Natalie's Point of View
"Your cologne" He sniffed as his body touched mine. "It smells really nice".
I smiled wholeheartedly that my effort at looking all good wasn't in vain.
"Thank you so much, Max" I blushed a little, my cheeks glowed with red patches all over them.
Max's eyes shone in deep passion as he took a step back, giving me a playful grin. "You're welcome," he said, his voice sounding so warm and homely. "You always know how to make an impression." I giggled.
I dressed for this, and I wouldn't love to mess it up. Quite intriguing that all the time Carityln didn't let me rest with some Mr M. He was actually my classmate.
"Well, that would make things quite easier. I know it seems I can't live without the thoughts of men in my head, but so be it, Natalie", I thought deeply.
"Would you mind a walk, beautiful?" My heart thumped at "beautiful". His baritone voice made things quite easier for me and I couldn't even hide the excitement I felt.
"Sure, why not?" I proceeded to arrange my hair properly, and I turned around to look for Caritlyn, and she was nowhere to be found.
"Give me your hand" Maxine said, bringing his hand to mine and gently squeezing it. He made me feel like a baby once more. Maybe I am the one in love and not him.
"We lived around Houston for the time being before we moved and things haven't really changed the last time I was here" he randomly said.
"Hmm, hmm" I was interested in whatever he
Had to say, whether it was nice or not. I just wanted to hear him speak.
We walked together down the crowd, trying to make our way out of the almost drunk people, partying like their lives had no meaning. The city lights kept reflecting off the wet pavement.
The night felt so alive with the hum of conversation that sounded like the gathering of bees in a beehive, the distant wail of sirens of angry people trying to get to their various destinations and the occasional honk of a car horn.
It felt like a lot and I couldn't help it but let my anxiety build up, so much that I couldn't help but stare in fear. Max glanced over at me, his gaze lingering just a bit longer than usual.
"Are you alright, Ms Natalie?" He asked, staring at me. "Are you sure you're going to be comfortable here?"
"Hmm..yes, yes I guess so". I stuttered, trying to find my words in my head. I couldn't find Cari and that means a lot to me too. "If you're not comfortable, we could go back. I do not want to push it beyond your limits".
Maxine said, trying to reassure me, but my mind began to play games with me. "No, it's alright Maxine, we could go on."
"Alright then". Maxine said, as he peered into my eyes to pick out something, but I looked away almost immediately. My tummy rumbled so loudly and I was so embarrassed.
"We should go get some food" Max said, beckoning me to go get into his car as he shuffled in his pocket for his keys. "You seem hungry."
Oh no, I didn't like that, but I would have to play along and let it be. "Oh well, I am not hungry, Mr Maxine, it's just one of those noises my stomach makes when I get really stressed. I swear to you.'
I was still lying, and I knew that, and I also knew that I was fighting so hard to be in his good books.
"It's okay, Natty. I understand you". I giggled so hard that I couldn't even help it. Maybe I was in love. I don't know what it could be. He seemed like he was the perfect gentleman anyone could ask for.
"I play basketball for leisure, jump in on trendy news from the paper stand, take breakfast at McDonald's and look at daily analysis. What do you do for fun?"
For a minute, I didn't understand why he suddenly asked me what I did for fun. My brain couldn't even process that.
"Uhm, uhm… I…uhm. I work." I said, trying to garner words in my head to say to him because he was a literal beauty to behold.
" You what? Ms Natalie?" He said, looking at me, a bit fiercely. "I work, I eat, I sleep and sometimes, I hang out with Cari."
Those were hobbies, right? I asked myself because I didn't want to sound stupid.
"Okay, if you say it." The journey to nowhere was becoming tedious, and I liked how fierce he was.
"Can I ask you something, Maxine?" I said, touching the back of his hand that held the gear of the car. He looked at me inquisitively and it looked really cute.
"Ask, my darling'. I didn't know how to construct my words to ask him. He didn't know how he'd look at me, because some people do not like to be asked personal questions.
"Relationship?" I asked, expecting any sort of answer. "No, I am not, and I also guess you're not."
I nodded in the affirmative. The driving was getting quite random. I needed to go somewhere and talk to him.
As though reading my thoughts, "Do you mean if I take you to mine?"
The butterfly in my tummy danced and sang for joy like it was waiting for this moment.
"Yes, of course". I said, flipping the remaining part of my hair at the back of my ears. "Alright then, we'll be on our way soon, but let's see if we could shop for groceries from the store."
I am a foodie, and I don't even deny it. The mention of food made me salivate. I knew that would aid the opportunity of getting things for me too.
On getting to the grocery store, he looked into my eyes and kissed me passionately, and I couldn't help but return it.
And that's when I saw it- a small blue box in his pocket with a sparkling diamond ring. Who had the ring, and why was it in his pocket?.