Eva.
"He is only being to be appreciative, Eva." Sigra said in a persuasive tone. "Meeting him for lunch or dinner is totally harmless. Go Dutch with him if you feel like it."
Eva stared at her phone for a while, fiddling it, before she started to tap on the screen. After typing her message and hitting the send button, she turned to Sigra and said, "I pray my mood gets better before I meet up with him, else he might experience the most boring date ever in his life."
Sigra smiled and patted Eva on her shoulder. "Everything is gonna be fine, girl."
In the days that followed, Eva couldn't still get herself together—this minute she would be active and happy, and the next minute she would ball herself in her bed and cry in silence. Maybe it could take forever before she got over the heartbreak, or maybe sooner than she thought.
It was on a Wednesday evening when Eva finally sent her schedules for the week to Rick, and instantly Rick had responded and chose Friday night for their date.
"DO YOU HAVE A FANCY FOR A PARTICULAR RESTAURANT IN THE CITY?"
Eva couldn't help but smile at the thoughtful response she had received from Rick. Although she had no fancy for any restaurant around, but, the fact that Rick had considered her preference in his plans made her feel seen. In similar case Alpha Diego wouldn't even put her into consideration let alone allow her make a choice.
She shrugged the thoughts of Alpha Diego away and texted Rick back, stating to him that he could choose any restaurant he deemed good.
"See who will be going on a date with a cute guy tonight." Sigra teased her as they went out shopping for toiletries in the mall.
"It's gonna be a one-time off date, remember?" Eva said in affirmative.
"You can never say, Eva. Be positive and be open to new possibilities."
At home, Sigra helped Eva to make a choice of outfit she would use for the date, and picked a pair of shoes that would be a perfect match.
"I will beg the goddess to curse you if you ever stop being my best friend," Eva said, laughing, as Sigra was helping her wear her make-up.
"You have me for life, girl." Sigra drew back in her seat to take a look at the eyebrows she had drawn on Eva's face. "Damn! You look so charming….I can't wait to see you in your dress."
Eva was red with blush, and for the first time in many weeks she felt her soul come alive genuinely.
Dressed in a blue tight fitted gown, Eva looked absolutely stunning, and the pair of heels she had on enhanced her charming gait and made it seem queen-like. Even under that starry dark sky, her eyes shone and sparkled.
Soon, her booked ride arrived at the front of their apartment, screeching to a halt.
"Stay safe, girl. Have the most fun." Sigra said in elation as she bade her bye through the windscreen.
Inside the car, Eva had received another text from Rick, cautioning her to be safe and watch her back.
As Eva stepped down from the car, she slowed her step to check herself out and calm her racing heartbeat. She seemed less prepared for this, or maybe she was just anxious.
Feeling a little calm and collected, she walked towards the entrance, wishing that Rick's attention would be on his phone until she got to the table and took her seat next to him.
Rick's eyes shone as bright and beautiful as Eva's, so much that Eva could take notice of them even from a few steps away. Dress in an ashen color Jean's and a white shirt, Rick oozed the aura of prince charming. His skin was even toned, his wristwatch sparkled around his wrist.
"Glad to have you here, Eva." Rick got up at the sight of Eva and adjusted a seat for her.
"Thank you," Eva said in a gentle and feminine tone.
They settled in their seats and exchanged a few pleasantries, each complementing one another's look.
After their orders had arrived and both were eating in silence, Eva caught herself staring at Rick in a surprising way.
"Once again, thank you for the other time. Your help was timely and I really appreciate it." Rick said, following a sip of his drinks.
Eva half-smiled and mouthed YOU ARE WELCOME.
"My name is Rick Ronan, the only heir of Alpha Ronan." Rick said, waiting for a possible reaction from Eva. "My pack is in a town about 300 KM away."
"Oh, that's nice…" Eva said, eager to hear what Rick would say next.
"I came here to pursue my degree," Rick continued. "I love watching football and being in the company of my friends on weekends….Never had a girlfriend or being with a girl before." Soon, he had finished telling Eva the basic information about himself and his pack, but something from the information stood out for Eva, making her feel the urge to enquire further.
"You said you have never been with a girl before? Why is that? She enquired.
"I haven't gotten my wolf yet and until then I don't want to be on edge with any girl."
"Oh I see…"
The mention of mate instantly left Eva with a sour taste in her mouth, reminding her of a desire she never achieved.
"Could you tell me a little about yourself, if you don't mind?" He asked, catching her gaze.
Eva was a little hesitant, trying to think which information to leave out, so she didn't reveal much about herself to someone she barely knew. To her, Rick was still a stranger. And at this point in her life, she was most vulnerable and fragile. Heartbreak had torn her open and soft, and she needed to guard herself from letting out personal information.
"I just have one goal—to become a published author—and I love one thing; reading."
"That's interesting." Rick affirmed. "What are your aspirations in five years from now?"
"To have at least five published books that are bestsellers." Eva said, looking away.
"You are such an ambitious person! Emmm…..tell me about your love life?"
Eva felt her throat tighten. "Well, love sucks and I am never going to give love a chance."
"Oh," was all Rick could say.
Silence settled between them for a while until Eva asked, "How old are you?"
"20," replied Rick
"20 year?"