11. Gianna

I wrap my jacket around myself because its a brisk, winter evening in February.

The last vestiges of daylight are slowly dissipating into a dark, velvety, shimmering night sky. Everyone seems in a hurry to get home. I barely avoid bumping into a lovey-dovey couple.

I let out a sigh of relief when I saw the restaurant Nala had explicitly given me directions to.

Now that Im here, I cant help but feel nervous. Why did I let her do this again?

Her words the other night echo in my ear. “You have to give love another chance. Thats why Im setting you up on a blind date, so you wont end up as an old maid.”

She had seen me distressed and supposed it was because of Kendrick, unaware that her brother was the cause of my misery.

I had let her cajole me into this and now I regret it. I should probably go back but that would be impolite. Nala wont let me live it down either.

I shake the doubts out of my head and walk in. As soon as I enter the restaurant, I am welcomed by the warmth of it. One of the waiters greets me politely and ushers me forward.

I smile back. “Reservation under Perez?”

The waiter nods with a knowing smile and leads me to my table. “Your date is already here.”

I chanced a glance at the table the waiter had gestured towards. I cant make out the mans features. His face is hidden behind a menu, but I can tell that his blonde hair is styled in the latest fashion.

I am directed to my seat while my date for the evening looks up from the menu. He smiles and stands. “Hi, Im Perez.”

It took me a moment to realize how good looking he was. He reaches his hand out for a handshake, and I smile.

“Gianna. Nice to meet you,” I politely reply.

He draws out my seat for me and I sit. He seems friendly. It might turn out well.

After dainty cups of wine, several courses of beautifully presented dishes, and a steady flow of conversation, I find that we have a lot in common.

He checks all the boxes for what I want in a man… which is why it is downright stupid that I feel nothing for him, no fluttering in my belly, not a single thought that strays in a romantic direction. I see him as someone I can be good friends with, but nothing else.

Hes different from Chris in every aspect. The only thing they have in common is that they are both business owners.

Chris makes my heart ache every time we meet. I hate how my body involuntarily submits itself to him without ever putting up a fight, even when I know its wrong.

He flags down the waiter. “Dinner is on me,” he says as he retrieves his wallet from his pocket.

“Or we can split it,” I offer.

“No, I will use this as a reason to encourage you to go on another date with me.” He smiles.

I dont know what to say. All I know is that there wont be another date. To be polite, I just offer him a smile.

He drives me home, all the while making small talk.

He opens the door for me to step out.

“Thanks,” I say.

“Anything for a beautiful lady like you.”

I flush at his compliment. He leans in to press a kiss on my cheek.

Its suppose to feel right because Perez is a nice guy but everything feels so wrong. Its just a soft peck but it’s like all the puzzle pieces are aligned all wrong in my chest.

“See you soon,” he says before I leave his car and he drives off into the night.

I stand in front of my apartment gate, confused and conflicted. Tonight, I realized that Im not ready for a relationship.

Someone starts clapping, and I turn to where the sound is coming from.

Its Chris walking up to me, clapping. He seems out of it. His eyes are puffy, and his tie recklessly undone.

I groan inwardly. The root of my misery has decided to show up. I havent seen him since that night we shared.

With the way hes stumbling, hes drunk. By the time he reached me, I had steeled my emotions. “Go home, Chris.”

“But I just got here,” he says, confused and slurring his words slightly.

“Go home,” I repeat, knowing nothing good would come out of talking to him in his drunk state.

“Why?”

“Please. Chris, just go home.”

His expression suddenly shifts from confusion to anger.

“You want me to leave after not seeing you for four days, Gianna? Four hellish days.” He spits out. His words ring with anger, but his eyes belie something else. “You avoided me like a plague like that night meant nothing.”

“Is it supposed to mean something?” His eyes flicker with something I dont understand, and he stares at me in utter disbelief. “We both needed to unwind. It was a quick fuck and nothing else.”

I honestly dont know where the burst of confidence is coming from, but Im not going to let him see my trembling knees and shaking heart.

“Is that why you are hanging out with another guy? Is he a quick fuck, too?”

Hes beyond gone tonight. His heart and soul are nowhere to be seen as he stumbles, cornering me against the wall.

“Chris? Youre?—”

“And whose fault is that?” he snaps. “I was perfectly fine until you showed up and messed up with my head. I just needed one night to get you out of my head, but it seems like its not enough. Its all your fault.”

I stare at him in unbelief. Did he come here to blame me for not being satisfied with one night? Damn, I really fell in love with a jerk.

He smirks, his eyes not leaving my lips. “As much as I would love to kiss you now, I know I will enjoy it more when Im sober.”

My heart flutters despite myself. “You are crazy, Chris.”

He nods. “Crazy for you, I guess.”

I will do anything to wipe that smirk off his face. “If you wanted more, you could have just asked. Im down for quickies.”

His eyes finally leave my lips to look at my eyes in shock.

I dont know what has come over me, but if he thinks hes going to rule over me, hes wrong. He deserves to pay for the pain hes causing my heart. I make the rules.

“Hit me up if you want to try something new,” I cunningly add with a sly curve of my lips before hastily turning to leave without seeing nor hearing his response.

Its no big deal. Its just sex, right? I will be the one to wreck his heart and break down his ego.

You dont know whats coming for you, Chris White. You dont.