It could be me, but the day seems to be rushing. It could be the fact that Anthony and I are going on a date, I guess. My first ever date, I'm so nervous. Thank God, while making the cakes my mind was focused on the task or I would have messed them up.
Ntsika drove me today, he is in the front serving. If he continues to help, I might include him in the payroll which would start another fight. Before this morning, we had no chance to talk about the lift situation. I asked him about the amount he's going to charge me and he got pissed off.
One thing about Ntsika that I didn't know, he is stubborn. "This whole time since I opened my shop in time, I've been driving my car to and from work, how's your money come into play there? I don't want you to pay a single cent for a trip that I was already going to make", he said.
"I don't want to pay you, I just want to say thank you, your kindness is noticed, and my words will be accompanied by some money", I say trying to persuade him.
In the end, he agreed to receiving forty percent of the money I used to give Abel, not without a fight though.
Anthony said I should dress casual for our date, Ntsika offered to help me shop in his shop. Who better dress you than a designer? He will be here any minute to drive us to Studio Gift, his boutique.
"Let's go, or we won't have enough time to make you more gorgeous", he says entering the office like it's his.
Whenever I do clothes shopping, I just buy anything that catches my eye and isn't too heavy on my account, but today, I'm willing to splurge a little. This could be my last date, so it has to be memorable for me, even if he doesn't remember.
We end up buying black ankle boots, black skinny jeans that fit like a second skin on me, a midnight blue drop-shoulder top and a silver necklace. I do have silver earrings at home.
Because it is a special day, I go home before closing time. "Please, don't do anything I wouldn't do", says Wendy pushing my wheelchair out since I came back to see if they need my help, which they don't.
"That means, I can do everything", we laugh gaining some attention from some of the patrons inside.
Ntsika knows where we are going, Anthony told him where to drop me off and he's refusing to tell me. "I promise you, you are going to love it. That's all I'm permitted to say."
At home, I take a second shower in less than twelve hours, which I don't normally do,to remove the bakery smell. I may not be a very active person in the fun world, but I do know how to put on makeup, I practice every time I'm bored, which is less now that I own a shop.
My braids are in a ponytail, leaving two braids out to play around in my face. Something to twist and twirl when I get nervous, see I plan ahead. My hair is on point, my makeup is minimalistic, which suits me just fine.
I put on my new clothes, and my jewelery. I look good if I do say so myself. On my lips, I apply a nude lipstick. I spritz my Chanel no.5 perfume just so. I don't want it to be too strong.
"Wow, my heart just paused. You look absolutely gorgeous, my friend. Anthony is going to have a heart attack when he sees you", says Ntsika taking pictures.
"Thank you, my dear friend. This is your handiwork, you are amazing", I thank him sincerely.
"Nonsense, you always look amazing. The only thing I will take credit for is designing your clothes, nothing else", he says folding my jeans to his standard.
"Let's go, before he thinks you stood him up", he says. It's in that moment that I remember to take my handbag, which has money, my phone, a lipstick and a small compact powder with its mirror.
"Are you going to wait for me?" I ask on our way to mystery date. I am blindfolded, because I know the place we are going to. The last time I could use my eyes, it was 18:30, our date is at 1900hrs, so we might be going back to town or it's the same distance.
"No, he's going to drive you back. I don't want to be a third wheel. I'm too precious for that", I laugh at that.
"I'm nervous, what if he doesn't show up?" My nerves show themselves even in my voice.
"He won't, he is already there waiting for you", he says his voice soothing.
The rest of the drive is in silence, which I don't mind. I wonder what his reaction will be when he sees me, if he really likes me then he will like the outfit. I wonder what he is wearing, he looks good in everything, I shouldn't worry.
When we arrive, I suppose to my date, I get a see you tomorrow from Ntsika and then this super strong person picks me up out of the car and places me on my wheelchair. We enter somewhere because it is now warm.
"My Goddess, you look lovely", says Anthony removing the blindfold.
I look around in awe. We are in my shop that has been transformed into a lovely romantic restaurant. There is a table in the center, for two, obviously with one chair. Around there are scented candles, since it smells like vanilla inside, not the usual bakery smell.
"Wow, this place looks gorgeous. When did you do all this?" I ask still looking around, I'm really surprised.
"You look more gorgeous my Goddess", he says looking at me like I'm the most precious jewel.
I blush, it's the only thing I don't overthink before doing it, "Thank you. You look super handsome yourself".
He's wearing black chinos, turquoise button down shirt, untucked. He smells divine too, we are hugging like we haven't seen each other in a long time.
He hands me purple flowers, I'm over the moon. "Thank you, no one has ever given me flowers. Also, thank you for remembering my favorite color", I say tears spilling out.
He wipes them with his thumbs, holding my face, "I'm happy to be first one and I remember everything we talk about. Now don't cry, please", I smile through the tears when he says please, there's pouting in there.
"I heard through a grapevine that you are a wonderful cook, don't judge my cooking", he says rolling my chair to the table.
"If by grapevine, you mean Wendy, I wouldn't be too sure", I say placing my flowers on the table and my handbag on the floor by the wheels.
He excuses himself to go to kitchen to get our starter, which I already know will be amazing or he wouldn't serve it to me.
