That day, Cristan was in a jolly. His good mood radiates. Arissa even can hear "Can't stop falling in love with you" from his non-stop whistling since this morning. She frowned deeply in confusion when she heard the neverending continuous song from his whistle lips. This man… always full of surprises…
She thought of herself. She is always amazed at what if he's capable of. Or most of the time…
His unpredictable bipolar mood. Ok, he's not bipolar. But, his swinging mood often makes her headache.
But her shooting schedule is pretty hectic that morning, Arissa isn't bothered with his weirdo attitude. Thankfully, because Cristan was in such a good mood that day, Arissa doesn't need to prepare her breakfast as well. Like a miracle, with a huge grin on his face, Cristan, amazingly, had prepared 2 plates of pancakes for them both.
Arissa's eyes quickly blinked in disbelief when she saw that her breakfast had been presented beautifully on the dining table while Cristan who looked neat and fragrant and seemed well-prepared, he has been sitting nicely across the table like a cute puppy waiting to be stroked gently by his master. Arissa chuckled awkwardly and sworn inwardly that she even saw the sight of a dog's tail wagging merrily behind his body now.
"Errrr… Did you make this? For me and…. you? For us?" Arissa asked him doubtfully and sitting across the table while she staring at the pancakes in front of her suspiciously.
"Yes…" Cristan confirmed her rhetorical question shortly.
"These are ….for us ..." Cristan scoffed and snorted exasperatedly. Feeling a bit annoyed by her unfair prejudice of his practical skill in the kitchen this morning. Then, he handed over a spoon and fork to Arissa.
"Come on, give it a try! Whenever I make pancakes, Big Grandpa usually loves it. He can eat more or ten pieces all together at once… " Cristan persuaded her and praising his homemade pancakes by himself.
"Whoaa…. Really ?? " Arissa giggled amusedly and narrowed her eyes. Pretending to not believe his narcissistic compliment. But then, she finally decides to give it a try and spooned it. Super pancakes made by Cristan. In one bite, Arissa's eyes grew wide!!
"This is….."
"YUMMY !! Seriously! THIS IS SO YUMMY !! " said Arissa in awe. She never thought that a lazy bug-like Cristan can make pancakes like this!!
And they taste heavenly good!
Shortly, the two of them finished their breakfast. Arissa, shamelessly, added even a few more pancakes, she can't help herself. They were so delicious!!
"Umm….thank you?" Arissa addressed her gratitude shyly with a beaming face as they were about to get into the car and heading to Fashion Blast's main office.
"You're welcome"
"But it would be nicer if I could get more compensation ..." Cristan teased her shamelessly once they are inside the car.
"Oh? Really? I didn't know that you're so tricky, Mr. Levy. But, since your pancakes are incredibly good, I can grant a wish of yours…" Arissa replied him with a mocking tone.
"So..what is it ??" She asked him amusedly when Cristan turned on the engine.
Cristan stared at her mischievously and then pointed both of his cheeks with his left hand with a duck face expression. .
Arissa spontaneously grumbled and tapped her forehead in frustration. Feeling annoyed at his stupid doing and suddenly, punched him on his shoulder. Cristan laughed lightly and in the next minute, rushed their car to the street.
...............
Fashion Blast's office, Emerald Tower
Arissa has turned herself as "Snow" when Vika and Jojo had chosen some clothes that will be worn by her for her next photoshoot that day. The theme is Breeze, so the tone that she has to wear was a combination of tropical nuances that enrich light tones like yellows, oranges, etc.
While Arissa was doing a photoshoot, Cristan, who feel bored then walking around the office and just about heading to the café to buy a latte for him and Arissa when his eyes caught a man who seems so familiar. The man was well-built with a round face and beaming eyes that made him younger than his real age and so friendly. Next, he also carries lavenders that are neatly arranged in a nice bouquet while his other hand carrying a purple box as well.
Cristan's eyes immediately widened and blinked several times in disbelief when he suddenly recognized who he is!
It's George!
George Santana!
The owner of the lavender field on Lavender Hill.
Shit! Damnit!! Why is he here? What is he going to do?
A presumptious crept onto his spine. Like a lion, he smells a rivalry.
Judging from his adoration look and gesture yesterday, he seems to have taken a liking to his woman as well.
His brain suddenly thought hard to get rid of "this opponent" as soon as possible. Immediately, a light bulb flashed inside his head.
..................... ..
George was asking about the studio room and what floor Arissa was on today with the security guards when suddenly someone tapped him gently on his shoulder from behind. Surprised, George turned his head away and a broad smile beamed on George's face immediately.
"Cristannnn ..." George called his name and hugged him tightly in a bone-crushing hug while Cristan also welcomed George's hug with a "friendly" expression and mischievous smile.
"Hi, George!" Cristan addressing his name and faking his smile.
" It's very much unusual to see you here. Who are you looking for? " Cristan asked him politely (trying) to be as friendly as possible.
"Ah, yes. Cristan, do you know on which floor that Arissa is working today? This building is huge. I could spend all day looking for him. " George complained with a sulky face.
"Oh, Arissa…" Cristan whistled lightly while he said her name.
"Looks like she's pretty much busy today, George." Cristan replied him with an I'm-so-sorry-that-you-can't-meet-her-today face and hoping if that sentence would send this man to go home as soon as possible from his sight.
"But .. but, Jojo said that Arissa will be free this afternoon. Only in the morning, her schedule was rather busy. It's daytime now and I want to pick her up for lunch and give her this bouquet and perfume. These are gifts from my mother ... " George replied. Insisted and half-pleading. Unwilling to go home before he aimed his goal.
Inwardly, Cristan groaned and ranting at himself. He would never expect that facing his rival with his stubbornness will be this frustrating.
"Well .. if that was the case, but unfortunately, this morning, we had just got a reschedule from CEO so I'm afraid you can't visit her today .." Cristan explained once again with a sorry look. Trying his best at pretending of being sincere in front of George while his heart repeating this word over and over again.
Off you go, bastard!! Go! Go!! GOOOOO!!!
Amazingly, it works!!
"Okay then…" George let out a long deep sigh resignedly with a sinking heart. He was way over his head to meet up with his dream lady today but unfortunately, the fortune wasn't with him that day. But, there is still tomorrow and he would come back for sure.
Then, Cristan that still wearing his fake smile, is leading George slowly toward the exit.
"For the flowers and perfume, you can give them to me and I'll give them to Arissa…"
Cristan snatched those two from George's hand with a friendly expression and George's face immediately beamed with joy when he heard the words from his lips.
"Alright…. Bye, Cristan. Thank you so much ... "
George waving his goodbye and Cristan replied to him with a nod until his figure was out of sight. Then, soon after, his face turned sulky and gloomy. In the next second, he throws those items to a janitor girl nearby.
"This… for you…"
The janitor jolted up happily while in other hands, Cristan's face darkened with anger.
Do you want to get close with Arissa?
Tch! Over my dead body first!
Cristan went straight back to the 8th floor where Arissa still doing her photo shoot.
Inside the elevator, Cristan looked at his watch. It's 12.30 PM. Arissa should have finished.
.................................
Arissa had just finished her photoshoot and getting ready to walk into her dressing room when Cristan arrived. She was escorted by Vika when she finally returned to her usual self after several hours she disguised as "Snow".
After she finished changing her clothes, Cristan and Arissa went into the elevator and straight headed to the basement parking lot. Arissa has planned something and will bring Cristan to her favorite restaurant when suddenly Cristan blurted out.
"I have booked a reservation on my behalf in a fine dining restaurant. Let's go ... "
Arissa was utterly dumbfounded by what he just said and raised her eyebrows in confusion, "Oh? Where is it?"
"I will tell you later ..."
After saying these words, Cristan motioned her to enter the car and he drove it immediately.
.............. ..............
Heaven's Palace Restaurant
Arissa was gasped in awe as she entered this majestic place. The oriental decoration screamed out graceful luxury in every detail. Arissa was utterly speechless while her eyes roaming and admiring the wonderful mini world created in such a crafty interior. It feels like she has just been brought into another dimension. There is a mini garden with bamboo trees and it harmonized with a man-made fountain as the center of this restaurant. Moreover, every table and chair was arranged neatly so each guest can enjoy the backyard garden view or have a nice chat while they eat happily. This place surely provides good privacy to each customer who always comes to visit and enjoy a meal without being bothered by other visitors who come and go. It's peaceful, tranquil, and indeed, cozy. The atmosphere is so calm and comfortable. Even though she was in the restaurant, Arissa felt like she was in her backyard.
"Do you like it?" Cristan asked her worriedly. He was hoping that he has made the right choice for his first time dating Arissa. So, he would like to make sure that he's on the right path already and he doesn't want to screw it up.
He has never invited a girl to this restaurant before and this is the first time that the girl he brought was Arissa. Someone who had full control of his heart by now. So he wants to make sure that his choice for their first date would be memorable for her. For him. For them both.
Arissa nodded with a smile. "I like the interior. It is great .."
Cristan cleared his throat and smiled proudly. "Ah, it's nothing. Let's go to our seat…"
Inwardly, Cristan jumping happily because he felt he had found the right dining place for both of them. Shortly, a waiter came over and greeted them. She also directed them both to the reserved area.
Cristan and Arissa sat nicely and take a look at the menu in their hand. Seeing the list of food prices that are written in the book, Arissa's eyes almost popped out from their sockets.
OMG !!! IT'S SO EXPENSIVE!!
The money that she was carrying in her wallet was probably enough to buy an appetizer just for herself. Looking at her surprised expression, Cristan's lip curved upward spontaneously. He enjoys this side of his girl. Her innocence and playful emotion. What she felt and heard, she would react at it immediately with a genuine act sincerely.
She always telling him the truth and never faking it even once.
As if he understood Arissa's concern, Cristan gave a sign that today's lunch would be on his. So she doesn't have to worry much about the pricey list. Soon, they both ordered their lunch and when their orders were served on the table, Cristan and Arissa enjoyed it exhilaratingly.
"How does the food? Do you like it?" asked Cristan again.
Arissa just nodded lightly as she said softly with a full mouth, "The food is incredibly delicious ...."
"But it is way too formal here...…"
Heaven's Palace is indeed an upscale restaurant, so the customers who often come here are not mere commoners. The food which served has also come from best of the best supply. The guests often use this place to host an important business colleague or client with a fancy interior. Or a regular occasional meeting.
As an introvert, Arissa also enjoys the serenity and her me-time a lot. But for someplace to dine out, she already has her favorite choices and in fact, she had plans to take Cristan there. But beyond her expectation, Cristan turned out to have his own choice and brought her here. So, she has no other choice and only follows his lead.
"Oh ... I'm sorry ... I thought you like quiet places which are not too crowded with people.." Cristan replied wryly. His point of bringing Arissa here actually….
That he could spend some time and chat peacefully with the girl, but it turned out that she thinks differently with what he thought before. Slowly, Arissa shook her head while signaling that it wasn't a big deal for her.
"On Saturday, I have cleared out my schedules so I will be free that day. How if I take a turn and give you a treat? But it might take a whole day for us to hang around and dine out. Is it fine with you, Cristan? "
Cristan suddenly choked and coughed loudly several times.
Did…did he just hear it correctly?
Did…she …just…asking…him..out…
For… a... date? Not only once but twice already???
BOOM!!
Oh my lord….
Did heaven has just opened its door and granted him mercifully with this blessing??
She has been asking him out for the next date already!!
"Oh okay then ..." Cristan replied to her and turned his face away. Trying so hard to hide the blush on his face after he coughed hard and relieve his throat earlier.
While Arissa just smiled and gently tapped his back to make him feel better.
Ah, so cute…
........................