“You’ve picked up your dress already?” Dimitri asked when they were on their way to the caterers.
Audriana took her gaze from the window to him, watching him intently. A frown laced her features as she watched him drive.
This would probably be the first time she is seeing him in casual wear. White tee, dark jacket, blue jeans, and a pair of Nike air. Her favorite sports brand.
She was quite surprised by his sudden visit to the shop and wondered how he knew where she was at that time. When she left the room she saw him sitting in the middle of both their mothers and he said something that made them both laugh.
He looked happy, and she saw that he looked like his Mum when he laughed. She also noticed a small dimple on his left cheek. She loved dimples and this man she was trying not to like had it in the very spot she wished the man of her dreams will have it.
She didn’t know how long she was staring but when she came back to reality he was a foot away from her with roses in hand, a bright smile on his face, and his handheld open.
She raised her brow and felt a nudge on her back before Sofia walked past them to where their mothers were sitting. She walked the remaining steps and hugged him.
His feature was relaxed, no frown like he used to put on and no undressing look she gets from him every time they meet.
He seems proper and gentlemanly, something she has not being able to experience around him.
Maybe it was because both their Moms were there or because she was in a pair of old jeans and off white shirt and not wearing those attractive clothes.
What was his ideal kind of woman? Did he like those dresses? Did he like his women wearing those clothing? Did he like looking at women wearing provocating dresses?
When she googled about him and saw the women he had affairs with in the past. They wore provocating clothes too. Hers weren’t, they were just cleavage and body-hugging. Nothing more.
Was that why he made silly comments about how she dresses? Was it because those women didn’t have to work hard to look good and she dressing like made her seem needy? Did she actually look needy wearing those? Or was she not too attractive enough to get a good compliment?
Why is she thinking about all these? When did she start to have insecurities? When did that start? Why was she bothered about what she was wearing?
She could remember him calling her one night, saying what drunk people say when they make drunken calls. She was really disappointed though mainly because of the gagging that came after a moment of spurting nonsense.
Yes. he didn’t apologize the next time he saw her. He just gave her a ‘you stink of what I don’t like’ attitude and made comments about her dress.
Prick!
Her perfect description of him.
Now he came to pick her up from where she went wedding dress shopping saying that he needed to take her to the caterers for the cake tasting. Moana and Patricia cooed at the young love been expressed by them and said it was romantic for him to leave work to come to pick her up so as not to stress her during their wedding preparations.
“I want her to take enough rest so she can glow more for our special day,” he said kissing her on the head acted like he was head over heels in love with her, and even acted like he was a perfect gentleman.
he stroked her lightly on the hand and gave little kisses when she was talking to her parents and felt the urge to kick him so hard on his shin but that would cause her actions to be questioned and decided to give in.
‘You did enjoy it and that was your agreement remember?’ her subconscious reminded her and she groaned.
Even if they were to pretend to be in love in front of their parents was the kiss necessary? The closeness, the holding, touching the stroking or her arm to her neck then the grip on her waist? Was all that necessary?
They could still look in love without all those shows, right? Couldn’t they?
He stole a glance at her when she didn’t answer and he was slightly caught off guard when he saw her staring.
Intently. At him.
He did feel a gaze on him but wasn’t actually expecting her to be staring at him.
He took his gaze off her and looked ahead not wanting them to be involved in an accident. That is the last thing he needs at the moment. His parent doesn’t have to suffer the death of another child.
“Are you okay?” he voiced out when the silence was too much.
“Last time I checked you didn’t want me opening my mouth to speak. ‘Zip up'” she said drawing her thumb and index finger over her mouth like she was zipping something “that’s what you told me if you were wondering. Genius” she muttered the last part under her breath looking out the window again.
He sighed and rubbed his face with one of his palms before running his fingers through his hair.
“Look, I am sorry, okay?” I admit I was acting up just to make you vexed and I am sorry” he shrugged.
“You’re sorry?” she turned her head to look back at him with raised brows “What about the comments of my dressing? I look needy,” she asked already feeling angry.
He glanced at her and chuckled a bit running his fingers through his hair for the hundredth time.
“Don’t mind me, Love… I just wanted to provoke you, that’s all” he answered.
“That’s not something to tell a lady who wears a nice sexy dress for the first time on her boring date or meetings with a boring host” she crossed her hands.
“You never wear fine clothing?”
“Really that’s what you picked of all I said?” she was obviously getting angry.
Why did he talk? He would have just kept his trap shut just so this day go on smoothly.
“You didn’t say much” he answered, she just stares at him and looked out the window muttering some words in Spanish.
“I am Spanish, remember? So I heard all you said” she told her and she just rolled her eyes.
“Why else would I say it?”
“Love just-”
“Don’t call me that”
“–because we are getting married for our family and business sake doesn’t mean we can’t be friends.”
She looked at him surprised by what he just said “friends?” she asked to confirm.
“Yes, we aren’t in love and probably hate each other guts”
“Hate is a strong word, I dislike you,” she said and he chuckled.
“Okay fine, we dislike each other… we can still be friends nothing less. There is no way of us falling for each other. Well, I could understand if you do fall for me” he gestured to himself. “Like who wouldn’t fall for a die-hard body like mine?” he flexed the hand that was holding the gear.
“You’re so full of yourself” she rolled her eyes.
“Who isn’t, I love myself and if that is bothering you, go suck it up,” he said rolling his eyes again.
“Jerk” she muttered.
“Don’t call me that Love”
“You do not have the right to call me that.”
“Why? Or is it a boyfriend that is allowed to call you that?” he asked with amusement.
She didn’t answer but just kept looking at this man.