"Wow,it's really good" Tara marvelled as she took another bite."Where did you find a chef?"
"He isn't a chef. He was our family's butler."
"I thought you didn't know your parents"
"I did not. Fredrick came to me about three years ago. He said he owed my family a large debt because they took him in and gave him a job"
"So he offered his service to you since they are dead" Tara said
"Exactly" Daniel said,taking another bite.He was about to shed a tear before realizing where he was."Enough of the sad stuff.How is the pasta?"
"It's really nice"
"Just call if you need anything" Daniel said.
"Okay" Tara said.
"Come on,Daniel.Say something, Don't make this awkward" Daniel thought."You remember the first time you came here" He said
"Yeah,I was down in the dumps,and you brought me here"
"Obviously,we've grown since then"
"What do you mean grown? It wasnt even a month ago"
"Well,we grow everyday ,so technically,we've grown since then"
"Alright,if you say so" Tara chuckled.
"Oh,I have something for you" Daniel said, reaching into his pocket.
"What is it?"
"Here" Daniel passed her a small box.
"Can I open it?"
"Uhm,can you wait until I drop you back home?"
"Okay,sure" Tara said,tracing the edges of the box.
After some light talk,Daniel decided to call it a night.
"Ready to go?" He rose, extending his hand to Tara.
"Yeah,how did you even get these fireflies" Tara said as they made their way out.
"I know a guy"
"Will they stay here?"
"No,this isn't their home" He said,leading her to the car.
Thirty minutes passed before they reached Tara's home after some light chat.
"Thanks for today" Tara said,exiting the car.
"You're welcome ,but I need you to open the box I gave you"
"Okay" Tara opened it carefully and brought out a small necklace with a heart shaped pendant.
"It's beautiful" She gasped,tracing the outline.
"That's not all. There's a small button at the back,press it"
Tara pressed the button and the words "I love you" suddenly appeared on the pendant in blue light before flickering and going off.
"I love you,Tara wilson" Daniel said,holding his breath for her reply.
"Oh Daniel" She mumbled,hugging him too.
"Are my feelings reciprocated?" Daniel asked,pulling her closer.
"Yes,but not with the same intensity.I am very sure I like you romantically,but I don't think I've reached love level"
"Okay then" Daniel said,feeling like he got punched hard in the gut.It was as if someone reached in and squeezed his heart."Have a nice night" He gulped, turning to the car.
"Stop" Tara called then walked quickly towards him."This should properly convey my feelings" She said before pecking him lightly on the lips.
Daniel stood there transfixed as he watched her run into the house. After some time,he gently touched his lips to make sure what just happened was real.
"Oh my God" He inwardly exclaimed."She kissed me of her own volition.This time it wasn't a mistake or anything like that" He thought with a wide smile on his face. Similar to that time she told him he had a chance,Daniel felt truly fulfilled.
He knew how much work he had to do to make sure the date was a success ,and he got his thanks from that small kiss.
"Where to?" The Uber driver asked as he entered the car.
Daniel was still on cloud nine that he didn't hear what the driver said until he said it roughly.
"Where to?"
"Oh,I'm sorry,Take me home" He said,still reeling the feeling of her lips on hers."I thought I won't ever get a kiss from a girl ,and now,I get two kisses from her" He thought with a merry smile on his face.He doubted he would sleep this night.
"So..how was it?" Joyce smiled,standing at Tara's room entrance.
"How was what?" Tara said, feigning ignorance.
"Don't play dumb,the date of course"
"Oh,it was alright" Tara replied uninterestedly.
"Oh yeah? I saw your little kiss with Daniel through the window" Joyce smirked as she sat next to Tara in the bed
"Mum! You were spying on me?"
"Honey,it's not considered spying if you do it in my line of sight.I was looking through the window before the kiss happened"
"It's still spying" Tara pouted.
"You like him,huh?"
"Weirdly,yes" Tara said before laying on her mother's lap.
Elsewhere,the spirit of happiness continued as Leyla hadn't let go of Maxim for five minutes.
"I missed you too but can you let me go now" Maxim said out of breath.
"Okay" Tara pouted as she let him go."I missed you so much" She said,hugging him once more.
"Thanks,same here" He said,peeling her arms off him.
"How was your boring business stuff"
"As you said, boring" Maxim replied,lying on the bed."Aren't your parents back"
"Nah,they would return tomorrow" Tara said.
"So?" He smirked,raising his eyebrows cheekily.
"Come here,you" She smiled before beckoning on him for a kiss which turned into something passionate.
Julian,on the other hand, still felt empty ,but at least,the hole in his heart was gradually closing. The game he played with his friends days ago kept his mind off Tara.
He wasn't used to the feeling of being alone or without any girl at his side.A notification from his phone jolted him from his thoughts.
"Hey" Cassandra typed.
"Hi" He replied.
"Mind if I call?"
"Uhm..."
"Don't worry, it's a voice call" Cassandra typed.
"Alright then" Julian replied before Cassandra's call came in.
"What you up to?" She said.
"Nothing,just thinking"
"Of me?" Cassandra said cheekily.
"No" He said glumly, not looking her in the eyes.
"What's wrong?" She asked, noticing the glum look.
He was about to tell her how he felt but decided against it. After all,it was his fault Tara broke up with him ,and his thing with Cassandra ended.
"Nah,it's nothing" He said with a fake smile.