A gentle beginning

Fiona’s POV

Slowly, I turned around.

He was sitting up now, one arm resting behind his head, watching me with an amused but calm expression.

My heart was racing—from both fear, and embarrassment.

“I’m so sorry,” I blurted out. “I didn’t mean to sneak away like that. I just… I didn’t know how I ended up here or who you are.”

He smiled faintly and sat up properly.

“What can you remember?” he asked

“I knew I was in a club and I had a bit too much to drink,” I answered.

“You were very drunk. Some guys were bothering you outside the club. You asked that I bring you here so you could rest.”

I blinked, trying to piece my thoughts together to be sure I actually said that but nothing worked. Just bits and flashes of the dance floor returned.

“Oh…” I breathed. “Thank you. Really. I don’t even know what would’ve happened if you hadn’t stepped in.”

He shrugged lightly. “You’re welcome.”

I hesitated, then asked the question that had been sitting heavily in my chest.

“Did we… by any chance do anything?”

He stared at me for a second, then laughed softly in a way that felt so luxurious.

“No. You tried to kiss me but I refused.”

“Shit, I…" I’m sorry, that’s really unlike me,” I protested.

My face flushed from embarrassment but a part of me still felt a deep wave of relief, so suddenly that I had to sit down on the edge of the bed.

“Thank God,” I whispered.

He chuckled. “You’re safe.”

I stood again, adjusting my bag on my shoulder. “I should go. And thank you again. I really appreciate what you did.”

“I can drop you off,” he offered.

“That’s okay,” I replied quickly. “I’ll get a ride.”

We stood there awkwardly for a second.

“I’m Austin," he said.

“Fiona.”

“Well, if you insist on leaving on your own, I won't stop you but can I at least get your digits?”

A small smile curved on my face as I glanced at the phone he pointed at me, I leaned forward and input my digits before leaving.

The morning air outside felt fresh against my skin. I inhaled deeply as though I had just stepped out of something heavy into something lighter. My ride was already waiting so I just slipped in.

Back at my hotel, I showered for a long time. I let the water run over me until my thoughts felt less tangled. I ordered food, ate quietly, then pulled out my sketch pad to paint.

I let myself lose in pencil strokes until my phone rang.

Austin.

I smiled before answering.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Fiona. Just checking if you made it back safely.”

“I did. Thank you.”

We talked, and laughed, and talked some more—It felt natural. Like speaking to someone I had known for years.

After a while, he cleared his throat slightly.

“Would you like to have dinner with me tonight?”

I paused.

Then I smiled to myself. I hesitated for a minute before answering. “Yes.”

“Great. Send me your address. I’ll pick you up,” he requested and I sent it.

A few hours later, I was getting bored with painting when my doorbell rang, and a delivery arrived at my door.

“Please sign here and here.” That was what the courier said after handing me the box. I signed and he left.

I shut the door behind me, crossed my room in two strides, and placed the box on my bed. I opened the box curiously and gasped.

Inside was a beautiful red silk and shiny dress. Elegant. Soft. Paired with simple, stunning jewelry, and a small note rested on top.

See you by 7pm *Austin.

I couldn’t stop smiling. I wondered how he managed to get my sizes correctly within a short period with me and without asking but that didn’t matter.

I took my time getting ready. I styled my hair, did light makeup, and wore the dress carefully. When I looked at myself in the mirror, I barely recognized the girl staring back.

She didn’t look like a shadow of herself anymore, she looked alive—feminine.

At exactly 7pm, my phone buzzed.

I’m outside.

I stepped out of the hotel and saw his car parked in front. A sleek sports car that reflected the evening lights.

Austin stepped out the moment he saw me.

And then he paused and just stood there.

Staring for a long second as he had just seen a rare view for the first time.

“You look…” he exhaled slowly, “…incredible.”

I felt my cheeks warm from the blood that rushed to my face.

“Thank you,” I responded shyly.

He stretched his hand toward me, and I placed mine gently in his. He guided me to the passenger seat and closed the door softly before walking around to the driver’s side.

We arrived at a really fancy restaurant, soft dim light glowed, casting a shadow on my skin as I walked in. I have never been in such a luxurious vicinity before, I felt like a celebrity. It was empty, just the two of us were present except for the chef and waiter—waiting to serve us.

“It’s empty,” I said and he smiled and he led me to my seat before taking a seat himself.

“I booked the entire restaurant, I didn't want you to feel any discomfort.,” he answered.

I blushed, I had only read such an experience in books and pictured it in my mind, I never thought I would be in it someday—perks of dreaming big. I thought to myself.

“Do you often find joy in impressing people you just met?” I asked and he chuckled.

“Let’s eat shall we?” he said, and signaled at the waiter. Soon the food trolley was pushed in, filled with different spices and herbs, a pan, and a platter of raw meat and two decorated plates of freshly made mashed potatoes. He had requested that the chef make the stake in our presence.

The chef poured us a limited batch of one of the most expensive wines in vogue at the time and it got me wondering what Austin does for a living. I watched as the chef did his thing, flames flared as he cooked and all I could do was try to be composed but Austin's eyes remained glued to me the whole time until the stakes were ready.

The dinner was calm, and peaceful.

We talked about random things—music, food, travel, and funny childhood memories. We laughed more than I had laughed in weeks.

I found myself relaxing without trying.

At some point, I asked, “So what do you do?” Curiosity couldn’t make me ignore it.

“I work in one of the biggest tech companies,” he replied. “Software development mostly.”

“That’s impressive.”

“What about you?”

“I’m an artist.”

His eyes lit up. “That explains a lot.”

“Like what?”

“The way you observe things before you speak.”

I smiled.

Then, unexpectedly, he asked, “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“Would you be my girlfriend?”

My heart skipped, I’m supposed to be excited that I was moving on but panic rushed in.

“I… I can’t,” I said softly.

He nodded slowly. “Why?”

I shook my head. “I’m not ready. For anything like that yet.”

He studied my face for a moment, then smiled kindly. “Yet hun? That’s okay. We can start as friends right?”

Relief flooded me, at least I wasn't losing him. “I’d like that.”

After the magical dinner that I never wanted to end, he took my hands. “Come, I want to take you somewhere” he gestured, and I followed him without hesitation.

We walked toward a nearby beach close to the restaurant. The night air was cool, and the sound of waves filled the silence between our conversations. He held my hand until we found a spot to sit.

“I come here often to clear my mind,” he said and I smiled.

“It’s beautiful,” I responded. “Clear your mind from what?” I added but before he could answer, fireworks burst into the sky—painting the darkness above us bright.

“Whoa, did you also ask for this?” I asked.

“I wish I did if I knew you would love it but I didn’t, there is probably a festival going on somewhere,” he stated and continued. “Now I know you love fireworks.”

I smiled and without thinking, I leaned slightly on his shoulder, He didn’t move away. He simply let me remain there, close to him, watching the lights with quiet comfort until it was over.

“We should go,” I said and he nodded.

On our way back, we saw an ice cream shop that was still open,

“Do you want some?” he asked but didn’t let me answer before dragging me there to get ice cream, we held cones in our hands and laughed while we licked like children as we walked to the car.

I didn’t want the night to end, who would? It was the most magical experience I've ever had. For a moment, I forgot about every other thing just to immerse myself in the pleasure of the moment. It felt too good to be true.

But eventually, he drove me back to the hotel.

We sat there for a second after the engine went quiet.

“Thank you, I had fun tonight,” I said.

“I’m glad you did,” he answered. Then, total silence, neither of us spoke, we just looked at each other until we slowly leaned closer. Too close—our lips brushed softly.

Then he caught my lips and kissed me so gently and tenderly. His lips felt so warm and soft as he slowly deepened the kiss. It felt so real until memories of Jalen's lips came crashing back. I pulled back quickly, my heart racing.

“Goodnight, Austin."

“Goodnight, Fiona.”

I stepped out of the car and walked into the hotel with a strange, unfamiliar feeling in my chest.