Annabelle and Jake arrived at the restaurant, finally going on a date that Jake had been eagerly awaiting for a long time. They were greeted by the warm aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the soft hum of conversation from other patrons. As they perused the menu, discussing their options, Jake's excitement was palpable.
Finally, they placed their orders and waited for their food to arrive. Jake smiled and said, "Finally..." Annabelle exclaimed, "This again?" Jake replied, "You've been saying that ever since we began our journey here... Yeah, because I'm so happy you finally accepted my kind offer, something I've been asking you for."
Annabelle asked, "But why were you so eager?" Jake responded, "Why wouldn't I be? Who wouldn't want to go on a date with you?" Annabelle raised an eyebrow and asked, "Why will they want to go on a date with me?"
Before Jake could respond, he said, "Look, our food's here..." The waiter placed the food on the table, and Annabelle's dish was... As they started eating, Jake stared intently at Annabelle, watching her carefully place each morsel of food into her mouth. His eyes focused on her face and how she ate.
"You're amazing, Annabelle," Jake said. As those words reached Annabelle's ears, she suddenly choked and coughed. Jake quickly stood up from his seat and gently offered her water, patting her shoulder. "Are you okay?" he asked. "Yeah, I'm fine, nothing to worry about," Annabelle replied.
Jake asked again, "Are you sure?" Annabelle reassured him, "Yes, Jake, I'm alright, thanks." Jake returned to his seat and resumed his stare. Annabelle noticed his eyes were on her but pretended not to see him. Deep down, she had butterflies in her belly and became anxious, glancing up each time to see if he was still gazing at her.
When their eyes met, Annabelle immediately looked down at her food and resumed eating. "Aren't you hungry?" she asked. Jake replied, "Why'd you ask?" Annabelle said, "Well, because you haven't touched your food, that's why I'm asking." Jake said, "Suddenly, I don't feel hungry... I just..." Annabelle quickly interrupted, "Okay, that's fine."
Jake inquired, "Annabelle, can I ask you a question?" Annabelle replied, "Yes, go on," stopping her eating. Jake asked, "Have you ever been in love?" Annabelle's eyes widened with surprise, and she asked, "Why did you ask?" Jake responded nonchalantly, "Nothing, just asking, it's just a question..."
"Well, no, I haven't been in love," Annabelle replied. "Why? If I may ask..."
"It's because I haven't found the right guy yet, and well, I'm not ready for love and all its problems. I'm not saying I don't want to love someone; I just don't see the need for it right now. That's why... Have you been in love?" she asked.
"No, not yet," he replied. "Why?" she asked.
"Just as you said, I haven't found the right girl yet, and I just don't feel the need for love right now. But I think all that has changed..." Annabelle's cheeks flushed, and a smile hovered around her face, but she didn't let it come out.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"I've seen the right girl for me. I believe she's the one. Now I suddenly feel the urge to love someone, and I want that girl to be mine forever."
Annabelle cleared her throat. "So this girl, do I know her?"
"I'm not sure you do, but when you meet her, you're going to love her..."
Annabelle's expression changed, and her happy countenance fell. "So, erm... this girl... she's..."
"I love you, Annabelle," Jake said. "I don't know how it happened; it just did. Right from that very first day, I had this feeling that you were the one I was waiting for all my life, and I just had to believe it.."
Annabelle remained speechless, unsure of what to say or feel. Her expression said it all – she was shocked.
"I'm okay if you don't feel the same; I know it's all happening quickly but I am ready to wait for your acceptance I- "
"Jake," Annabelle interrupted. "I love you too; I really, really love you, Jake."
Silence fell between the two as they stared at each other, excitement and happiness etched on their faces. Both of their mouths were wide open, and as they closed, broad smiles rested on their faces. Everyone at the restaurant watched in amazement, with all eyes drawn to their table.
Suddenly, they both stood up and hugged each other tightly. As they stopped hugging, they gazed at each other again, and their lips touched. They hugged again, and the whole restaurant erupted with cheers and applause as they jeered the couple.
A woman in the restaurant said, "Wow, she's so lucky..." She stopped to look at her husband, who was engrossed in his phone, and groaned. "How I wish I met him earlier..." she said, staring at Jake.
Meanwhile, at the office, final preparations were being made for the meeting with the clients the next day. Vicky and his team had come up with something just in time to present to the others. Everything was set, and they all had high hopes for the meeting. The tension grew in the office, and Vicky couldn't help but think about what was bothering Rose.
Recently, she hadn't looked at him or tried to move closer to him. For some reason, he felt she was carrying a huge burden. He didn't want to ask her, lest he annoy Mirabel, but he couldn't bear seeing Rose devastated. Mirabel noticed Vicky's distance from her and was shocked. Vicky hadn't spoken to her or approached her about their date on Saturday.
"Everything's just out of place," Mirabel said in one of her thinking sessions. Was her fear becoming reality? Was Vicky really drifting away from her?
Vicky visited his mother at the hospital. She was set to be discharged the day after tomorrow, but Vicky had insisted that she remain under the doctor's watchful care. He reached the hospital and headed straight to his mother's ward.
"Vicky?" Caroline said upon seeing him. "Yes, Mum, it's me," Vicky replied, rushing to her side and sitting down beside her.
"I had to confirm, since you left me here and didn't even visit me," Caroline said. "I'm sorry, Mum. I wanted to, but I've been busy. Besides, you'll be discharged tomorrow..."
"So..."
"I'm sorry, Mum. How are you doing?" Vicky asked. "I'm fine, son," Caroline replied, adjusting her posture on the bed. "Are you uncomfortable? Let me help you sit..."
"No, son, I'm alright," Caroline said. "Okay."
"Vicky, are you alright? What's wrong?" Caroline asked, noticing Vicky's pale countenance. "No, Mum, I'm alright," Vicky replied.
"If you lie, I'll spank you real hard now," Caroline said, raising one of her hands. Vicky smiled and said, "Come on, Mum... I'm not a kid anymore. Why would you spank me?"
"Oh, listen, young man, I'm still your mother, and I'll spank you if I want to. So, you'd better tell me what's wrong with you," Caroline said. "Mum, I'm confused... I don't honestly know what's wrong with me. I don't know the feelings that are within me. Everything seems weird."
"Okay, now I want to sit. Help me up," Caroline said. Vicky stood and helped his mother sit on the hospital bed, moving closer to her.
"What exactly is happening in your life, Vicky? I thought everything was fine. You've cleared your misunderstanding with Mirabel, so what's causing the confusion?" Caroline asked.
"Mum, everything's not alright, Mum," Vicky replied. "Tell me what happened, Vicky."
"Mum, I and Mirabel are slowly drifting apart, and it's all my fault," Vicky said. "What are you saying... drifting apart?"
"Yes, Mum. I don't know what's wrong with me, Mum. I don't just know," Vicky said, struggling to find the words.
"Vicky, you're really confusing me. Tell me what exactly is making you two drift apart," Caroline asked.
"It's Rose, Mum," Vicky said, pausing. "Rose? Which Rose?" Caroline asked.
Vicky hesitated, "No, I shouldn't be saying all of this to Mum. She's still unwell." He thought, but Caroline pressed on, "Vicky, which Rose?"
"No, Mum, it's nothing. Just a minor thing, that's all. I forgot to buy Mirabel a rose, and she got annoyed. That's all that happened. Nothing too serious," Vicky said, trying to downplay the situation.
"What?" Caroline asked, her tone skeptical.
"Yes, Mum. It's my fault. Don't stress," Vicky said. "Are you sure that's all that happened, or are you lying to me?"
"I can't lie to you, Mum. I really don't want to get spanked," Vicky said, trying to lighten the mood. Caroline smiled and said, "Alright then, if you say so."
"I'll go and see the doctor. I'll be right back," Vicky said, standing up. "Okay, son," Caroline replied.
As Vicky left the ward, he thought to himself, "I have to solve this issue myself. I have to find out what exactly is hidden in my heart..."