Proper Date
1187 Words
“Melvin, do you happen to know why Tatiana was staring at me in horror?”
“Tatiana is very dramatic. If it’s how you look, don’t worry. You look very beautiful right now.”
Bella blushed, looking down at her lap. Melvin resisted the urge to caress her exposed nape, focusing on the road. He hadn’t thought about how difficult it was to control his urges in a long time.
They reached the restaurant almost thirty minutes late for their reservation. This frightened Bella, who tailed quickly behind as Melvin strolled into the restaurant after handing the keys to his car to a valet.
“We had a reservation.”
“Your name sir?”
“Melvin Jones. Party of 2.”
“We’ve been expecting you, Mr. Jones. Please follow me.”
Bella stumbled awkwardly behind, embarrassed that she had been worried something would happen. She temporarily forgot who Melvin was; a person who can never and has never been denied entry anywhere in his life.
She suddenly felt her hand being pulled and she was standing beside Melvin.
“Are you nervous?” she heard him whisper.
She wasn’t nervous, she was terrified! Once she overcame her initial embarrassment, she looked around and realized that the restaurant was filled with a few notable individuals. In her media career, she has had the fortune of meeting several celebrities but none of them were on the same level as the ones she kept seeing. Her hand shook as they walked by.
They reached their private booth and were served the complimentary wine and the menu. Bella stared blankly as Melvin took a sip of his wine.
“Bella, do you want to leave? You don’t have to force yourself.”
“No, no, no, no. I’m just a bit…..overwhelmed.”
“You’ve been shaking since we got here. If you’re uncomfortable, then…….”
“You arranged to meet with me the second time, Mr. Jo……Melvin. It would be inconsiderate of me to just leave like that. I just need a few seconds to readjust. I’m sorry if I’m being embarrassing.”
“No, you’re not being embarrassing. If I wasn’t holding your hand, I wouldn’t know just how nervous you are. You’re doing great. If you’re worried about the stares, they are just enthralled by how beautiful you are.”
Bella immediately went red. Melvin wondered if she didn’t get a lot of compliments as he raised his glass. She raised hers and they clinked them.
“.......You seem to be enjoying the food well” Melvin commented when he saw she had no aversion to eating the food well. It tasted good of course but in terms of quality, it was almost as good as the one served in Collen’s bar but she didn’t eat that heartily.
“I grew up in a seaport town. It’s been a few years since I left home and none of the restaurants I’ve been to has been able to capture the taste of home.”
“Is that so? Well, would you like to send your compliment to the chef?” his lips quirked. He said it as a joke, to see her reaction, and was suitably surprised when she nodded her head. He called for the chef and the two waited silently until he arrived.
The chef was an aged balding man who had a robust figure and clear blue eyes. He smiled as he walked up to them, giving them complimentary greetings.
“My date wanted to compliment you on the dish. Bella….?”
“This dish reminded me of home, especially the bluegill fish. It’s really rare to see fish like this in big restaurants, especially since they taste like……”
“.....they’ve been loved by God. young lady, you are from……”
“Yes, I’m from North Port,” Bella smiled.
“Really?! I rarely meet people from there. They’re the only ones who understand the flavoring of my food. It means a lot to me that you enjoyed the food. You know what, I know it isn’t much but your dessert is on me. I know exactly what you’d like.”
“Thank you. I really don’t deserve this.”
“Nonsense! If you want to thank me, come more often.”
“I’m not sure I can afford…….” Bella looked up at Melvin.
“We will. Thank you in advance for dessert” Melvin cut in, smiling.
The chef excitedly left the booth. Melvin stared at Bella with more interest than he ever had, his lips curving upwards. Bella felt overwhelmed but still took peeks at his handsome face. Really, Melvin was a man many women would die to have, even if it was just for one night and here she was, deceiving him. With her thoughts like that, her food becomes tasteless. Melvin picked up on it right away.
“Anything wrong?”
“It’s nothing. Maybe a little nostalgia. I’ll call my siblings when I get home.”
“They’re still in your hometown?”
“Yes, they live with my uncle. My parents have unfortunately passed away.”
“......Oh. I’m sorry for your loss.”
“It was a long time ago. You don’t have to feel somber.”
“If it’s not uncomfortable, can you tell me…..how they passed away?”
“It was when I was in the fifth grade when my teacher called me out of the class to tell me that….my parents were in an accident. Their car was crushed by a truck when they were returning home. I remember it to be the most devastating day of my life. It took a few years but we’re back on our feet.”
“That sounds terrible. You’re so strong for braving that.”
“Haha, I’m not that strong but thanks for the compliment.”
“How many siblings do you have?”
“I have three siblings, a boy and two girls, twins.”
“All younger than you?”
“Yes. They’re all very lovely.”
“Lucky you. I have two older siblings and they are such a pain every time.”
Cassidy Jones and Rhea Jones. There was no one in the entertainment industry that didn’t know the two. The older Jones siblings were notoriously harder to approach than their younger brother and were said to dote on him a lot.
“Well, I’m sure you’ve heard about my siblings and how nice they are to me. They’re only like that in public, I swear. My sister Rhea kicked me down a flight of stairs one time when I stole her cupcake.”
“That sounds painful. Are you alright?”
“I was fine. The stairs were rugged and someone was there to catch me. If you ever meet Rhea, run the other way” Melvin laughed, Bella joining in with a tiny one of her own. The chef soon returned with trays of dessert, making Bella’s eyes shine like stars.
It was only after she took the first spoon did he understand the implications of his words.
- Writer
