Ann’s POV
I am in awe of how a man could be so ruthless, merciless, and cold to others yet composed and gentle with me.
Sometimes, I feel like Vicente is actually nervous around me. Perhaps it’s because I’m his first in everything.
He stretches his hand at me, and I take it without hesitation. As soon as I step out of the car, my gaze falls on the restaurant’s name.
Skye Restaurant.
I nod in satisfaction.
I wanted someone far from home. Not the penthouse either, and he suggested we come here.
All in all, this is like our first real date. It’s our official first day, and it feels awesome.
I still can’t believe Vicente and I are now an item. It felt like it was never going to happen, like a dream.
His hold on my hand is firm as he leads me into the restaurant. The door opens from behind, and I see the colorful lighting that makes the inside look extremely beautiful.
A slow, melodious music flows from a counter. When I look closer as we venture fully inside, I realize there is someone sitting behind a piano.
I smile.
“Here, ma’am,” Vicente pulls a chair for me and bows dramatically.
I let out a laugh. “Don’t be silly.”
He comes forward and pecks my forehead. “Sit, my darling.”
Wow!
Here comes my amazement. A man who seemed utterly oblivious to what it meant to date a woman has suddenly turned into a romantic overnight.
Really?
So much for Google.
Laughter bubbles inside of me. I caught him on Google last night, researching how to make a lady feel great on a first date.
I just didn’t expect he would become so romantic overnight. But I love it.
It makes my toes coil. And my insides flutter with excitement and expectation of something more.
Vicente sits across me with a smile on his face. He doesn’t take his eyes off me for a while before his eyes shift to my dress.
“You look beautiful tonight,” he mutters with a voice that almost makes me crawl to him with desperation.
Mentally scolding myself to keep my emotions in check, I nod and reply. “Thank you, you don’t look bad too.”
He is wearing a well-fitted button-down white shirt, slim-fit dark jeans, and a white canvas with a tailored blazer.
On the other hand, I am wearing a burgundy mid-length wrap dress with nude pump heels.
His gaze becomes intense, and I raise a brow in question.
“I…I…”
“Never mind?” I chuckle softly, knowing what the next word would be. I know Vicente, like the lines in my palms. He can be so predictable most times.
“Yeah. Never mind. I love your outfits, that’s why.”
“Thank you, my darling,” I tease with a wink, and he gapes at me.
The waiter approaches, and I watch him shift back into his overly-serious mood. When another waiter appears behind the first waiter with two trays of our meal, I realize we are the only ones in the restaurant, and Vicente must have booked for exclusive dining.
I watch in awe again. He doesn’t cease to amaze me with his new romantic self.
The waiter places a plate of grilled salmon with a side of roasted vegetables in front of Vicente and a plate of chicken Caesar salad for me.
I grin.
Then, the second waiter drops a glass of chilled Sauvignon Blanc in front of Vince and sparkling water with a slice of lemon in front of me.
Followed by the dessert. A small bowl of creme brulee.
“I hope this is what you like,” Vincete demands from me, and I nod gingerly.
“Of course I do.”
We shared the dessert, and the taste was heavenly. By the time we start eating, I am already moaning out in delight.
The meal here is incredible.
“I see you enjoy the meal,” Vince says, and I know he is trying to start a conversation with me.
He is always doing that, saying little about everything and nothing.
“Yeah, it’s great,” I mutter and finally push the plate away. I am filled to the brim.
I am about to down the rest of my drink when he asks. “More than my own meals?”
My glass stops halfway before a snort leaves my mouth. “What?!”
“Is this better than my meals? Would you rather come here all day of your lives or would you rather have me cook for you every day…of our lives.”
I blink, completely oblivious to where this is leading to.
“Was that jealousy, Vince?”
“Jealousy?” His brows are raised in confusion. “Of course not. I just want to know which you prefer. You better choose carefully or you might regret it later on.”
I laugh.
Not at the fact that his joke is lame, but because he is making an effort to say a joke.
What the hell is wrong with this Mafia man?
He smiles while I continue to laugh.
“You should PRACTISE more, Vince. I assure you you might make a career in stand up comedy if you keep it up but for now, your jokes are humorless.”
“It wasn’t a joke and besides, you laughed, didn’t you?”
“Because I laughed doesn’t make it funny.”
“Why did you laugh then? It was one hearty laughter, babe.” He murmurs with a mischievous grin on his face.
He just called me babe. My stomach flutters with butterflies, so I look down to hide the flustering.
The waiters approach again, this time to clear the plates.
As soon as they were gone, Vicente continues to look at me like I have something on my face.
“Is there something on my face?” I grab the serviette, ready to wipe off whatever stain was on my face, but he only shakes his head.
“Just appreciating you. God’s gift to me.”
“What?!” I exclaim with another laugh. “Is that a joke? Enough of your jokes already.”
No!”
He looks serious. There is not a single hint of amusement on his face.
“I love you, Annette Vasquez.”
Excitement sparks to life in my chest, my heart beating a little faster.
I can’t bring myself to tell him I love him too. I can’t form the word.
I gulp heavily and stare down at my trembling fingers, noting the silence stretching between us.
I know he wants me to say the same. To tell him I love him too.
I glance up finally, and with a smile, I reply. “I love you too, Vicente Di’Alberto.”
As soon as the words roll out of my mouth, Vince stands up, bringing out a box from his jeans pockets.
I thought for a while it was a jewelry gift like the one he gifted me last night, but when he moves away from his chair and goes down on one knee, my jaws drop, and I find myself shooting to my feet instantly.
“Annette, I know I am not the best man. I know I probably don’t deserve a sweet woman like you. I know I lack in so many ways and I know you may probably get tired of me one day for not knowing what conversations to bring up about my day but I want you to know that I, Vicente, promise to be yours from now till eternity. I promise to try my very best to make you happy, to bring back that care-free woman you used to be. I promised to do my best to keep you entertained so you never get tired of a boring man like me. I promise to make you my first priority. I promise to love you more than life itself if only you will accept to remarry me, this time, real, well-planned and not accidentally…”
Butterfly takes flight in my stomach when he trails off.
Vicente has never said so much in one breath, and he is doing that on his knees.
When he opens his mouth to continue, I rush towards him and plow into his chest, my knees down and my hands wrapping around him.
“Yes, yes, yes!”
He doesn’t need to say more. I don’t need him to change from the composed, soft-spoken man he is to someone willing to keep talking all day to make me happy.
I love him this way.
I love his composure. I love his seriousness. I love him quiet. Most importantly, I love everything about him and will always do so.
I force back the tears, threatening to fall as he pulls me away gently, his eyes not leaving mine for a second.
“You said yes?” I nod intermittently. “Yes to what?”
At this point, I can no longer hold my tears as I answer rather quickly. “Yes to forever with you, Vincete. Yes, I will marry you.”
I haven’t recovered from the words I just blurted when he suddenly slams his lips on mine.