"Hello?"
"Hello, Daemon. I am in front of your hotel."
"Alright, I will be there soon."
"You are not inside?"
"No. I left to run an errand."
"Alright, I'm waiting for you then."
Cynthia ended the call, and sat back into her car to drive it to the side. Since she would have to wait for a bit, she could not remain parked where she had been, blocking the entrance of the hotel.
She looked at the time displayed, showing that 10 AM was just around the corner.
She decided to wait outside. Maybe that way, she would spot her date sooner.
The beauty beside the expensive car made many heads turn. Not many found the courage to approach her, and she ignored the ones that tried to strike a conversation with her. Only when she saw the one she had been waiting for getting out of a taxi did she become lively.
"Daemon!"
Daemon spotted her with his dark eyes as she waved at him. He turned to walk toward her after he closed the door of the cab.
She smiled and gave him a brief hug when he arrived in front of her, but her expression turned hesitant. With her smile diminished, she looked at the taxi that was leaving before asking:
"Are you done with your errand? If you are busy, we can delay the matter of buying the clothes. We can choose another day to take care of it. I can even go by myself."
Daemon shook his head:
"Don't worry, you are not bothering me. I am already done with my errand, and I've freed my schedule for the rest of the day."
Cynthia was relieved, and she got her smile back to its earlier magnitude.
Unlocking her car, she asked:
"Have you had breakfast yet?"
"Yes."
She felt a bit of disappointment that she hid away. That was a missed opportunity to spend time together. Fortunately, it would not be the last one.
"I hope you are taking your health into account when eating outside. And also, you should rest appropriately when working on your project."
Daemon couldn't help but take another look at her as they sat in the car.
"What?"
"Nothing. You just seem to be embracing your role as a fiancee already."
Her smile widened, and she started the car once they had their seatbelts buckled. As she got the car on the road, she remarked:
"You seem happy."
The statement stunned Daemon:
"What makes you say that?"
Cynthia kept a straight face as she replied:
"You don't talk much, and your smiles seem precious from their rarity, so I've been trying to understand and decipher you and your expressions."
Daemon felt a little weird. He looked at her, and at the signs of nervousness she was trying to hide. Her hands on the steering wheel were having trouble staying in place as she clenched and unclenched them, and her eyes were failing to remain steady.
Or maybe she was being shy?
But having someone trying so hard to get inside his world was not bad. Moreover the person was beautiful, and he might be spending the rest of his life with her.
His expression softened, and Cynthia didn't let the silence persist. She tried to glean more information:
"Is it about your mysterious project? Is it because it is progressing well?"
Daemon smiled. Not a small smile she had become used to seeing on his face, but a more complete one.
"No. It is just something I have been waiting for, which is ready."
"Is that why you were out when I arrived?"
"Yes."
"Then, I'm happy that you are happy."
Daemon got a little infected by Cynthia's smile. The ensuing silence was a comfortable one as the car kept advancing on the road.
Like that, more than a dozen minutes went by before Cynthia slowed to a stop. Daemon could see a clothing store on the other side of the road, but it had little to do with female dresses. Without letting the confusion linger, she explained to Daemon:
"We will be getting your clothes first."
He nodded, and they crossed the road to get to the shop. Its inside was wide, with an array of men's wear of different designs, high quality, and prices just as high. They had everything a man could want to look good. While he was observing the place, Cynthia went to talk with one of the women in the shop, and as they came back, he could hear the woman saying:
"Your choice is understandable, madam. You have put a lot of thought into it for the gentleman."
"Of course, my fiance must look the best."
"Then, he is lucky. With your fashion sense, he will never have to worry about what to wear."
Cynthia's smile turned soft as she looked at Daemon:
"I'm the one who is lucky."
The saleswoman smiled. It was not her first time seeing a couple or dealing with one, and it was always sweet when the edges had been polished by love.
Taking advantage of the soft atmosphere when there was the least chance of the customer becoming unreasonable, she spoke with a smile:
"Then, with the order ready, let's see if there is any adjustment to make, madam."
"Alright."
Daemon watched them go further inside. A few minutes later, they came back, and this time, Cynthia had a bag in her hand. Talking to the saleswoman, she said:
"I'm very satisfied with your work. I will give you the requirements later for the clothes for the wedding."
"Thank you for your trust, madam, we will not disappoint you."
The staff of the shop saw them off, but his role as a spectator from the beginning to the end made Daemon ask:
"Don't I have the right to voice any opinion for the clothes I will be wearing?"
"Of course you have the right, but the decision is mine to make. I must make sure my fiance is the most dazzling on the day we get engaged."
Daemon asked with a raised eyebrow:
"Then, why am I here?"
"To spend time together?" She flashed a beautiful smile in his direction before continuing: "And also to make the choice for me when it is my turn. You wouldn't want me to look ugly beside you in a few days, would you? Don't worry, you will like my choice. I had it custom-made for you."
Daemon shook his head at the situation. He did not know if it was supposed to be like that, or if it was just a way for his fiancee to be happy. After all, it was not like he had ever gotten engaged.