Their Cursed

Chapter Five

Calder

“I can tell you apart,” she whispered.

“You can?” I asked dumbfounded. Could she really tell us apart? The only reason Jaime could tell us apart was because I barely tolerated her.

She gave me a sweet smile. “Yea, you might be twins but you look entirely different.” She almost seemed embarrassed. I peeked at her. Her soft caramel hair was shining in the evening light. She looked even younger and sweeter with her hair down in waves. She wore it up at work I had noticed.

We were almost to our destination now. I was taking her to a small theater near the college district that housed various productions put together by college students. There was a modernization of a Shakespeare play being put on tonight that we would watch before I planned to take her to dinner. I could sense her unease as we pulled into the parking lot and I wondered what it was about.

If we were mates and she had been marked, I would be able to read her every feeling. I would know what was putting her on edge. When I had my security run a background check on her, I made sure they only gave me her address. Even though there was a file in my office detailing her entire life, I did not open it. I wanted her to open up to me because she wanted to.

I parked the car. “I hope you like Shakespeare,” I said. She nodded her head. I went to get out of the car and so did she. “Wait!” I said stopping her. She gave me a confused look. I hurried around the car and opened her door for her. She blushed as she stepped out.

“Thank you,” she said softly. I offered her my arm and she looked surprised. I just smiled and patiently waited until her soft hand grabbed onto me. I led us to the entrance of the theater. “So, what do you do outside of work?” I asked her to try to get her talking.

“Not much really,” she said. I noticed that now that she was not playing her role as a waitress, her voice was sweet and melodic. She seemed like she was naturally shy and reserved as opposed to the bubbly and talkative waitress she was at work.

“You must do something,” I said. We got in line for the tickets.

“I read a lot,” she said.

“What kind of books do you read,” I asked her. Not a lot of women I meet genuinely enjoy reading.

“Anything I can get my hands on,” she said, blushing slightly. I raised my eyebrows at her. We stepped up to the ticket counter.

“Two for Carlisle,” I told the ticket master. The woman smiled brightly and nodded at me. She handed me the tickets and we made our way to the entrance.

“Calder Carlisle?” she said with a raised eyebrow as we walked away.

“Haha, yea. It is sort of a family thing. My father’s name is Cassius,” I told her. That earned me a sheepish smile. “How did your parents come to the name Remi? Or is it short for something?”

“I uh... I am not sure…” she said quietly. Her hand squeezed my arm slightly. She seemed comfortable when the topic of conversation was directed at me but not as herself. I handed the ticket taker our tickets and they directed us to the small staircase leading down to the front section of the theater.

I led her to our seats and took her coat for her. She seemed surprised by my manners. She sat stiffly with her hands in her lap. I was desperately trying to figure out how to get her to relax and open up to me. The lights flashed giving the audience a five-minute warning. The small crowd began to lower their voices.

I looked at Remi who was staring forward, fidgeting with her hands in her lap. “So, can I be honest about something?” I said quietly. I couldn’t meet her eyes, but I felt her gaze shift to me. “I was really nervous about this. I did not think you would actually let me take you out. Then today, I almost paced a hole in my office floor. When we were kids, Cullen would hold my hand whenever one of us was nervous about something. I kind of get the feeling that I am not the only nervous one here. So,” I said, placing my hand palm up on the armrest. “If you are nervous and need a hand to hold, mine is available.” I flashed her a small smile.

The lights dimmed around us to let the audience know the show was about to begin. As the curtain lifted, I felt her small hand settle into mine. I closed my fingers around hers. And we sat just like that for the rest of the play.

As the show closed, she let go of my hand to clap with the rest of the audience. When it was time, we stood to leave, and I helped her into her coat. As we followed the throng of people exiting the theater, I felt her small hand clasp mine once more. I smiled as we walked out of the building and towards the car.

“So, what did you think?” I asked her.

“It was wonderful. The actors are really talented,” she said thoughtfully.

“I agree. I always enjoy the productions here,” I told her.

“Do you come here often?”

“When I can. I have always enjoyed it.”

She giggled. “How thespian of you.”

We reached the car. I opened her door for her, and she slid in. Once I was in the driver’s seat, I pulled out of the lot and asked her, “So do you like burgers?” She gave me a surprised look. “What?” I asked.

“I am just surprised, is all. You seem more like the restaurant-with-linen-napkins type.”

“Well, you did meet me in a diner,” I clarified. Her pale cheeks turned rosy with embarrassment.

“True,” she said. “I am sorry; I didn’t mean to judge you.”

“It’s okay. Not everything is as it appears sometimes.” She nodded her head and looked out the window. We drove for the next few minutes in silence. Soon I was parking alongside the curb a block away from one of the best small burger places inside the city. I turned to her saying, “Ready?”

She nodded. I hopped out quickly and she let me come around the car and open the door for her. She climbed out and I held my arm out again. I was enjoying her touch and wanted it to continue. “It's about a block from here, is that okay?” I asked.

“Absolutely. I walk everywhere,” she said.

“You don’t even use a bike or the subway?”

“No. I don’t own a bike. Come to think of it I have not ridden one since I was young. And I’ve never been on the subway. It’s a little daunting honestly,” she said.

“Daunting?”

“Yea. Everything moves so fast and there are so many people. I would not even know where I was going and would probably end up on the opposite side of the city. Plus, I can take care of most things within a half hour’s walk of my apartment.”

“Makes sense,” I said as I opened the door for her. Inside was moderately busy so we joined the line to the order counter. “Sounds like you aren’t exactly a fan of the pace of city life?”

“Don’t have much choice I am afraid,” she said. I thought better of digging further into that one. Instead, I changed the subject.

“So, what would you like?” I asked.

“Whatever you’re having is fine,” she said with a smile. When it was our turn, I ordered our food and paid. Then we went to find a table while we waited for our food to be done. I helped her out of her coat, and we sat down across from each other.

“You don’t like to talk about yourself,” I observed.

“I am not that interesting. There isn’t that much to tell, really,” she said. She looked down at her hands.

“I disagree with that,” I said. “But, how about you ask me something?”

“Um, what do you do?”

“I am the CFO of my family's conglomerate,” I said.

“Wow,” she said. Her eyes were wide.

I chuckled. “It really isn’t as impressive as it sounds. It can be pretty boring most of the time.”

“Then what do you do for fun?”

“Hmm. Fun…” I paused. A smile stretched across my face. “Eat at diners so I can see pretty waitresses,” I joked. Her face was shocked again. “I am only kidding. I like to exercise or read.”

“What do you like to read?”

“Classic literature is probably my favorite.”

“Do you have a favorite book? Or Author?”

“Hmm. Actually, I would have to say no. I have some preferences, but I enjoy most stories across the board. I try to appreciate the work and dedication that goes into writing. You said you read anything, but do you favor anything or any author?”

“No, I am probably the same as you. I try to enjoy the story for what is written. Every book and story take you to a different world, displays different emotions and circumstances, and makes your mind work in a different way. I think it is natural for people to stray towards things they feel more comfortable with but how do you ever evolve if you experience nothing new?”

I stared at her in awe for a moment. Her eyes went wide once again. “I am so sorry. That was really nerdy and dumb!” she said quickly.

I chuckled at her again. She just kept surprising me. “No, not at all. It was really insightful actually and I have to say I agree. The only way for us to grow is to experience new things and challenge the way we think. Although there is merit in tradition, sometimes tradition could use a little updating.”

She smiled at my validation. Our order number was called so I went to get our food.

Remi

Calder went to go get our food while I waited at the table. This night had been so up and down. He made me nervous when he asked about my life. I did not want him to find out how terribly unfit I was for him. He is a CFO for crying out loud. I am a waitress; our worlds could not be any more different.

Holding hands through the play had put me at ease for some reason. I was able to relax and enjoy the show. I was so glad he took me there instead of a movie. My limited social experiences over the past few years were becoming apparent and I could tell he was trying really hard to be nice to me.

He returned with our food and we began eating before he spoke again. “Thank you for coming out with me tonight. I really didn’t think I had a shot,” he said softly. I looked at his face. He seemed a little sad.

“Why would you think that?” I asked.

He gave me a half smile. “Well first, my behavior up until now has been odd to say the least,” he said with a laugh. That also made me laugh a little. “I am sorry if I made you uncomfortable before now as well. You just… caught me off guard.”

“It’s okay. I was honestly surprised you would want to go out with me,” I said in complete honesty.

“Why did it surprise you?” he asked. His face told me he really had no idea.

“You can’t not see it…” I said quietly.

“See what?”

I stopped eating. I could not meet his eyes. “You can’t believe that this could work. You’re a CFO and I am a waitress. You are clearly educated and eligible. I am sure you don’t have any problem finding girls to date. Then here I am, a high school dropout who lives off of tips.” I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes.

I was so excited leading up to tonight. Ever since the night began, all this insecurity has blossomed in me. We do not know each other and the more he finds out about me, the more he may regret asking me out.

I sighed and stood up. “I don’t think this was a good idea… Thank you for tonight, it was wonderful…” I said. I turned and rushed to the exit before he could stop me. I hurried out of the small restaurant and headed towards my apartment. It was going to be a long walk. I hugged my arms around myself as I realized I left my coat inside. Even though the wind was chilly, I couldn’t go back.

“Remi,” I heard my name behind me, but I just picked up speed. That didn’t work because a few strides later I felt a hand on my arm, stopping me. “Remi, please. I don't…” his voice said behind me. I felt my coat wrap around my shoulders.

I shook my head. “I’m sorry… I just…” I could not explain it.

“I am not sure what I did, but I am sorry. Will you at least let me drive you home? Please? It’s cold out here…” his voice was a little strained. “Please,” he said again.

I nodded my head. I dashed the tears from my eyes before I turned around. I nodded again. We walked silently back to his car. He held the door for me, and I climbed in his car. He got into the driver’s seat and started us toward my apartment. The drive was silent and tense. When we finally pulled up to the curb outside my building, I did not wait for him to open the door. I opened the door to climb out.

Before I exited the car, I turned and said, “Thank you. I had fun. Sorry I am not more.” I got out of the car and closed the door without looking back. I hurried into my building.