Date gone wrong

~Elena~

My finger twirled the tip of my hair as I laid on the bed, staring at the ceiling. A wide smile lit my face up and I constantly bit my lower lip as I thought about how beautiful my night was going to be. Next to me, laid my phone and I was on a call with Sophie, my best friend from high school.

“I have a good feeling about this, Sophie,” I slightly shook my head, “It’s like he came right out of a fantasy romance novel.” I added passionately, and I heard Sophie burst into laughter.

“Elena, C’mon, you met this guy on a dating app, talked for just a month and now you think he’s an angel sent to you? How can you know who he truly is over the phone?” She asked in surprise.

This didn’t surprise nor bother me. Sophie had never understood how true romance really worked. She wasn’t one to drown herself in romance novels like me. My excitement will always be strange to her.

“I’ll come back and say ‘I said so’...” I shrugged as I began to get out of bed. “You haven’t seen the way he looks at me on facetime, it’s like I am his world.” I stared into space as I demonstrated with my hands.

Sophie sighed deeply on the other end, “Just promise me you would be careful. You are just stepping into the dating world, it’s not as rosy as you think.”

I rolled my eyes and pursed my lips. ‘Well, I am going to have it right. This date is going to be perfect.’ I thought to myself.

“Okay, I have to go now,” Sophie’s voice broke the silence again, “Call me as soon as you get back home and tell me everything, okay?”

“Of course! Anticipate!” I grinned widely as I picked up my phone. “Love you, girl.” I added before hanging up.

I let out a deep sigh and clicked on the new Tinder notification on my phone. I excitedly clicked on it and as I had expected, it was Daniel, my perfect match. His message read,

“I cannot wait to see you tonight, Angel. I have for the first time found what I can truly love, I have found you. You are my sympathy, my better self, my good angel.”

“Oh my goodness.” I covered my mouth with my palm as tears of joy and excitement prickled the corner of my eyes. “Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre (1847), one of my favorite gothic feminist romance novels! I have always known he is the one!”

My eyes wandered to the time display on the left side of my phone and my eyes widened. It was 6 pm already. I had exactly an hour to prepare and order a ride. I instantly set my phone aside and rushed to my closet, yanking it up in a hurry.

I already had the night’s outfit in mind already, it was my twenty-first birthday dress. A pink slip dress with a slit in front. I was going to pair it with the same silver heels I had worn too.

Without hesitation, I got out of my robe. I had taken a shower and washed my hair already. I became completed naked in front of my full mirror and slowly ran my hands down my hips. I would be finally losing it. The dear virginity I had been holding onto, waiting for the perfect man. I was ready to give it to Daniel.

While I admired my body in the mirror for a while, I suddenly felt something strange behind me, as if I was being watched. I furrowed my brows and looked back at my window which was open behind me, but I saw no one.

With my forehead wrinkled, I looked back in the mirror and looked at the window through it’s reflection, but still… I saw nobody.

“Haa.” I sighed loudly and shook my head. ‘Is this the part where I get nervous and freak out? Hell no.’

I brushed off the creepy thought and proceeded to dress up. I had no time to waste. I touched up my fair face with slight makeup, bronzer, blush and red lipstick, just to give my face some color. I brushed out my chestnut brown wavy hair and let it fall freely on my shoulders, slid into my heels and picked up my purse.

I was ready to go. I had twenty minutes to get to the restaurant he picked which was perfect because, my uber would take less than fifteen to get there. I headed out of my room, and clacking noises filled the air as I walked on the tiles, heading to the stairs.

As I got to the first floor, I heard laughter erupt from my father’s study making me stop in my tracks. I heard two voices. One undeniably belonged to my father, but the other… it sounded familiar. I walked towards his study and found the door open.

I could see my father’s face but his visitor, his back was turned against me. His silver hair glowed under the fluorescent in the study and his suit exuded elegance and authority.

“That sucks.” My father said amidst laughter. “So it doesn’t look like you two are ever going to get back together.”

“She is married to another man, Martin. No chance for me anymore.” His visitor muttered with a low laugh.

“Hey Elena,” My father raised his head and looked at me, still grinning. I was too lost trying to recall who his visitor was, that I didn’t remember to answer him.

His visitor eventually turned back to look at me, and that was when I saw him. My brows lifted in surprise as we locked gazes.

“Mr. Richard?” I muttered, almost immediately lost in his beauty. ‘My father’s best friend is back!’ I thought in surprise, I almost forgot about him. He looked older but better compared to the last time I saw him.

“Elena Hale?” Mr. Richard called, surprise dripping from his voice as his eyes slowly scanned my body, making me a little shy. His eyes lingered on my body a mixture of surprise and distraction. “How long as it been?” He asked, taking a quick peek at my father before looking at me again.

“Eight years.” I answered before my father could. “How are you, Mr Richard?” I moved closer to where he sat and he stood up, opening his arms to embrace me. With a wide smile, I went ahead to wrap my arms around him, but this time, not as tight as it used to be when I was a child.

This was the norm when I was younger. His warm embrace was the comfiest after I lost my Mom and my dad went down the grieving hole. I inhaled deeply as his cologne filled my nostrils, and even though it had been a while, I could still recall it. He had always loved his rich and musky scent, like leather and aged whiskey.

As much as I wanted to enjoy his warm embrace for a while, I had to leave so I slowly let go of him and moved back. His eyes were glued to my face that I got so nervous and couldn’t keep eye contact with him.

“Are you heading out?” My father asked, and I nodded, looking at him.

“I am going on a date.” I grinned and at the corner of my eyes, I saw Mr. Richard lift his brows in surprise. “I may come home late.”

“Stay safe. If you notice anything odd, call me.” My father answered and I nodded, taking slow steps backwards.

I turned my gaze to Mr. Richard, “See you, Mr Richard and… welcome home.” After saying this, I turned to leave and as I walked, I felt his gaze linger on my back.

As I headed to the door, I got a notification my ride was waiting outside. I hurried out, feeling the night’s excitement overwhelm me again.

*

“Thank you,” I said to the waitress as she placed the complementary bread basket in front of me. Daniel was yet to arrive but I didn’t mind. I was a few minutes early anyways.

I sent a message letting him know I was around already, and I proceeded to enjoy my snacks as I waited for him. I took pictures of myself and posted it on my socials with the caption; “History will be written tonight.”

I soon finished the snacks and there was still no trace of Daniel. He was thirty minutes late already, and even though I hated to admit it, my hope and excitement began to falter.

“Will I be stood up?” I muttered to myself and clenched my jaws hard. I checked the message I sent to him and he was yet to reply. My heart began to race in my chest. I could smell the disappointment in the air already.

‘This cannot be…’

“Elena?” A familiar voice cut off my thoughts. I looked up and it was Daniel, dressed in a formal tux. He looked very majestic and I instantly felt butterflies in my tummy. He moved closer to embrace me.

“I am so sorry I came late.” He said as he kissed my cheek, making me blush hard. “My car started to act up when I hit the road, I had to have it towed and ordered a ride last minute.”

“That’s okay. I understand.” I answered as he sat. He waved to one of the waitress, asking for the menu. As he did all this, he did with so much elegance. I was lost staring at him that I didn’t hear the whole conversation he had with the waitress.

“You look more beautiful in person, Elena,” He said, reaching for my hand on the table. “I am so glad we matched and we could get to talk.”

“Me too.” I shyly answered, slightly lowering my head. Without hesitation, we both began to discuss about our hobbies and literature. He sounded like a very sound book lover and this just made me want to hug and kiss him even more.

Amidst my soft chuckle, I reached into my purse and picked up my lipstick. “I need to use the restroom real quick, please excuse me.” I said as I stood up and headed to the restroom.

Getting in, I squealed happily in front of the mirror. The night was going exactly as I had envisioned. I touched up my lipstick, pressing my lips together seductively, ran my finger through my hair and fixd my posture. “Get your mans, girl!” I said to my reflection in the mirror.

With great confidence, I headed out of the restroom and catwalked to our table, when all of a sudden… I stopped in my tracks, confusion and dread washing over me. I rushed to our table and looked everywhere, my eyes scanned the whole restaurant frantically.

Daniel was nowhere to be found. But that wasn’t the only thing missing. My purse and phone were gone too.

“Did I just get robbed?!”