A TALE OF TWO LOVERS

ENCHANTED

FIONA’S P.O.V

I looked at the packet, wondering whether I should just settle for it. She had tried most of the chocolates since her love for the sweet delicacy is known by everyone. Her birthdays are filled with chocolate gifts from known brands. Placing it down, I picked up another one when a familiar face caught my eye. He took a box of chocolate from the expensive aisle with no hesitation and I narrowed my eyes as I watched. His eyebrows furrowed as he bit his lower lip slightly and I nodded in understanding.

It's so hard to choose.

He placed the box down and a smile graced his lips before he turned and I moved my head down, away from his gaze. I peeked, finding him smiling to himself as he picked out the most expensive of the bunch.

“Who are we watching?” a raspy voice asked.

“A friend” I answered, my attention fully on Max.

“Do we like him?”

“I guess” I answered as Max decided on what he was getting.

“Well, that makes it easy” I commented softly “Quite expensive though, he must really like her” I thought outloud.

“So, not you?’ the person asked and I blinked, turning to look at him as Max paid for the expensive chocolate.

Dark hair, straight nose and enchanting dark grey eyes. I narrowed my eyes at the good looking fellow, wondering why he was looking at me with that glint in his eye.

“By the way, why were we hiding?” he asked, his voice coming out smoother and I tilted my head.

"We?” I asked and a small smile graced his lips.

““I presume, our little conversation put us in the same boat” he declared, the smile still plastered on his face.

“Ah, you must have spoken to me while I was distracted. Ignore everything I said. Good bye” I said, turning to continue my hunt when he moved in front of me.

“I don’t want to” he said, a cheeky grin on his face with his arms crossed.

His eyes brought a smile to my face and I cleared my throat as I picked up a wrapped sweet gift. His cologne wafted in the small space between us as he moved to stand right behind me.

“I would recommend the other brand’ he said and I glanced at him before picking up his choice and placing it near mine. I recognized it. Amanda loved it.

“She loves this brand” I mumbled.

“Great!” he exclaimed making me raise my eyebrows.

“How long are you planning to stand there like that?” I asked as I turned to face him. His eyes once again making my heart flutter. They were a beautiful set of eyes.

““Until we find the perfect gift for her” he answered and I looked at him, amused.

“Her? Who?” I asked and he smiled, making my heart flutter and I looked away.

“Your friend?” he tried and I narrowed my eyes “Sister” I placed the packets down.

“Anyway. For the woman that has such a pretty person in her life” he praised.

“Alright, let’s find the perfect gift, stranger”

“That was easy. I’m sure it’s not because I called you pretty” he said, his head

tipped to the right and I smiled.

“It could be. You just seem so invested in this and you don’t seem like some creep,

that’s all”

“I’m honored, let’s begin” he said with a small curtsy and I smiled.

“So what brand does she like?’

“Your first choice but I want to get her something new” I answered as he sorted

through the various chocolates that lined the shelf

“Won’t she be expecting her favorite brand though?’ he asked, narrowing his eyes at

the choices in his hands.

“I’m sure someone will get it for her” I shared, placing a purple box near his

brown.

“A friend?” he asked as we shook our heads to the two choices

“Yeah”

“How about a new flavor?” he suggested holding up the latest nut flavor and I shook

my head.

“She has tried them all”

“All 40 of them?” he asked, his eyes wide and I couldn’t help but smile.

“Even the special flavours that are no longer in stock” I shared and we smiled.

“I like her already” he said before pointing to another one

“Then she’ll love this brand. It’s the go-to if you can’t find the first one” he said, handing me an assortment of round chocolates arranged in a zigzag manner.

“Is it delicious?” I asked, inspecting the box.

“Wanna try it before you buy it?’ he asked suddenly making me look at him with furrowed eyebrows.

“Let’s buy one and try it first” he suggested and I turned the box, looking at the

price.

“I can’t buy something this expensive twice” I mumbled only to see him at the

register.

“I don’t have the money for two” I whispered as soon as I stood near him and he

glanced at me before reaching for his wallet.

“I’ll pay for it then”he said. And I shook my head.

“I can’t let you do that, mr. stranger” I said, eyebrows raised.

“Then you’ll buy dinner” he said after glancing at me.

“What?”

“You can’t buy dinner either?” he asked, his eyes narrowed.

“I can” I said with a nod.

“That’s that then” he said before paying for the expensive box of chocolate.

“Seriously? A dinner?” I asked as I followed him out to the shaded tables and chairs.

He pulled a seat before making me sit by the shoulders. I couldn’t believe what was happening as he sat right in front of me. It felt like I was in a rollarcoster, not knowing what was coming next and what? A dinner?

“Alexander” he said offering his hand as if buying an expensive box of chocolate was a

regular occurrence for him.

“Fiona” I answered, taking his hand, it was a bit rough.

To be fair, he would also be eating the chocolate so I guess it’s okay if I bought him a filling dinner instead. He was so easy going that I decided to go with the flow. Worrying will only take the fun out of this chance encounter.

“We can share our last names after we get more acquainted” he suggested and I nodded.

“Now that I’m not ‘mr, stranger’, can we share this box of chocolates?” he asked with a smile and I agreed.

The box contained 12 different flavors for the filling and each flavor had two pieces. After sharing the first piece, we decided that whoever liked it most would have the second piece. Alexander loved the strawberry filled chocolate while I loved the one filled with hazel nut cream.

“Do you like hazel nut cream in everything?” he asked as I cut the next chocolate in half.

“Yeah and you must love strawberry” I said, handing him the half.

He nodded before taking a bite of the chocolate. It was cappuccino flavored, the creamy filling was soft and the slight distinct taste of coffee made it even more delightful. He seemed to enjoy the chocolate too so I went ahead and offered the other piece to him.

“Not to your liking?” he asked.

“It’s delicious but you like it more than I do" I explained, placing the chocolate on his side of the box.

“Ever tried hazel nut cream in coffee?” he asked suddenly and I shook my head.

“What do you think of combining cappuccino and hazel nut in one chocolate bar?” he asked

“We can try that right now. Give me half of your cappuccino and I’ll give you half of my hazel nut” I said, splitting my hazel nut flavored chocolate in two.

“Alright, here” he said, handing me half of his.

I put the two halves together and he did the same before we each took a bite. I didn’t hate it but I didn’t like it either so I separated the two.

“How is it?” he asked.

“I don’t like it, you?” I asked and he smiled.

“Same here. Should we stop here?”

“Yeah. That’s enough chocolate for the next three days” I said, covering the box when his phone rang.

“I’ll get a box and be right back. Don’t leave” I said and he nodded,

“I’ll be right here”

I entered the sweet shop once again, this time going straight for the box I wanted. I walked to the cashier and my phone vibrated with a call from my mom.

“Fiona, where are you?’ she asked as I handed the cashier the box of chocolate.

“In town. Why, do you need something?” I asked, handing the money.

“Yes. I’ll send a list of things I need for tomorrow, make sure to get them’

“Alright mom. I won’t be home for dinner today” I informed, walking out of the store.

“Be careful and don’t be late” she said and I hung up after saying goodbye.

I scanned the area for Alexander and his enchanting eyes met mine as he waved. He was still on the phone and I walked over when he hung up and turned his attention to me.

“So, where are you taking me for dinner?’ he asked as we walked towards the restaurant area.

“Do you like chicken?” I asked and he nodded.

“Good to know. Now I can take you to my first choice” I said.

“Anywhere would have been fine” he said and I shook my head.

“No. Only the best place would be right. You spent your money and time on a stranger so it’s only right” I said, as we rounded the corner.

“That was my choice. You don’t have to feel obligated to repay something you didn’t ask for” he assured.

“Just take it as though I’m doing it for me and besides, didn’t you ask for the dinner?” I asked and he chuckled.

“I’ll expect a spectacular dinner then” he said making me stop in my tracks to look at him.

He had a smile on his face as I narrowed my eyes at him.

“Don’t put pressure on me” I said before walking forward as the restaurant came to view.

“Chicken curry?” he asked and I offered him a lopsided smile.

“Come on’ I said, anticipating the creamy goodness.

It was a modern styled restaurant that had a desert bar on one side, a drink bar on the other and in the furthest middle was the kitchen where curry and other types of food were prepared. Right in the middle were the tables and chairs.

“Is the restaurant owned by one person? He asked as soon as we sat down.

“No, it’s owned by a group of friends who graduated from culinary school together” I answered, the knowledge courtesy of Amanda the culinary student.

“How long have they been open?” he asked, looking at the decorations.

“Two years” I answered as the waiter stopped by our table.

“Hi, how are you doing? Are you ready to order?” the tall brown haired waiter asked with a smile.

“We’re fine, thank you. We’ll have the chicken curry and the large filled donut for desert” I said.

“Drinks?’ he asked and I handed Alexander the drinks menu.

“I’ll have the lemon juice and…” I said looking at Alexander who pointed at the tall glass of tropical juice “… one glass of tropical juice” I finished,

“I’ve seen this arrangement before but usually, every restaurant has it’s own set of waiters” he said.

“You’d be surprised to know that the waiters are also students of the culinary university” I said.

“Really? So if they ever want to open a subsidiary, they can just send the waiters over there" he said and I nodded.

“The culinary students also get first hand experience before they graduate” I said as the drinks arrived.

“How should the curry be plated?" the waiter asked, placing the drinks on the table.

“Separate” I said, pulling the tall glass of lemon juice and taking a sip,

“Is there any other way other than separate?’ Alexander asked, referring to the plate question and I placed the refreshing drink down.

“They could put it in one big plate for us to eat from” I said and he leaned in.

“Together?” he asked and I nodded.

“Why? Would you prefer that?” I asked, noting the slight frown on his face as I leaned closer.

He looked up as I raised an eyebrow and a small smile played at his lips.

“Why not?’ he asked and my eyebrow fell “We’ve already shared something” he finished and I averted my gaze.

“Maybe next time” he said and I looked back at him to see a mischevious glint in his eye.

“Right” I said with a squint and he chuckled lightly.

The food was placed on the table, followed by some tissues and two sets of utensils.

“Thankyou” I said as the waiter went away.

“Okay, taste test” I said, motioning to him to take a spoon.

“Alright, but what happens if it’s not to my taste?” he asked, feigning interest.

“Come on, it’s late. Don’t make jokes like that” I said, realizing that I didn’t have time to take him to my second choice.

“Ok, I’m sorry. I’ll taste it now” he said, a hint of worry in his voice and I laughed as he took a bite.

“So, how is it?’ I asked, hoping he liked it but then again, there was no way he wouldn’t.

“It’s delicious” he said, taking another bite “So creamy and smooth” he finished.

We enjoyed the filling dinner and finished the night with an extra large donut filled with hazel nut cream when Alexander asked what other fillings there are.

“Let’s have the strawberry one next time” he suggested.

“Next time?” I asked and he looked up.

“You don’t want to?” he asked, taking a bite of the doughnut.

“It wasn’t a bad day” I mused and he smiled.

“Great, let’s do this again if we meet” he said and my eyebrows furrowed.

“Leaving it up to chance?” I asked.

“That’s more fun, don’t you think?” he responded with a smirk and I nodded.

“Yeah. Let’s do that”

We walked out of the restaurant and stopped in front of the taxi service. I was going in to town to get the long list of items my mother had sent and I felt a bit bad as the encounter came to an end. He looked at me, his dark gry eyes showing amusement at the slight frown on my face.

“Thanks for the filling food. Here” he said, handing me a bag with a box in it.

It was the doughnut we had just shared, in full and I looked up at him when he cleared his throat.

“Munch on this until we meet again" he said before kissing my hand and walking away.