Chapter 5
1216 Words
Jane laughed, sharp and mocking. Her gaze moved behind him. “And those flowers?” she asked. “Are they for her too?”
Caught off guard, Nathan quickly moved the flower behind his back, his ears burning.
Jane shook her head. “My sister would never accept something like that,” she said dismissively. “So you might as well get lost.”
She began to close the door.
Nathan’s shoulders slumped, disappointment washing over his face. He turned slowly, preparing to leave, the hope he’d carried all evening slipping away.
“Wait!”
Lisa’s voice rang out urgently.
Jane froze as Lisa rushed forward, slipping past her sister and reaching for the door before it could shut. Her eyes landed on Nathan, and when she saw the pizza box and the flower peeking from behind his back, her expression softened.
“Wait,” she said again, breathless.
And in that moment, Nathan’s heart leapt, hope blooming all over again.
Jane’s eyes widened in disbelief as she looked between them.
“Don’t tell me this pizza boy is your boyfriend,” she scoffed. “I never expected you to be this cheap and dumb, Lisa.”
The words hit hard.
Lisa’s expression changed instantly, anger flashing across her face. “Jane, please just leave,” she said sharply. “Now.”
Jane rolled her eyes. “Whatever. Bye.” With that, she turned and walked away, her footsteps fading down the hall.
The moment the door closed, the tension lifted.
Lisa turned back to Nathan, her expression softening into a gentle smile. “I’m so sorry Nathan,” she said sincerely. “Please don’t mind my sister, she can be very annoying sometimes.”
Nathan smiled, warmth in his eyes. “It’s fine,” he said lightly. “I’m used to it already, at least you’re not like that and that’s a good thing.”
Lisa laughed, and he laughed with her, the sound easing the last of the awkwardness between them.
She accepted the flower from behind his back, her smile deepening as she took the pizza as well. “Thank you,” she said softly. “For both.”
She stepped inside briefly to change, and moments later returned, dressed comfortably, her hair loose and her face glowing with ease. Together, they headed down the street, walking side by side, the night air cool and calm around them.
As they talked and laughed, their steps falling naturally into rhythm, it felt less like a simple walk and more like the beginning of something neither of them wanted to end.
As Nathan and Lisa walked side by side, their conversation drifted easily from work to life, from small frustrations to quiet dreams. Laughter came naturally between them, unforced and warm, and neither noticed the figure standing across the street, half hidden in the shadows.
Natasha.
She watched them closely, her eyes burning with disbelief and rage. She kept herself concealed, stepping back whenever Nathan turned his head, making sure he wouldn’t see her. Her hands clenched into fists as she took in the way Lisa smiled at him, the way Nathan leaned in as he spoke.
“So this is it,” she muttered bitterly. “He chose that low class girl over me.” Her lips curved into a cold smile. “I’m going to deal with her.”
Unaware of the eyes on them, Nathan slowed his steps. His heart was pounding now, louder than the city sounds around them. He cleared his throat, suddenly nervous.
“Lisa,” he said, his voice soft but steady, “would you like to go on a date with me?”
Lisa stopped walking and turned to face him. A smile spread across her face, bright and genuine. “Yes,” she said easily. “Sure. What time?”
Relief and excitement flooded him. “Six p.m tomorrow,” Nathan replied.
“Okay,” she said, nodding, her smile lingering.
They continued walking for a while longer before turning back toward her house. When they reached her door, they paused, neither quite ready to say goodbye.
“Good night, Nathan,” Lisa said warmly.
“Good night,” he replied, watching her until the door closed behind her.
When Lisa got to her room, she smiled and giggled to herself, excitement fluttered in her chest like a thousand tiny wings. Her heart felt light, restless, happy. She could still hear Nathan’s voice in her head, still see the way he had looked at her when he asked her out. The thought alone made her stomach dance with nervous butterflies.
That night, she moved around her room with quiet anticipation, pulling open her closet and scanning her clothes. She wasn’t looking for anything extravagant or flashy. She wanted something simple, something elegant, something that felt like her.
She laid a few options on the bed, holding each one up, imagining the next evening, his smile, their conversation, the soft glow of the streetlights. Finally, she chose an outfit that felt just right, smoothing the fabric with a satisfied smile.
As she hung it carefully where she could see it, Lisa climbed into her bed, her heart still fluttering. Tomorrow felt close and far away all at once, and she drifted to sleep wrapped in excitement, already dreaming of what the date might bring.
Nathan headed home with light steps and a heart full of anticipation. The moment he stepped inside his apartment, the excitement burst free. He laughed to himself, danced around the room, unable to contain his joy. Tomorrow couldn’t come fast enough.
Across the street, Natasha stood alone in the dark, her jealousy simmering into something far more dangerous, while Nathan, blissfully unaware, fell asleep smiling, dreaming of the date to come.
The next morning, Nathan woke up with a smile already on his face. Excitement buzzed through him as he reached for his phone and made a reservation for 6 p.m at a simple, classy restaurant, nothing too grand, just warm and elegant, the kind of place where conversation mattered more than appearances.
He stood in front of his mirror longer than usual, choosing a clean, understated outfit. Nothing flashy, just neat, confident, and comfortable, something that felt true to who he was becoming.
That evening, Nathan finished getting ready, booked a cab, and headed to Lisa’s house. His heart beat faster as the car pulled up outside. When the door opened, Lisa stepped out already dressed and glowing softly, her smile instantly easing his nerves.
“You look nice,” he said, meaning more than just her outfit.
“Thank you,” she replied, smiling back. “You look good too.”
They climbed into the cab, laughter and easy conversation filling the space as they headed toward their destination. The city lights blurred past the windows, and the evening felt full of promise.
What they didn’t notice was the figure watching from a distance.
Natasha stood across the street, hidden just enough to remain unseen. She waited, eyes fixed on them, until their cab moved farther down the road. Only then did she step forward, slipping into her own car and following at a careful distance.
Whatever joy filled Nathan and Lisa’s night, Natasha was determined not to let it last.
- Writer
