Do Us Part

15. "Daddy issues"

Chapter 15

(15 years ago)

Natalie

It's been three days since I had a proper sleep.

And it only became worse last night as today was all I could think of.

Today is the day that I'll be having my first date and it's with Sam. For real this time!

Because trust me, we've been on not less than 50 dates in my head.

I've been up since 6 am and been preparing for my 7pm date. I have applied three different face masks, trimmed my eyebrows, practiced my makeup, and have changed my clothes a total of six times. 

Ok. That's a lie. It's not six. Maybe twelve, thirteen?

Fine.

I'll admit, according to Zoey, I have changed my clothes eighteen times.

What can I say? I'm so excited!

Right now, it's few minutes past six and Zoey is helping me style my hair after my third and final shower of the day.

I have to look great but I also don't want to look too great because if I overdress and he's underdressed, that would be weird, right?

"And...there you go." Zoey says, after sometime, as she removes her hand from my face.

I turned around to see myself. "Oh my! That's me."

"Err..you see..technically, that's the Zoey magic." She jokes,

"Of course." I agreed and we laughed. "Thank you."

"My pleasure, sweetie. Now let's get you in those beautiful clothes." She says and I nod.

-----
"Remember what I said. Do not agree to kiss easily. As much as guys like that, they..."

"Don't like that." I completed, shaking my head at her. "C'mon, Zoey You've said this like ten times. I think I completely understand."

"You think you do but guys.."

"Zoey." I gave her the "look" and she stopped.

"Fine. Sorry. I trust you and I love you. Good luck."

"Hmmm..." I proceeded to hug her but just then, I heard a car honk.

"He's here and very punctual too." Zoey mutters, as she stares at the wall clock. She gave me a teasing look and I grinned.

"Go on." She mutters and waves at me.

When I got outside, he was by his car.

I stopped in my tracks as I took in the sights before me. He was looking so handsome in a white body con shirt, faded denim jeans, and white sneakers.

Why does he get to look that good everytime?

As soon as he saw me, he opened the door. I stared at him, flashing a grateful smile but he wasn't staring at me. I entered the car, he closed the door and walked to the driver's side of the car. He entered and drove off.

--------

The whole ride has been silent with neither of us saying anything. He was looking glum. Wrinkles were evident on his forehead, giving away his uneasy feeling.

I felt an odd ache in my heart. This is not the way I pictured this going.

When we got to the restaurant, he opened the car for me and led us inside.

He was still silent.

I know I am talkative and he's not but correct me if I'm wrong... Don't people talk on dates?

When we were shown our table, he held out the chair for me and helped me adjust well before going to sit.

As we waited to be attended to, I was restless. The server handed us the menus and we start to look through them.

"Anything catch your eye yet?" I attempted to start a conversation.

"Hmm." He barely responded. "You?" He asked.

"Nothing either." I smiled, staring at him but again, his eyes were glued to the paper.

"Is everything okay, Sam..uel?" This time, he raised his eye to look at me.

"Err..sure."

"Don't you want to be on this date with me?"

"No."

"Oh." That was honest...

"No. What is mean...I don't not want to be."

What?

"I want to be on this date with you."

"But..."

"My dad and I had it out."

"Oh. I'm sorry. I didn't know..."

"It's fine. Happens all the time."

"Oh."

"Yea...and you'd think after all this time, I'd be used to it, right? Well, No. He always finds a new way to make me lose it. " He mutters something under his breath angrily.  I sighed lightly, not sure what to say.

"I'm sorry." He says after some time, and we held eyes. My heart fluttered. "I'm ruining this, ain't I? We are supposed to be our first date and I'm being the worst date ever." He forces a smile.

"No. It's cool. I..."

"You kids ready to order?" The server says again, and I stared at Sam.

"We're sorry. An emergency came up at home and we have to go." I responded.

"What?" Sam was confused.

"Yes, babe. Remember the news we got right now about poor Maggie?" I winked lightly at him.

Still confused, he nods, "Right. Poor poor Maggie." He plays along as he held my eyes and I hid my smile.

"We have to go," I said, holding his hands and leading him out of the place.

-----

"There. Park right here. We'll have to walk a bit to the front."

"You still haven't even told me where we are going."

"Patience. We'll be there soon. " I replied and led the way.

He heaved a sigh but follows me anyway. After walking for a while, I smiled and stopped in my steps.

"We are here."

"Errr..where?"

"Ice cream." I smiled, pointing at the ice cream truck.

"You mean we came all this way for ice cream." He sighs, unimpressed as he stares at the ice cream truck

"Not just any ice cream. The best."

"Nat..."

"Ice cream is good for every mood."

"But we are supposed to be on a date."

"Exactly. So fall in line." I joked and he forces a smile.

"There is literally a long line." He comments and gestures toward the queue.

"Which makes it more exciting." I raised my eyebrows playfully.

"Ok." He raised his hands in surrender. " I'll get us some..."

"No. It's my treat."

"What? No. I offered to take you out and.."

"I brought you here. I have to pay."

"I..."

"We could keep going for hours and I'll keep insisting. Please?"

"Fine. I'll buy it next time."

"Deal." I smiled and hurried to the truck.