THE FIRST DATE
1518 Words
CHAPTER 8: THE FIRST DATE
The morning of my date with Adrian arrived faster than I expected.
When my alarm rang, I woke up almost immediately. For a moment, I just lay there, staring at the ceiling, my heart beating faster than usual.
Today was the day.
My first date with Adrian.
A soft smile slowly formed on my lips, but I quickly shook my head, trying to calm myself.
“It’s just a normal outing,” I whispered.
But deep down, I knew it wasn’t.
I got out of bed and headed straight to the bathroom. The cool water from my shower helped clear my thoughts a little, but the excitement remained, quietly bubbling inside me.
After dressing up, I stood in front of my mirror, adjusting my purple off-shoulder dress with black polka dots. It hugged my body perfectly, making me feel both confident and nervous. I paired it with my Chanel heels, a matching black bag, and my Cartier watch.
I styled my hair into two neat buns, leaving the rest to fall freely down my shoulders. After applying light makeup, I paused and looked at my reflection.
“You look good,” I said softly, smiling.
Satisfied, I picked up my bag and headed downstairs.
Everyone was already at the dining table except Marshall.
That alone made me pause.
Marshall never missed breakfast.
Instead of asking questions I knew wouldn’t be answered, I quietly stood up and walked toward his room.
Knock. Knock.
“Who is there?” his sleepy voice came from inside.
“It’s me, teddy bear.”
“Come in.”
I opened the door and found him just coming out of the bathroom, his hair still slightly wet.
“I was worried,” I said. “You’re not at the table.”
“I’m fine,” he replied. “I’ll be down in five minutes.”
I nodded and returned downstairs.
A few minutes later, he joined us, and we all ate quietly. For once, no one brought up anything annoying. It felt… peaceful.
After breakfast, I went back upstairs to get my travel bag. Marshall followed me and helped arrange a few things.
He seemed unusually quiet.
Like something was bothering him.
Just then, my phone rang.
I glanced at it.
Adrian.
Without thinking, I picked up.
Marshall noticed immediately. Normally, I would ignore calls when I was with him.
“Give me a minute,” I said gently.
He nodded.
“Good morning,” Adrian’s voice came through, deep and smooth.
“Good morning,” I replied, unable to hide the smile on my face.
“How was your night?”
“It was great. And yours?”
“Also great,” he said. “I’m currently in front of your gate.”
My heart skipped.
“Oh… okay. I’ll be there in five minutes.”
“Take your time,” he said softly.
I ended the call and turned back to Marshall.
“What were you saying earlier?” I asked.
He hesitated.
“It feels like… for the first time, someone is more important than me.”
My expression softened immediately.
“That’s not true,” I said gently. “I just didn’t want to be rude.”
He didn’t argue.
Instead, he reached into his pocket and brought out a bracelet.
It was gold, decorated with small sapphires that shimmered beautifully.
He carefully placed it on my wrist.
“I want you to always wear this,” he said seriously. “No matter what happens.”
I looked at the bracelet, then at him.
“I promise,” I said softly. “I’ll never take it off.”
That seemed to ease his mind.
“Let’s go,” I added. “He’s here.”
---
When we stepped outside, Adrian was already waiting.
The moment he saw me, he froze slightly.
And the way he looked at me…
It made my heart skip.
“You look very radiant,” he said, his eyes scanning me without hiding it. “I can’t stop looking at you.”
I smiled shyly. “Thank you. You look good too.”
He walked over and took my bag from Marshall, placing it inside the car.
“Adrian, this is Marshall—my little brother,” I said.
“And Marshall, this is Adrian. My friend.”
“Nice to meet you,” Adrian said politely.
“Nice to officially meet you too,” Marshall replied.
But I knew that tone.
Before Adrian could enter the car, Marshall pulled him aside and hugged him.
I sighed quietly.
I didn’t need to hear it to know—he had just warned him.
“This is what happens when you have an overprotective brother,” I muttered under my breath.
After saying goodbye, I got into the car.
My heart was beating fast, but I kept my composure.
I had my dignity to protect.
---
Our first stop was the zoo.
The moment we entered, my excitement took over completely.
All my composure disappeared.
“Look! The monkeys are fighting!” I said, pointing excitedly.
“They remind me of you,” Adrian said calmly.
I gasped and turned to him. “Excuse me?”
He laughed.
We moved from one section to another—zebras grazing peacefully, lions resting lazily under the sun, tigers pacing with quiet intensity, and gorillas watching us like they understood everything.
I was completely fascinated.
Then we reached the hippopotamus section.
Two hippos were resting quietly in the water, their massive bodies half-submerged.
“They’re actually beautiful,” I said softly. “Look at those two together.”
“Yeah,” Adrian replied. “They’re very beautiful… just like you.”
I slowly turned to him.
“Wait… do I look like a hippo?”
His eyes widened instantly.
“No! That’s not what I meant!”
“Then what did you mean?” I asked, crossing my arms.
“I meant… the color,” he said nervously.
My expression dropped immediately.
“So now my skin color looks like a hippo’s?”
“No! No, that’s not what I meant either!”
“Adrian…”
“I meant the eyes!” he said quickly.
“My eyes pop out like that?” I asked, hitting his arm lightly.
He looked completely defeated.
“You know what… I look like that hippo,” he said, pointing at one nearby.
I stared at him for a second.
Then burst out laughing.
Soon, he joined me.
That moment alone made the day unforgettable.
---
After the zoo, we got back into the car.
“So,” I said excitedly, “where are we going next?”
“An amusement park,” he replied.
“Which one?”
“Wait and see.”
I pouted slightly.
“Please tell me.”
He smiled. “You know it’s cute when you act like a baby.”
I looked away, blushing.
“You’re annoying.”
But secretly, I liked it.
---
A short while later, we arrived.
The moment I stepped out of the car, my eyes widened.
“Wow…”
The park was breathtaking—bright lights, cheerful music, people laughing everywhere. It felt like a dream.
“It just opened today,” Adrian said. “You’re one of the first to experience it.”
We spent hours there.
We ate cotton candy, snacks, and so much ice cream that I lost count of the flavors I tried.
At one point, the cold hit my head so hard that I nearly lost my balance.
“Whoa—”
Before I could fall, Adrian caught me, his hands steady on my waist.
“Careful,” he said softly.
For a moment, we were too close.
My heart skipped.
I quickly stepped back, trying to act normal.
We went on several rides, including the Storminator, which left me screaming and laughing at the same time.
Then we entered the haunted palace.
The moment we stepped inside, fear took over me completely.
I grabbed Adrian’s arm tightly.
“If you leave me here, I will faint,” I whispered.
“I’m not going anywhere,” he replied calmly.
And for some reason…
I believed him.
Later, we got on the rollercoaster.
A man sitting behind us kept screaming loudly throughout the entire ride.
I laughed so hard that tears formed in my eyes.
By the time we got down, my stomach hurt from laughing.
“This is the best day ever,” I said, trying to catch my breath.
“I’m glad you’re enjoying it,” Adrian replied, watching me with a soft smile.
---
As we walked back toward the car, I felt something new.
Not just excitement.
Not just happiness.
But comfort.
A kind of peace I hadn’t felt in a long time.
I turned to him.
“So… what’s next?” I asked, my voice filled with curiosity.
He looked at me and smiled.
“You’ll see.”
And the way he said it…
Made my heart race again.
Because deep down, I knew—
This day wasn’t over yet.
- Writer
