Who I Thought You Were

Chapter 3:The Date

Sophia’s POV

I wake up in the morning feeling the happiest I’ve ever felt.

Tyler Roe.

His voice and his words replayed over and over in my head.

“Princessa”

I softened whenever he called me that yesterday.

I was playing it cool but my insides were swishing and churning.

That phone call woke something up in me. A feeling I’d never felt before.

I loved getting to know him.

It just dawned on me that I have a date with him tonight.

What am I going to wear?

Hair up or hair down?

I have to look perfect.

I find it quite odd how much deeply I’m starting to feel for this stranger.

Well, semi-stranger.

We did just get to know eachother.

Although, I still have my guard up.

I haven’t completely fallen for him.

I jump out of bed to find Marla.

“Guess what!” I yell after finding her in the foyer.

“Spill the beans.”

“He’s taking me on a date!”

“What?? That’s huge. When? Where?” She replies excitedly.

“Today by 5. And the location is a surprise.”

Marla and I jump around and squeal for a minute before she finally asks,

“Well are you prepared?! What are you going to wear?”

“I haven’t figured that out yet. And I also want to get him a gift.”

“That’s thoughtful Soph. Well you better get moving.”

I run to my room and put on some sweats and a hoodie.

I take one of the many car keys from the cupboard and toss them to a guard on parole.

On the car ride to the mall I started wondering,

What was I going to get him?

He likes art.

I should lean towards that.

At the store I find a set of charcoal pencils.

I know a thing or two about art myself.

And what I do know is, he drew me with a charcoal pencil.

I buy him a set of twelve and get back home.

Realizing I have less than two hours now to get ready,

I ransack my wardrobe and pick out a dress I think is perfect.

I put my hair in a ballerina bun and grab a purse.

As soon as the clock struck 5, he was pulling up to the palace front.

A punctual man. What a dream.

Martha had alerted the guards beforehand to let him in.

He gets out of the car to open the door for me.

He stops mid way and just stares at me

His eyes moving from my shoes up to my hair and back down to meet my eyes.

“You look… heavenly princessa”

“So do you Ty” I reply

He places his hands on my waist and pulls me in for a quick hug.

He smells like ocean air and musk.

I like him even more now.

We get in his car and he starts driving.

I couldn’t stop staring at him.

“So, tell me about your look this fine evening princessa.”

“Well, my dress is Armani Carpell. I chose it because it’s similar shades with your eyes.” I say shyly.

He takes one hand off the steering wheel and holds mine.

“I love it.”

He’s brushing his thumb against my fingers.

My heart starts beating faster.

“I got you something” I say while reaching into my bag.

“For me? You shouldn’t have.”

“I know I know. It’s just as a thank you for the drawing”

“Really? What is it?” He replies still focused on the road.

“I would’ve asked you to close your eyes but that’ll get us killed.” I say laughing.

He laughs as well.

I hold out the gift to him.

“It’s small but I thought you would like them.”

He takes the pencils out of my hand.

“How did you know I always use these?”

“I know I thing or two about art” I say while shrugging.

“I used my last one to draw you. Thank you princessa. I love them.”

He’s smiling and I can’t stop looking at him.

We arrive at a place called “La Cueva del Arte”.

That’s “The Cave of Art” in English.

“Here we are” he says.

“At this restaurant, they have an art section, we can do a little painting while we eat.”

“You planned this?” I ask.

“Yep. You said you wanted to know me better. So tonight, you can get a glimpse into my world.”

“Sounds really good.” I reply grinning from ear to ear.

He gets out of the car and opens the door for me.

I get out of the car too and take his hand.

We walk in and I’m short of words.

The place is filled with paintings, dim lighting and the smell of fresh bread.

“This is beautiful” I say while looking at the paintings.

“I know.”

I turn to see he isn’t even looking at the paintings.

He’s looking at me.

My cheeks fire up.

“Come on.” He says hiding a smile.

He leads me to our table.

It’s set up with paint, canvases, brushes and flowers.

“So”, I say taking a seat. “What are we painting?”

“I’m painting you.”

“No you’re not. You already drew me. I’m painting you.”

He takes a seat opposite mine.

“Whatever you say princessa.” He says laughing.

“These flowers are beautiful” I say while touching the tulips on our table.

“Are they your favorite?”

“Ever since I was a little girl. My dad would get me them all the time.”

“Aw” he says making a puppy dog face.

After thirty minutes of painting, eating and small talk, he says,

“I’m done, are you?”

“Just finishing.”

I knew my painting of him wouldn’t even compare to whatever he had created.

“Okay show me yours first” he says.

I turn mine around and cover my face in order not to catch his reaction.

“Woah princessa. For a non-artist, this is incredible.”

“You’re just being nice” I reply.

“No seriously. I love it.” He says while grabbing the canvas to get a closer look.

“Okay show me yours.”

He turns his around and I gasp.

“Are those-“

“Horses, yes” he says smiling

“No way. They’re so detailed. You’re incredible.” I say while covering my mouth.

For the first time this evening, I forget he is a stranger.

The car ride back to the palace is peaceful and quiet.

He drops me off and kisses my hand.

“Goodnight princessa”

“Goodnight Ty”

I loved every moment of it.

I had spent the last evening getting to know Tyler Roe.

Or at least the Tyler Roe he wants me to know.