“So, which one do you think is better?” I turned to face Lily so she could give me her opinion on the million-and-one outfit I tried on.
“Just like the others, this one also looks good on you. You literally went on a shopping spree just for one date?” she spoke as if I was ridiculous for doing that.
I mean I may have gone a little extra with the shopping but everybody does that on the first date don’t they?
“I was thinking of the future when I was shopping” She gave me a look that she didn’t believe me so I threw my hands up in exasperation. “I know there will be a second and a third and more and more. I have to be prepared for anything”
“I hope so. We would hate to see you hurt” she spoke with a sad smile.
I didn’t have to ask her who she was talking about because she meant her and Lorenzo. I knew I was either older than Lily or we would be the same age but I didn’t ask because I thought it was rude.
"I won’t be hurt. Now stop being all serious and help me pick a dress. I need to pick one to know what makeup, shoes, bags and accessories to use and that would also take some.” I gestured towards the huge pile of clothes on the bed and littered all over the room
"I swear, you are being too extra.” she sighed but resigned to leaving me be. I guess she realized there was nothing else she could do except help me pick a dress to wear.
After bickering back and forth we finally agreed on one dress. It was a little black tux gown that was just above my knees. It had a plunging neckline and gold buttons. I paired it with my favourite red-bottom heels.
I avoided the necklace because I didn’t want to take the attention away from my cleavage. It was the star of the whole show. I placed my hair in a ponytail to take it away from my face. We don’t want to cover the main attraction.
Makeup was light and simple and my lips were literally begging to be kissed from how glossy it was. The night was going to end up getting steamy and wet.
“You are the most beautiful person I have ever set my eyes on. I will always be shocked by how beautiful you are” Lily awed when I stood up and turned to show her my final look.
“You are exaggerating but thank you milady” I told her with a little bow.
I grabbed my purse from Lily when she handed it to me before looking at myself one more time in the mirror “What time is it?” I asked her. Atticus had sent me a message with the details of the restaurant he had reserved.
"It's part seven” great. The reservation was for eight p.m. If I left now, I would be right on time.
I had butterflies in my stomach throughout the entire ride to the restaurant. I was with Justin and the driver. I didn’t see the need to go with bodyguards for dinner. I wanted the date to be private and intimate for both of us.
“Have a lovely night” Justin told me when I arrived at the restaurant. I gave him a small smile to show my gratitude because I couldn’t form words from how nervous I was.
I was met with a young man at the entrance. He must have seen me and came out to possibly take me to the reserved table.
“Good evening Mrs Hayland. Welcome to Rila. My name is Anderson, if you’ll please follow me, I’ll escort you to our rooftop” I gasped in surprise.
I couldn’t believe Atticus had put in actual effort for our date and reserved the rooftop. I had seen a thousand and one romantic movies about rooftop dinners but I had never imagined that I would actually get to have one.
The attendant must have thought he did something wrong because he suddenly had an alarmed look on his face. “Did I make a mistake with the reservation? Oh my God!! I am so sorry” he rambled on without giving me room to say anything.
“No No... you didn’t make any mistakes, it’s all me. Let’s go” I rushed to interrupt him before he could go into full panic mode. He was also young. He sighed in relief before leading the way to the rooftop.
My jaw hit the ground when I saw the place. The whole roof had been decorated so nicely. There was even a pianist playing something a song I couldn’t recognize in the background.
There was a table in the middle with two chairs placed across each other. The table was already arranged but there was no food yet.
There were also roses scattered around and candles. It almost brought tears to my eyes because Atticus made an effort to make this happen. It made me hopeful and it made my heart squeeze at the thought of what could be.
“Do you want anything? Water, wine, a starter?” Anderson asked when I finally took my seat.
“No. I’ll wait for my husband, thank you.” I told him with a smile which he returned before he turned and left me alone with the musician or the pianist.
I could not stop myself from smiling. Everything just felt right and it would be perfect when he got here. I could not believe this was actually happening.
I stood up when I couldn’t contain my excitement any longer. I walked around the open space to get rid of my nerves before Atticus came so I wouldn’t disgrace myself.
"I should be sitting down. Imagine how stupid I would look if he came and saw me standing” I muttered to myself before walking back to my seat and pulling out my phone instead to play games.
I was so engrossed in my games that I realized that a lot of time had passed and Atticus had yet to show up. The music had gotten a bit boring and lousy, a sign that the pianist was tired from playing for a while.
I checked the time and almost jumped in shock. It was past 10. Atticus was two hours late.
How had I not realized that time had gotten so late? That's why the elders said that our phones were dangerous because they made us incapable of being aware of our surroundings.
I closed the game and opened the phone app instead so I could call him. My fingers trembled with unknown fear as I waited for it to ring but instead of ringing a lady’s voice announced that the phone was switched off.
My stomach clenched in anticipation as I tried the other line but it rang and later went to the voicemail when it was unanswered. Worry clouded my senses as I began to wonder what happened and why he wasn’t picking up his calls.
I couldn’t stay there any longer so I grabbed my purse and ran out of the restaurant. I was so relieved to see Justin still outside. He saw the worry on my face and hurried to meet me halfway.
“What happened?’ he asked as soon as he reached me.
"I think something’s wrong with Atticus” I rushed out.
"Why would you think that?” he asked confused but rushed after me when I walked past him in a hurry to get to the car.
“He didn’t come and he isn’t answering his calls. Can you call Nathan? Find out what’s wrong”
I spoke in a rush but he didn’t move.
We were already in the car and on our way home.
“Why aren’t you calling him? Something could be wrong” I stretched from the back to shake his shoulders in case he didn’t hear me.
“Nothing is wrong with him. I can promise you that” he said tightly as if he was pissed but I could not tell at who or what in my panicked state.
“How do you know that when you didn’t even call? Give me Nathan’s number, I’ll call him myself if you won’t” I spoke to him angrily but he didn’t even flinch.
“If he was hurt or anything, I would be the first person to know after Natah and since I haven’t received such information, I can promise you that nothing has happened to him so calm down and let’s go home.”
“What are you even saying? I am telling you that he…” The sound of my phone indicating that I had a message interrupted me and I quickly fished out my phone thinking it was a message from him but I wished I never did.
The message was from an unknown number and it was an image. I clicked on it and waited for it to open and when it did, my blood froze in my brain and I suddenly could not think.
It was an image of Atticus asleep in Samantha’s arms. The camera must have been placed above her so it could capture her and my husband with his head on her chest. She was smirking at the camera and below the picture was a caption.
"Still think you can beat me?”