A Step Closer to Love

“You really don’t need to buy me lunch, I am having sandwiches after now,” Arabella said as Kieran pulled her along.

“Get in” he said opening the door to his car and nudging her in.

She turned to catch his face and pursed her lips to a line before getting into the car. Kieran closed the door and jogged over to the other side of the car.

He silently drove a few metres, he was glad that he overheard them speak about the restaurant they were visiting so he could successfully avoid them.

They got into the restaurant and the waiter came to them. to get their orders. Arabella ordered and then the waiter turned to Kieran to get his order.

“Aren’t you going to order anything?” Arabella asked handing the waiter the menu in her hand.

“I am having a late lunch, I think I told you that already,” Kieran said.

“Are you going to sit there and watch me eat?” Arabella asked.

“Yes,” he said with a nod.

“Is that kind of a fetish?”

“A fetish?” Kieran was not sure he understood what she was saying.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“Yeah like a fetish to watch others while eating?” Arabella said taking a sip from her cup.

The waiter bowed and left since it was obvious that they were not ordering anything again but kept him standing there for long.

“Since this is the first of its kind can you call it a fetish”

“Well for lack of better words, I think this is the best word to describe it since it seems weird and creepy” Arabella said with a shiver.

“There is nothing like that” Kieran said in a dismissing tone.

“Don’t you know it would be quite awkward for you to sit there and watch me eat?” she asked and he shook his head.

“If it bothers you that much then I can go way in the car while you eat” Kieran said.

Arabella knew it would be awkward to have him sit there but it would be mean to send him out when he had looked out for her so much.

“Don’t bother” she said stopping him before he could leave. “I don’t feel bothered one bit” she lied.

She was unsure if she would be able to eat well with his long stare at her. He had such a kind of stare that made her uncomfortable most time.

“What are you doing for dinner?”

“Nothing yet” Arabella responded looking up. She hoped he was fine because he was acting so different from what she knew him to be.

“Do you want to have dinner together?”

“Together?” Arabella responded in a chock. “Why?” she did not understand him.

“Yeah, I have a couple of errands to run after my meeting and then I will be back to the office to pick up for dinner”

“Are you alright?” Arabella knew that her question was not the answer to his invitation but she could not help herself on bit. She needed to make sure he was fine.

“Of course I am, why would you ask that?”

“Because you are acting so strange”

“I am only asking for dinner with you, why do you have to make it sound like I have some mental issues going on”

Arabella was taken aback by his statement. She was only worried about him and did not mean to imply what he was saying.

“I did not mean it that way I was only worried that maybe something happened or maybe you want to tell me something because this is not the way you usually act” Arabella explained.

“It’s just dinner, if you don’t want to have one then you could just say no,” Kieran said.

From his facial lines, it was obvious that he was not happy about the situation one bit.

“I am sorry and I would love very much to have dinner with you,” Arabella said. Since she had hurt his feelings the best she could do was just have the dinner he was asking for.

“I will pick you up then” It seemed like he had forgotten his fridge all of a sudden and was now fine with the decision she made.

“That’s good,” Arabella said as the food was brought to her table.

“Oh this smells so good, are you sure you don’t want to have some?” she asked taking up her spoon and scooping a portion of the one-pot rice.

The restaurant specialized in such meals and she was eager to try something new. Even though she was not quite comfortable with eating out, she still felt better since a familiar face was sitting in front of her.

The meal she had with Everly somehow helped her to get over her fear a bit. “This tastes so good,” she said with a giggle as she took another spoonful.

“You should really try this” she said stretching her spoon to his face as if she was trying to persuade him to try it.

“I will pass” he said bending to tap on his phone. From the expressions on his face and the way his hands moved quickly, she could tell he was in a heated discussion. She wondered who it was. As much as she wanted to know she knew not to dare to ask him that.

“Thank you so much for the meal,” Arabella said as they walked out of the restaurant to the parking lot.

“Would you like to have coffee as well?” Kieran asked.

“I am so stuffed, I think having a little of that might help with digestion” Arabella replied and Kieran nodded.

“I will get you a cup real quick, there is a cafe next door”

“I will come with you” Arabella volunteered.

“There is no need for that, just stay in the car” he said and then jogged away.

Arabella sat in the car and tried to piece his actions into a big one but it was all impossible because she could not see what was making him act so cordial with her.

She arched him jog back to her with a to-go cup in hand. he gave her the cup as he entered the car. She did not want to ask him what kind of coffee it was. She was curious about what he thought her taste was.

“Hmm, my favourite” she said and saw a small smile quickly appear and disappear from his face.