Perfection Isn't Ours

Chapter Six

°°°

Once they stepped on to the concrete sidewalk of the busy street, they eyed the yellow and green fast food restaurant across them. There were cars packed on the lots on each side of the one story eatery. People were trooping in and out with food bags and take outs in their grips. The large windows of the restaurant gave Ciara a view of the leather chairs and tables that were occupied by people of different ages.

"Are we going to stand here or wait for the food to come to us?" She asked, looking up at him after her stomach rumbled.

Mason chuckled. "Trust me, you'll love the food here."

"What's the difference in going somewhere closer to the gym?" she asked as they walked into the busy place. "I mean, they sell food like any other restaurants, right?"

Mason stopped, causing her to bump into his back. He spun around and held her arm, disbelief written all over his face

"Nah, better not say that, Ciara. This place has the best food. Anyways, let's go take a table before some other persons do. Follow me."

Ciara blushed when Mason took hold of her hand, and pulled her along with him to a corner in the slightly busy restaurant. He paused and pointed his other hand to an empty square table with a leather chair that was in the shape of a semi circle around the table. She nodded and sat down, Mason following suit.

Before Ciara could open her mouth to speak, a black haired Asian waitress stood at their table with a wide smile on her face, which brightened her almond shaped eyes. The short black skirt she wore hugged her slim waist and thighs, while the yellow shirt clung to her upper body.

"Hi, Mason. Who's this?" She asked, eyeing Ciara briefly. "Wait, lemme guess. You broke up with Fiona, and got a better and less fake girlfriend? Finally!" The girl squealed."I'm SooHoo."

Ciara blinked up at the way she had babbled away, while Mason buried his head on his arm that rested on the table with a deep groan.

"God," he whispered, feeling his neck and cheek burn from embarrassment.

"Sorry, that was rude. Would you be having your usual, Mason?" SooHoo asked, and he nodded. "What about you, lucky lady?"

"Where's the menu?" Ciara asked, and SooHoo pointed at the table. Ciara blushed and picked up the rectangular card off the smooth table.

"Aww, she's so cute, Mason," SooHoo said as she watched how Ciara furrowed her dark brows together in concentration.

Mason glanced from SooHoo to Ciara. He smiled when she played with her bottom lip while she read the menu.

"Yes. She is," he whispered more to himself than SooHoo who just raised a confused brow.

"I'll have the apple pie. Seems delicious and a smoothie," she said, and SooHoo skipped away.

Mason sighed. "I apologise for her behavior. SooHoo has—Well, she doesn't like my girlfriend."

Ciara smiled. "Hey, it's okay. Besides we're even. My friend Nora did the same this morning. So, no problem."

He nodded and swept his fingers through his hair. He cleared his throat and glanced at Ciara who was looking around. He relaxed on his seat adjacent to where she sat and leaned forward. His gaze traced the curve of her face, the way her hair stuck to her forehead and naked arms. His eyes followed the length of her arm to her hand where there wasn't a ring on her finger. Mason blinked.

"Mason."

"Ciara."

They chuckled.

"You go," they said in unison.

"No," the stated again.

Ciara rolled her eyes. "So cliché."

"I guess so. Listen, I don't want to sound like I'm meddling but what was the problem with your fiancé? And speaking of that, how come I've never seen you wearing a ring since the day I've met you?"

Ciara took the tip of her ponytail in her grasps while biting her bottom lip.

"Well, Jerome has always been like that whenever I'm around guys. He gets possessive and all. And about the ring, I don't normally wear it because it barely fits my finger. It's embarrassing, I know. Jerome promised to get a fitted one, but he keeps forgetting. Anyways, it doesn't matter anymore right now that he che-"

"Your food have arrived," SooHoo announced, dropping their meals on the table. They smiled. "See ya' later."

"Is she always like that or their workers are just overly friendly?" Ciara asked, picking up her fork.

"Actually, this restaurant has good staffs. That's why the Kitchen Hatch is popular around here," he replied, digging into his little portion of chicken and full plate of vegetable salad.

"Is that what you eat?" She asked incredulously, pointing the end of her fork at his tray.

"Yes. I'm on a diet. Fiona and I are on the diet together," he said, taking a bite of his chicken.

"Gag," Ciara uttered, and bit into her pie. "Hmm, this is so delicious. How come I don't know about this place?" She took another large bite out of her pie, and moaned out. She closed her eyes, relishing in the softness before opening them back to see Mason stiffling his laugh. "What?"

He laughed out softly, and Ciara glared at him, confused and worried. He dropped his fork, and chuckled under his breath with his hand over his mouth.

He leaned back, and chuckled louder, ignoring the looks people gave him. He wiped his face and pulled out his phone, then positioned it in front of her face. He turned the phone and showed her a picture of herself, she gasped.

There was pie on the tip of her nose, the upper lip and side of her mouth.

"Mason?" She hissed his name and he shoved his phone into his pocket when she wanted to grab it. "Delete it, please?"

Mason shook his head and ate his food. He shook his head in wonder. The way we just acted, it seemed like we've known each other for years. I love it actually. It's a nice feeling.

He looked up when she wiped her face clean.

"I'll get you back for this, Mason."

"Sure you will," he said, doubt in his voice.

"Is that an I don't think so tone?" She asked, narrowing her eyes at him.

Mason stared at her eyes in amazement. The way her green bright eyes had changed fascinated him. It changed from the shade of green it was to a dark green. He found himself getting lost in the flecks of her eyes and shook his head.

"No, Ciara," he replied and she stopped with a shrug. "Is that an 'I'll get you back when you forget' kind of gesture?"

"What? Oh, no. Please don't fret, my dear," she gave a mischievous smile.

Mason scooted away a bit, his phone gave off its notification ringtone. So did Ciara's and as his ear heard, two or three other phones in the restaurant. He pulled out his phone and read the text with amusement.

"What's that, Mason?" Ciara asked.

"Come see this," he said and she found herself scooting over to his side. She took his phone and read the text.

"Garfield's gym will be hosting a weekend fun-time camping program for all it's members who would be interested. There will be competitive sports, food and housing for those coming. Bring your friends as-"

Ciara stopped. "This is great news! I can't wait!"

Mason smiled and couldn't help but get a whiff of the scent of her hair, Citrusy, he thought.

"Yeah. I guess, you'll be coming, huh?" He asked, looking down at her. She looked at him with a smile.

"Yes, mate," she said, and was about to go back to her seat when Mason grabbed her arm and raised his hand to her face. She held her breath when he began to wipe her lips, cheek and nose, all the while, staring into his blue eyes.

"What's this?!" They shook at the tone of the blonde haired woman. Fiona stood by their table, hands on her hips and blue eyes, glaring hard at them.

"So, it's turned to taking her out on dates, eh?" Fiona hissed, glancing between the two of them. Mason was blank faced and Ciara was timid.

"I'm sorry. We just came from-"

"Did I talk to you, slut? I'm sure all you do is shag people. Is it because he's rich?" Fiona asked angrily, and Mason stood straight at that.

He grasped her arm, and gripped it tight, ignoring the fact that She was groaning in pain. Ciara stood up after taking in their position, with a pounding heart.

"Don't you dare call her that, Fiona," he growled.

Ciara looked around, people were beginning to stare and some were even videoing the scene. She bit her bottom lip and held Mason's arm. She felt his muscle twitch under her touch. She tugged on the arm before he glanced down at her softly.

"Please, stop," she whispered, unshed tears in her eyes.

Mason's breath hitched at the hurt in her voice and tears rimming her eyes. He let go of Fiona unconsciously, and held her left cheek when a tear slipped down.

"Ciara," he whispered, and she ran out of his hold and out the restaurant.

Mason clenched his fists, and glared at Fiona who had tears in her blue eyes. He sighed painfully and sat down. He shut his eyes and clenched his hair.

•••

Ciara ran like the wind as her heart ached. She couldn't stand the fact when someone called her a slut. It brought bad memories to her. It made her reminisce the hurt she felt that was attached to the word.

Flashback...

Ciara screamed when Jerome threw a glass vase past her head. She looked back at her drunk boyfriend as he chased her.

She had being at home with an old school friend, and they had been joking around when the guy kissed her, and told her he loved her. That was the moment her boyfriend, Jerome came home from work. His blue eyes turned dark and he didn't waste any seconds. He beat up the guy, causing him to lose consciousness. Then he faced Ciara. He grabbed her hair and yelled all manner of things in her ear.

Then he slapped her across her cheek.

"You're such a disgusting pig! A slut! Yes! A slut! That's what you'll forever be! I'm going to teach you a lesson!"

He had grabbed her neck and tried to strangle her but she kneeled him in the groin. But he recovered quickly. He pounced on her and began to hit her face. Then kiss her hard that it bruised the tender skin of her lips. He tore her cloths and that day was the day, she lost her virginity, through Jerome raping her.

She never told anyone. She said his anger was justified. That anyone could've done the same if they were in his shoes. That she still loved him. But that word, that word always killed her mentally.

....

Ciara gasped as more tears ran down her cheeks. She ran faster when she got to their neighborhood and stopped at the junction leading into the gates. Ciara wiped her cheeks, and began her walk into the serene neighborhood.

When she got home, Jerome stood up from the couch and approached her. He smiled.

"Ciara, I'm sorry about earlier. I was a jerk and-"

"It's okay, I forgive you," she said walking past him, her body numb from exercising, and having to remember what had transpired years back.

"But I don't want to see him around you again," he mentioned in a harsh tone.

Ciara paused for a few seconds and continued walking.