The first lady I studied

Mateo's POV

Could Nathan be the reason she never smiled? I know I mentioned that I didn't want to get involved, but I just…yes, I just hated how stressed and unhappy my little designer always looked.

When she looked at me as if saying in her mind, ‘It’s that man again,’ I came out of the car and handed her one of the cold cans of Coca-Cola I bought when she was taking a long time in the thrift store.

“Is everything okay?” I asked after she collected the drink. It seemed like she was really thirsty. I didn't expect her to receive the drink from me. After drinking it to her satisfaction, she heaved a deep sigh and let her shoulders down.

Evelyn was sweating. I could see beads of sweat on her face and neck enlarging and streaming down to her body. I brought my handkerchief to help her but she only glanced at me as if she suspected that I sprayed something poisonous on the hanky.

“Thank you,” she referred to the Coca-Cola and was about to walk away, but I didn't let her do that. I grabbed her arm and forced her to take the handkerchief.

“I have something that belongs to you. If you don't talk or enter my car, I won't hand it to you,” I didn't plan to threaten her but if I wanted her to talk to me so I could convince her, I had to do that.

“What is it that you have that belongs to me?” She looked curious so I shrugged.

“It is up to you if you want to find out. Come with me.”

“Do you want to kidnap me?” She squinted her eyes.

“No!” I had to use my hands to defend myself by waving them. Women! They always twist things! “Why would I do that?”

“Because I declined your offer,” she faced me completely and I could see that I had gotten her attention.

“Oh, you declined my offer. I thought you said you'd think about it,” I lowered my tone.

“I'm still…thinking about it.”

“Would you like to share with me why you went to the thrift store?” I walked a bit closer to her.

She noticed it and came closer. She then leaned closer to me and looked at me from up to down. “Why are you after me?” She whispered. “What do you want?”

“You,” I gave a simple response.

“I told you…” but I cut her off and grabbed her hand. I was seventeen years older than her. I should be able to make her do what I want but when I tried, my guts failed me. I couldn't do it. I needed her to agree to what I wanted.

“Will you come with me?” I asked politely but she stayed quiet, looking at people passing by. “Have you eaten?”

“Nothing yet,” she replied almost immediately.

I knew I smiled. She seemed to be a foodie. I love foodies even though I wasn't one.

“Should we get lunch first?” It felt like I waited forever to get her answer.

“I'm starving,” was her response so I took her hand gently and led her to my car. I opened the door for her and waited for her to get in so I could close the door.

After that, I went around the car and landed in the driver's seat. I was so excited to have Evelyn in my car. Does that mean I was getting her to like me? I mean like to work with me.

I wanted to ask for her phone number but I recalled that I had to feed her first before asking anything. I didn't want to anger her so I gave her a small pack of one of the jelly candies I had in my car.

“Have this as a snack while I drive to a good restaurant,” I said to her without looking at her, but I could sense her gaze on me, so I turned to glance at her and saw her looking at me. She wasn't looking at me but was studying me.

“Are we good?” I had to ask.

“Where are you taking me?” She questioned as she struggled to open the sachet so I took it from her and opened it.

“I'm taking you to a good restaurant,” I replied.

“The one the other night?”

“No.”

“Oh, okay.” She ended it there and began to snack on the candies while I focused on driving.

She stayed quiet for ten minutes and suddenly asked about what I had with me that belonged to her.

“Not now,” I simply told her. “We need to talk so until after that, I won't hand it to you.”

“What type of deal is that?” She wasn't satisfied.

“A deal between both of us.”

“Hmph,” she grumbled in silence but I could still hear it. I didn't know if she wanted me to hear but I heard.

We were eventually sitting before each other at the table located in a restaurant that was very close to a river, where boats were found.

I brought her to a lively place like this because she was looking distressed and I wanted to take it away.

They serve mostly seafood in restaurants like this, so we ordered more seafood, and while she was digging in, I could hear her silent moans about how good the food tasted.

“Do you like it?” I asked her.

When she looked at me, I saw a look I had never witnessed displayed on her face before. Her big, stern brown eyes softened, and it made me feel a little close to her.

“This place is so relaxing,” she mentioned. I felt proud of myself because I succeeded in comforting her without having to give her a hug or some word of encouragement. “Thank you,” she sounded like she meant it this time. “I'm sorry for being so mean to you.”

Wait, what was happening? Was there a potion in the food? “I can handle that, my future famous fashion designer.”

Hearing this, she was at first astounded and then she chuckled. “Don't flatter me, Mister.” She grabbed the cup and drank its contents.

“I want you to be famous. You are so talented.”

“That's what you see.”

“You don't believe me?”

She was quiet and suddenly looked teary but she looked away. I believe she did that to stop herself from bursting into tears. It was funny how she was the first lady I had ever taken the time to study, and I could even read her expression and body language.