I started to tell him the basic things about myself, my family, my studies, just the simple things that I could divulge without telling on my secrets and on the bad parts of my life. The times where the demons from my past had chased me and were brought into my life by the very man who had saved me from them.
Neither did I tell him of the thoughts that kept me up at night. Of him, because he was one of them now. The man who reminded me so much of my demons from the past.
I really didn't want to hold back I did because it was the right thing to do. Because I had learnt the hard way never to be too trusting especially of me.
Noah watched me intently as I ate while telling him the things I found interesting enough to talk about yet impersonal.
"I never thought of you as one who would trouble anyone." He laughed, as he calmly brought each morsel to his lips, his eyes never leaving mine. "You look really calm, collected and gentle both in speech and character."
I shook my head slightly while smiling."Maybe now, but back then I had always been impulsive and stubborn especially as a young teenager. I guess daddy issues contributed more to it. I was a terror in my teen trust me. I even learnt how to shoot a gun early. I was that bitch!" I boasted.
"What?! Shoot a gun?!" He exclaimed, sounding shocked, but something in me felt that he was feigning his surprise. Or maybe I desperately needed to believe that he was faking it and he already knew that I could shoot.
"Yes." I smiled. "My life back then wasn't entirely beautiful especially considering the fact that I grew up in a town ruled by gangs but I guess turned out fine after all."
Noah shook his head and grinned.
"
Your CV more than illustrates that." He praised, causing me to blush a bit as I took a spoon full into my mouth.
"So any love stories? Any do or die affairs?" He inquired, staring deep into my eyes. The smile that usually adorned his face disappeared for a moment but then he grinned and laid back on the chair.
One would think he was anxious for my answer, scared even.
"Well like you I've only loved one person." I finally replied after a while. My eyes partly on my food and on him.
"And you intend to love him forever?" He asked, and I could not help but notice how his Adam apple moved as though he was trying to swallow something huge.
I noticed his heart heave, and I looked up at him just to meet his eyes.
"He's dead." I finally said, my voice sounded so emotionless but my heart was sinking in an abyss of pain as I slowly ate.
"Death doesn't really stop you from loving someone especially if they took your heart and soul away with them. Some love never dies even with death. So again do you plan on loving him till death?"
"Some love stories do not deserve a happy ending. So was mine. What about yours Noah Wales?"
"Mine would get a happy ending."
"But you are on a date with me." I smirked.
"As I should." He beamed.
My heart skipped a beat at this but I decided not to think much of what he had said as I looked down at my food.
I could and would not get my hopes up, not again, not until I had my facts and proof.
"Your face is amazingly expressive. Every bite as if you are tasting this for the first time." Noah commented after a while of silence, which had passed with both of us feasting on our food.
"Its good." I moaned, tasting another spoonful.
His eyes were on me now but he wasn't smiling. No, this time he was looking at me with awe.
"I love just how you look, the roundness of your face, the color of your skin, the fullness of your lips, your long eyelashes, your brown intoxicating eyes, your nose that resembles something that God had almost forgotten to give add to your mesmerizing features but did anyway after remembering to on the last minute."
I giggled at this throwing my head back in a fit of laughter. "Fuck you." I said as I looked back at him tears staining my eyes.
He was smiling so sweetly as if the sound of my laughter was so heavenly a feeling and soothing a music to him.
"I said it was beautiful." He chuckled. "It is. Everything about you is perfect."
"Including my unplanned nose." I joked, instinctively touching the tip of my nose.
"Even that." He grinned.
My nose wasn't big or small, it was just there, round and triangular shaped. I loved it still.
I adored every part of me as I always had. I had to learn on time that if I didn't love myself then no one will.
I clutched my glass again and brought it to my lips as I gazed at him over my glass while taking a small sip from it.
He was watching me too and something in me found the need to be an interesting view.
So I took a grape from the plate and put it between my lips. Then I Smiled coyly as my teeth crushed the skin, exploding the juices into my mouth.
Noah licked his lips seductively and swallowed.
I could tell that I had his unwavering attention as his eyes followed every movement of my lips.
Going for the kill again I reached for a strawberry but this time he snatched it just as my fingertips touched the ripened fruit.
He grinned as he took a large bite from it.
"You have yours." I pouted.
He smiled affectionately and fed me the rest. "But I want yours."
Just then the waiter came again to Refill the wine glasses.
"Do you intend to get me drunk?" I teased, staring at the wine and the redness of it that matched with the lips of the adorable man who sat across from me.
"Not from wine." He smirked, "But of me."
Our eyes locked again as his smile broadened and my lips curved into a faint smirk even amidst my pulsating heartbeat.
Time stood still, stopping just for us. Giving us an eternity to enjoy each other's company.
Anyone could see the energy between us. Something breathtaking was happening at our table and between us.
It was completely natural, a new feeling yet one with a certain familiarity that was undeniable.