CONNOR.
I had reserved a place as soon as she left my office the other day. It was a seven star hotel erected close to the sea, so one can be eating dinner while watching Dolphins play around from a close distance.
I was hoping Grace would like it. I realized I didn’t really know much about her favourite stuffs but I was ready to know, and tonight, we would be starting afresh like new lovers.
She dazzled in her beautiful silver gown that revealed an exquisite, hour-glass figure which she had been hiding behind those unflattering lose pants and office wears. And her hair took on a more serious shine, sitting up on her head in a bun with tendrils cascading down her well-sculptured forehead.
I wish she would be this way all the time, even though all I could think of was loosing that bun and letting it fall with her in my arms.
We stepped off the car and were led to the VVIP section by the manager of the hotel himself who was almost falling head over heels over trying to create a positive first impression, but at the same time trying to stifle his urge to not stare at us in wonderment. I couldn’t care less, at least those slimy reporters wouldn’t stand a chance to sneak their way into the VVIP section.
I wanted to make this work with Grace. I mustn’t disrupt her relatively anonymous life by unnecessarily exposing her to the unending glits and glamour of celebrity life. We were going to keep this as discreet as she wanted till she agreed to come out to the world on her own, if she ever wanted to, that is.
We took the elevator up to the hotel’s topmost floor. The view there was breathtaking. Asides the sea and Dolphins, there were lots of cruise ships and the artificially bright city atmosphere to the horizon was electrifying, a sight for sore eyes.
Grace gasped as we stepped into the place. It was open air and we were greeted by the strong wind floating from the sea. I quickly took off my suit and wore it over her exposed shoulders.
“Thanks,” she said smiling up at me. Her smile was different now, it no longer held lingering doubts and resentments.
Soon we settled in on our seats, and one of the waiters brought a drink-a bottle of champagne. “I know you love beer, Ms. Budweiser, but then…” I shrugged and filled her glass with the white, sparkling liquid and she simply laughed and took a sip.
Her eyes held its own unique kind of sparkle, so endearing I wanted to have her right here and now. But the date was of utmost importance. It was funny to think we both fell in love and even had a child but never went out on a date once.
“What are you thinking staring at me like that?” she asked, a smile stretching at the corner of her lips.
“I’m thinking about the fact that we haven’t gone on a date asides this, and yet we have a child and how enchanting you look tonight,” I said aloud, some of my words drowned by the sound of the waves.
She chuckled, nodded and sat back thoughtfully for a few seconds. “Tell me about your family,” she inquired out of the blues.
“Well there’s nothing much to tell,” I shrugged, taking a sip from my glass. “My mother and little sister both live in England while I run the family business here. I lost my father that day you and I met, so I had to take over the family business. It wasn’t this huge when my father was in charge though, humble brag.” I explained, enjoying the way she listened intently.
Most of the women I’ve gone out with had always derived more pleasure from talking only about themselves. They never bothered to ask me about myself and honestly, I wouldn’t even want to go that personal with them.
The only time they asked me questions were concerning money and my property and wanting to know indirectly if I was ready to settle down for marriage with (guess who?)… them.
“How about your family?” I asked her as the waiter brought in the first course of our dinner.
“Well I lost both my parents while rebelling about the baby and my refusal to get rid of it. It’s not a story I love to tell,” she admitted, digging into the appetizer placed in front of her without much enthusiasm.
“I’m so sorry, Grace, I wish I was there back then, perhaps things might have been a lot easier.” I managed to say, feeling a lump in my throat.
“It’s okay, it was solely my decision, and I don’t think you being there would have changed much.” she said with a tone of finality as though she didn’t want to talk about it anymore.
It would have, I thought-but I didn’t want to push it so I nodded, deciding to change the course of the discussion, or at least something to bring back the light in her eyes.
“What kind of relationship do you like or have always wished to have?” I asked her.
“A normal one, I guess,” she answered simply and gulped down the remaining content of her glass. “A relationship where…, you know, I can hold hands with my man and walk on the street without people giving us a second glance. And even if they do, it wouldn’t matter because we don’t see them, we see just us. Although it would be really difficult. Honestly, when you came back, I was quite frightened from the way the public seem to be so interested in every aspects of your life, especially your private life.”
Her words rang true, and suddenly I wished with all my heart to be an ordinary man, one whose existence only few people cared about. Our next course meal came, and Grace liked it, to my utter relief. I never knew she loved sea foods-I made a mental note of that, just for next time.
“I’ll let you have the normal relationship you want, Grace.” I replied her after a few minutes. “But I can’t stop them from being interested, I’ll just to wait till you’re ready to come out to the world as my woman.”
She looked up at me and smiled as though she was pleased by what I just said. “It’s getting late, Connor, I need to go get Laurie.” She announced, trying to detach herself as usual.
I couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment. Whenever I tried to get closer, she took two steps backwards.
“Of course, let’s…” I trailed off, summoning the waiter to come hand me our bill.
After paying, we walked back to the car while the driver opened the door for me and I opened hers for her. We drove all the way to my house silently with me wondering what I did or said wrong while the dinner was going on.
The car eased into the mansion after driving for twenty minutes. I led her upstairs to Laurel’s room and when we got there she was sound asleep, curled up in the middle of her many stuffed toys. I wanted to get her a real cat or dog as pet, but I knew Grace wouldn’t approve.
It was such a great relief she wasn’t uncomfortable with the room decoration and everything. Her smile back then and Laurie’s excited squeals were the biggest reward I could ever ask for.
“Do we have to wake her up?” I asked in a whisper as we both stood before her bed watching her sound asleep. “Please stay, Grace. I can get you a room. I just want you guys to be with me tonight and Laurel to enjoy her new room for the whole night.” There was a trace of subtle desperation in my voice.
I wanted her, I needed her, but I didn’t want to force her. I wanted her to come to me when she was ready.
She turned to stare directly into my eyes, placing her cold palms on mine, sending ripples through my nerves. “Take me to your room, Connor.” she said, and I could see the need in her eyes as well.