CHAPTER 3

"So, what makes you agree with your mother?" Seby asked me while we were eating. 

He was doing most of the slicing of my food considering I cannot see what's in front of me. While I made the effort to catch the food with my mouth.

"Does it mean you are ready to get married?"

"Are you ready to get married?" I replied back. "Why did you agree to this when it seems like you can easily get girls?"

"Oh..." I heard he suddenly stopped eating and I could sense his stare on me. "Does that mean I can easily get you to marry me?"

I laughed a little. "Unfortunately, I am a woman and not a girl. And, it would take a lot of effort to make this woman fall for you."

"Now, you are making me curious." He chuckled, sounded so right in my ears. "Tell me, what should I do to make you fall in love with me?"

"For starters, I might need to remove my blindfold to see how handsome you are then I'll consider after." I replied back.

"You're quite after the looks, huh." He acted offended, but it seems like he's amused.

"Mr. Seby, I am such a gorgeous woman. Of course, I need good genes." I joked. We both laughed. I couldn't understand how it seems more comfortable with him than any other guy I've met.

"What are you thinking?" He said, after a while of silence. "Do you want to remove your blindfold now?"

"Have we met before?" I cannot help but to ask. "I mean, there's just feeling like---"

"Like we've known each other?" He continued my sentence. "Trust me, I feel the same way."

I blushed when he said that. Thank God, I have this blindfold or he'll be seeing how I am affected by him. I don't even know him. Is this what love is blind means?

"What shall we do about this thing, Lady?" I imagined him smiling as he said that.

I fought the urge to remove the blindfold and see his wholeness yet I decided not to. At least, I don't want to spoil the moment unless one of us doesn't fit each other's standard.

"I suggest we continue eating and not spoil the moment." I said, picking up my fork. "How about we just say something about ourselves which doesn't include business or family?"

"When I was a kid," He started. "I used to play in the woods with this friend of mine. We used to do a lot of things like swimming, climbing trees, eating...and everything. I enjoyed my childhood because of him and I always looked forward to vacation where we will go to our hacienda and I will play with him. It went on like that for years until one day I never saw that kid again."

"Wait, is this some kind of scary story?" I replied.

"Well, not really. But, it's not something I told everyone because they might think I am really crazy because there was never really a kid." He laughed a bit. "In that year he didn't come, I asked everyone but no one knows about him. So, maybe he is alive in my imagination."

"And, why are you telling me this?" I raised my brow. "Don't you think that I am going to think you are crazy?" I pursed my lips. "Are you trying to scare me so I will say no to you? I mean, is this trying to make me turn-off?" 

"Actually, no." I could feel the sincerity in her voice. "You see, I never told that to anyone...not even to my closest friends but I told it to you the first time we met."

"Why?" I said, confused.

"I am dying to know, too, Lady Daianara." I heard the sound of him moving. "Perhaps, I'll get some clarification the next time we meet again." I felt his lips on top of my head.

I was stunned for a minute...until I decided to remove my blindfold but he was no longer in front of me.

"Aren't you going to tell me who he is?" I kept on asking Roselia. "Then, why are you still even here in front of me?" I scoffed.

She laughed a little, enjoying my little misery. "Lady, I am so sorry, but I also didn't see his face as he was wearing a mask when we met."

I eyed her. "You are lying."

"Well, indeed." She teased me. "Don't worry, I will let you know if he will arrange another date for you."

"As if," I said, although deep down I am hoping that he would call. I'd rather have a seat with him than to meet any guy again.

"Please tell my mother I did not do something to ruin it, so if he said no, then it's because he clearly doesn't like me, okay?" I crossed my arms. "Please clarify that so he will not arrange another date for me."

"Do you like him?" She curiously asked me. "Did he manage to impress you?"

"He managed to pick my curiosity." I sighed. "And, damn him! I have been dying to know him for weeks. Can you just tell him---" I stopped when I realized that I am being hysterical.

"Fine, nevermind." I calmed myself while Roselia looked at me with her teasing eyes. "Seriously? Are you going to say something?"

"Uh, would you jump on your seat if I told you he sent something for you?"

"I would probably jump on our building right now." I joked.

"Well, you should now."

I blinked. "Seriously? What did he send?" I followed Roselia out where I saw a bunch of flowers and some coffee. He didn't only send something for me but for all our employees.

"He left his phone call." Roselia gave me the card.

I bit my lower lip, thinking if I am going to call him or not. I decided not to because he might think I like him. I cannot just hand him my feelings that easily, he needs to make an effort.

However, I changed my mind.

I dialed his number and he answered on the first ring.

"Miss me, Lady Daianara." He chuckled over the phone. "Your name is too long for me, shall I give you a nickname?"

"It depends if that nickname is enough to flatter me."

"I hope it will not only make you flatter but will also make your heart beat fast." He grinned over the phone as he called me, "Baby."

That was fucking enough to drive me insane considering the fact that we hadn't even met.

"Speechless?" He asked after a while.

I coughed. "I would appreciate it if I could hear it live."

"Does it mean you want to see, baby?" He chuckled, and still sounded so sweet. "Are you ready to see me now?"

"Do you want to see me?" I fired back. "I mean, to make this thing work we have to share mutual feelings. It should not only be me who should want it."

"I want to see you." He said seriously and even though I couldn't see him, I felt sincerity in him.

I giggled and fought the urge not to jump on my feet right now. At this age, I never thought I would feel this kind of excitement. Maybe, he's not bad at all. And, it seems like destiny is telling me to open my heart to someone who actually knows that I exist.

"Shall I tell you a story first?" I said, over the phone, while I sat on the couch.

"Is that a scary one?" He said, relaxing his voice. "Or should I prepare a tissue?"

"To be fair, it's something that would make you think that I am crazy."

"Well, you are talking to the right person." He grinned. "Go on, baby. Share it with me."

"I like this guy. I mean, love? I am not sure but I am attracted to this guy."

"Am I seeing a rejection here even though you haven't seen me yet?"

"No," I laughed a little. "I am just telling you that the reason why I was never interested in someone is because I like a guy who doesn't know my existence. I mean, I don't even know anything about him except that I really like him. Does it sound crazy?"

"Not at all." He said. "That guy is lucky, though."

"Yeah, and I did crazy things like actually finding him. I have this photo of him. You know," I said, casually talking to him. "But, I found out that he was married and living in another place so...yeah I was kinda sad but now..."

"Now?" He asked.

"Hmm, not really sad about it. I don't know. Beats me." I laughed a little. "Anyway, that's something I can share with you."

"That makes the two of us crazy, then."

We both laughed.

"Shall we see each other, baby?" He said in a husky voice.

"Surprise me." I said, giggling as I turned off the phone.

I don't want to get my high hopes, but he just raised the standards so high. And, I am not here to argue...but to feel everything he has to offer.