THE ART OF FIRST DATE
After much thought, Athina had decided it was better for Maria to dress lightly, in a sundress and black summer boots. After Maria and Reid had gotten back that evening, Kyros called, asking if it was okay to reschedule the date the following day.
Of course, Maria was overjoyed and jumped at the offer, thankful that Kyros was in fact willing to still meet up with her over coffee.
She put on light make up, courtesy of Athina. Before Kyros had come to pick her up for their little date, Reid had stopped by that morning. She was just coming down the stairs when she saw Reid talking to Athina who was describing something to him by the looks of it since she kept making wild hand gestures. Reid’s eye lit up a little when he saw her but slightly dimmed when he took in her appearance. Or maybe it was just her imagination.
“Oh Minnie here is getting a lot of attention from the males” Athina jumped to explain proudly when she noticed Reid’s questioning look at Maria being all dressed up.
“Is that so?” He mumbled, looking out the window for a brief second before looking back at her “I actually stopped by to see you” Reid finished, now looking at Maria. Athina immediately stopped talking and looked at Maria, surprised.
“Something about business again?” Maria voiced, hoping to God it wasn’t. She couldn’t cancel on Kyros again.
“No, just to check up on you” Reid responded after a while and Maria stood there gaping like a fish. She wondered briefly if they were friends now.
“I really have to get going but I’ll be back before long” Maria politely replied, nodding her head at him reassuringly before walking out of the house to meet Kyros waiting patiently in his car.
He was dressed in a sky blue polo and expensive looking shorts. On his neck hung a gold necklace and as usual, his hair was styled perfectly not one curl out of place. He got down from the car as soon as he saw her approaching and went to the other side of the vehicle to open the car door for her.
“You look beautiful ” he whispered in her ear once he was seated in the driver’s seat. Maria blushed heavily and a chuckle escaped her lips. His scent of warm spice tickled her nostrils pleasantly.
Throughout their drive to the cafe they had picked, Kyros told her about what his day had been like yesterday and how he felt a bit dad when Maria cancelled plans with him.
“Really? I felt sad too” Maria sighed although a part of her was giddy that he cared that much about the date. Kyros nodded at her and then asked her about how her day had gone yesterday.
Embarrassing images flashed through her mind about what happened but she violently shook the thoughts, choosing not to mention anything about it to Kyros. Nobody had to know about it, nobody should in fact. If there was a way she could wipe the memory from Reid’s head, she would jump at it with everything she had.
“How was it?” Kyros asked again, this time more concerned. Maria noticed she was lost in her thoughts and softly shook her head at him, managing a small smile.
“Oh it was fine. Normal experience with Reid just being Reid, you know?” She said instead, waving her hand in the air dismissively.
“He can be difficult sometimes but he’s usually not so difficult with the rest of us. Basically with everyone asides you. We’ve been friends for years, I’d know ”
“I know that too, but I don’t really mind. We can keep the relationship strictly business, I’m very comfortable with that too” Maria shrugged her shoulders. It was true, she couldn’t care less what Reid really thought about her. From the corner of her eyes she felt Kyros smile at this. Deciding not to put much thought into it, she shoved the matter to the back of her mind.
They pulled up in a parking lot and when she looked up to see the building, she was surprised to find out it was a movie theatre, not a cafe like they had agreed.
“Decided to twitch it a little, you mind?” Kyros asked with a smile, looking lovingly at her. Maria looked at him with wide eyes, flabbergasted at the surprise. Each moment, Kyros kept proving that he was indeed a perfect gentleman.
“Do I mind? Am I out of my mind?” She squealed to which he let out a chuckle before they both unbuckled their seat belts and got out of the car.
Kyros held her hand and together they walked into the building. The inside of the building was fanciful and had ornate designs hanging from the ceiling. Maria gaped openly at the interior decoration. There was a fancy restaurant by the left and she assumed that up the stairs led to the movie theatre. The last time she had been to one was with her family, a year ago.
The place bustled with couples holding hands and enjoying each other’s company. Greece was surely a beautiful city with many beautiful people. Kyros nudged her shoulder gently and ehen she looked to him, he had on a curious look in his eyes.
“I didn’t know youd like it this much” he stated, smirking. “I guess I did a great job then”
“Whatever, get off your high horse now mister” She tutted and he let out a cute laughter. She couldn’t help admiring him as he threw his head back and laughed. It still surprised her how free kyros was.
“Let’s get something to eat before seeing the movie, is that alright?” He asked and Maria nodded, walking with him into to restaurant. They sat at a table and made their orders, each picking something different. After they ate, as discussed they went upstairs to psyvfircthe movie tickets, however they hadn’t decided on a movie yet.
“Definitely action” Maria quipped as soon as she saw Kyros pointing to the romance section. She could puke if she saw another romance movie.
Athina had punished her with these things since they became friends, not again.
“Romance” kyros argued and Maria looked at him with an unfazed expression.
“Really? Romance? We drove all the way out here to see two people fall in love and live happily ever after?” She questioned him. She had never been a huge fan of romance and frankly she didn’t understand why people enjoyed it so much. It was just basic things that happened everyday, unlike action/thrillerwhich could excite one’s fantasy and actually bring about fun. Maria wished everyone could think like her.
“Love is beautiful” kyros countered weakly, he knew he was going going to lose this argument.
“No doubt about that Ky, but please?” Maria asked sweetly, batting her eyelashes many times at him. He nodded a yes like he ever had a choice than to give in to her charm but Maria smiled anyway.
They paid for the tickets and went into the movie theatre room to begin the movie.
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She had a good time with Kyros and as they drove back to Athina’s mansion at 9pm, she found herself wishing that the day never ended. She had texted athina a while ago that she may be coming back late since plans had change and Athina being Athina sent a bunch of winking emojis and teased her to no end. Kyros hummed a low tune while he drove sbd Maria stared at him, simply in appreciation.
Sooner than she liked, Kyros stopped in front of Athina’s and she looked out the window to confirm that they had indeed reached their destination. Maria almost groaned.
Kyros chuckled at her forlorn expression before getting out of the car and walking to the other side to open the door for her.
“So, did you have a nice time?” He asked nervously his hands dug into his pockets and his eyes seemed to look everywhere but her face. She touched him lightly on the arm go grab his attention and when he looked at her she nodded at him, giving him the most genuine smile she could muster. He eased up a little after that as his shoulders relaxed and he took some steps closer to her.
“I enjoyed myself too. You can be quite funny sometimes” he took her hands in his, leaning forward slightly.
“In a good way or bad way?” She asked although she already knew the answer to that.
“In a good way of course” he whispered, looking down at her lips. “Do you mind if I kiss you?” Kyros then asked.
Maria hesitated for sometime, it was just a first date, and they hadn’t even known each other for a week. She concluded that it was too soon, way too soon. Maria liked to take things slowly, there was no rush in life.
She shook her head no and Kyros pulled back immediately with a guilty smile. Maria wanted to tell him she didn’t mind a hug though, which was what she thought he was initially going for but his expression made her go quiet. He looked so embarrassed.
“Of course, what was I thinking? I’m sorry, its too soon isn’t it?” He asked her
letting gonof her hands and taking a few steps back. She nodded at him and he apologised again, awkwardly wishing her a goodnight before entering his car and zooming off. Maria wondered if he really thought it was okay or if he had labelled her as a bifung person in his head. This was why she hated feelings, she dud not like the whole I overthinking ordeal that cane with it.
Maria sighed as she walked into the house, a welcoming vanilla scent greeting her arrival. The lights had been put out but she knew Athina was still up probably already in her room eith her husband.
“You came back quite late” Reid’s voice startled Maria and she jumped in the air. She was so thankful thankful couldn’t see that.
Maria walked over to the light switch and flicked it on, surprised to see Reid sitting on a couch in the sitting room.
“What are you doing here?” Maria gasped. She was quite surprised that Reid was around by this time, more so he looked to be waiting for something or someone. She remembered he said he came to see her shortly before she went with Kyros- was that why she waited? The more she tried to understand him, the more confused she got.
“Was waiting on your return. I wanted to speak to you about something” Reid said, standing up and walking towards where she stood by the light switch.
“As business partners” he started “your best interest is at heart so I was thinking of offering you an apartment in my condo. It’s close to the location and you get it free”
“Free?” Maria asked, this time looking at him suspiciously “Why?”
“We’re business partners Miss Maria, this is for my own selfish interest. All I want is your total focus and devotion to this business” he shrugged at her. With time she had began to conclude that maybe Reid was indeed a business man through and through. He was doing so much just to make sure the business ran perfectly okay.
Maria mulled over the offer, it wasn’t too bad.
She would speak to Athina about it before giving Reid a response. Athina knew Reid well and Maria was aware of the fact that Reid was smart and cunning. You could never tell with him.
He seemed to understand her expression because he nodded at her and told her to get back to him on her decision. He turned around and headed upstairs, probably to retire for the night. Maria realised that he was in fact waiting for her to get back.
Reid was such a mystery box, she concluded.