It’s incredible.
My heart beats faster as I take in the space. We are the only people here. “It’s empty…”
It’s as if all the air has been sucked out of the room, leaving only a vacuum in its wake. I don’t understand how this could happen. My mind races with questions, but they all seem to fade into the background as I focus on the one voice that seems to answer them all.
“Of course it is,” he says simply. I can see the truth in his eyes, even if I don’t want to believe it. “I bought out the location for the night.”
And just like that, everything falls into place. In an instant, I see the beauty in his plan. The perfection of it. And I can’t help but be impressed. He leads me toward a table set up in the middle, and on top of it is food and wine. It’s lavish and romantic.
I don’t know how to feel about it.
Why is he going to so much effort for me?
My hands shake at my sides as I make my approach.
It’s mind-blowing the thought he’s put into this, and I’m not sure if I love it or if it makes me scared.
Scared to let him do nice things for me because I’m not used to anyone doing anything for me that doesn’t come with a price. A price I’m not willing to pay.
But despite all these thoughts, I can’t deny that this place is beautiful.
Together, we approach the table, and Gideon steps forward and pulls my chair out for me.
The way he’s acting, it’s like we’re on a date.
A very expensive, very elaborate date. One that typically ends with a question and a yes that’s cried out.
Not this time.
A large part of me wants to close down, put my walls up, and not enjoy this, but I don’t allow myself to do that.
Instead, I give myself this reprieve from hating him.
Oh, who am I kidding? I haven’t hated him since he gave me back my cello.
Taking a seat, I sit with my hands in my lap, playing with my fingers as Gideon takes the spot across from me.
It’s an intimate setting.
In front of us, the table is set with a beautiful array of food.Plates of cheese and meats. Filets, mini quiches. There’s a bit of everything here, and I’m not sure where to begin.
Quietly, I start to eat, and after a few bites, I reach across to the glass of wine that had already been poured for us prior to our arrival.I don’t usually drink, but a small sip won’t hurt.
“Now that you have me here…why?” The words are out, and I wish I could take them back. They sound so ungrateful. “Not that I don’t appreciate it. I do. This is…wonderful.”
He nods. “I guess I should explain, but I’m not going to. It’s for me to know.”
“Why?”
“Because I can.”
I bite my cheek, thinking about his non-answer. “That’s not really an answer.”
“It’s the only one I’m willing to give, firefly.” He looks at me with a sly smile. I can’t help but wonder what he’s thinking. “I did this because I wanted to,” he says finally. I shake my head, not understanding why he would go through all this trouble just for me. “It’s as simple as that, firefly.”
“And the name—”
He shakes his head. “What?”