Chapter 3: The Lunch Date
2255 Words
I made sure I didn’t have any appointments or errands on the weekend just in case Eric sends me a message or calls to ask me out on a date. Sunday night came and there’s still no call or message from him. I was mad as I didn’t even go out with Marcus and we just spent the whole weekend together inside the house.
I was lying down in bed holding my phone while contemplating if I should send a message to Eric or not. I hate that I’m being this way over a guy. Men used to fight over me, and they’ve done plenty of things just to get my attention.
I put my phone down on the side table, took my pillow and screamed my heart out. I am so annoyed! I decided to just sleep it off. When I see Eric tomorrow, I plan to just ignore him, or act nonchalant and unaffected by his presence.
When I heard my phone ping, I sat up and picked it up right away. I crunched my nose when I saw a message notification from my service provider. I almost threw my phone away as I got more annoyed. I put my phone on silent mode and just went to sleep.
I woke up early the next morning and spent a considerable amount of time picking what to wear for the day. I put on a power outfit that hugs my curves and accentuates my assets. I want to make sure that Eric will drool when he sees me today.
When Marcus’ nanny saw me, she gushed about how beautiful I look. I smiled and thanked her. If a woman can appreciate my beauty, I’m pretty sure any man will appreciate it so much more.
My driver can’t seem to take his eyes off me as well as we made our way to Marcus’ school. I had to remind him to keep his eyes on the road multiple times as I noticed him looking at me from the rearview mirror.
When we got out of the car, I noticed several eyes looking at me. I looked around but didn’t see any sign of Eric. Once we dropped Marcus’ off at the gate, I stayed outside to wait until they'd gone up to their classroom.
A few dads came up to me and tried to make small talk but I wasn’t very responsive and just smiled and nodded at them. I kept looking around and was disappointed when I didn’t see a sign of Eric around. What a total waste. All this primping and he’s not even around to see it.
I decided not to waste anymore time and just go off to work. I was fuming on the inside. I looked at my phone as I heard it ping. I was surprised to see a message from Eric.
Eric: “Were you looking for me?”
This guy is so conceited that he assumed I was looking for him. Well, I was, but I never gave any indication that I look for him whenever I don’t see him around. I decided to respond and try to make it sound as if I’m annoyed.
Krista: “What made you think that?”
Eric: “Well, you were looking around earlier. You even pouted when you didn’t seem to find who you were looking for.”
I looked around the car inadvertently, and almost laughed as I realized how crazy I looked. I received another message before I was able to respond.
Eric: “I could see you earlier, I was in the car. I had a call I had to take and you’ve already left when the call was finished.”
Eric: “You looked really gorgeous, by the way.”
I couldn’t help but smile. He did see me and he thought I was gorgeous. I did not reply right away, and was contemplating how I can sound thankful but unaffected at the same time. It seems like a tall order. As I kept thinking of how to respond, Eric seemed impatient and sent two more messages.
Eric: “Sorry I wasn’t able to contact you last weekend. I got really busy with work. The new client is so demanding.”
Eric: “Are you still there? Are you busy?”
I smiled as not replying seemed to be the best comeback. He must think I’m ignoring him deliberately. I was celebrating a little when I got startled when my phone rang. I looked at the display and I suddenly felt more beautiful than I already do when I saw that it was Eric. He can’t seem to resist not hearing from me. I let it ring a few more times before answering in my most unaffected tone.
Krista: “This is Krista.”
Eric: “Hi Krista. It’s Eric.”
Krista: “Hi Eric. What can I do for you?”
He suddenly didn’t respond. I looked at the phone thinking he might have gotten disconnected. He was still there. I put the phone back against my ear.
Krista: “Hello?”
Eric: “Why do you sound so formal?”
Krista: “Uhm, how am I supposed to sound like?”
Eric: “Less formal. We’re not work colleagues.”
Krista: “What are we then?”
I was surprised at my response. I was supposed to sound unaffected.
Eric: “What do you want us to be?”
Krista: “Can you not answer my question with another question?”
Eric: “I’d like to think we’re at least friends.”
Friends? Is that all we are to him? I didn’t know how to respond to that. He has been flirting with me since last week and he thinks we’re friends.
Eric: “Hello?”
Krista: “I’m sorry I’m on my way to work. I should go.”
I was about to end the call when I heard him shouting “Wait!” I put the phone back on my ear and listened as he seemed to be breathing heavily on the other end of the line. I imagined how he looked with his chiseled jaw and brown eyes. I couldn’t help but bite my lower lip as the vision of his handsome face flooded my head.
Eric: “Do you have any plans for lunch?”
I knew my schedule for today is pretty light, and that I don’t have anything lunch plans at the moment. I’ll probably be eating out with Uncle Aaron if he’s available. I didn’t want Eric to think that I was being too easy, though.
Krista: “I’m not sure. I have to check with my assistant. Why do you ask?”
Eric: “Have lunch with me. Give me your office address and I’ll pick you up at 11:30 if that’s okay.”
Krista: “I’m not sure. I’ll let you know if I’m available.”
Even if I wasn’t available, I would cancel any appointments or meetings I have just so I can have lunch with Eric. I know it’s not very responsible of me to think that way, but I haven’t felt this way towards any man since Marco.
Eric: “Okay. I’ll wait for your call or message.”
Krista: “Goodbye, Eric.”
I didn’t wait for him to say goodbye and ended the call. I wanted to preserve the nonchalance which I hope I was able to communicate through. I felt giddy once more as I thought of having lunch with Eric. I’m not sure what it was, since he invited me for lunch, and not on a date. Also, dates usually happen at night and not during lunch. Maybe he wanted to see me sooner than dinner, or he just happens to have free time at lunch. Whatever the reason, I’m happy that we’ll get to spend time alone together, away from the prying eyes of the other parents.
At exactly 10 am, I sent a message with just my office address to Eric. I looked at my phone while waiting for him to reply, and when he didn’t, I got annoyed once more.
I realized he might be busy and he doesn’t have time to reply to my message right away or message me all the time, but I am busy too but I make time to send him a message. I hate that I am acting like a jealous girlfriend when he thinks of us as merely friends. What is wrong with me?
When he replied with “See you,” my annoyance increased and I took it out on my assistant a little. I apologized right away and just reasoned that I’m having cramps because my period is imminent. I’ve always been nice to her and she just smiled and said it’s fine and that she gets it.
By 11:15, I was retouching my makeup and making sure I looked as fresh as I did this morning when I left the house. At 11:20, I got a message from Eric that he’s running a little late but he’s on his way. I just answered with an “Okay,” because I didn’t want him to think that I was anticipating his arrival. I was, but I was supposed to act all nonchalant about the whole lunch thing, so I didn’t want him to know that I was just sitting on my chair looking at my phone waiting for him to say he’s here.
At 11:45, my uncle came into my office asking if I wanted to get lunch. I looked at my phone and there was still no message from Eric, so I decided to just go with my uncle. I was disappointed but I couldn’t let my life stop just because a man asked me to wait for him.
I put my phone inside my bag and walked with my uncle to the elevator. When we got off, he noticed that I was quiet and asked if I was okay. I just used the cramps excuse once more and he just nodded as if he understood what I was talking about.
When we got off the elevator, my eyes immediately zoomed in to the handsome man standing in the lobby on his phone. I suddenly heard my phone ringing from my bag, and when I looked at it, it was Eric. It seems like he was calling me.
As I answered the call, Eric turned around and saw me walking towards him. He waved and looked at my uncle in wonder. I turned towards my uncle before speaking.
Krista: “Uhm, I’m sorry uncle but I have to meet someone. I can’t have lunch with you today.”
Aaron: “That’s fine. Are you ditching me for that man over there?”
He pointed at Eric who is now only a few feet away from us. Once he was within speaking distance, he greeted me.
Eric: “Hi Krista. Are you ready for lunch?”
Krista: “Yeah.”
I looked at my uncle and he was smiling. He seemed amused as I was looking at him and signalling him to leave. He understood but decided to annoy me.
Aaron: “So, who are you? Why is my niece ditching me for you?”
Eric: “Oh, you’re his uncle? Hi sir, I’m Eric.”
They shook hands and I can’t stop shaking my head as they seem to have hit it off right away.
Aaron: “I’m Aaron. So, you’re going out to lunch?”
Eric: “Yes, sir. Do you want to join us?”
I suddenly went on fight mode and interrupted.
Krista: “No, he doesn’t. He’s actually meeting someone. Right, uncle?”
The smile on my uncle’s face widened as he understood that I wanted to spend some alone time with Eric. He chuckled while shaking his head.
Aaron: “Yeah, sure. I’m meeting someone. Maybe I could join you some other time.”
Eric: “That would be nice.”
Krista: “You should go, uncle. The person you’re meeting might already be there.”
Aaron: “Yeah, I’m sure he is. It’s nice meeting you, Eric.”
Eric: “Likewise.”
As my uncle walked away from us, I felt relieved. I looked at Eric and I noticed him looking at me while smiling. I looked back at him and smiled as well.
Krista: “Shall we?”
Eric: “We shall.”
He took my hand as we walked outside towards his car. I felt giddy at the contact. This is going to be an interesting lunch.
- Writer
