Fifteen minutes later, I arrived at the office. People were looking at me and whispering as I pass by. What's going on? Did I get into trouble for coming in late? Is Dad-
I stopped as I looked at my desk. I saw a bouquet of flowers sitting on top of my desk.
What a shocking surprise! I have never received any flowers from anyone before. I am pretty sure it was not from my friends or from any of those Chinese suitors that my dad introduced me to. No boring Chinese guy would ever dare to send me flowers in my office and I think I knew exactly who it came from.
I nervously approached my desk and sat down. I took the small card that comes with it and read it.
Hope you like them. I picked them just for you. Later, T.
My heart raced inside my chest as I blew out a shaky breath. This is truly the sweetest thing I have ever received in my entire life!
My phone beeped inside my bag and I took it out.
Tristan: did u lyk d flowers? Meet me later at the lobby 4 a lunch date. Can't wait 2 see u.
Oh my heart!
Tristan just made my day. I immediately put the flowers under my desk as I saw my dad coming with his associates. Everyone scattered around and went back to their cubicles as he passed by. He glanced at me and continued to walk to his room.
I heaved a sigh of relief as I took one flower from the bouquet. I smelled it and smiled. It was really sweet of Tristan to send me these flowers. Now I can't wait for noon to come. I wonder what more surprises are in store for me.
Three hours later, I was standing in the lobby waiting for him. I am getting nervous by the minute thinking that my dad will walk in and ask me what is going on. I was walking back and forth, hands pressed together, and heart racing. I can hear my heels slightly tapping on the floor and I jumped as the elevator opened. There he was, wearing a striped blue long sleeved shirt and jeans. I sighed, watching him walk towards me. I felt like everything went in slow motion as we locked eyes. His kissable lips curved into a smile.
"Sorry. Have you been waiting long?" he asked.
"N-No. Probably about five to ten minutes. Where are we going?"
"You'll see," he said and laid out his hand to me. I placed my hand on it as blood rose to my cheeks. His hand is warm and big compared to my tiny ones.
"Are you hungry now?"
"N-Not really, why?"
He smiled as his eyes held a mystery. What is he planning to do?
He took my hand as he led me towards the express lane going up to the Empire State Observatory. The Observatory is the main attraction of the building. It was situated on the 86th floor and people, mostly tourists, went there to get a glimpse of the city from above.
The last time I visited here was when my grandmother was still alive. We went here twice when I was ten and ever since then, I never came back.
People started coming out from the elevator as we reached the floor and I was about to come out when he pulled my hand back in.
"Aren't we going here?" I asked.
"No," he replied simply.
I was confused. I thought the most amazing view would be on that floor. But then I remembered how crowded it would be and probably Tristan wanted more privacy. I smiled. I knew where he will take me and I am happy because I have never been on that floor before.
"This is where we should go," he said as the elevator stopped on the 102nd floor of the building. There were only a couple of us on that floor and usually people pay a fair amount to go up there. But since we were employees in the building, perhaps they gave him a discount.
We stepped out of the elevator. I looked around the enclosed windows that look like you are inside a dome with all its glass green frames leaning in towards us. I took my hand off his as I walked over and looked down from the windows. The buildings looked tiny, as they towered at each other. The whole city looked more like lego bricks that you wanted to hold them in your palms.
"This looks amazing, Tristan. I can see the whole Manhattan here much better than on the floor where the observatory was," I said in amazement.
"I'm glad you loved it," Tristan said. "I was kind of second guessing myself if you would even take my offer on a date."
I turned to him and smiled.
"Thank you for this, Tristan. You just didn't know how much it meant to me. The last time I have been here was a few years ago... and nobody took me here again after my grandmother passed away. I'm glad you did."
He smiled and took my hand. He kissed it as his blue eyes continued to gaze at me and I felt like drowning as my heart pounded so loudly inside my chest.
"I like you, Jane. I really do. I had been for a long time since you started in the company. I was afraid to ask you out since you're the boss' daughter but then, as time goes by, I'm getting jealous each time you are being matched up with someone else."
My eyebrows raised in surprise and he laughed.
"Mabel told me everything since day one. But that's not important. I wanted to know if you will give me a chance. I know it's quite risky. I know you don't want to defy your parents and I'm not asking you to. But if you will give me a chance, I will prove to them that I am more worthy to have you than any other guy they matched you with."
I didn't know what to say as he captured my heart with those words. I like him, too, and I'm hoping this won't be the last time we go out. I wanted to have more like this. I have never felt anything like this before and I knew if I didn't give him a chance, I would forever regret it.
Though my mind is doubting, for the first time, setting aside the what-ifs and buts, I finally said-
"Yes, Tristan. I am giving you a chance."
"Thank you. I promise you this. You will never regret it," he said.
I smiled as my heart rests, looking forward for more days spent like this.