Chapter 6
1430 Words
Catherine
“Here we are,” Ricardo said as he stopped the car. I saw outside and the board said Spago. Whoa, I didn’t expect him to bring me here. I mean, this restaurant was one of the places I wanted to go.
I was about to open the door until Ricardo did it for me first. What a gentleman.
“My lady,” he said while giving his hand to me. I smiled and accepted his hand. Gently pulling me out of his car. While holding hand, I repeat, holding hand – we walked inside the restaurant. “I have a reservation here. Ricardo Williams,” he told the guy dressed perfectly in a suit.
“Ah, Mr. Williams. Please follow me.” He escorted us to the table near the window. I heard this restaurant was famous even got positive reviews from the critics and always fully booked. How did he get a reservation here? Because he was a Williams? I think so.
After we sat at our table, I opened the menu from the waiter. Whoa, twenty-four dollars for a risotto? Nah, I think that was normal in this kind of place. The only problem was…
I didn’t bring much money.
Should I order something cheap?
“You don’t have to worry, Cathy,” Ricardo suddenly said like he could read what’s going on in my mind. “You can order anything. My treat.” What?
“Seriously?”
“Seriously. Pick whatever you want.”
Wow. Just…wow. “Okay.” I scanned the menu again. I still wouldn’t choose the expensive one. The cod seemed delicious. Okay, risotto and a cod then.
“Ready to order, Kitty Cat?”
“Yes.” He waved his hand and a waiter came.
“Good evening, my name is Diego and I will be your server tonight. Are you ready to order?” he asked very friendly and so professional. His smile looked so real and he was friendly. And he was quite handsome too.
“You can go first, Cat.”
“Okay. Um, I will have the Risotto for the appetizer and Sautéed Black Cod for the entrée.”
“Certainly. And you, sir?”
“The Cavatelli pasta and Grilled Veal chop.”
“Very well. And how about the drink, Miss?”
“Er,” I looked at the beverage menu. Jeez, everything was wine?
“You can take the mocktail, Cat. They’re non-alcoholic,” Ricardo informed.
“Oh, okay. But I don’t quite understand the names.”
"May I suggest you with a Looking For Love mocktail? This mocktail is a mix of lychee purée, coconut water, lime and elderflower. I think this drink will match with your dishes and yourself," he explained. Did he just try to flirt with me? I knew this was his job but…flirting?
“Sure, she’ll take it,” Ricardo cut in. “And I’ll take Barrel Aged Boulevardier.”
“Certainly, sir.”
“And one more thing. Can you stop eyeing her and do your job properly?” Ricardo stated and instantly, Diego’s body jumped a bit and immediately left us.
“Thank you, Richie. I wasn’t really comfortable when he’s trying to be friendly.”
“You should be careful with a man like him. They look nice at the beginning.”
“I will. I’m sorry I couldn’t say anything to him.”
“You don’t need to apologize. Just remember if this kind of thing happens again, especially when I’m not around.”
“Okay.”
“Good girl.” He moved his body forward and caressed my head. Some affection that he always gave when he was complimenting me and I enjoyed it.
***
“Thank you for today, Richie,” I said while we were walking out of the restaurant. In the end, nothing happened even with Diego around. He kept everything business and didn’t flirt with me again.
“We’re not done yet.” Huh? “I still have one more surprise for you. Oh, I already got your parents’ permission so you don’t need to worry if you come home late.”
“Oh, okay.” Ricardo knew what would happen if my dad didn’t see me in the house and he would start panicking and possibly would call the police and ordered Jason to look for me.
We jumped in his car as we headed to our new destination. I wonder where he was taking me now?
It didn’t take us long though. A park? Why did he bring me here?
We both jumped out and I headed to Ricardo. He was looking at his watch. “It should be around this time,” he stated. Time for…what?
“Ric—” Before I could say anything, the park suddenly lightened just like the winter illumination. So beautiful. “Oh, my God! This is so pretty!”
“Right? Do you like it?”
“I love it! I feel like I’m in Japan now. I saw it from the internet before that they always held a winter illumination. Oh, my God I can’t believe I’m seeing one right now!”
“Well, we can go there together one day. For now, bear with this.” What?
I looked up at him. “Did you do this for me?”
“Yes. I know you want to go to Japan but you haven’t got the time and I thought, even if it’s just a little image of what’s an illumination looks like, I hope you will like it. Don’t worry, there’s no one here so we can walk around here freely. Only for thirty minutes though,” he stated. He booked all this park just for me. And then he added, “This park is ours for tonight.” Oh, God. Why do I love this man so much? I didn’t even know he can be this romantic.
“Thank you, Richie.”
“You’re welcome, Kitty Cat.”
We both walked around the park. Ricardo did his best to make the concept. I wonder how much he paid for all of this? I know it was not easy to book this park even decorating it like this. No wonder he said only for thirty minutes.
But anyway, I had to enjoy it. Ricardo had done so much for me. I saw the light decoration formed as a cherry blossom tree was everywhere. The river was full of light decorations. Almost like the petals were scattered throughout the river.
We traveled the park for twenty minutes until we reached the front gate again.
Sadness consumed me.
The night would soon be over.
The dream would soon end.
I still wanted to be by his side.
Why I was feeling like Ricardo would be gone from me?
“Let’s take a walk on that bridge, shall we?” Ricardo invited as I only nodded and followed him to the bridge. “Are you having fun today?”
“Of course! You gave me so many memories today.”
“Memories? Why do you sound like we’re going to be separated? We still can see each other, Kitty Cat. Besides, I already made a promise that I will come and celebrate your graduation, right?”
“You’re right but I want to remember all of this. We never know what will happen in the future. So, I want to perpetuate all of this that you have given me,” I told him while looking at the scattered flowers on the river. Unrealized, my tears dropped.
“Hey, why are you crying?” he asked confusingly.
“Huh? Oh, sorry. I didn’t even aware of this.” I wiped the tears with the back of my hand until Ricardo held it.
“Let me.” And he began wiping the tears with his thumb. So soft and warm. And our eyes met. His beautiful brown eyes. Like the color of the soil. Sharp and intense. I could even see my reflection there.
And everything happened unexpectedly and slowly. He drew his face closer and…pressed his lips on mine. Electrified instantly. I couldn’t move. Only feeling the warmness from his mouth. Letting him kiss me. Closing my eyes slowly, feeling the sensation Ricardo was giving me. A gentle kiss from Ricardo. Was this count as a kiss? Just by Ricardo pressing his lips on mine? However, it was enough for my heart to beat so fast. My body was melting away.
Did Ricardo even aware of this kiss…
…was my very first kiss?
- Writer
