Chapter 25 - All Too Well (Present)

“Why aren't you at school today?” Daniel asked over the phone, I'm laying on the couch and cross-legged watching my favorite show ‘Into The Badlands’ – I can't avert my sight from the screen, the butterflies swooping Tilda's secret headquarter with her gang intensely.

“Skipping classes aren't your thing?” he added.

“I'm not feeling well. I'm at home.” I answered, after I walked out of my apartment when Romeo and I had a fight, I've decided to stay at home and be with my family. Romeo hasn't contacted me and I did not too.

“What happened? Are you sick?” his voice's so soft and concerned, I rolled against the screen and my phone beeps, receiving a new message.

“Remember about the thing between me and Romeo, the bad mood got worsen.” I sighed susceptibly, I could hear him on the background cursed.

“But I'm really sure you'll be good.” he chuckled slightly, leaving a cute smile on my face.

“I hope you'll be present tomorrow for our final meeting before the defense day.” he continued, I almost forgot about our project, I lost tracking the day.

“I will.” my reassuring answer.

“You're probably available tonight. Will you crash in my place?” Daniel invited, I checked the time, past five-thirty and I'm not really confident with his idea.

“That sounds fun but I prefer staying here.” a dismissive sigh escaped his lips, I looked back to the unattended show and paused it.

“I'll drive you back and forth and I'm personally asking permission to your parents.” Daniel trying to convince me.

I put the speaker on and scanned who texted – Daniel's request almost persuaded me but the message was from my boyfriend. I changed my mind.

“Thank you Daniel, but we can have it next time.” and I ended the call short.

I don't know but I'm breathing breathlessly – is it because of the butterflies in my belly?

‘I wanted you to be prepared. Please meet me and wear your inculpable garb. :) ’

Really? With a smiley face – he never uses emoticons, followed by the address where we will be convening. The door opened, then mom and Carly appeared from school.

“How's your day Kris?” mom asked arranging their shoes on the rack while my sister ran directly to her room.

“Footsteps!” I yelled at Carly as her feet drumming the second floor, she answered indistinctly. I walked closer to my mom grabbing her hand and bowed at the back of it.

“God bless you!” she told.

Facing my phone to her face and she read the message, “ – inculpable garb?” she whispered. Scanning who the sender is, “Romeo.”

“What do you think of it?”

“Formal attire. He's asking you for a dinner, was he?” as she walks to the kitchen and studying what she'll have to cook for dinner.

“I don't know – maybe.” I blurted. But that's not simply what's on my mind – I am thinking of preparing myself, all my reasons and receipts, this will be a night of face to face confrontation, if I'm guessing it right.

I run upstairs and get naked taking a hot shower – I must not be only prepared by thoughts but also by appearance. I wanted him to indulge just like the first time he saw me – I craved him to feel lost and get crazy. I laughed evilly inside the bathroom with all the images swirling through my mind. But most I am hoping everything went back to what it was before.

Looking at my reflection from the foggy mirror, combing my hair with my hand and letting it fall into bangs. I grabbed my phone and squeeze a perfume on my neck, shoulders, and wrists – and I'm all set. Walking back downstairs when my parents widened pique or something else.

“What?” I hissed, raising my hands and shoulder.

“I think he'll meeting Romeo and have sex with him.” Carly interrupted jokingly, I cursed and mom tried to gainsay what my sister told and to studied her mouth, dad just chuckle. I'm cornered – both my parents standing before the last step and my sister was behind me.

“I guess it's a formal dinner, and why are you wearing that?” mom asked, holding a pot of beef soup. I am wearing checkered long sleeves, a denim jacket, black pants with my old converse shoes.

“I'm comfortable wearing my casual dress code – and I don't think he would take me out on a real date,” I told and excused myself, making a way for me.

“Yeah, he's right – clothes will be useless once it's been taken off.” Carly runs and hides from dad's back to avoid mom, I laughed not about what she said but to mom's expression.

“Your hair – you're a very pretty boy.” dad's hand pointing at it and my lips moved unexpectedly, he was so surprised on how does his son looks like – a grown-up teenager.

“Of course, I have my mother's eyes and your charisma dad!” we all laughed and went to the dining area, mom had prepared perfectly the food but I needed her little help, first.

“Mom, could you drive me, please?” and I checked the time from my phone, ten minutes before seven-thirty.

“Okay, both of you can eat first and I'll follow.” she pecks on dad's cheek before grabbing the key.

“Enjoy!” dad chirped.

“As you wished,” I replied.

And exited. We get into the car and fastened our seatbelts. This is a real new feeling to me – I can't say what lies beyond the line but I'm believing something big will happen in the future – fate, and destiny possess a big role.

Mom sights glued on the road and she turned on the radio – ‘What's Left Of The Flag’ performed by Flogging Molly – blasting inside, I laughed.

“Do you want me to turn it off?”

“No – I remembered something, it's a very nice song, wasn't it?” she nodded. After a couple of minutes, we've reached the place and mom parked the car.

“Mom! I guess you were right – this is a fine dining restaurant.” my heart's pounding more – I'm startled.

“How do I look?” brushing my hands on my clothes and exhaled deeply, mom glanced, raising her brow.

“Yes! Dad's right – you are so handsome. So get off and meet your lover.” she said enthusiastically and extended her arms hugging me then pecks a kiss. She knew that Romeo and I had a little quarrel that's why I was home.

“Thanks – for being my supportive mom and best friend.” unbuckling the belt and I closed the door, I waved before she drove away.

Walking nervously through the entrance as the security opened the glass door and a waiter approached me with a smile. Gesturing his hands to follow him and assisted me to a table with a man sitting in an impeccable suit. The waiter moved the chair and take my seat.

“Thank you!” I told, he bowed before he made his way.

“Hi, Kris! – this will be our first-ever formal date.” he greeted, I can't hide my face that is starting to blush – his chocolatey, ardent eyes always weakening me. I nodded. My visions wandered inside this steak house – the ambiance was exquisitely expensive and I'm the only one wearing a denim attire.

“Does anyone said you're really cute?” I told, he was smiling greatly and I'm completely lost.

“Handsome, probably!” I added, Romeo chuckled, shaking his head.

“Does anyone ever made you feel you're special?” Romeo asked, suppressing my lips and I nodded.

“Yes, there's this guy who always made me feel special – every day.”

“And he was sitting in front of me.” The same waiter who assisted me, placed our meal – Romeo had ordered his food choice before I arrived. We smiled at him after he poured the wine then leave.

“I'm sorry!” then I placed my hand at the table, beside the vase with a one stemmed rose as a centerpiece. Romeo clutches it, caressing my hand with his thumb.

“No – I'm really sorry, it is me and my pride and being so possessive attempting to destroy us. – I'm the one to blame.”

“I shouldn't just simply walked out.”

“I reckon that's the best idea you did because it made me scared momentously..” Our night had just begun with confessions and regret and I hope we'll end feeling grand.

“Making me realize that losing you would only dishearten me – I can not live without you Kris!” holding the dinner knife and fork, slicing cautiously his steak.

“That's why are we here?” I asked, nailing my interested gaze as I forked the meat, up to my waiting mouth, he looks up.

“Yes, and I wanted to spend my time and my days providently with my lover, from now on.” and all the butterflies flattering – I can't help it – I bit my lip and smiled.

We eat dinner as what the usual lovers do, we keep glancing at each other – and I am so addicted to his cherubic demeanor, eyes were enticingly seducing as I feel sweaty.

“I haven't told that you are so handsome tonight – with your cute attire.”

“I always think outside of the box Romeo.”

“Oh My God! I thought – nevermind.” my eyes were bulging as I cheered it, I couldn't say what exactly inside my mind, and honestly, I wasn't expecting for this tonight.

“But you really are handsome,” Romeo added, wiping his lips with a napkin.

“And so are you, my lover.”

He grabbed the wine glass and raised it, Romeo's face lighting up with its natural mojo and glowing from the yellow bulbs on the background.

“For better or for worse,” he told, I brought up my own and smiled.

“A blessing or a curse.” then the tip of the glass clinks – cheers!

I almost choke myself as the wine was purely strong and aromatic and went directly through my pharynx – I coughed considerately to lessen the blazing flavor on my throat. While my attention away I haven't noticed that he pulled something in his pocket.

“Mr. Kris Lucas –” he said.

I shifted back to him and my eyes bulged – my heart, my dopamine, my hypothalamus are pumping sensations, agitating through my body abnormally.

“Would you accept this promise ring as the sign of my love and pledge for you – evidence of our success and betterment for the future to infinity – forevermore.” I'm fricking speechless as I only nodding my head and teary-eyed. And he slides in the ring slowly.

“Would you run away with me?” he asked.

“Thank you for the formal invitation, Mr. Halliday – the name's Romeo and a blazing yes!” he pulled some bills from his coat and placed it on the table, our hands interlocked and we're literally running outside – completely free and reckless.

I can't see and figure out what's the future holds, but tonight – I'm sure, will be the start of a transition to what really the universe had prepared for us.