"Be my girlfriend for 30 days." He glanced over at me with a smirk. "During that time we will get to know each other better. Then we can finish this conversation afterwards."
He graciously waited for my response as I took a moment to consider his request. I quickly realized there was no harm in agreeing to it. It was only 30 days.
"Sure, I don't see why not," I agreed before I added, "but what will it look like?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, 30 days really isn't a lot of time so how often will we meet up and such?"
Kishan thought for a moment. "We should see each other at least twice a week. Then, if all goes well, you can meet the kids in a couple weeks."
"Mmm," I nodded my agreement. Though I was the one to ask, it still felt strange to be planning as specifically as we were. I am not a fan of planning things out to much. Though I know practically sometimes it is necessary, I prefer to live my life with a very 'just go with the flow' kind of attitude.
However, I also like clarity. Especially in a romantic relationship. Ambiguity is something I have an exceptionally low tolerance for, especially when it comes to men. It was why I had been single for so long.
Those who flirt without intention, or have obvious interest but lack the courage to just say it, annoy me to no end. Kishan was the first man to be so direct yet casual about his interest. I had honestly started to wonder if such men still existed.
Because of this he had unknowingly passed my first test. I wondered how many he would be able to pass in just 30 days.
"Anyways," Kishan began to change the subject after the lull in our conversation. "Earlier you where going to tell me why you like 'Edwards Ace'." He prompted me by referring to the latest supernatural detective series I had said were my favorite modern novels. It was the conversation the drunk man had cut off.
"Right," I said happy to be talking about books again. "I like how the author has thought out each case out well enough for each novel to stand on its own, but maintains the congruity of the main characters lives slowly playing out throughout the whole series.
"I can't wait for Lizzie to finally notice that she is falling in love with Edwards Ace. But the fact that she's a little dense is endearing. Since the main focus is the mystery and the underlying story is what it is, a slow romantic element fits well. Still, I hope she figures it out soon."
After my little speech I looked over at Kishan for his response. He had an odd look on his face.
"What?" I asked.
"Um, I've never noticed a romantic element to the story at all. Aren't they more like family?" he said awkwardly.
"Seriously? How can you not see it? Lizzie is completely starting to unconsciously fall for Edwards Ace's big brother act. With her personality and gifts no one has bothered to take care of her before. Girls are weak to things like that. Especially when they're not used to it."
"Is that so?" he was not convinced.
"Yes it is. Go back and read through them again if you have time. You'll see what I'm talking about."
"Hmm, maybe I should," he pondered quietly.
"You should," I stated simply causing him to chuckle. I liked how easily he laughed.
"I will then," he promised with a smile.
_______
9 pm. In front of my apartment.
Kishan had walked me to my door like a gentleman, and it made me feel awkward. If you ask me why I could not give a reason, but it did.
"I had a good time tonight," Kishan said as we reached my door. "For the most part," he added as an afterthought. I knew he was thinking about the drunk man.
"Oh," I said as I realized something. "Thank you for getting in his way. Who knows what he was trying to do."
"Nothing good," he frowned before looking me over again. I blushed when I saw a slight sparkle appear in his eyes. "You really are beautiful though." His open praise deepened my blush. I had blushed more that night than I probably had in the last 6 months combined. "Have you ever taken any self defense classes?"
His question surpised me. "Aaaa, one like forever ago. I don't really remember it though. Why?"
He furrowed his eyebrows slightly. "You should take some then. I can't always be there."
"Um, well, I don't really dress up often anyways."
"So?"
"Aaa, so I don't usually attract that much attention." Usually I tried to be a wallflower.
It was only when working at the restaurant and had to maintain a professional attitude I could not avoid creepers, as I call them. Which was the main reason why as soon as I was out of school I had changed jobs inspite of the pay cut. Apparently, my reasoning was not good enough for Kishan.
"Bailey, are you really unaware how beautiful you are? You weren't dressed up yesterday and I still noticed right away." He asked so casually it was shocking. His face was so serious I could not even awkwardly try to pass it off as a joke.
"Umm..." was all I was able to say as my eyes stared at the floor, my face hot. How was I supposed to answer that?
I heard him sigh slightly before he spoke. "You should go inside, it's late." I looked up to see a gentle smile on his face. "I'll talk to you tomorrow."
I nodded. "Mm, Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
With that I turned the door knob and went inside. I was in a bit of a daze so I did not notice anything strange about the door being unlocked until I had already closed the door behind me.
Wheet Wheeew. The sound of someone whistling loudly snapped me out of it. I looked over at my couch to see 3 young women looking back at me.
One was Ester, another Ariel, and the last was Fia. Yet another unexpected person was hidding behind the door. I was beginning to notice a trend.
Fia is a little taller than me, has perfectly straight light brown hair, big brown eyes, and smooth snow white skin that a baby would be jealous of. Seriously, if a baby knew how to be jealous of skin it would be. It is flawless, and makes her look like she has a permanent glow.
"Man you look great," Fia commented after she whistled, but she quickly changed her attitude. "Why didn't you tell me you had a date! I had no idea until Ester sent me the picture when I was at work."
I sighed. "I didn't tell anyone, not even my mom... Which I'm sure I'll hear about... Anyways! I didn't mean not to tell you but it all happened so quickly I didn't think about it. I'm sorry." Which was all true.
I had left Ariel's late the night before then went shopping first thing in the morning. I am bad at non-face to face communication and usually will not even look at my phone when I am with others. Not that my mom would take that excuse.
As usual, mom must have read my thoughts.
Ding. I looked at my phone to see the three word message followed by a blue heart.
- Call me tomorrow <3
I quickly answered with a thumbs up emoji.
"Anyways, how did it go!" Ester practically bounced as she asked. I kicked off my heels and sat down in the arm chair as Ariel muted the TV they had been watching.
"Really good actually," I said honestly, and so began the interrogation.