MY YEARS WITHOUT YOU

Part 5- A date

  ' Don't you think it's a bit too much?' I asked starring at my face in the mirror.

She rolled her eyes at me as I expected. 'You look great, trust me'

'You know I don't really like too much' I said trying to pick out faults.

'It's not too much, you should find yourself lucky that you have a stylist as a friend. If not ,you would be paying cool cash for this look' she said

I smiled deeply, that wasn't a lie even though I wasn't one to pay for a stylist.

Whatever happened to DIY?

My dress was a white knee length fitted gown. It brought out the contours at their rightful corners. I felt pretty just looking at myself.

My earrings and necklace were glittering, the only thing was that they weren't made of diamonds.

I was ready at 7:30 and just had to wait for him to arrive. I had sent him my address and my house wasn't so hard to locate.

"LA hot!!!'Nma teased.

The week was great with her around. I wished she would agree to move in with me.

'Someone just drove in and I think he's the one", she said excitedly as she looked through the window. It was a two story apartment building and mine was on the first floor.

"That car is nice but it isn't what I expected from your description, you over hyped it" she said laughing.

'Really?' I said as I looked through the window.
'But at least it looks nice. I have to get going now. Take care' I continued

He was already calling my phone.

'Be careful so you don't fall' Nma shouted out as she locked the door.

As I ended the call and walked down the stairs, my heart was beating fast. Why was I scared?

"You've met him before, so just chill" I mouthed as I descended the last stairs.

Walking out of the building, I saw him resting on his car in a way I've seen him do before.

His shirt hugged his body so well and it outlined his biceps. He had a dark blue trouser on and his shirt had two buttons open.

His back rested on his car and he had one leg crossed over the other as he stood.

His attention was fully on his phone and he didn't know I was out of the door already.

I walked slowly, careful not to fall. My light steps on the concrete floor caught his attention as he raised his head up.

The look he had on his face when he saw me made me feel good. It said it all at once. He caught himself again and let out a seemingly unsure smile.

I was close to him when he let out his hand and I gently walked with him as he led me into the car.

He entered too and uttered those words that I felt he might be too shocked to say.

"You are beautiful Amara'

He smiled in response to my almost whispered " thank you"

'Do you feel okay with this or should I adjust it a bit?' he asked hitting the A.C buttons. I just nodded in approval as he started the car .

In my arms by Jason played softly in the car as we rode.

He stole looks at me at intervals as he drove which I returned with smiles or acted like I didn't see.

I had never felt this shy before. It almost felt like we had never met prior to this occasion.

He felt different now than the free extrovert I had met at the wedding.

Everything felt too serious and so official this time.
Now, he was all constructed and very used to giving cute smiles.

The ride was quiet but I'm sure our minds spoke noisily throughout the journey.

Then he pulled up in front of Diners square. I could literally see everything going on inside.

It's exterior was great and very transparent. so I thought.

'Stay put.'  He said smiling as he came out and walked towards my own door.

Really? I have always been a critic of the door opening gesture and saw it as unnecessary.

But at that moment, I couldn't help but wait for that gesture.

He held my hand as we walked into diners square. It smelled of class.

I wasn't one to go to places like this on my own.

I tried my best to stare with class. I mean my attire already looked classy enough ,so I just had to put on some attitude.

We walked to a table which had a reserved tag on it and as expected, he led me to my own seat first.

I couldn't help but return his smiles after every gesture. I was as shy as 16 and it was getting me quite unsure.

'White looks really great on you. I would choose white to yellow any day'  he spoke as he fixed his gaze on me.

I just smiled as I remembered the yellow dress I wore for the wedding which he was referring to.

And then there was silence.

'Are you always this reserved on second meetings?' He asked raising a brow.

I laughed. 'Do I appear as such?'

"Well, maybe you do. You seem a lot more shy' his eyes were on me.

'Maybe I'm not. I'm just adjusting to the environment.

'What's New? It's just people and furniture.'

'The lights are a bit more than I'm used to' I said plainly.

'Oh, I'm sorry about that though'

'Good evening. Would you like to place your order now?' the waitress said smiling as she literally hugged the menus. She was pretty and reminded me of an air hostess from one of my work travels.

'Yeah sure. I would have whatever she has' he said gesturing to her as he turned to look at me.

She smiled and handed the menu to me. I hated being put on the spot,but it was Nathan anyway.

I browsed through the list and the prices were whooping high. Most of them were dishes I hadn't come by before.

' Throw your conscience aside, he can afford it' I heard Nma's voice in my ears.

I finally found something I knew and whose price didn't seem to me as an extortion.

'We would have this' I muttered as I pointed at the menu.

She nodded and as she was about leaving,Nathan named a drink for her to get alongside the meal.

In a short while ,she came back with our orders. She took the reserved tag with her and left muttering an 'enjoy your meal' that appeared to be for Nathan alone.

I saw her wink at him ,and he just smiled uncomfortably.

'You get that often?' I said while concentrating on my food.

'What?'

'The winks and flirty smiles' I said as I smiled.

He just laughed at that and didn't answer.

'Well,it's only normal given how good you look' I said.

Was I being flirty?

'I guess I have the credit then' he said

'So tell me, are you into something serious. Like a relationship?' He arched a brow.