I'LL SEE YOU AGAIN, CAPTAIN!

HOW SWEET IT IS TO BE LOVED BY YOU

"La Gondola, this is Annika. How may I assist you?" asked Annika, taking the call prior to her lunch shift. Most of her visitors make reservations for lunch or dinner by calling La Gondola. "Annika, it's Bruce. What time did you finish your work tonight?" It was Bruce calling Annika. She was in disbelief at first. She could not believe she was hearing Bruce calling her. She had assumed it was someone else's call for reservation. She was unable to respond right away because she wanted to record Bruce's voice in her head so she could remember how it sounded. He seems to be flirting with Annika by speaking in a bedroom voice and teasing her ear.

"Hey Bruce, how are you? I’m not expecting this call from you." Annika responded. Bruce told Annika, "I want to surprise you; I know you are shy to call me, so I will call you first." Annika then informed him that she had finished her work at 10 o'clock that evening. Would you be available for a late supper tonight? Those are the sweetest words Annika has ever heard from Bruce. She always longs to spend time with him, to get to know him. She knew Bruce had a special feeling for her. She felt it that night when they finally reconnected that evening after a long absence.

She had never felt such intense longing or missing for someone before. "See you tonight at 10?" Annika asked. "Gotcha! See you tonight. I’ll be waiting for you downstairs." It was a very quick conversation Annika had that morning. She continues to do her usual work at La Gondola pre operation before lunch starts and guest arrive. Arranging all the flowers and checking all the number of seats of each reserved table.

Since both lunch and dinner were fully scheduled, Annika worked extremely hard and couldn't wait for the day to be over. However, she works cheerfully that day, much like she's in the clouds. She always has a smile on her face. Annika nodded with an unusual smile on her face when Larry questioned, "What's that smile all about? Do you have a date? " Larry observed how happy she was. She politely asked Larry if she could depart earlier that night and if he could take charge at the reception to say goodbye to everyone who had eaten that night. Larry agreed and told her "You owe me big time!". Larry said after she nodded in agreement.

Annika went out to see if Bruce was waiting for her and went down to see if he was. He was nowhere to be found, so she reasoned, "Perhaps he is just late." She wasn't very pleased with what she was wearing because she wasn't expecting Bruce to invite her to dinner. Then Bruce pulled up in front of her in a black Jaguar sports vehicle with the back window open.

He has a uniformed driver. Bruce calls out to Annika, "Hey Annika, here, come and climb in!" while grinning broadly out the window. Annika enters Bruce's car, and once inside, he gives her another kiss on the cheek and fiercely embraces her. Annika is starting to accept Bruce being a little touchy around her. Bruce then holds her hand and Annika remembers what her mother had once taught her: if a man holds your hand and you feel at ease doing so, it indicates that you like the person.

Annika is feeling it. She likes Bruce so much. She has never experienced being in love before. She is new to all of this — dating and falling in love. They never talk about being together; they just have mutual feelings about how they feel for each other. It seems clear that they are now a couple.

What and where would you want to eat dinner? Bruce enquired. "Maybe we can have late dinner at The Irish Pub, then we can stay for some Irish beer and watch football. I will also introduce you to Jessica, the manager. She is a very nice woman. Annika responds. She gave the driver the address of the pub, and they proceeded to drive there.

Jessica was in the foyer when they got to the bar and was shocked to see Annika with a really attractive white guy. They appeared to be newly in love as they held hands. As they got closer to the pub's entrance, they started whispering. Jessica moved forward to greet them as they arrived.

Annika introduced Bruce to Jessica, "Hi Jessica, this is Bruce my friend, and Bruce, this is Jessica. She is the manager of this pub." Jessica led them to the table and accommodated them with hospitality. The pub is dimmed and the walls look unmade but nice to the eye. There are a lot of paintings hanged on the walls as well, just like in La Gondola. Probably they are selling them too, Annika pondered.

The establishment had a lovely round bar with a wide selection of beers and kegs, a really attractive gold-colored beer dispenser, and a welcoming bartender who grinned warmly at the customers.

Annika has never seen a large screen before; it is located on the wall opposite the bar. That evening, there was a football game. Bruce and Annika are having a terrific time.

With the menu in her hand, Jessica approached Annika and Bruce's table and showed them all the house specialties. Annika requested Shepherd's pie because she had never tried it before but thought it would be wonderful to sample some traditional Irish food. Annika ordered Shepherd’s pie. She hadn’t tasted it before but thought it would be nice to try it. She chooses the one made of lamb, with the smokey taste of Guinness, cheddar, and paprika Jessica says it gives a sweet smokey flavor. Annika trusts Jessica's recommendation on it. Bruce simply orders a steak and a ton of potatoes to go with it. To round out their Irish night in the pub, they also ordered Guinness beers.

Jessica took a break to attend to another tavern patron. Except she does nothing but observe the happy pair as they enjoy their dinner. Annika and Bruce caught Jessica off guard, and she exudes happiness at Annika's happiness. When the two almost finish their main courses, Jessica asks them if they want to have some desserts. No one ordered dessert, but Annika ordered an Irish coffee while Bruce continued to drink his Guinness beer.

After that, Jessica has some free time and asks Annika and Bruce, "So, how did the two of you meet? She seemed curious as to how Annika and Bruce met. Bruce responded playfully to Jessica, "Annika, find me somewhere down the road." They all laughed at the comedy Bruce was displaying. After a wonderful conversation between the three of them, Annika began to feel weary and exhausted.

She made an effort to stay awake, which is why she placed a second order for coffee. She just wants to stay awake for as long as she can. After dinner, they bid goodbye to Jessica. Jessica invited them again to come over sometime and told Bruce that maybe he could bring his friends to the pub when they are free. Bruce smiled back and nodded his head in agreement to Jessica’s invite. Annika appreciated how kind Jessica had been that evening.

Even though it was getting late, Bruce and Annika chose to stroll around. For Annika, the night was still young. Bruce holds her hand and Annika simply cannot contain the joy she is experiencing. His hand feels warm and smooth to her. He had a really firm grip on her hand, and she was savoring every moment of it.

It was almost December, cold and a little windy, yet for Annika it was a lovely night. There are other couples out strolling as well; some of them will likely return home that evening. Some bars are still open, and you can hear the music being played quite loudly. "Did you enjoy the food?" Bruce asked.

Annika grinned and nodded, thinking that she preferred the meal to him. She was very happy that night because of his presence, and she wished the night might go on forever. Annika, shall I take you home right away? You still have to work tomorrow even though it is late. " What Annika heard made her ears want to burst.

She was shouting "No!" in her head. She's not at all ready for that evening to finish. Bruce is correct, though, in that she must still get up early the following morning to go to work. Bruce escorted the group back to his automobile, where his driver unlocked the door for Annika. Bruce was so kind as to help Annika board the vehicle. He then entered the vehicle through the opposite side door.

They arrived at Annika's house, and while they were inside the car, Bruce squeezed her right hand and pulled her close to him, whispering in her ear, "I like you very much." Bruce murmured something to Annika, but she was too embarrassed to react. Instead, she just smiled and looked into his eyes. Annika was more worried about whether the driver was watching them or listening to them.

Although there was pleasant music playing inside the vehicle, Annika reasoned that perhaps the driver couldn't hear what Bruce was saying. Annika simply isn't used to having someone hold her like that. She has never had a partner and has never been kissed by a guy in her life. Suddenly, she felt self-conscious because she wondered whether her mother would approve of Bruce if she met him. Her creativity becomes fun and creative.

When they arrived at Annika's house, Bruce grabbed her tightly and said, "Let's do it again, okay? "You have a wonderful night," he said, kissing her on the cheeks. Annika answered, "Yeah, fine, why not?" and exited Bruce's vehicle.

Annika, on the other hand, questioned why she couldn't respond to him more succinctly, such as by saying, "I would love to," as she constantly found herself at a loss for words in front of Bruce. She is a young woman with a large number of obligations to her family. She cannot simply go out and date and possibly ignore her career. She simply cannot stand it.

Annika is excited and worried as she makes her way to her house, but for some reason she can't seem to put her anxieties aside. Annika, however, had a really wonderful night. She believed that she could only conceive it or dream of it, and that it could only happen in her nightmares. She closes her fist while examining her hand and tries to feel the warmth of Bruce's hand. She then placed her hand on her heart, expressing how much she appreciated being held by Bruce. A dream come true, truly.

Even if light didn't arrive for another few hours, it was already two in the morning. She walked quickly to her house, where her dogs, Chowder, a Chow Chow breed, Rosie, a native dog, and Sushi, a Shi Tzu breed, welcomed her. Dogs make Annika very happy since she adores them so much and they are always ready for her. She then peeks into her mother's bedroom and notices that she appears to be fast asleep.

Annika can't help but smile constantly that night as she goes to bed. She was ecstatic and in awe of Bruce's kindness toward her. Annika had a wonderfully magical night; she felt like Cinderella that night because she was with her prince. She couldn't stop replaying every second she spent with Bruce. She took a deep breath and pinched herself to make sure she wasn't dreaming, but, in fact, she was awake and the events were happening. She had never had a night quite like it. As she tried to fall asleep, Bruce's smile kept appearing in her thoughts, and she kept calling him by name. She hopes Bruce remains. Hope is all she has.