Chapter Five

Brooklyn Bar

Andrea found an empty seat for herself. Yes, she reserved one for Daniel, too. She took off her sunshade. She checked the time; it was 4:17 pm.

Music boomed from hidden speakers, low enough to converse with someone, but high enough to feel it in your spirit. 

She looked around. There was no sight of him yet. A couple of minutes later, she sighted him through the glass wall of the bar. He alights from his car, carrying a shopping bag in his right hand. 

He pushed through the door and was met by the wall of music and the murmurs of different conversations layered on top of each other. He scanned the room in sections and eventually found her.

“You know I don’t like to be kept waiting”, she said, as soon as Daniel got to the spot she reserved for both of them.

“I’m sorry, my love”, he apologized and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “I got this for you.”

He handed the paper bag he was carrying to Andrea.

She chuckled.

“It’s my favorite color.”

“Thank you Daniel.”

The bag contained a lilac silky dress.

“We have a date this Friday. I want you to wear that”.

He wore a warm smile. 

“I’ll pick you up at Steph’s. 7 pm, be ready.”

Andrea smiled nervously.

“Baby?” Daniel called in a soft tone, his hands reaching for Andrea’s. 

Andrea forced a smile.

“I’m sorry about my behavior the other day. I should’ve been more responsible.”

I love you so much, and I don’t want to hurt you, he  confessed.

She was startled. “This is unusual”, she thought.

“Do you forgive me?”

Andrea scoffed. She nodded with teary eyes.

He rose from his seat and offered a hand to help her up. They both step aside. He drew her closer to himself, leaving almost no distance between them. His gaze shifted seductively to her lips, then her eyes, then her lips again. They shared a slow, deep kiss. His hands settled on her waist then ran down slowly to her hips. 

Andrea pulled back slowly, breaking the kiss gently. She exhaled softly and settled back in her seat. They chatted over a glass of wine. Afterwards, he walked her to his car, took her on an ice cream date, and dropped her at Stephanie’s apartment later that night.

Stephanie’s apartment:

“The dress is so beautiful”, Stephanie admitted.

Andrea chuckled.

“He apologized”.

“Okay?” Stephanie asked, expecting Andrea to say more.

Andrea sighed. “We are cool.”

“I’m so happy for you, girl”, Stephanie said, excited. “I told you he was going to come around. He was probably going through some things”, she added.

Andrea smiled.

Andrea tried her dress on. It was a simple sleeveless long gown, with a slightly open slit running from the level of her lower thigh to her foot. The dress was a quite fitted one, exposing her curves. The front of the dress was designed in such a way that exposed Andrea’s cleavage. She admired herself in front of the mirror.

“Daniel sure knows how to make you happy. I mean, look at this dress”, Stephanie commented.

“But he can be a handful at times”, Andrea objected.

“Whatever”, Stephanie shrugged playfully, hitting her shoulder against Andrea’s. They both laugh.

Friday night 

Andrea was fully glammed up for her date, thanks to Stephanie. 

“My sweet beauty princess!” Stephanie hyped.

“Thanks baby”, she blushed.

Andrea’s phone lit up and vibrated. It was Daniel. She answered the call.

“Hey baby, I couldn’t make it to come pick you up myself, but my driver is outside at Steph’s house already.”

“Okay Daniel, I’ll be on my way soon.”

Andrea applied some more gloss on her lips. She smacked her lips, tucked her phone in her silver purse, and kissed Stephanie goodbye.

Daniel’s apartment, Friday night

“Knock knock”

Someone opened the door. Andrea found her way in, but the lights were off. Everywhere was quiet. The atmosphere was filled with a sweet fragrance—something like vanilla, or cake. 

“Surpriseeee!” Sound and laughter burst from the people in the room as the lights came on.

Andrea froze. She couldn’t believe her eyes. She looked around. Everywhere was decorated with white, red, and gold ribbons and balloons. She took a few steps further, completely entering the room. She gasped. Daniel showed up, fully dressed in a black suit. He held a flower bouquet behind him. He moved closer to Andrea, held her hand, and walked her to the middle of the room. It was his living room. Andrea felt overwhelmed. She had never gotten a surprise like this before. Her eyes brightened as she looked from one person to the next. She opened her mouth, but words failed her. She held one hand to her chest as if her heart could escape from there.

Andrea stood, startled, Daniel facing her. They looked each in the eye as Daniel began. “My lovely Andrea…”

“Awww…so adorable…” were the words coming from the other people in the room.

Daniel finished his speech and handed the bouquet to Andrea. She collected it, her hands trembling.

He went down on one knee, opening a black box containing a silver ring.

“Will you marry me?”