❀❀❀
Tristan turns off the engine and opens her door. Wait! She hasn't put on her shoes. He chuckles as she hurriedly adjusts her heels.
They pass by the long line at the entrance and are immediately seated. The looks of envious people in the line almost makes her feel bad. In her defense, he didn't say they'd go here. Isabelle awes at the place. The restaurant looks so luxurious, with its glittering decorations and display of cutlery. The smell of rich sauce and roast makes her stomach rumble.
"How did you get a reservation?" Isabelle goes through the menu with delight. Gosh, what should she have first? So many options! She never thought of being able to enter, much less eat here. It's nearly impossible to get past the secretary.
"The owner of this place is an old friend of mine from college." Tristan greets some of the waiters, flashing his signature heart-melting smile. One staff turns pink and scurries off to the kitchen.
Isabelle will pretend she didn't see anything.
In other words, they've had an agreement in the past. To someone like Tristan, the meaning of certain words changes as they're used. Kind of like how he's had plenty of lovers but only calls two his dearest. Most of the time it's for business, charming some naïve fellow and he's wrapped around Tristan's finger.
Does he drop by here often?
"I wanted to show you this before I forget." Isabelle takes out a black card from her purse. It was the calling card Aaron gave her. She's tempted to call him up for a friendly hangout but she's too shy for that.
She grins from ear to ear. Maybe Tristan would appreciate it much more, or break Aaron's heart and add it to his ever-growing gallery of shattered daydreams.
"Before you know it, I'll take his name! Just watch me." She kisses it before putting it away. It had sentimental value to her. Hopefully, she'd have some reason to see him again. Oh, to tell their kids about this priceless memento when they met.
The two make more small talk, catching up with one another as they enjoy the appetizer of mini mozzarella sticks. After some time, the main course is served.
A mouth-watering display of steak with a side of vegetables. Isabelle loosens her belt and immediately digs in. The taste of savory beef that melts in her mouth is perfect with the sauce. Tristan chews slowly, observing her.
"Your appetite is what'll scare him off. Looks like I had nothing to worry about." Tristan pats his mouth. Oh yeah? Isabelle is on her third mini plate now. Hearing this, she swallows slowly. She shoots him a look and shows her phone, a picture of him being carried by Stephen in a drunken state. The blood drains from his face.
Ha! Cat got his tongue.
"You were saying, Tannie?" She smiles. Tristan looks away and takes a sip of his beverage. Isabelle finishes her steak and sighs, fully content.
How long has it been since she's been this happy, content and satisfied? Simply too long which is unacceptable.
If time permit, she'd come by as often as she could. She couldn't wait to taste how this steak would go with a loaf of bread from Lucia's bakery.
The two pay separately. She follows him outside, enjoying each other's company. The constant give and take of playful comments and light shoving makes her break out into laughter. It'd be no different than high school, though he has much more piercings and tattoos than before.
The sky turns into a blend of rich blue and orange, slowly fading into dusk. He lights up a cigarette. Ugh, again.
"Want a lift home?" Tristan offers. With how she suddenly left the estate earlier, that wouldn't be a good idea. She'd get yelled at and he might hear, which he won't keep quiet about. Isabelle would rather save herself from that embarrassment.
"No thank you. I'm going to check out a few stores before heading home." Isabelle said.
She wasn't technically lying by not mentioning a part, right? If he doesn't notice she won't mention anything.
"Sure, Iz. Will you be alright on your own?" He gives her a light hug and pats her head.
"I won't stay long. Thanks for today." She wraps her arms around him, comfortably resting her head on his shoulder. The same smell of hair wax, cigarettes and cologne. He ruffles her hair, much to her annoyance, and waves goodbye.
Isabelle walks slowly, staring at the items on display. She checks her watch. Exactly six in the evening, huh? The sky has turned into the dark blue she loves.
She takes a step and feels a sharp pain in her foot. What? Her heel slips and she yelps, covering her face. Isabelle braces herself for pain, only to feel an arm wrap around her waist.
"Miss? Are you alright?"
Huh? She looks into gentle green eyes. He helps her stand. He's wearing a white shirt, ripped denim jeans and brown boots. With his mouse brown hair and smile, Isabelle recognizes him in a heartbeat.
"Isabelle?" Aaron asked, his hands on her shoulders. She feels the blood rush to her face. Their faces are inches apart. She hasn't even checked her makeup. What if he saw her blemish? The fluttering feeling in her stomach explodes.
"Thanks." She rubs her hands together. The pairs of eyes that stare made her feel self-conscious. Someone dig a hole in the ground. Please.
"What happened?"
"Nothing. It's just.. I'm tired." Isabelle avoids eye contact. He raises an eyebrow. He kneels and pulls off her shoe. Just as she is about to protest, she flinches. Great.
"You have blisters on your feet." Aaron states. Isabelle blinks. If he keeps making her blush like this, she'd faint. Can he get any closer? Sheesh! He places his arm on the back of her legs and pulls her to him, carrying her bridal style.
"Aaron! Put me down this instant!" Isabelle demands, feeling a breeze pass through her dress. Can Tannie come back? This is beyond embarrassing.
"I can't have you injure yourself even further, Isabelle." He looks around. Isabelle wanted to shrink and disappear into the ground, even for a minute. Staring at his neck isn't weird, right? He carries her into a store and gently set her on a couch.
"I'll get some medicine." Aaron said and leaves. She looks at the saleslady who has a smile on her face. Oh god. It'd be too embarrassing for her to explain. She worries about what her family would have to say, not wanting to even brush her parent's reputation at all.
"Light colored flats in size 6 please." Isabelle said. The saleslady nods and brought back three pairs of shoes to choose from. They all look so cute! She held a pair of pink doll shoes in one hand and a white sandal in the other. Maybe a more open style would be better?
Now that her heels were off, she does feel a little sore. Upon inspection, there are swollen red blisters on her feet. Oh.
"Can't decide? How about ask your boyfriend when he comes back?" The saleslady teases. She has a beautiful smile. Her sleek bob and nametag reminds her of Chloe. Oh yeah, how is she?
"He isn't my boyfriend."
Aaron walks in, carrying a small plastic bag. He approaches the two and smiles. The lady pinches Isabelle's shoulder and walks away.
"How are you feeling?" He asked, sitting next to her.
"A little sore but it's bearable." Isabelle said. She wouldn't get anything out of lying to him, with such obvious truth. He cleans her feet with wet wipes and applies ointment. That stings. It's taking willpower not to kick him in the face.
"You.. you don't have to do that." She stammers. Besides, they didn't know each other well enough for him to care so much. If it was Tristan or Jake, it'd be understandable. But why..?
"I do, actually." Aaron replies. He puts a gauze on the sides of her feet, where the blisters are. Upon touch, they ache.
The butterflies make a comeback, slowly spreading to her chest. It'd be rude to complain now. Being unable to decide between the two pairs, she ended up buying both and wearing the white sandals out. These heels are too tight for her, but she isn't throwing such beautiful shoes away. They're a gift from Tristan, after all. She'd just wear three pairs of socks and use a blow-dryer to loosen them out.
"We should head home. It's past curfew already." Aaron takes out car keys and presses his phone to his ear. First of all, how did he know that?
"What do you mean we?" She pauses.
"Ah. I'm your newly hired, Isabelle. Now, come." Aaron explains briefly. He proceeds to continue talking on the phone and opens the door for her. She drops the bags she'd been carrying. He's got to be joking.
❀❀❀