*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Come in"

Derick walked in wearing a dark blue suit with gold cufflinks.

He looks good...

I felt my insecurities flying away just from the look he gave me.

My conscience was right.

He was different.

"You look stunning" he sighed.

"Not too bad yourself" I smiled looking down shyly.

He looked in my eyes for a few minutes before breaking the silence.

"Can you turn around for a minute?"

"Why?" I raised my eyebrows.

"Just look into the mirror for a second" he glared.

I rolled my eyes and turned around, I saw him move towards me in the mirror and pull something out of his pockets.

Even though my hair was tied he still had to push it aside to slide a necklace around my neck.

It was beautiful.

I think the simplicity of the necklace was the best part.

It was a gold Y necklace.

It wasn't too much to grab all the attention but it still was a noticeable touch to the outfit.

"Why did you have to take it out of the dress kit?" I asked still mesmerized by the necklace and the gesture.

"Dress kit?" He asked confused.

"The dress came with everything, why did you take the necklace out?"

He smiled and looked me in the eyes in the mirror.

"It didn't, I bought it myself, do you like it?"

"I don't like it, I love it, it's beautiful"

I turned around and I had to look up to meet his eyes.

"You're showering me with gifts Mr. Reid" I smirked.

"Perks of dating me" he smirked back.

"Are we dating?" I raised my eyebrows coyly.

"We'll find out after tonight"

Indeed we will.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Where are we going?"

"Nowhere special, just a nice candlelit dinner between the two of us"

"I thought you were a more original man, Derick, didn't think we'd be doing something so cliché?"

"All the best things are cliché, cariño"

I'll never get used to that endearment.

"Are they?"

"Name one thing that hasn't been done already?" He challenged.

I stared at him, raking my brain for something haven't read or seen in some romantic movie.

I swear the romance scenes range from a romantic dinner to the grocery store.

Yup, nothing really is original anymore, even a jungle man swinging through the tress with his lover exists.

"Can't think of any huh?" He smirked.

"I'll think of something eventually"

"Too late for that, as we have already arrived and I'd like to have your mind focused on me alone"

"Demanding, aren't we?"

"Only for your attention"

"Starting to get desperate?"

He ignored me and focused on getting the car parked, I looked at the restaurant but I didn't see a restaurant, all I saw was a door in the wall.

As I was still looking for something that actually looked like a place to have dinner, he got out of the car and came to my side, he opened the door and held his hand out.

"Are you sure this is the place?"

I asked, my brows furrowed.

"Trust me, you'll like it"

"Okay" I replied placing my hand in his.

We walked up the narrow staircase and I started to wonder if this is some kind of scheme set up to kill me.

When we reached the door at the top, Derick knocked twice.

Yup I'm definitely getting killed.

The door opened and my mouth hung open at the sight before me.

It was an outdoor restaurant!

Why didn't my brain think of that?!

An outdoor candlelit dinner.

Wow...

The place looked breathtaking, it was very rustic, everything was wood and metal, it screamed cozy and intimate and one thing stood out most of all...

It was empty.

Reason?

This guy is extra.

"You booked this whole place huh?"

"More or less, take a seat Juliana"

He pulled out my seat and I nodded my thanks.

He sat down in front of me and smiled.

I smiled back turning my head to look at the view once again.

A waiter walked up to us and placed two dishes on our table.

I gave Derick a suspicious look.

"Why didn't they ask to take our orders?"

"I preordered"

"And how are you so sure I might like it?"

"I just know"

I looked at the dish in front of me and gave it a whiff.

Oh yeah.

That smells great.

I quickly took a bite and started assembling the flavors in my mouth.

Gross, I know.

"I'm guessing you like it?"

"I don't actually" I said avoiding his eyes.

"You're such a liar" he chuckled.

"Yeah, you're right, it tastes amazing, I just didn't want to give your ego another boost"

We chuckled and continued to eat our dinner while listening to soft strums of music coming from the corner.

They play the guitar well...

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Hey Derick?" I called when we were done with dinner.

"Hm?" He hummed taking a sip of his champagne.

"Since when did you plan this?"

He shrugged.

"Not important at the moment"

The music changed and I liked this one better than the previous ones that have been playing all night.

"Care to dance? Juliana?"

I look up to see Derick's hand stretched out for me to hold.

This'll be the second time we dance huh?

I smiled and put my hand in his, he pulled me up and right into his arms.

My hand on his chest and his on my waist.

He chuckled and grabbed my hands and put them around his neck, then proceeded to place his hands back on my waist.

"That's better don't you think?"

I blushed, looking down.

The song changed again and this time it was Shallow by Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga playing on a speaker.

My obsession!

Everything about this song is amazing!

I looked up to see Derick staring at me.

His lips started moving to the song, lip syncing the words.

Tell me somethin', girl

Are you happy in this modern world?

Or do you need more?

Is there somethin' else you're searchin' for?

I'm falling

In all the good times I find myself

Longin' for change

And in the bad times I fear myself

I can't tell if everything was planned or not and nor do I care.

He's here.

With me.

I started lip syncing as well.

Tell me something, boy

Aren't you tired tryin' to fill that void?

Or do you need more?

Ain't it hard keeping it so hardcore?

I'm falling

In all the good times I find myself

Longing for change

And in the bad times I fear myself

When the song reached the chorus he gave me a twirl and when I was back facing him, he placed a kiss on my head.

I felt my breath hitch.

He makes my breath hitch.

He turned me around, making my back face his chest and we just swayed to the song with his arms still around me while my hands were on top of his.

He suddenly placed his head in the crook of my neck, I was shocked but it felt nice, it felt so familiar.

I raised a hand and placed it on his cheek, making him raise it and look at me.

I leaned in and we kissed.

A sweet and passionate kiss.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I was in the car on my way to the airport.

Danielle should be arriving soon.

I haven't been home myself either, I was busy with a few of my friends in Beijing.

I looked to see we had already arrived and I saw the girl come out of the private plane and smiled.

"Danielle" I called.

The blonde moved her head and I saw her eyebrows raise above her sunglasses in surprise.

"Father in-law!" She squealed, quickly making her way down to give me a hug.

"Ah, Danielle, it's been such a long while, how are you my dear?"

"I'm doing amazing, it's good to be back in America" she smiled beautifully.

"Come, you must be tired let me escort you back to your hotel"

"Father in-law you were always the gentleman"

When we sat in the car I turned to her and smiled.

"How are your parents back in France?"

"They're great!" She smiled.

"They were so excited for me to come back and meet my fiancé again!"

Her smile turned into a smirk towards the end.

"I'm sure the minute your EX sees you, he'll come running to you"

I smirked back.

"Oh father in-law! I know he will, he always acted like a lovesick puppy around me"

"My dear Danielle it really is great to have you back, I wish you never left"

"I screwed up once, can't screw up twice" she giggled.

That's my girl!

⭐️💬

😘❤️✌️