.

Are the rich really without conscience? Ordering this much and with this guy almost eating nothing. She really felt the need to complain now.

When they started to serve several cakes in a row for dessert, she felt like she can hardly swallow them. To think she would have to pay for all this food.

They also served some wine that must be some real luxury to drink since the waiter poured a very small portion into their wine glass and just stood beside them adding more each time they empty their drinks.

She excused herself after her third glass. He wanted to accompany her at least until the door of the restroom but she insisted and told him she will be very uncomfortable.

She hurriedly took hold of the menu that was seated at one countertop table and flipped through the rates. Her eyes widened in shock from seeing the menu prices.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

She has no doubt her savings will not be enough to cover the receipt later. How can anyone spend this much money for some dinner?

She felt her anger boiling inside of her. She really felt she has been scammed by her hero. Saving her and yet robbing her of an expensive dinner she obviously cannot afford.

She was about to storm back into their table when she saw him sniffing off his wine glass. She frowned at his action. He must be some kind of addict.

His eyes automatically find hers as she walked closer to their seat. She forced a smile on her lips. No one should anger some kind of addicted person. Their minds are twisted in a way she won’t like to find out.

“My stomach is in knots, do you mind if we pick up the bill now and call it a night,” she smiled again at her dubious hero.

“You want to go home,” he sounded disappointed.

She wanted to laugh, how much more does he want to order? They have literally sampled almost the whole menu in that two-hour dinner they were having. And the poor her has to pay for it all.

“Yes, my stomach is not in a good condition,” she lied. She just wanted to go home and be done with this nightmare.

She will have to make some promissory notes for the remainder of the balance if they allow her. She frowned at her impending bankruptcy.

He looked worriedly at her and held her by her hand, dragging her out of the restaurant. His steps were fast and steady.

She tried to shake her arm from him but he was really strong, and his monstrous height compared to her of course. He is facing no resistance from her frail form.

“Do you need me to carry you?” he stopped when he finally noticed her struggles.

“No, I- I can walk by myself!” she hurriedly corrected his thoughts.

“Then let’s hurry to the hospital,” he frowned, a look of desperation in his eyes.

“We can’t just leave! I need to settle the bill first!” she raised her voice to somehow wake him up.

He looked like a man possessed. Too much panic over a stranger’s stomachache. It scares her. His reaction lacks every bit of normalcy.

“There is no need,” his deep voice insisted, dismissing her as he dragged her again towards the exit.

“What the hell do you mean? You think we can just run away without paying?!” she exclaimed and finally freed her arm from his hand.

“I have a running credit here, you don’t have to worry about that,” he explained, his voice still panicked.

“You paid for it?” she felt conscience grip her after every revolting thought she had in mind earlier.

He nodded half-heartedly. Since she doesn’t seem to like that he paid for the meal by himself how will she feel if he says he owns the restaurant.

This was all a set-up. Inviting her here and driving away the other customers. The bouquet he had arranged at the last minute.

He would have hired some violinists and pianists too if not for the insightful advice of the restaurant manager that it shouldn’t be done on a first date.

He wanted to please her, but from the expression on her face just now, he thinks she didn’t like it. He wondered what are the things she liked about this world.

He felt guilt for not finding her sooner. But with millions of Marys across the world, he had just successfully investigated half of them.

Of course, he will never stop until he finds her, but now she came to him. Proving that theirs is a destined love.

“You shouldn’t have taken me here, everything was so expensive,” she looked away from him. Guilt enveloped her heart for having those horrible thoughts about her rescuer.

“It is fine, don’t worry about it. Please,” he felt his heart constrict seeing her so sad.

“Did you not like the food?” he scowled thinking he should force the chefs to resign immediately if that is the case.

“No, I really liked them. It felt like a true luxury to eat food that nice. I have never experienced eating all those dishes before,” she bit on her lower lip, shame filling her heart. She felt like a beggar in front of him.

He gripped her hand and brought it to his lips, “Please don’t worry, Mary.”

Hearing her name spoken by him, she wondered if there was an instance she has introduced herself to him yet. That has to be the case, for how can this stranger know?

“I think I have forgotten to introduce myself. How, how did you know my name?” she inquired, taking a step back away from him.

All he wanted was to pull her close, he felt a pang of pain when she took a step away from him. It has been so long.

He had waited for her for so long and now she has taken a step back, as if afraid of him. Of the one who truly loves her.

“You mumbled earlier in your sleep. You were answering my questions while asleep, to be honest, it was really interesting. I just noticed you have fallen asleep when I stopped the car and noticed that your eyes are tightly shut,” he answered her, his eyes were filled with longing as he did so.

This time he looked away, he couldn’t let her see his pain. It will just scare her more. He has to accept that in her mind he is nothing but a total stranger who happened to save her today.

She nodded, finding the explanation plausible. She does talk at times in her sleep. Her sister will often tease her about it. She even recorded her answering some questions while she was asleep.

“Did I freak you out?” she asked, this time allowing him to assist her in going down the stairs.

She blushed when he held her by her waist and carried her down himself on the last steps. She lowered her gaze, unable to look into his eyes.

“The last steps are slippery,” he justified. His hands still gripped her hips when her feet touched the ground.

She cleared her throat and that was when he noticed he was still holding her. He apologized and lead her to his car.

Before they can board the car, the restaurant manager handed her the bouquet of red roses she left on her seat earlier. She thanked the manager and blushed.

She wondered if all customers receive a bouquet. It must be the case in restaurants for the rich. They can’t do anything but waste money, it seems.

He opened the door for her and helped her to settle in. When he leaned again she just closed her eyes, aware he was aiming for the seatbelt.

However, he did not move after the seatbelt clicked. And when she opened her eyes his lips were just mere inches away from her.

He pushed her which signaled him to move back to his seat. He started the engine and did not offer any explanation for what he did.

He informed her they were going to the hospital. She wanted to take back her words after hearing that, but she couldn’t. She couldn’t bring to hurt him, which he will be when he finds out her thoughts.

The moving vehicle lulled her to sleep. Her head dropped to her shoulder as it logged.

She wanted to desperately fight off her feeling of drowsiness. But sleep seems to pull her in even deeper.

.....