"They were killed in cold blood."
After this revelation of Norman's past, the whole atmosphere turned tense. I know that the death of his parents was a touchy subject for him so I didn't push him to tell me more and make the situation even more awkward. If there is a future for us then he will eventually tell me and even if he doesn't tell me, it won't matter because it's in the past anyway.
After dinner, Norman dropped me home and we parted our ways with a nerve-wracking, earth-shaking, toe-curling kiss. He said that he had a great time and he wants to do this again while cupping my cheeks with both of his palms and staring deep into my eyes, he pecked my forehead and then my lips. He finally dropped me at my apartment before walking back into his own.
I was jumpy and giddy the whole night and Ryan and Mia made me sit for hours and describe in detail every single aspect of the date.
The whole week after the date I was jumpy and giddy. Norman and I were texting each other non-stop. I woke up every morning to a good morning text from him and go to sleep with a good night and sweet dreams text.
Norman has yet to ask me for a second date but I can wait.
"Melissa, can you lend me the notes from yesterday's economics lecture?" Ken asked me as we exited the lecture hall.
"Sure," I said as I rummaged through my notes to find the correct one and handed it over to him.
"What's your next class?" I asked him.
"This was my last class of today. What about you?"
"This was my last class too," I said.
"So...you wanna like, grab lunch with me?" He asked me while scratching the back of his neck.
I don't know why but this simple gesture of his made him look so adorable, totally different from his regular rugged bad boy persona.
"I would have gone with you, but you see Norman is picking me up for lunch today. Next time maybe," I said to him.
I felt really bad for refusing him but I have already made plans with Norman and he has pushed aside his important meetings to take me for lunch today and I don't wanna hamper his schedule by canceling ours plans at the last minute.
"Norman who?" Ken asked me.
"Norman Blackford," I said casually.
At the mention of his name all the signs of playfulness on his face suddenly vanished and was immediately replaced with a deep frown.
"What happened Ken? Is everything okay?" I asked as I noticed the sudden change in his mood.
"Nothing Melissa. You go enjoy the date," he said while smiling at me but it was crystal clear that it was a forced one. Before I can even correct him he spun on his heels and walked away in the opposite direction.
Geez, what crawled up his ass and died today.
Before I can process the situation, a shiny black Merc stopped right in front of me. The door of the driver's side opened walked out Norman Blackford.
I have always thought that Norman looked amazing in a suit but after seeing him today in casual attire I am forced to change my opinion. He looks like a gorgeous male model fresh out of the cover of a fashion magazine.
What? Women can complement their partners.
"Hello love," he greeted me as he approached with a smile laced on his face. He took me in his arms and hugged me tightly before releasing me and pecking my forehead.
Did you guys hear something beating loudly? That's my heart beating rapidly in my chest.
"Ready to go?" He asked me as he opened the door for me to get in.
Before I can even respond, my stomach gave out a loud grumble – answering his question for me – making me turn red in embarrassment.
"I would take that as a yes then," he said while buckling my seat belt – chuckling lowly. He got in after me and started driving.
"Where do you wanna eat?" He asked me as held the steering wheel in one hand and my hand on the other.
"Anywhere is fine?" I said as he nodded his head.
I looked out of the window as silence surrounded us – the radio playing softly in the background. The silence was not an awkward one – rather it was a peaceful one – that doesn't need to be broken with small talks.
"You seemed pretty off when I came to fetch you. Is everything alright?" Norman asked – finally breaking the silence that surrounded us.
"Nothing. It's just Ken....his behavior was quite weird today," I started.
At the mention of his name – suddenly Norman's whole attention was on me.
"Ken Stuart?" He asked and I nodded my head.
"I saw his grip tightening on the steering wheel till the point his knuckles turned white – and his stance defensive.
"What did he do?" He asked me – trying to sound casual – but failing terribly.
"He asked me out for lunch but I refused," I said and he simply nodded his head and turned his attention back on the road – silence engulfing us once again.
After driving for a few more minutes he finally stopped in front of what appeared to be an Indian restaurant. He got out and opened the door for me.
"I hope you like Indian food," he said.
"I have heard about it but never got the opportunity to try it," I said as we walked inside the restaurant after handing the keys to the valet.
"Table for two," he said to the attendant who was dressed in traditional Indian attire which was so vibrant and attractive.
"This way sir," he responded – a slight accent in his voice. He made us sit in the middle of the restaurant and handed us two menus. The restaurant was scarcely full – giving us enough privacy even if we were sitting in the middle of the room.
"A waiter will be here soon here to take your orders," he said and left us alone.
I looked at the dishes on the menu and all of them were alien to me. I tried to decode them but failed terribly in the ordeal. I finally rested the menu on the table and let out a defeated sigh whereas Norman on the other hand – was ready to order.
"Decided what to order?" He asked me and I just nodded my head no and laid down my head on the table.
"Do you want me to order for both of us?" I heard his warm voice asking me.
"Yes please," I requested.
"What would you like?"
"Surprise me."
He gave me a lopsided grin and called for the waiter. He ordered two large glasses of Lassi, two plates of Chicken Biryani with gravy and raita on the side.
"You're going to love the food," he said excitedly and I giggled at this.
"This is honestly the best meal I have ever had in my almost 18 years of existence," I said while patting my belly lightly.
"I know right. This place serves the best Indian food in the whole city," he said as he called for the waiter to bring the bill.
"I am going to pay Norman," I said as I tried to grab the bill from him.
"No – no. I brought you here so it will only make sense if I pay the bill," he tried to reason but I am taking none of it.
"Nah – Nah, not going to work. You paid last time, now it's my turn now," I said.
"Tsk – task honey, let me pay this time, I promise that I will let you pay the next time we go out," he said while giving me adorable puppy dog eyes and I just couldn't refuse.
"Yeah – yeah whatever," I said while pouting which caused him to pinch my cheek lightly before pecking it.
"What are going to do now?" I asked him as the car came to a stop in front of the Blackford towers.
"Need to go back to the office – have a meeting with some important shareholders," he said letting out a tired sigh.
My poor Norman.
"Goodbye," I said as I pecked his cheek lightly.
"Lissa I want to take you out on another date," he said as he took my right hand and rubbed circles on the back of my palm with his thumb.
"I would love to," I said smiling and leaned over and exchanged a brief kiss.
I hummed to myself as I waited for the elevator to arrive.
"Melissa," I heard someone call for me. I turned around and saw Ken making his way towards me. The elevator arrived and we both stepped in. I pressed the floor for my button and Ken did the same. An awkward silence surrounded us as we waited to reach our floor.
"So....how was your lunch date with the mighty Norman Blackford?" He asked me.
"It was good, I tried Indian food for the first time and totally fell in love with it," I gushed out excitedly.
"Good to hear," he said in a flat tone – sarcasm quite evident in it.
The elevator finally came to a stop on Ken's floor and he stepped out but instead of walking away he turned around and faced me – staring deep into my eyes.
"If I were in your place – I would be more careful around Norman Blackford – some people are not actually what they seem to be," he said, and just after that doors closed – blocking him from my view – leaving me alone with a new set of perplexing thoughts.
What the hell did he mean by this?