"Before you say anything please hear me out," Pierre asked from Julie. He prepared for this and he wanted to make sure that he doesn't forget anything.
Julie nodded shyly to signal him to keep talking.
"First of all, I wanted to apologize for kissing you out of nowhere. It shouldn't have happened and I should have told you sooner about my feelings. But let me tell you now..."
Pierre took Julie's hand in his and looked deeply into her eyes. "I fell in love with you the first time I saw you the day you moved in next to me. And when I got to know you I was every time more convinced that you are the most amazing woman in the world and that I want to be with you."
"Pierre, I…" Julie tried to cut him off before he says more.
"No, please let me finish. I know that you don't feel the same for me but…," Pierre said before swallowing the lump in his throat nervously.
He looked devastated and Julie felt sorry for him.
Pierre took a deep breath and continued. "Julie if somewhere in the depth of your heart you feel something for me, please give this a chance. Give ME a chance! I know that my feelings for you mean something and I know that I can make you happy. And even if you don't love me now, I'm sure that those feelings can grow over time."
Pierre looked at Julie who was just starring back at him like she was in trance. She was obviously speechless and Pierre continued his persuasion.
"I don't want to pressure you. Until you return my feelings, I will just love you for the two of us." Pierre smiled at her before adding. "Julie, I have never loved a woman as much as I love you and I'm sure that I will never find someone like you again. It would make me so happy if you could give me a chance to proof myself. Please, give this a thought."
Julie looked at him completely dumbfounded. She was overwhelmed by the intensity of Pierre's emotions and in that moment she realized how much she desired to have a man who loved her. How could she reject him now? How could she reject a man who loves her that deeply?
She never received a confession like that and she might never hear a man saying this to her again.
Maybe Pierre was right and his feelings mean something and maybe she just couldn't see it yet. Can she even afford to reject a man who loves her? Julie didn't know if she will ever find someone who she falls in love with the way she imagines it to be.
Maybe love is not like in her imagination. In her mind it was a firework. An overwhelming feeling of euphoria.
Maybe that was unrealistic and the best love is the one that grows slowly. This kind of love might grow into a big flame while the firework is a spectacle that lasts only a few moments.
There are many stories of couples who started as friends and ended up being married. But there are also short romances of people who thought they had found the one and after a small period of great passion they broke up. Julie's love story could end up being like in the first scenario.
Could she love Pierre if she gave him a chance? It might be as he said and her love can grow over time and then the flame wouldn't burn out that fast but stay strong and lead to a healthy long-lasting relationship.
Isn't this what she wanted? How could she be arrogant enough to push a man away who loves her and would do anything for her? So many woman would wish to be in her position.
Pierre looked at Julie expectantly. He could see that he moved something within her because she started to tear up. "How about we just try it out. I can bring you on a few dates and we can see where it leads. After that you can still reject me. I don't want to force you into anything. I just want you to see me in a different light than just your friend," Pierre stated.
"OK...," Julie managed to squeeze out after a few seconds of silence.
"OK?" Pierre asked uncertain.
"Let's try dating," Julie said smiling with tears glistering in her eyes. What does she have to lose? If she says no she would lose Pierre as a friend anyway and if it doesn't work out between them it will be the same result. But if it works out maybe Julie will finally have the relationship she is longing for.
"Really?" Pierre couldn't believe his luck and only after Julie nodded, he let his happiness take over and hugged her tightly. "I swear you will not regret it. I will treat you well just like you deserve it," he spoke into her hair.
Pierre felt euphoric. He finally got what he wanted for so long. His heart felt light and he can't remember the last time he was this happy.
Julie on the other hand wasn't sure on what to feel. Nonetheless she hesitantly wrapped her arms around Pierre and hugged him back. She really wanted to give this a chance but seeing how happy Pierre was made her instantly doubt her decision. To her it seemed unfair that he feels so much more than her. It felt like she was using him even though that was not the case.
But now it's too late to go back anyway and Julie could only hope that her feelings for him will grow. If that doesn't happen breaking his heart will just come delayed. But wait? After they started dating rejection will probably hurt him even more.
'Oh no what did I get myself into.' Julie thought as this realization hit her.
"Pierre?" Julie tapped his shoulder and they broke the hug. "Can we keep this to ourselves for now?"
Pierre looked at her confused.
"That we are dating. Can we not tell the others until we know if this will work out?" Julie didn't want Jade and Camille to know. If their friends get involved Julie will feel even more pressured and it will be even messier in case their relationship fails.
"Yes sure. We do whatever you fell comfortable with." Pierre said while trying to hide his disappointment. He wanted to tell Lucas that he finally confessed his feelings to Julie and that she accepted to date him. But he was to high on love to complain now. The most important thing was Julie and she accepted him, so he will keep it to himself to show her that she can trust him.
Now that he got this far he wanted to stay by Julie's side before she changes her mind. "How about we spend the week-end together without the others? I would like to invite you for dinner. What do you think?" For Pierre there was no reason to delay the dating.
"Sounds great," Julie answered.
Pierre took his phone out. "Good, I will book a table for 8 o' clock."
"What? You mean now?"
"Yes, I can organize a table at the restaurant we agreed on testing out two weeks ago. Do you remember?" At that time Julie and Pierre walked past that restaurant on a Saturday evening and Julie wanted to book their a table someday for a special occasion.
"But that is a noble restaurant. Then I can't go like this," Julie jumped up from the sofa while pointing at her clothes.
"You look fine to me.."
"Don't be silly," she interrupted him. "I can't go in jeans and t-shirt while you are wearing a suit." Pierre always had to be dressed nicely for his work. That's why he wears a casual suit almost every day. "Give me a few minutes to get ready..." Before Pierre could say anything Julie dashed into the bathroom like the wind.
He was left behind on the sofa and he sunk deeper into it. He touched his chest to feel his heartbeat. 'I did it,' he thought smiling to himself.
Pierre was surprised by this turn of events because he was sure that Julie would reject him. Seemed like his courage paid of. He was quite proud of himself.
But he knew that this was just the beginning. He had to win her love and Pierre was ready to give Julie everything. He would give her the stars and the moon if she wanted them.
Now that he was so close to his goal he can't lose her. That would crush him. He was sure about that.
Pierre remembered that he had to make a call to book the table. He ones planned an event in this particular restaurant. That's why he knew the owner and could asked him for a favor.
After 20 minutes Pierre saw Julie dashing from her bathroom to her bedroom to get dressed. 10 minutes later she came out in a light blue dress with a flower pattern. Her honey-blond hair was slightly wavy and she had light make-up on.
To Pierre she looked absolutely stunning and he was thrilled to see that Julie wanted to look pretty to go on a date with him.
Julie had a very tasteful style and Pierre likes that a lot about her. The suit he wears today was also blue in color. They look good together, he thought.
"What do you say? Can I go like this?" Julie asked presenting her outfit.
Pierre stood up from the sofa and walked towards Julie. "You look absolutely beautiful. You always do by the way. I am a lucky man."
Julie felt overwhelmed by the sincerity in Pierre's voice and when he offered to take her hand she accepted.
They left hand in hand to go on their first official date.