Have you ever witnessed the moment, when you feel goosebumps rising all over your body, even when it's hot outside and no wind blowing? Where you imagine yourself right in the middle of a slow romantic music video?
Where every movement is slowed, every flick of the hair, every smile, and every touch, you know that feeling where you imagine just the two of you.
Like you want someone so bad, like not even in a sexual way like you just want to touch their skin and hug them and feel their warmth and smell their scent and feel how soft their hair is and look into their eyes and hear their voice and soak in their presence like its physically impossible to have them by your side but you need it so bad like you want them to be yours you want them physically there for you. I hope you get the image.
That's exactly what my world turns into whenever I let my mind wander around Alex.
Alex Maxfield, my childhood crush, my literal knight in shining armor, my hero. I recall vividly how when I was 7 he used to come to visit our house with his mother, and every time snitch, our neighbor's dog gets hold of my barbie, it was always Alex who would save her, I started looking forward to our meetups, our playdates, I really was in deep from the start.
But let me tell you I am not like this around anyone at all, 99% of the time I'm mature and sensible, I don't even like talking to men except for Alex and Matt.
But unlike around Matt where I speak my mind and eat like a starved man and talk with my mouth full and don't care about how I look, I take a complete 180 around Alex.
I blush extra hard, I stutter at every sentence and I dress extra nicely, never take 2 bites at a time and I actually take time out to chew my food.
Maddening if you ask me.
My nerves get the best of me, and it's not because Alex makes fun of me or is impolite, but because he is a complete gentleman, well-mannered, sophisticated, and extremely pretty.
I can say handsome but that would not be a word to describe him because to me he is pretty, with long lashes, a soft smile, and hair that shines, and a body carved by gods because I haven't seen someone with such a nice body and with the perfect height all I can do is swoon and maybe if I check myself in a mirror right now I would be drooling a little.
"Hey, Kar baby you there?", Matt was waving his hand in front of my eyes to get my attention, we were actually on our way for a work meeting when I came across the business magazines neatly stacked outside a store, what particularly got my attention was Alex's name mentioned on the lower right-hand side of the cover.
He was being interviewed by them.
I was contemplating that whether should I spend 20 bucks on it or not, my inner fangirl was screaming "YES YES" wearing a bright red cheerleading costume but on the other hand, I did not want Matt to find out about this hopeless crush I have on Alex.
He won't stop bothering me otherwise, this was when I entered this Alex fantasy again. "No, I'm imagining myself in a nice dress at a ball", rolling my eyes at him I swat his hand away, interlacing our hands I guide us towards our destination.
"Do you want me to take you to a ball?" he turns his face sideways so I know this is not him being a nice guy, he surely got a trick or two up his sleeve.
"Because then I'd be dancing with a devil, because girl you're hot as hell", with that stupid cheeky grin plastered on his face he sends a wink my way.
"Ewwww, Matt, where is the trashbin I'd like to puke".
"Yeah, whatever"
With that, we entered the building, and then from there, a non-stop working day started.
This was what my life consisted of on a regular basis, sleep, eat, work, work, and some more work and a little banter with Matt, and whenever I get time I like to imagine fake scenarios about Alex and me, preferably at night.
Yes, I know you think I'm a lost cause, you can think that way because you haven't met him yet, but you will soon enough because today I'm going to meet him at his parents.
Raven, his mom has invited a handful of people to announce some news. A handful for them could be a couple of hundred people but who's counting, definitely not me.
You see Raven is the kind of person who is friends with everyone. To her age, weight, height, and bank balance doesn't matter. She would literally meet you at a coffee shop, a traffic signal, in a supermarket at a work event, or at any other place and she would take one look at you, and boom you two will be instant friends.
That's how mom and Raven became friends, they both attended the same high school but were never good friends, classmates? Yes.
Raven was the popular queen bee, who was actually nice and not mean like how girls are portrayed in movies. She was sweet and talkative. She would talk your ear off and won't stop even if your ears start bleeding.
My mom on the other hand was a tomboy. Silent, tall, and a little on the heavier side. You would always find her with her nose stuck in a book, sitting in a quiet corner or a library.
Raven on the other hand avoided the library like a plague. She was not only blessed with good genes but she had a good memory and would mostly pass her classes without having to study that much.
The problem arose when she repeatedly fluked her calculus class. She belonged to a wealthy family. Her father belonged from a political background and her mother owned a renowned fashion house.
Both successful and actively praised personalities wanted their daughter to follow in their footsteps as well. So, passing the class was a must for Raven.
It was then that Raven found my mom and asked for her help. It was my mom's favorite story to tell us, that how she was not a big fan of helping a talkative barbie and how Raven literally begged her.
Although Raven's version of the story was slightly altered, it involved less begging and more persistence on my mom's side who was glad that she finally found a friend.
Whoever's version was right doesn't matter what mattered was the friendship they gained. The love and bonding they have are worth envying them for.
Their tutoring lessons fast changed into a booming friendship. My mom would suggest to Raven the latest book she was reading even though she know she wasn't going to read it.
And Raven would keep my mom updated on the latest fashion trends and who was involved in which scandal. She helped mom grow from a shy introvert to a somewhat social butterfly.
That was how my parents met.
It was love at first sight. Theirs was a love you read in books, the kind you hear in sings and poetry.
Raven took mom to a charity gala of some sort her parents had organized. In a borrowed dress and her white converse, my mom felt like a fish out of water, a sore thumb.
She was aware that she didn't belong there but Raven never left her side. She stayed even after people turned their noses at them. It was at this moment that mom realized what a great treasure she has found in Raven's form.
Mom was aware that Raven's parents didn't approve of their friendship. Therefore, not to cause her any more trouble she quietly exited and was contemplating calling a taxi or walking home when dad offered her a ride.
Cute, isn't it?
He was observing her the moment she entered and had intrigued his interest. An event that they both didn't want to attend turned into something great for both.
The start of their relationship. Destiny has its ways after all.
And I just pray that mine find's me soon enough because I don't think I'm capable of finding it on my own. With that thought on my mind, I exited my office and made my way to my apartment for the meeting I'm both excited and nervous about.
Here, I come Alex.
At exactly 7:30ish I was parking my car outside Raven's house, mom called me an hour or two earlier to inform me that she has arrived and I should hurry if I don't want to miss out on the news.
Overly excited and a complete nervous wreck I exited my car, straightening my pants I make my way towards the entrance. Right now I'm wearing black linen pants with a black lace halter neck blouse paired with my black heels and diamond stud earrings (a graduation gift from my parents).
Simple and sophisticated.
Today, I'll meet Alex after 7 long years. Yes, 7. He went to Yales to pursue his business degree and later moved to NYC to oversee their businesses operating there.
Although we lost contact in between, it was not due to a lack of communication from my side he never really left my subconscious. He just wasn't on any social media platform. And with the things happening in my life I lost contact with a lot of my friends, Alex was among them.
But I still was updated about his whereabouts and his accomplishments through Raven and I never really admitted this to anyone before but I used to stalk his business profile on LinkedIn.
So, you see I was aware that he was going to be back in town for good and he's going to be here. I can't wait to meet him but I'm dreading this meeting at the same time what if he doesn't recognize me? Or what if he is already taken?
I reprimanded myself to not go there. It was not enough that I already was nervous I have to think about what-ifs too. Taking a deep breath I moved forward towards their house.
The Maxfield's residence consisted of a huge mansion with a front-facing lawn, an elegant statue at the entrance from which water flows, magnificent chandeliers throughout the house, a cute gazebo decorated the back lawn, and a fish pond by its side. The house was all glass, which was kinda annoying because you're practically visible to anyone from outside but to each their own I guess.
"There you're" my mom announces loud enough as soon as I enter the hall making sure people notice that I have finally arrived, but the frown etched on her forehead tells a different story, and I get to know the reason too.
"What are you wearing Kara, I specifically told you to wear a dress. This is not acceptable, you need to make an impression". She said in an annoying voice, it was on the tip of my tongue to say look who's talking but I restrained myself. No point in making her more mad at me than she already was.
I could've worn a dress but for that, I need to have at least one decent dress.
The thing with dresses is that they make me uncomfortable, you need to suck in your stomach, shave your full legs, then make them look all shiny and perfect and I can't do that, the shaving I can it's the perfect part I can't do, besides if I ever decide to wear a dress it will be the long flowy ones, the summer kind and I'm sure I can't wear one here.
"Sweety, I'll wear one to our Sunday brunch how about that, besides you know I look more pretty in pants than I could ever in a dress," I say while caressing her cheeks. That lessened her frown somehow that has permanently taken residence on her forehead.
"Oh Kara", and she sighs and giggles at the same time."You are just so much like me that I can't even stay mad."
"Then don't be mad," I say while interlacing our hands and guiding her towards the huge ass windows overlooking the back garden. It was just a coincidence that it was near a refreshments table. How convenient.
"Where is Raven, by the way, I haven't seen her flocking by your side?" I said as a grabbed a piece of chocolate on my way. At that, I received a mock slap on my arm.
"She is overlooking her guests. You see I'm not the only one invited," she smirked and folded her arms as she lent against the window. And she kept on smirking which was odd.
"Why are there so many guests invited anyway? Is this a welcome party for Alex?" I said and waved at my dad who just came and kissed my mom, eww. And then proceeded to hug me. "You look, beautiful sweetie." He then kisses my forehead and smiles, the kinda smile that makes your eyes shine and makes your heart full.
I love my dad.
My dad is a tall, lean, and handsome man. With dark thick hair, dark brows, and hazel brown eyes, he is a dream man of many out there. My mom included because apparently, the time they spent at home together is not enough they have to have another round of PDA.
Is this what being in love is like?
"Kara bear, where have you been I haven't seen you in like so long," he pouted and draped an arm on my shoulder and the other around my mom's.
Rolling my eyes I smiled like the little girl I always become around him, even though I'm 5'9". "Dad you saw my last Sunday. Like 4 days ago." I say showing him my 4 fingers.
"4 days it's 3 days less a week. You on for this Sunday though? We're having a small get-together, barbeque, and my famous lasagne with lots and lots of ice cream," he doesn't need to bribe me with ice cream or lasagne, I'll be there no matter what.
Kissing him on the cheek, "Count me in, and who are we inviting?" I ask and get hold of a passing waiter and seize the last glass of some kind of juice, alcohol is a no-no for me, I'm a lightweight one drop and I'm ready to embarrass myself.
"Oh, I forgot to mention this, Raven, and we are to announce something," my mom giggles again, not like a woman of grace, no, like a schoolgirl who just saw her crush ask her out on prom.
"About?" my curiosity gets a hold of me and I momentarily forget about our get-together on Sunday, this seems important. Is this event for this? And not Alex's welcome party?
"Well, we thought.." my dad cut in between and said pointing towards mom, "Her and Raven not me and her," he then proceeded to shake his head, informing me that whatever it is he has no hand in it.
Swatting him on the chest my mom continued, "Well, we thought, well actually we've been thinking about it for a long time now. That we decided it's about time that we make it public." my mom sounded nervous, so unlike her.
I raised my eyebrows and nodded my head as a signal for her to continue, "You know how Raven and I've been, tight-knit and inseparable, after consideration and knowing you and where your interest lies we've decided that you and Alex should get married."
Get what? "Mom." I couldn't recognize my voice, it was high-pitched and so squeaky. I put my glass aside and tried to regain some semblance. My heart was beating so loud that I'm sure people around me would start dancing thinking the DJ increased the bass.
I could literally feel my blood pumping in my ears, and I'm sure if I look in a mirror right now I would be red as a tomato. I'm speechless and totally not sure what to say, or am I supposed to say anything?
But before I could ask them to ponder over their statement one more time, I was rudely yanked back and I almost lost my footing if not for the kind woman standing next to me I would have been smashed on the floor.
"Married to whom?" the man standing with his back to me asked my mom in a voice full of disdain and annoyance. But I need not to see his face to guess who he is because I can recognize this voice anywhere, it was Alex.
Alex accompanied by a woman, which clearly isn't me. What a start to the evening.