Checkmate.

Chapter 36- The Fight.

ZARIA'S POV

"You've been on dates before why are you so nervous?" I called Queen to give me a pep talk before my date with Dante. I decided... not to tell her who it was with. "I know, but this is different." I prop the phone up as I fix my lashes.

Dante had left earlier because he said he needed to finish a few things.

"You look amazing babes." "Thank you, Q," Dante told me to dress semi-formal. I decided to go with a mid-length black dress. It hugs my figure perfectly. I let my fro fall naturally fixing up a few curls. A knock on the door makes me more nervous than I already was.

"I'll call you back Queen, love you." I don't wait for a response and I do a few final touch-ups. I grab my purse and swing the door open. There he stood. In a slick, black suit, his cologne hit my nose reminding me just how good he smells.

"Wow." "Is it too much? I should've put my hair up right?! Let me fix it-"Zaria. You look perfect." He grabs my hand bringing it to his mouth and lightly kissing it. This is not the same person I met months ago.

"Thank you.." I feel my face heat up as he intertwines our fingers. "Ready to go?" I nod as we begin walking out of the dorm building.

. . .

"This place looks expensive Dante." We are sat in a rooftop restaurant with a beautiful view of the sky. " Sweetheart, I own it." He waves down the waiter as he speaks. "You own it? I thought you did—" I lowered my voice to a whisper. "Mafia stuff." Dante laughs as the waiter comes up to us.

"Boss. What can I get you?" "Just some water." "And for you?" The waiter turns with a smirk on his face. "I suggest you fix your facial expressions. Now." "Stop it. I'll have a sprite please." I offer the waiter a smile. "Yes ma'am. Sorry sir." He quickly rushes off.

"Don't be so mean," I mumble to Dante. "He had no reason to be grinning like a fucking idiot." "Be nice," I warn as the waiter comes back giving us our drinks. "Are you both ready to order?"

"Yes, I'll have..."

. . .

"I'm stuffed." I drop my fork on my plate as I finish. "I would ask if you enjoyed it, but your plate is clean." "What can I say? I like to eat." I shrug causing him to laugh. The waiter comes to collect the plates as he brings out a dessert.

"Would you like some?" Dante offers "No thanks, I can't have peanuts... I'm allergic." His body tenses. "You're allergic to something and you didn't tell me until now?!."

"Sorry- I wasn't thinking about it.." he sighs before standing. "It's alright, let's go. We still have things to do." He helps me out of my seat as we exit the restaurant.

. . .

The driver takes us to a lake, surrounded by candles. We walk down the dock revealing a blanket laid out with rose petals covering it. "I figured we could watch the stars for a while."

"Dante this is... beautiful. Thank you." I gaze at him as we both lay on the blanket. He slips his arm under my head pulling me closer to his side. "Nobody has ever... done something like this for me Dante. Thank you."

I genuinely meant that. I've never been on a date with someone who... surprised me. "You're welcome, sweetheart." We sit under the stars for a while, just enjoying each other's company.

"You punched her for taking your candy?" Dante chuckles as I tell him one of my childhood stories. "Yes! She kept taking it." I sit up looking at Dante. "Your eyes are really pretty you know. "You say that a lot princess."