It was the first time in many years that Paul went on a date, finally getting over his first love, he plucked up the courage to ask out a old friend he lost contact with when she left college. Despite being in the comfort of his own home he was extremely nervous, his mind frantically racing between conversation topics and wine choices. 'Why on earth did you invite her for a home cooked dinner? You Idiot! You barely cook for anyone why on earth did you think it was a great idea to cook dinner for her? Is it too late to cancel? Maybe I can just make an excuse like my brother is in hospital...'
Buzz, the very recognisable doorbell sound rang, 'OMFG she's here!.... She's like 15 minutes early!!!!.... Everything is not ready yet!'.... He nervously ran to the answering machine, there in the camera view stood Jade, wearing a thick red winter coat and scarf, looking stunning with the snow falling around her.
"Ummm is this Paul's apartment?" She hesitantly asked.
"Yes Yes sorry! Ill open the door right away!" Paul replied slamming the door release button as quickly as he could.
'This is your time! You can do this! Just be yourself'. Paul quickly checked on the cooking making sure nothing is burning, and returning to the answering machine gazing intensely door camera waiting for her arrival.
'Don't be so nervous, just be you!' Jade thought to herself as she dusted off the snow on her coat with her free hand as she walked up the stairs to the 3rd floor. Arriving at the door she froze a little in hesitation , as she rang the door bell, the door fun open instantaneously startling her. The warmth and smell of cooking wafted out to greet her, oddly making her feel more relaxed.
"Ohhh hey, hope you managed to find my place okay!" Paul smiled trying to assume a pose that didn't look weird.
"Yeah it was pretty easy. Oh and I got you this" Jade smiled holding out a bottle of red wine.
"Ohh that's great, we'll pop it open for dinner, please come in." Paul said holding the door open inviting her in.
"Ohhh wow you have a beautiful place! And what's cooking? It smells delightful!" Jade ask taking off her scarf and coat.
"Ahh its alright, just my little nerd cave." Paul answered assisting her with her scarf and coat, and putting it into the coat cupboard. "Come take a seat." As he led the way to the kitchen counter pulling out a chair, I'm just cooking up a beef wellington with garlic and herb roast potatoes and oven roasted vegetables."
"Wow that sounds amazing." Jade replied following Paul, taking the seat he pulled out.
Paul swiftly grabbed the bottle and began uncorking it, "so I don't drink wine often, so you're going to need to help me here." He smiled, grabbing a decanter from the cupboard, "so my friends bought me this ages ago, but I have no idea what it is or what it is meant to do." Paul laughed nervously, hope she didn't think he was a pillock.
"Ohhh that's a decanter, pass it here ill deal with the wine while you cook, so I don't feel useless." Jade joked smiling.
"Ohhh and by the way, what's your opinion on beef?". Paul inquired.
"its not bad just super tough sometimes". Jade answered
"Ohh really? How do u normally have your steaks" Paul questioned further in curiosity.
"normally well done..." Jade hesitantly answered.
"What?! That would explain why it tough, tonight you will have medium well." Pauls smiled
"Ummmm sure" Jade hesitantly agreed.
Jade looked around to further inspect her surroundings, the place looked immaculate, very modern design, mainly coloured in black white and glass, even the furniture followed the design and colour. One side led to a large balcony which overlooked the river Thames. The floor they were on only had one small shelf which housed a few pictures of what seemed to be family members, but only one seemed to have Paul in it. "Your place looks nice Paul." Jade complimented.
"Yeah just a small cosy apartment for myself, I can give you a tour once we finished dinner." Paul replied, as he put on some oven mitts to take out the beef wellingtons to allow them to rest.
"Sounds good!" Jade replied as she poured the wine into the decanter and swirling it around, "Ohh and sorry for arriving early if that spoiled any of your plans." Jade apologised.
"No No its all good, I always enjoy dinner guests." Paul smiled.
"Ohhh really? You invite girls here often do you?" Jade joked secretly a little curious.
Feeling slightly more relaxed now Paul went to his playful jokey self, grabbing two wine glasses from the cupboards, "You'd actually be the first aside from my niece and my aunt to be honest, I only cook for special people." Paul smiled as he turned and looked Jade straight in the eyes pouring out two wine glasses for the both of them. "why do u ask?" he chuckled.
Jade was taken aback from the sudden change in personality. "No reason really, just wanted to know if you was the same awkward nerdy boy back in college who barely talked to me." Jade joked back chuckling swirling her wine glass.
"Yup sadly I'm still that same awkward kid to be honest, you never know i might just run out the door any moment now." Paul joked.
"You shouldn't no one should leave a woman here all by herself." Jade smiled.
Buzz Buzz, the familiar sound of a mobile vibrating on a countertop, "I think your phone is ringing." Jade said.
"Really? That's odd, hardly anyone messages or calls me." As Paul put down the wine glass and turned to pick up his phone, His body froze as Emilia showed up on the caller ID, and her picture could be seen on the screen. 'why on earth is she calling me now? Its been almost 5 years since we last spoke or messaged.....it doesn't matter, she is the past and the ship has sailed', as Paul regained composure and picked up the phone and rejecting the call, Buzzz Buzz as the phone almost instantly received a message, "Hey, Paul I know its been a long time but can we talk?" Emilia's message said. A part of Paul's brain began reading the message in Emilia's voice, making it even harder to ignore.
"Everything okay?" Jade asked politely.
"Ummm yeah sorry, it's just my best mate teasing me and asking how the date is going, what an idiot." Paul replied as he turned the phone to aeroplane mode and putting it down. Paul instantaneously felt a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach, his gut telling him that he needs to reply, but he ignored his feelings following the wish that Emilia asked from him years ago to never contact her ever again.