The guys stay with me till quite late, we order more pizza and drink the whole bottle. Not much later, we stop talking about Niall, just accepting I have to try and whatever the outcome, to accept it and deal with the consequences. I'm not a teenager anymore, I'm an independent adult and I am not scared, I can't run from this. I didn't hold on to our past in all these years, I'm not going to do it now.

Around midnight I'm alone at home, ready to fall asleep and I check my phone just to make sure my friends made their way back home safe and sound. I haven't even paid attention to my mobile since Charlie and Rhiannon arrived, so just now I notice I have new texts from Niall.

He sent that message more than four hours ago, so I hurry to reply, and apologise for not answering, obviously.

He doesn't reply immediately, which I just now realise it's to be expected when it's almost midnight in a weekday; he probably has work and went to bed already. I tell myself he'll see it tomorrow and it's not a big deal if I didn't answer immediately, he'll understand.

I check I've received my friends messages and leave it just charging to go to sleep, but as soon as I let go of it, the screen lights up telling me I've received a new text.

I know he's joking, it's obvious he wouldn't think that just because I didn't answer in four hours. His text makes me smile as I snuggle under the covers with my phone in my hands, focusing on Niall.

Obviously, he sends me many more laughing emoji and I keep my grin.

I can't help my smile as I read his long texts, imagining Niall frantic thinking I could misinterpret his actions. It's adorable that he is so worried about making me notice he respects me and isn't just rushing into things. It surely is comforting and endearing.

Niall sends so many laughing emojis I end up chuckling myself, always feeling that small sense of pride for making someone laugh at my lame attempt of humour.

I obviously wish him sweet dreams as well and this time, when I put my phone away, the screen doesn't light up again. I get comfortable with a smile on my lips, excited for our date tomorrow. I block all negative thoughts, worries and the like and I focus on the positive and optimistic thoughts.

I sleep soundly like that.

My next day goes well, without doing much, occasionally texting Niall. He doesn't believe me when I say I'm doing nothing but drinking coffee and watching the sky out of the window, so I send him a picture doing exactly that, which ends up in him sending me a picture of what he's doing.

I don't suppose this will become a thing in the future.

Around six in the afternoon I start to get ready after lazing around the whole day. I seriously need to start working, I'm not used to this whole 'not doing anything' thing. I'm not the type to rest at home when I don't have anything to do, I only do that after I've done a lot.

With the good weather, I just wear a simple yet cute blue dress, comfortable heels and I'll get a jacket in case it gets cold. I'm not the type to doll up too much for things, any sort of things, so even if I take my time to dance and sing around, I'm ready just a bit before seven.

Niall is punctual and is at my door at seven sharp, looking fine himself in tailored trousers and just a white shirt, the two first bottoms open in a casual and relaxed look. I smile happily, matching his own grin when we are face to face.

"You look lovely," he comments. "Ready to go?"

I only nod my head and gather my things before following him out of my building and into his car. It's a bit more than half hour drive, and we fill the silence with casual conversation. He's curious about what I'll be doing after knowing I don't have plans for anything this week, just settling in and that doesn't take all of my time.

By the time we make it to his building, large and modern, in a better place of the city (not that I live in a bad place or anything but there's a clear difference), I notice Niall is a bit nervous. He fidgets and takes side glances at me, as if he were expecting I do something.

"Are you okay?" I ask when he parks, not even unbuckling my seatbelt yet.

"Yes, yes, I'm great," he answers with a wide grin and I decide not to push, so I just nod my head and unbuckle my seatbelt.

Niall does the same and soon I'm following him to take the lift to his flat. I notice there's clear distance between us, like he's making sure not to stand too close and it just feels unnatural. When we're in front of his flat, I can see his fingers slightly tremble and at this point I think I know why, which makes me want to coo at how cute he's being. He's not the suavest guy I've met, that's for sure.

"Welcome to my place," Niall says as he opens the door for us.

I walk behind him, taking a look around and humming in appreciation. It's a big place, well decorated, with class, comfortable, in neutral and dark colours. It's tidy and clean, and definitely very nice and well kept.

"It's really nice," I praise, turning to smile at him and notice the slight blush in his cheeks. "Niall, are you worried I'm going to think you brought me here with other intentions?"

The colours drain from his face as his eyes widen in horror, but I just find that amusing and chuckle lightly.

"I don't think you have any other intentions, Niall. You don't have to worry," I try to reassure him, still thinking it's so endearing that he worries so much about my opinion on him. "Now, you said you're gonna cook for me and I wish to know the menu for tonight."

Niall smiles, relaxing and probably accepting I'm not going to think he's just 'one of those guys that only want sex and can't even wait.'

"I'm not a chef, but I try my best and no, it's not pasta as in apparently every romance film out there," he laughs. "Would you like something to drink? Wine?"

"Wine is fine," I accept and he nods, immediately going to pick a bottle.

I follow him into the kitchen to watch him pour two glasses of wine and then offering one to me. We click our glasses, the smiles always on our lips. The wine is a merlot and it is delicious, with a rich scent.

"Why don't you get comfortable? I'll finish dinner for us," Niall suggests but although I try to get comfortable in his living room, just listening to music, it's not my thing. Soon, I end up in the kitchen, with my glass in my right hand, watching Niall cook.

I cannot say it's a bewitching scene, and he clearly gets more nervous when he realises I'm watching, still it's looks really appealing. Niall navigating himself in the kitchen, carefully cooking the steak while making sure the sauce is just right, all that is truly nice to watch and it keeps my smile on my face the whole time. When he's done I come to his side to check the plates and complimenting his decorating skills.

"The presentation is stunning!" I state, clapping my hands softly. And it really is, he places the steak in the middle, the sauce over it in an elegant way and some other elements for decoration and colour. It looks like taken from a restaurant. "It looks delicious, as well."

"Let's go to the table and you can try it," Niall suggests and I nod my head. "Can you help me a bit?"

I nod my head again and grab the plates he holds up for me, following his instruction to take them to the table. The dinning room isn't too big, a round table that's already nicely set, with candles and even some roses that make chuckle at how cliche it looks. Niall walks past my side, with the wine bottle and lighting up the candles, and as I put the plates on the table he goes to dim the lights so we are left to mostly the candle lights.

"A candlelight dinner," I comment, raising an eyebrow and delighting in the little blush on Niall's cheeks. "I'm not even surprising coming from you."

"Be thankful I didn't make it even cheesier," he warns me, pointing one finger and I laugh, holding up my hands in surrender. "Take a seat," he suggests with a hand motion and I do, sitting across from him seeing him smiling kindly, in this lighting his smile looks and feels warmer.

Niall pours another glass of wine for us, for which I totally don't complain. I wait until he's poured a glass himself because I know he'll want to say something.

"I want to thank you for coming tonight," Niall says holding his glass, I keep mine between my fingers, gently holding the glass. "For giving us another chance and for this moment."

"Thank you for the invitation," is my reply and I see his smile widening. "I guess we should make a toast, shouldn't we?"

Niall nods his head ever so lightly. "Indeed we should," he starts. "For second chances and, hopefully, a bright future ahead."

"For second chances," I echo, raising my glass higher. We are at a distance that makes it uncomfortable to click our glasses together, so we just make the motion before drinking.

"I hope you enjoy the meal," Niall says softly when we put our glasses down. "I tried my best."

"I'm sure it'll be great," I reply because I know he tried hard and more than the taste, I appreciate his effort.

As I look at my plate I can only think of how much he's trying to make this moment special, how he's really trying to make this work. I remember Ann's words telling me that taking this risk is worth it so as I cut the beautifully presented steak covered in a sauce that smells delicious, I remind myself to also do my best to make this work. Niall deserves that much.

-:-:-:-

Hi there! How was everyone's week? My favourite group (GOT7) had a comeback so I am a happy bird.

Anyhow, I hope you liked this week's update. I know it's a bridge but it was necessary for the events to come next. I have planned all the future events so I  shouldn't have any trouble writing this story. It might have 10 to 15 chapters? I don't have an exact number, but around that.

By the end of October, I move to Canada so I might get pretty busy at the beginning of November. If I don't update those days, do know it's because of settling in and finding a job and all those things. We immigrants have to do a lot of things to get the permits to start working and get registered and such. Good thing this time I do speak English and it will be easier to do all the paperwork and such. I can't tell you how much I struggled when I did this in Korea last year haha.

Thank you to everyone reading and commenting! Things will get mushier, just saying.

Bel, xx