CHAPTER 4
CAROL'S POV
Walking into the restaurant felt like walking into another word entirely. The wooden interiors were literal perfection!
There were even different paintings from all parts of the world.
Now I know why this restaurant was the only highly recommended and ridiculously expensive restaurant in Cleveland.
It was truly a sight to behold but it was really expensive so I was sad I might not be able to come here again. But I brushed it off soon, so I could just live and be happy in the moment.
"Oh my goodness jean! How can you afford such a place!"
I became mesmerized all over again but I still really wanted to know how she could afford it.
"Don't worry I pulled a few strings"
"Okay then"
"It's so beautiful and exquisite. I'm glad to be here, thanks."
"You're welcome boo"
We made a way to our table and we ordered, well she did. I told her to pick something really nice for me at her own budget even though she went all out since I didn't want to be a bother.
Soon after a man walked into the restaurant and everyone's jaw dropped in awe.
He was really handsome and he had a very wonderful aura he took with him to his seat.
Of course I didn't really care too much, but Jean kept talking about him when he sat down. They finally served us appetizers. It was mushroom soup and it tasted really nice. I was already tired and I didn't want any more food. But Jean was just starting.
Soon they served us their pasta they were famously known for. My lips salivated once again because it looked really good. I began to feast on it alongside the apple juice that came with it.
I was having a great time when I spotted the guy we saw earlier. He was having a fit. He fell to the ground and was shaking seriously.
I decided to do the craziest thing at that point without even thinking.
BRIAN'S POV
Brille Diamonds and CO was doing quite well. My company. I've been able to establish everything appropriately and I'm quite pleased.
After signing a lot of documents alongside hideous meetings in the conference Hall, I got off work for the day. I decided to go see the girl my mom had paired me on a date with. My mom kept threatening me and telling me that she'll die early if I don't get married or get a girlfriend at least.
I really wasn't ready to give the relationship hassle another try. My last relationship wasn't a good one because I had a terrible girlfriend. It was all rosy at first but when I stopped giving her the most unnecessary things I knew she didn't need, she lied that I was an abusive partner and almost got me imprisoned so she could run away with my money. I've never appreciated good evidence more. I felt relieved when everyone found out it was all a lie.
The memories still come back to haunt me.
I was already on my way to the blind date my mom set me up on when she gave me a phone call.
"Brian I hope you're already on your way, she's waiting"
"Hello mom, at least acknowledge your son. Don't worry I'm on my way. I'll see her any moment now don't worry"
"Good Brian, you'll like her I promise"
"We'll see"
I laughed and ended the call.
She's one hell of a woman.
I got there eventually and entered the restaurant. It was pretty decent, at least mom had nice taste.
Then I spotted my girl.
I walked confidently with such overbearing charisma that everyone turned to look at me a second time.
I sat down and said hi to her.
"Hi, I'm Brian"
"I'm Candice"
"Woah, such a pretty name. So lovely"
"That's very nice of you. Yours is nice too but awfully common"
We proceeded to laugh about it but it stung me internally.
How could she say my name was common!
First red flag.
We were served wine , polenta and our main meal turned out to be risotto. I have to admit, it was really nice. I enjoyed the food more than I enjoyed conversing with Candice. I just wanted to leave and go back home.
Candice kept being a bother and started discussions that she knew nothing about.
She didn't even seem to really care about anything, she had a good life for sure.
She seemed like she had a drive for real money which I had so I asked her a question, so we can be sure of what we are doing and not waste each other's time.
"Maybe we could be together and satisfy each other"
"And what's that supposed to mean?"
"Come on, you know. I don't even want to be here right now but my mother forced me"
"I'm glad I came because you're what they say you are incredibly sexy. So I want you to satisfy me and make me feel like a woman. That way I'll let you off the hook"
"You're asking me to lay with you Candice?"
"That's right"
She said and sipped her drink nonchalantly without a care in the world.
"And what does letting me off the hook mean?"
I had to ask.
"If you agree to sleep with me, just once. I'll tell my mom it didn't work out between us for you. I've heard quite a lot about your traumas and I know that's what you want"
"Besides I need to boast to my friends and how the famous Brian Collymore had toe-curling sex with me"
I was surprised about the turn of events. She was ridiculously bold and started threatening me.
Seriously??!!
After a while I couldn't hide how I was feeling. Utterly disgusted.
I was getting all tense and really uncomfortable. I felt my trauma rushing back in. She had hit all the wrong places and my anxiety pills weren't with me.
I began to shake vigorously against my own will and I fell to the floor.
I was almost closing my eyes when I saw a figure that hovered around me. It was a girl. The most beautiful I had ever seen. She had the best features and was totally my type. A redhead.
She looked straight down at me and locked eyes with me, trying to calm me down and it worked for a while. I was at peace until I heard Candice's voice in the background, she was leaving.
I felt triggered all over again and people had already gathered us.
Soon enough I was put in an ambulance and taken to the hospital where I fell unconscious.