How Deep is Your Love?

5 - Natalie

Smacking my lips in front of the mirror for a few times, I pouted when I felt like the shade I chose for my lips didn’t really match my out. I took a few steps back in order to see a full angle of my body in the mirror, checking my attire. Brian said I should wear something fancy so I resorted into wearing a black cocktail dress which is knee high. It’s just a simple cut dress with very minimal embellishments. I admit it took me a while to really choose the dress since I got no idea where we’re going. Fancy is the only clue of where we’re going as he immediately left after saying that we’re going out today. And knowing Brian, his definition of fancy would really be different so I made sure to keep it simple, taking it to the extent of just wearing a simple black sandal with some comfy heels. It’s been 2 weeks since we’ve become ‘friends’ and so far he’s really pretty fun to be with. We don’t really see each other that much since I am spending most of my time here in the estate with Tita Lorie. However, whenever we did, he’s no longer bullying me nor giving the hate looks and such. There were also a couple of times when we’d eat breakfast and other meals together and we’d just talk about random stuff. I can say that there’s no room for boredom whenever I’m with him.

I turned slightly to view a portion of my back before finally turning to my normal position. Realizing that the shade of my lips isn’t that bad, I just smack it one more time before I put on a smile. My hair was just tied in a simple knot at the back allowing some strands to stuck out in the front, making me look less formal. Then I decided to put on my pearl stud earrings and after that, I think my look is complete. I took my clutch bag from the table and started walking towards the door when I heard a knock. Trinity just opened the door and peeped. I smiled knowing I was just on time.

“I’m ready.” I said excitedly even before Trinity had the chance to speak.

Om my. I hope I’m not overdressed? I thought and just shook my head off before taking a deep breath to calm down my nerves.

“He’s waiting at the main door, miss.” Trinity replied and I gave her a smile.

“Thanks, Trinity.” With a nod, I proceeded to the staircase right away.

Looking at my wristwatch, I know that I’m actually quite early.

“Brian.” I called from behind him when I saw him waiting just outside the main door.

Brian and Uncle Philip both turned to my direction. I didn’t know Uncle Philip is with him. The old man immediately put up a smile and I replied it with one of mine.

“You look beautiful, dear.” Uncle Philip complimented.

“Thanks, Uncle.” I replied with another smile. And as for Brian, my eyes shifted to him right away and I somehow expected him to at least say something but he didn’t. He just stood there, stared at me intently for a while.

Clearing my throat, “I’m ready.”

“Right. Let’s go.” He said right away before giving me a small smile.

Then he gestured his arm so I gladly hooked my hand on it as we walked towards his car which is parked right in front of the mansion.

***

The car ride was quite silent. I just look out and observed the street lights on every corner. Then I turned to Brian.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

“Dinner.” He replied shortly before giving me a side glance.

“Dinner?” I repeated and he smiled.

“I remembered I owe you a proper dinner. All the restaurants were closed last time.” He replied and I suddenly remembered how I dragged him to McDonalds because I was famished.

“Oh.” I said and clasped my hands together and faced him. “So this is a date?”

He chuckled slightly with my question. “I just told you it’s dinner.”

“But still, it’s just the two of us. Fancy attires and eating dinner equals date.” I commented which made him grin.

“Why do you always equate everything with a date?” He asked, certainly amused.

“As if you didn’t know.” I replied and smiled too.

“Didn’t know what?” He asked.

“That I liked you before, silly. So it should be automatic that whatever we do together, as long as it’s just the two of us, then it’s a date.” I answered and shook my head.

He pouted for a while before giving me a short glance then his eyes went back to the road. “So you don’t like me now?”

His question caught me off guard and I felt like my heart pounded wildly.

“You don’t like me liking you.” I said trying to sound confident before I chuckled.

Then I turned my face and looked at the window.

“Where are we going to eat?”

“At my favorite restaurant. Mom said you love steaks and so far this restaurant has the finest steaks in town.” He replied.

“Oh my. I can’t wait. Just by you mentioning steak, my mouth automatically watered.” I said in excitement and he smiled.

After a while, we pulled over to this old but elegant restaurant.

“Let’s go.” I immediately said before taking off my seatbelt and motioning to open the door when a hand stopped me.

“Let me.” Brian said before he quickly got out and went to my side, opening the door.

“I knew it is a date!” I blurted out as I teased him and to my surprise, he slightly blushed.

“I’m just being a gentleman.” He reasoned and I chuckled softly.

***

I looked up and peeped from the menu I am holding and our eyes met. I instantly lowered my head and focused my gaze on the menu, hiding away behind the menu card in my hands.

“Silly.” I heard him say. Then he suddenly grabbed the menu from me and leaned down. A simple smile is plastered on his lips.

“Can I take your order sir?” A waiter suddenly asked and he shifted his eyes from me to him.

“What do you want?” He asked.

To be honest, I actually didn’t go through the menu because I was focused on stealing glances at Brian. But I didn’t want to embarrass myself. So I just looked at the waiter and smiled. “Just give me today’s special or your best dish, please.”

The waited took a note and nodded.

“Same for me. And your finest wine.” He added.

“Copy, sir.” The waiter answered before he left.

“So, how’s your business going?” He asked before leaning back, looking intently at her.

“Well, there were some troubles especially when I just got here but then I am fortunate with hiring very good workers. So it was immediately resolved. But then of course, since we will be expanding soon, there are lots of things to do.” I replied, putting down the menu. “How about the company?”

“It’s been pretty stable now and so nothing major is happening or will be expected to happen in the next few weeks or months.” He answered.

“That’s nice. As for me, I hate overworking but I have to if I really want to succeed in this business.” I opened up honestly and sighed.

“I know the struggle. It’s really difficult. But once you’ve come to its peak and have fully established everything then it will be a bit easier to manage.”

“Thanks.” I replied. “I really hope so. And it’s also a bit more difficult considering that I am here at the moment. I have managed the business on hand for years so I’m still adjusting. But then again a major partner is interested to collaborate with us and so if things would go as planned, I’d have to fly back there next week for the contract signing and all that.”

“Next week?” He asked right away, his forehead creased a little.

“Yeah. I’m still thinking how I’d tell Tita Lorie about it. I know I promised her that I am going to stay here for a month. And it will surely upset her if I leave a week early. But I know she’ll understand” I understand.

“Yeah.” He just answered but his demeanor looked a bit more serious now. It looked like he wants to say something but he was holding back. He hesitated for a moment and looked at me before taking a sip of his water.

I was about to ask him when the waiter came in with the food we ordered. The smell of the food in front of us got my attention and I clasped my hands after the waiter was gone.

“Wow. These looks good.” I immediately said and grinned at him.

“Go and dig in.” He said and with a bright smile. I did.

“Yummy.” I commented and then I watched him take his first spoon out of his dish.

***

The dinner went well but then heavy rain started to pour down and so instead of going to another place he’s planned for us to visit, we opted to go back home earlier instead. Road going back from the capital to the estate have problems and some of them will be flooded if this rain continues to pour. He’s now currently tapping his fingers rhythmically on the steering wheel while I’m singing with my favorite song played out by his car. My voice is golden but it’s not that out of tune either, so I just couldn’t help it. I am in the mood and even if the rain’s pouring, it wouldn’t change a thing. Lightning and thunder were heard all around but I didn’t care and just kept singing. I was also glad that Brian didn’t mind.

But then, later on, the car suddenly stopped at the middle of the street. And we’re still far away from the state.

“Sh*t!” Brian cursed as he tried to restart the car.

“What happened?” I asked.

“I think the battery died.” He replied and pouted. “Ugh! Why does it have to happen now out of all the times?”

“Calm down. You can call a tow truck to help us get back to the estate. Or maybe Bernard?” I suggested and he immediately put out his phone and began dialing but to no avail.

“There’s no signal.” He said, his pout deepening. “Geez, we’re in the middle of the road with a dead car battery, no signal and probably a typhoon. So perfect!”

His sarcasm was so on point. I also took out my phone and true enough, I also got zero signal on my phone.

“What should we do then?” I asked.

“Just try to contact anyone and wait till we get a signal. I will go out and see if I can fix it.” He replied and gave me his phone.

“Do you have a raincoat or an umbrella?” I asked.

“I’ll be fine.” He answered before opening the car.

“Hey. You’re not waterproof.” I complained but he’s already gone outside. “Stubborn.”

Why must you ruin the night, rain? I thought sadly and sighed.

***