To Cherish You Forever

Chapter 7

I was able to get away from telling everyone about Jacob. Good thing my brother didn’t press any further. However, when I get to have some alone time in the kitchen, mom came to ask me.

“Tell me Alya, is your brother talking about Jacob?” Mom was looking straight into my eyes. I just nodded my head. I have been meaning to tell them anyway. It is just not in front of everyone else. Only mom and dad knew about Jacob. They have never met him yet, but I am planning to bring him with me next time I come back.

“I felt like I am now ready to move on to the next level with him. He has been very nice to me. He never showed anything bad about himself. He used to be a playboy as what the media tagged him. However, he never showed any indication that he is going to play around with me. In fact, he made it clear from day one that he is serious with me.” I smiled just remembering our first date together.

“Mom, he is close to perfection. A young, successful, very handsome, eligible bachelor. He is smart, got a good sense of humor plus humble. I also see how he talks lovingly about his family. He also proves to me that I can trust him. I can keep going on and on just to describe everything positive about him.” I said with a big smile on my face. I can already see in my head what’s going to happen when I said yes to him.

“He sounds too good to be true, Alya. Remember, no one is perfect. I rather see his flaws now than when you are already in a relationship.” I don’t know why mom said those words but I am too happy to get distracted with negative thoughts.

“Mom, don’t you like Jacob for me? You convinced me before to give him a chance. To give myself a chance… remember? Besides, he simply makes me happy with his sweet and caring gestures. I couldn’t ask for more.” I am already daydreaming. My mind is far away, thinking of what Jacob is doing right now. Is he thinking of me as well? We just spoke this morning. I haven’t realized it until now, but I have deeply fallen inlove with him.

“So, when is he going to visit us here? Your dad can cook your favorite smoked salmon. For sure, he would like it.” Mom is smiling now.

“Thank you, mom. I will let you know. I love you so much.” I hugged her tightly.

“I love you so much, Alya. There is nothing more I want in life than to see you happy. If you love Jacob, then I trust your judgment. I just want him to take care of you like the way we do.” I cried. Mom has always been a constant presence in my life. Both she and dad never failed us. In fact, it was the other way around. I know I have failed them many times. Just like Alden when he was still better, they have been telling me to join the family business. That dad is not getting any younger. Sooner, he will have to retire and just wants to relax. Spend time with mom.

I am considering it now but still, I am not confident to run things by myself. I want to give myself a little bit more time. Actually, in the past three years, I have gone to our main warehouse plenty of times. Whenever I am free from work, I go accompany dad. I can say that I have learned something.

I spent the night at the beach house. The sound of the waves gave me a relaxing feeling. It makes me forget about everything else. I just close my eyes and listen to the waves for half an hour. Then, an idea came to my mind. I am getting excited right now just thinking about it.

The next day, I drove back to work very early. With all my plans in mind, I cannot wait to make it happen. I was still driving to work when my phone rang. It was Jacob.

“Hello. Good morning my sweet. The morning gets even more beautiful just hearing your voice.” I couldn’t stop myself from smiling. Jacob really knows how to impress any woman just by his mere words.

“Good morning Mr. Sweet Talker.” I chuckled softly.

“Hey, you have just hurt my feelings. I know I am naturally sweet but definitely not a sweet talker. I mean every word I said to you.” I kept quiet. I love his sweet talk anyway.

“So, how was your trip to your family? I am sure you had a blast.” We are not on a video call but I can imagine him smiling right now.

“Yeah, it was actually fun. As usual, dad cooked my favorite. My aunt was there with her entire family. Then, grandma came as well. Everything was fine except for one thing.” I paused a little bit. I am not sure if I should open up about Alden. I only mentioned him once to Jacob. He asked more about him but I simply told him that he is not well. That’s all. I am glad that Jacob didn’t ask further about him.

“Well, my brother ruined the mood a little bit. He kept bullying me.” I heard Jacob laughing. What’s funny about what I said?

“That’s quite normal for a brother. It is not really being a bully. He was just teasing you. I can sense that you have a closed relationship with your brother.” Well, I know about the teasing, of course, but how come he knows how a brother acts towards his sister? He is an only child.

“Well, for an only child, you surely have a good perspective on being a brother.” I just got curious. Maybe that’s how he acts towards his female cousins.

“When I was a kid, I actually visited the orphanage many times. That’s how I experienced being a “big brother” to the smaller kids at the orphanage.” I find it interesting that he just told me now.

“That’s very interesting. What were you doing at the orphanage at such a young age?” I got curious as to what he is going to answer. This is also the first time I heard him talking about an orphanage.

“My parents would bring me whenever they visit the orphanage. Part of their charity work is to help the orphans.” I spoke too soon. What his family is doing is really great. I am just smiling and listening to him.

“Wow! That’s really impressive. You never mentioned that before.” I am more impressed with him and his family.

“It is something my dad really wants to do. He wants to give back, to help others.” I have known a lot from him about his family but he never mentioned their charity work. Well, they might want to keep a low profile when it comes to helping others.

“Anyway, enough of me and charity work. Let’s talk about us. Are you free tonight? Our dinner date wasn’t canceled. I just moved the schedule tonight.” I was surprised. I was the one who had some plans in mind.

“Yes, I am free tonight.” I tried not to giggle like a lovestruck teenager.

“That’s great! I am going to pick you up from your workplace. If you want to change, I can drive you to your apartment.” Do I have a choice to say no? I was laughing silently at what I was thinking. It is just ridiculous. Of course, I want to spend time with him.

“You know that I drive my car to work. You can come to the apartment. It will be more convenient for you.” It’s true. Besides, I want to look my best tonight. Something special may come up. Who knows?

“Just give me time to get ready though. You can pick me up at 6 pm.” An hour is more than enough to shower, get dressed and put a nice make-up.

“Alright, I will come at 6 pm sharp. I can’t wait for our dinner date tonight.” We still talked more but it was mostly about his day yesterday.

At work, my colleagues kept commenting that I am looking radiant and inspired. I just smiled at them. They just don’t know how excited I am for tonight. I have been thinking of the dress I am going to wear. I asked Jacob where we are going but he told me it is a surprised. So, here I am thinking of what is the perfect dress to wear tonight. Should I go formal or semi-formal? What about the make-up? Should I go for light make-up or more? I feel like dropping at the salon before heading back to the apartment. However, I don’t think I have enough time to do that.

I immediately headed to my apartment right after work. I wasted no time. I took a 15-minute bubble bath with some scented lavender oil that I elaborately spread on my body. After taking a bath, I looked at myself in the mirror. My skin is nicely hydrated with a pinkish tinge to my cheeks.

Then, I went to my closet. I have around ten nice dresses I bought in case I need to dress up for a special occasion. I have just worn four of those dresses.

For tonight’s dinner, I chose a below-the-knee black sleeveless bodycon dress. It has a modest slit on the right side. I also wore a white coat since it starts to get chilly at night. I paired it with three-inch black leather pumps. I brought with me a pretty, neat designer clutch bag. For my accessories, I wore only long pearl dangle earrings. I want to keep it simple, and comfortable yet still project a classic look.

For my make-up, I chose to stay in the safe zone. I only put light natural make-up except for the eyes. I tried to put a smoky-eyes look. When I am finally done, I looked at myself in the big mirror. I looked way different. There’s a touch of slight seductiveness with my look. I am not sure if I can carry myself well with this look. I just want to look beautiful and slightly different from my normal self.

I looked at my watch only to realize there’s no more time to change. Any minute now Jacob would be here. I just thought of it and immediately the doorbell rang.

This it. I just need to appear confident. I kept telling that to myself until I opened the door. I suddenly got shy to face him. He looks so dashingly handsome in his black suit.

His deep-set dark brown eyes are so mesmerizing. When I look into them, I felt like I was lost in another space and time. His black suit perfectly shows off those broad shoulders. Those slightly thin lips makes me wonder how they taste like. I was so shocked where my thoughts went. It must have shown on my face since Jacob had a questioning look. I can’t tell him what I was thinking.

“Hello! You look so good with your black suit.” That’s all I said, which made him grinned.

“Well, I have to look my best. I am with the most beautiful woman tonight.” I turned red.

From Jacob’s perspective, he has just seen the most beautiful woman he ever set his eyes on. Alya is really a great beauty. He has met a lot of beautiful women in his life and even dated most of them. However, Alya’s beauty stands out more the longer you spend time looking at her. She has natural auburn hair. Her dark eyebrows highlighted her big grey tantalizing eyes. Her eyes say a lot of things. Her beautiful straight nose is perfect on her small oval-shaped face. Her luscious full lips are just a sight to behold. They are begging to be kissed. He has to stop thinking further.

“Shall we go?” I had to break the spell that enveloped us at that moment. We were just at the door staring at each other. I wonder what Jacob was thinking. Did he approve of my look? He didn’t say any further after that.

We went to his car. He opened the passenger seat for me and even volunteered to put my seatbelt on. He got so close to me that I could smell his aftershave and his signature perfume. He has a specific brand of perfume that he consistently keeps using. This man is like a Greek god, perfect body, a very handsome face plus he is also a nice person deep down. No wonder women just fall for him readily. I am one of them anyway. Looking at him right now, I have no regrets. I am glad I took the risk and gave myself a chance at love. I have never been this happy with someone else in a romantic way.

It only took us around half an hour to reach our destination. I thought we are going to a restaurant for our dinner date. However, we stopped at a private yacht. It is not just those regular yacht. This one in front of us is one of those expensive luxury yachts I saw only in magazines and on TV. I was too astonished to speak up. This is way grander than I thought. I can’t wait for what’s going to happen tonight.