Narrator-
After that adventurous encounter, Frantz scolded himself for almost slipping up and losing his control. When he walked away from her, his body begged him to turn right back around and finish what he started. Liliana wanted him as much as he wanted her. But from the very start of their relationship, she made her limit known to him. And he vowed to respect it no matter what. He knew that teasing Lili wouldn't make things any easier. But he was always tempted by her. Any little thing she did, and he was aroused. If she spoke, he couldn't stop looking at her lips, when she walked he admired the shape of her body with every stride, and when she was unaware of his eyes, he studied her habits, whether it was the way she smiled while reading her books, or the way she nibbled her lip when she was anxious. Everything about Lili had him on edge.
When he boarded the plane and saw her back to him, the next thing he knew he was standing behind her. He also admired the fact that she always dressed modestly. She kept him guessing, and the longer he waited, the sweeter he knew the reward would be. Frantz was somewhat thankful that he had to wait. At least his relationship could actually mature, and if he were to fall in love with Liliana, it would be for who she was, not for her body. Though he couldn't wait to have her body.
After scolding himself, Frantz figured he needed to ease on the whole teasing thing, or else he'd be driven mad with want and lust, and the last thing he wanted to do was drive Liliana away or hurt her. Frantz told himself that he just had to take it easy.
Meanwhile in the kitchenette, Liliana thanked the man upstairs for Frantz's control, because had he not pulled away, she sure would've gone all the way. Lili never knew when Frantz would surprise her this way, but she found that the more he did so, the harder she was finding it to resist the urge of just giving herself up to him. But Lilian knew she was stronger than that. She just had to hold her ground. She knew that Frantz would never force her to do anything she wasn't ready to, and he wouldn't let her forget her promise either, and for that she was grateful.
After gathering her wits, Lili managed to go through her pre-departure routine without a hitch, but that's what worried Liliana. The trip back to the states was awfully quiet, and when they landed, for once Frantz didn't invite her to his house, nor did he taunt her in the car. The car ride was also quiet, he only kissed her swiftly when Armagio pulled up to her house, and then he left.
His behavior caused Liliana to frown, as she began to worry that her luck had ran out with Frantz. She could tell he was sexually frustrated, and maybe he was now tired of waiting for her. Liliana entered her home as she swallowed a lump in her throat. She didn't want to think it... but was Frantz going to break up with her?
Lili followed the routine of calling her parents, then she headed for a shower. She figured by the time she was done, Frantz would've called her to let her know that he was home, but the call never came.
She knew it was late and maybe he was tired, but from the moment they started dating, not a night went by he didn't call her. Even if they had spent the evening together, he always called her. It was past 1:00 AM and still no call. Liliana began to grow worried. Hoping that Frantz was okay, she scurried to dial his number and waited in anticipation for him to answer.
One ring, two rings, three rings... no answer.
With every ring, Liliana felt her heart beat a little faster. She felt her heart beat so strong, her body pulsed with the rhythm. She bit her nails anxiously, her palms running moist with sweat.
Frantz didn't answer until the seventh ring.
"Hello?" He responded, his voice groggy, and Liliana felt her heart breathe in relief.
"Hey? Are you okay?" Liliana asked, the worry in her voice evident as she frowned and finally allowed herself to sit down.
"Uh yeah, yeah, I'm okay." Frantz replied, and now Lili felt her worry for his health swap with the worry for the future of their relationship. His tone was not as warm and loving as usual. No... this time it was distant and strange.
"Oh..." Lili answered disheartened, "it's just cause you didn't call to let me know you were home, so I was worried..." Liliana trailed off, not having the need to explain her actions to Frantz in a while, and it kind of felt alien now, unsettling even, and her hand slightly shook with the phone.
"No I'm alright. I was just really tired, I got home and showered, and fell asleep. I'm sorry for worrying you." Frantz answered, and Liliana gulped again before she nodded and said, "okay, well I'll let you rest, have a good night."
"Thanks." Frantz replied, softly.
"I love you." Liliana blurted before her eyes widened, and she slapped a palm against her mouth. Oh no.
For a moment, the phone was quiet on the other end, and Liliana could feel her heart break piece by piece, with every second spent in silent. Liliana waited for his answer with a hot head. The more she waited, the louder her breath became to her ears, and the more her hands shook and quivered with the phone.
"Um, I have to go." Frantz said, quietly, and Lili closed her eyes, her heart plummeting to the ground and shattering into a million tiny little pieces, while two tears rolled down her cheeks as the line beeped, signaling the end of the call.
Oh she was a fool. A complete and utter fool. An absolute idiot.
Liliana began to beat herself up, as she pondered, what the heck was she thinking?
'I love you'?!
Liliana mocked herself. She was a fool alright, and now her stupid tears wouldn't stop flowing.
Why the heck was she crying for anyways? She brought this on herself. Why did she say that to Frantz? Now of all times? Something was obviously wrong with him, and it had to do with her, or else he wouldn't be acting so distant. And she could only guess one reason as to why he acted this way. The sudden change in attitude came about after their encounter this morning.
Liliana shook her head, dejected and disappointed, as she placed her head in her hands and began to sob. Here we go again. Her relationship was about to be ruined because of her choice to remain abstinent until marriage.
In that moment, Liliana felt her insecurities sneer her way, as if saying 'I told you so', meanwhile her subconscious was telling her to stop jumping to conclusions. Lili didn't know what to think except that she was an idiot.
Picking her tired shoulders up, Liliana headed to bed where she curled into a ball and allowed her tears to run quietly. Her head was already pounding with a headache, and her clogged nose made her even more miserable. She was an idiot. As she wallowed in self-pity, Liliana began to reminisce on her best moments with Frantz.
After their first date in his apartment, he took her on a more formal date, where he picked her up in a fancy convertible, and brought her to a restaurant by the beach. After dinner, they walked on the beach hand in hand. They spoke for hours, they chased each other along the beach, and they sat together and watched the sun set. There wasn't a moment during that date that Liliana wasn't smiling.
The next date he took her to the movies, and the one after that, he took her shopping. Liliana barely bought anything, but it felt great dragging Frantz to all her favorite stores, but she avoided the intimate stores on purpose. Every date, Frantz surprised her with something. He was the total package. A gentleman. But he was also a man. A man with wants. A man with needs.
Often enough Liliana felt bad for forcing Frantz to wait. She knew he was an experienced man, and she could only imagine his pain, but she had to remain true to herself. Every night Liliana prayed for resistance on her part, and more patience on Frantz's part. He never forced her, he never went further than a kiss, and if they went past kissing, Liliana often initiated the action, but he always stopped himself from going any further. Liliana knew that he was doing his best to help her keep her promise, but it didn't hurt to pray that he hadn't run out of patience.
The more time Liliana spent with him, the more he grew on her.
Liliana had been wanting to tell Frantz she loved him for a while now. And when she realized she loved him, it has shocked her to the core. But she remembers it like it was yesterday.