Dear Sweetheart,

A Planned Fate

A buzz sound comes from her phone. Lara picks her phone and it's a text from her mom.

'Please drop by Aunt Linda's shop on your way back'

Lara don't reply the text. She continues focusing on her work. Working as a Finance Executive requires her full concentration and focus. It involves business' main sources, Money.

Actually, Lara's passion is more into arts. She loves to draw. All painting in her house are her drawings. She also won several competitions in school. But reality really hits her hard. Live in a middle class family, she knows how pursuing in arts brings her nowhere. Both her parents in a debt to raise her and her other 2 siblings. They can't afford to pay for her tuition and materials even though her parents never say it.

Thus, Lara pursuing Finance during college, with full scholarship on top of that. Lara tries not to burden her parents with her tuition. She still love to draw but it remain as her hobby.

'Finally, done' Lara says as she tap the 'Enter'. She breaks her knuckles joint and did some stretching after hours facing the desktop.

She looks at her phone again.

'Why mom wants me to go to Aunt Linda's shop?'

Suddenly Lara reminiscene to that particular day. It's being more than a week since their first encounter. Since then, Daniel is no longer in the town. Lara admits that she kind of attract to Daniel. His dimples, his build and his scent. He is the first guy to make her feel this way.

'Will he be there? Gosh, what am I thinking?'

Lara gets back to the reality and packs her things before she leaves.

Lara parks her car in front of The Garden. She can see there are several customers in the shop to buy flowers.

She enters the shop. Lara sees Aunt Linda is busy attending the customers. Aunt Linda notices her and tells her to wait. Lara just nods and let Aunt Linda to finish.

Lara wandering inside the shop. She sees a bouquet of fresh pink peonies. It brings her smile. Peonies always her favourites. Unlike other women, she feels roses are cliches.

'I'll buy it for you' Lara really startle when a voice comes from her back. When she turns around, she losts her balance and almost trips. Luckily, Daniel acts quickly by grabbing her waist and she lands on his chest. Her heart beats fast. Faster than when she runs during sports race.

'This scent...' Lara immediately recognise the scent. It's Daniel's cologne. It's crisp, aromatic and clean. There is hint of mint.

'Are you okay, Lara?' Daniel's voice brings Lara back.

'Yes. Thank you' says Lara as she distances herself from Daniel. Finally she can get a clear view of Daniel. An awkward breezes fills the air.

'Are you here for some flowers?'

'Nope. My mother tolds me stop by. Maybe Aunt Linda wants to give her something'

Still. The awkwardness still there.

'Lara, I... I...' Daniel speaks but he seems hesitated. He plays with his fingers and rubbing his palm.

Lara shocks by Daniel hesitating. At first look, anyone will agree the word 'Confidence' screams out from this man. His persona and aura really speaks loudly.

'Do you want me to finish the sentence or what?'

'I want to take you to a dinner' Daniel's hazel eyes looking straight into Lara's. Lara lets a small laugh. Because Daniel is so cute right now. Daniel can't smile as he buffled with Lara's laughter. Feels like he being dump.

'Sorry. It just your face' Lara still laughing. She feels bad but she can't help it. Daniel's face just like a lost puppy.

Daniel touches his face. If there's something on his face.

'Nothing on your face. I really didn't expect you to be this cute'

'So... Will you have a dinner with me?' Daniel repeats his question.

Lara nods. Daniel smiles, showing his dimples.

'God. Those dimples. I really want to touch it' Lara thought.

'Yes! So it's a date. I will pick you up. This Saturday. 6 pm'. Daniel really can't hide his excitement. He being jumpy.

'A Date? I didnt say it is a date. And do you know where I live?' Lara never told him that, then how he's going to pick her?

Daniel winks. Lara smiles and shakes her head.

----Linda's house----

Knock!Knock!

'Come in' Daniel still thinking what he should wear for tonight.

Linda opened the door and saw a mountain of clothes on the bed. She leaned at the door.

"So, you secure a date?" asked Linda. She knew her nephew falls for Lara.

Two days before, Daniel asked her to get Lara come to the shop. To her surprise, her nephew wanted to bring Lara to dinner.

Daniel smiled and nodded. All thanks to her aunt, he can ask Lara for a date.

He tried several clothes on his body and nothing satisfied him. Maybe because he don't know what kind of style that Lara likes.

"Where do you planned to take her?" asked Linda.

"Capri" A nice restaurant for a classic first date. Daniel imagined a nice candle light dinner, with a soft music.

Linda searching through the bundle and found a white Oxford-cloth button-down shirt, a pair of slim fitting jeans and a navy lightweight jacket.

"Works everytime on woman" Linda winked at her nephew before went out.

----Saturday, 5.30 pm----

Lara looks herself at the mirror. She's donning a sleeveless dress with a denim jacket. It tooks her a while to choose what to wear.

It is her first date in her 25 years living on earth. It's not that she never being asked for a date but she rejected it all. During college, she just want to focus on her studies. Even her colleague, Matt, asked her for a lunch date, but she always give excuses.

'Lara, Daniel is here' Madison calling Lara. Lara finishes her touch up with 2 sprays of perfume.

She down the stairs and sees Daniel chatting or 'integorating' by her dad.

Daniel's eyes screams for help when their eyes meet. Lara smiles.

'Okay dad. We are just friend. Don't need to ask him these questions. And we just out for a dinner' Lara tries to distanced her dad and Daniel.

'Wait hon. Last question. How my daughter looks tonight?' Unexpected question from Mr Becker.

'Dad. You're embarassing me' Lara can't help but feeling timid. She only dress casually.

Daniel sees her. He shows his warm smile.

'I can tell you Mr Becker, no one is more beautiful than her tonight'