The Spellbound Heart

Chapter 4

My hair was matted together from me sweating in my sleep so unfortunately, I had to wash it again so it wouldn't stink. My mind went back to the vivid dream I had; I could feel the blood rush to my face as I blushed at the thought. I shook the idea out of my head. I'm not even heading down that road that'd be too much and what if he's the exact opposite of my dream I'd be pissed at myself for the next 6 months. Screw it I'll just go get my hair cut I need a trim anyway. Heading down our Main Street I decided to drive my body was much too tired to walk. This town is always so quiet there's never much going on. I park in the salons parking lot walking in it always smells like a fruit market in here Natalie always uses natural products she believed the chemicals in store bought products will kill your hair I laughed to myself seeing her face scrunch up the first time I asked for a store-bought shampoo that I'd been using. Walking in the front door I thought my heart would jump out of my throat as my eyes were met with those golden brown irises. "Mmhm" I cleared my throat trying to act casual. He gave me a nod as he was getting his hair trimmed by Natalie. "Hey babe!" She said looking up from what she was doing. "Hey, how've you been". I said nervously. "I've been alright I took the weekend off me and Aaron went to Bali. Omg! It was soo beautiful" she exclaimed with an exciting glimmer in her eyes. "It must be nice, I could never afford that on my library salary" I chuckled before I realized what I said. As if he realized it too he smiled softly. "Oh Jees, Lily this is Oliver! Isn't he handsome?" She said wiggling her eyebrows at me. "Hi, I'm Lily" I said sticking my hand out to shake his. He pulled my hand towards his face and gave the top of my hand a gentle kiss. I felt a warmth creep up my spine before pulling my hand back gently. "My pleasure ms.Lily" he said with a glint in his eye "isn't he just so charming, you know he's single Lily" she said giving me a wink. "Oh well-" before I could dismiss her remark she interrupted. "Lily here is single too Oliver" she said in a whisper as if I wasn't standing here. "Is that so? Why is that" I gave a confused expression not understanding why he asked. "Uhm, I guess I just haven't found the right guy yet" I said nervously. Natalie what the hell are you doing I said to myself. "I was contemplating dating someone" I said lowering my head. As I said that his head snapped up and I could've sworn I saw his eyes shine bright with anger. "Oh?" He said quizzically. "Since when ?"Natalie asked as if that were impossible. "Don't tell me your talking about that Shalom guy?" She spat "yea but.. I don't think there's anything there" I lied. I never even gave him a chance really. As I said that he seemed to sigh in relief i furrowed my brow at his reaction. Before I could walk away Natalie stopped me in my tracks. "Well seeing as you both are single.." she trailed off. "Why don't you take her on a date Oliver" she looked at me waiting for me to agree. "How about tonight?" He cut into my thoughts. His response almost made me choke on the saliva in my mouth. "Huh??" I asked utterly shocked. "I mean uhm I'm sure Oliver is much too busy Natalie, it's ok" I said sighing "not at all I wouldn't mind, besides it's been a while since I had a beautiful woman accompany me on a night out" he exclaimed with a smile. "Uhm ok, sure" I said giving in to defeat, obviously Natalie wouldn't let me leave without trying to play match maker. "Here" he said handing me his phone. "Put your number in there, I'll call you" he said. I put my number in his phone contemplating giving him the wrong number. Handing him his phone back he did something before I heard my phone ring before reaching in my pocket to see who was calling but it was an unknown number. "Now you have mine so you'll know it's me calling" he said with a smile. So much for giving that fake number that would've been embarrassing. My cheeks flushed red as I saved his number in my phone. I didn't imagine he'd actually call me he probably was just trying to get Natalie to let up. "Go to that chair over there I'm almost done with him babe" Natalie exclaimed with victory in her smile. That woman I swear I said to myself shaking my head. After she was finished he paid her and gave a gentle smile my way before leaving out of the salon. "Natalie what the hell?" I cried at her. She laughed. "Lily you'd never have initiated that" she said with a sly smirk. "Uh yea that was the point! Now I have to deal with the embarrassment of him thinking I'm just some lonely librarian who needs help getting a date!" I exclaimed. "Oh hush Lily, your beautiful that man would be a fool to miss out on taking you on a date" she said shushing my anxiety. She gave me a nice blow out since I didn't need my hair washed. She started straining my hair and trimming it giving me some curls at the bottom. Before she finished my phone chimed in my hand. I look down to see a message from Oliver. "Hi Lily, I'd love to take you in a date how about Jorisheo's tonight 7pm" the message read I stared at my screen in shock. "See I told you" Natalie squealed excitedly leaning over my shoulder obviously eavesdropping. "It's a good thing your hair will be beautifully layed" she said proudly. "That sounds great, see you at 7" I typed back before locking my phone. I could feel my heart thumping in my chest I can't believe he invited me on a date for gods sake, to that restaurant no less. Jorisheo's was the most expensive restaurant in the city. "Shit I don't know what to wear!" I cried. "Well you've got four hours to decide babe" she said finishing up my hair. "Now don't go messing up my hard work tonight" my cheeks flushed red at the thought. "Natalie!" I yelled. She laughed waving me goodbye before starting on her next client. I made my way back home a nervous reck. I don't have nice clothes to wear to a restaurant like that, they have a dress code I said to myself worriedly. I could feel the anxiety creeping up my chest. I must've been shuffling through my closet for hours before I finally decided on a mesh black dress I bought for my interview at the library it's wasn't too formal it stopped just above my knees with a slit on the side and a v line at the neck I paired it with my silver heels I bought from a department store. And a silver clutch I found. Looking at my clock it was now 6:30 pm. Shit I couldn't have spent all that time searching for an outfit. I rushed putting on some light makeup and a red lip hoping I didn't look completely ridiculous. Shuffling over to my mirror I gave myself one last glance over. This dress hugged my curves and my long auburn hair falling to my hips outlined my figure very well. I could feel goosebumps on my arm as I made my way downstairs. My phone ringed and almost made me jump as my anxiety was already through the roof. "Hello, Lily?" A soft low voice said from the other end. "Yes, hi I'm leaving my house now I'll be on my way soon." I sighed trying not to let my anxiety spill through my words. "I'll have a car come pick you so you don't have to waste gas" he said "oh it's fine I-" before I could Reject his offer he cut me off. "It'd be my pleasure Lily, after all I asked you out it's the least I could do. Send me your address" he said before hanging up. Damn it I exclaimed, handsome or not I didn't want him or whoever he was having come get me know where I lived so I gave him the address to the house a few streets up from mine I parked my car around the corner and stood there waiting. As I got to the curb a navy blue suv pulled up and the driver hopped out and crossed over to open the door to the backseat for me. "Thank you." I said as the driver took my hand helping me into the car. Before I even realized I looked over and Oliver was sitting there staring at me. His eyes seemed to flicker from that golden color to almost black. "Uhm hi" I said nervously trying to break the silence in the car. "I'm so sorry it's just, you look completely different from earlier". He replied. "I'm sorry I don't exactly have clothes that are fit for a restaurant like this, I can change if-" I explained. "No no that's not what I meant my apologies I just meant you look stunning" he said I could tell my face was turning red under my makeup seeing as it felt hot. "Oh uhm thank you" I smiled shyly. "So have you lived here long?" He asked trying to spark up a conversation. "No I-" I trailed off confused trying to remember how long I've been here. "Uhm I- I've been here for about a year and a half now" I said furrowing my brows. "Are you alright I didn't mean to upset you" he said with a worried look on his face. "No it's fine I uhm I'm just nervous I guess my brain went blank for a second" I tried to shove off this weird feeling I had in my head. Come to think of it I can't remember where I lived before this. Maybe I'm just nervous. "So is this your first time in the city?" He asked changing the subject. "My second actually I came out here to the corporate office for my interview for the library. "Oh really whereabout?" He says keeping eye contact letting me know he was listening. "Oh that tall building over there" I said pointing to the brown building with the big sign reading brenners isi. "Oh alright" I'd think libraries did their own interview. "Yea I did too but it wasn't too bad" i said. "We're here" the driver called from the front of the car. "Allow me" he said as I went to reach for the door handle. He walked around and opened my door. Reaching his hand out to help me up on the curb. "Thank you" I smiled following him into the restaurant where there was a small line outside. "We don't have to wait here we can go somewhere else" I said with a little disappointment. He chuckled still leading me to the restaurant by my hand. We walked straight past the line of people to the front of the line where there was a man waiting with a Clipboard. "Hello Mr. Celian, two?" The man said looking over his shoulder at me. "Yes thank you" Oliver said with a tone of authority. He let us walk through, Oliver still leading me by the hand as I watched some of the women in the line glare at me. Inside the restaurant was beautiful chandeliers hanging lit up most of the restaurant as we walked through to a woman standing at the podium I'm assuming was the hostess. She looked up and smiled ear to ear making eye contact with oliver. "Hello Mr. Celian" she said in a flirty tone. "I'd like my usual booth in the lounge please." He replied deadpan. "Ok, seating for you and your...friend" she said giving me a snobby side glance. "This is my date and we'd like my usual booth in the lounge thank you" he said dismissing her. "I- ok this way please" she uttered nervously. We walked through the restaurant and out the back into another small building. Inside it were only about 3 or 4 booths with jazz music playing low and candle lit tables. We went over to the booth on the side sitting down while the woman bought us menus. "That'll be all thanks" he demanded cutting her off as she went to saying something else. Lowering her head she walked away. I'd be lying if I'd said it didn't make me laugh a little, she seemed snobby. I took in the atmosphere it was very quiet the lights were dimmed low and there were only a few other people seated in the room all engrossed in their conversations. "Do you see anything you like?" He said bringing my attention back to him. "Huh?" I said lost in what he meant. "On the menu" he pointed motioning for me to look at the small book in front of me. Opening it I almost swallowed my tongue everything on the menu wasn't anything below 100 dollars. "You can order whatever you want." He gave a knowing smile. I looked it over and decided on smothered salmon and mushrooms and a red merlo wine. The waiter came over to take our orders and our menus before returning with the wine I asked for bringing Oliver a bourbon whiskey dry. "Thank you henry" he said nodding to the waiter. "You must come here often to know the names of the people working here and them you. " I said starting up a conversation. He chuckled softy sipping his whiskey before setting it down. "I'd better know the name of my employees" he said amused. I felt a little wine come out of my nose as I choked while I was drinking it. "Your what?" I said shocked. "I own the restaurant Lily" he said matter of factly. I looked at him waiting for him to tell me he was joking but he didn't. "I had it built a little over a year ago and looked for the best chefs in the country. It's been booming even since" he exclaimed proudly sitting back sipping his whiskey again before setting it on the table. "So tell me about you" he asked. "Uhm well I'm Lily as you already know I'm, 23 and I work at the library" I chuckled nervously. "This isn't a dating app Lily, tell me something about you, your likes, dislikes" he said leaning forward. "I uhm-" I paused trying to think what to say. When it dawned on me that I don't know anything about myself. I felt a sharp pain go up my spine causing me to wince. He leaned over clasping my hand. "Are you ok?" He asked nervously. "Yea I'm fine, I just had a back pain I guess standing up for hours a day at the library is starting to catch up to me" I laughed. As I did I felt that Same warmth creep up my spine this time causing the hairs on my arms to stand. "Uhm tell me about you" I said trying to change the subject and get my mind off of the pain. "We'll I own this restaurant and I'm the head of the law firm on 75th avenue downtown. And my dad owns that building, I don't go out much this is actually the first time I've been on a date in a long time I mostly work a lot so I don't have the time. I almost felt flattered that his first date in a while was me. But I shook it off pushing the thought to the back of my mind. I don't want to take  this date too serious seeing as it will most likely be the last. "Something on your mind Lily?" He asked scooting closer still clasping my hand in his. "Uh no I Uhm , that's impressive is all" I replied. We continued small talk until our food came it was delicious. Afterwards we sat and talked a little longer mostly about my job and his and some things we wanted to do afterwards as far as our careers. I hadn't realized the waiter kept refilling my glass until I stood and felt a little dizzy. "Woah" i sighed. "He chuckled softly grabbing my hand. "Oh wait you forgot your purse" he said pointing to the table we sat at. Trying to steady myself I went over to grab it knocking over my wine glass. Shattering it as it hit the ground. "Shit, I'm sorry I'm such a klutz" I said trying to lean over to pick up the glass. "No it's fine I'll have someone clean that up" he said trying to prevent me from toppling over. "No it's fine I can- fuck!" I exclaimed in pain as a piece of glass cut my finger Instantly making it bleed. "Oh god" I exclaimed as I felt myself getting nauseous. I stood up to try and look for something to cover it but before I knew it I began to feel light and my body falling over before I felt myself passing out. Opening my eyes I was back in the forest only this time I was in the stream already there was nothing around me not even the fish. Just me in the warm water but this time I was fully clothed. For some reason I started smelling cologne it wasn't strong but smelled like burnt firewood. I felt myself drifting back into reality when I realized I was no longer in the restaurant. I shot up confused and frightened that I didn't recognize my surroundings "I'm sorry, i couldn't get you to wake up and your phones has a passcode so I couldn't get your address to take you home" Oliver said walking into what seemed to be a living room. Realizing I was laying on a couch with his blazer draped over me I sat up trying to shake the fuzziness I was still feeling. "No I'm so sorry I ruined the night I get very squeamish at the sight of blood" I said ashamed and embarrassed. "It's ok let me get you some water" he said walking out of the room. I stood making sure I wasn't gonna fall over walking toward the large window in the room I could see the whole city it was beautiful at night all lit up. "I like the view too" he said from behind me holding a glass of water and a bottle of aspirin. I took both feeling completely childish that I passed out on a date because I saw blood. If there was any possibility he'd call me before that's gone out the window I'm sure of it now. "I had a good time tonight" he said as if reading my mind. I smiled knowingly feeling a bit of relief. Before I could respond there was a knock on the door. "Come in" he yelled sounding a bit annoyed. "I'm sorry Mr. Celian I brought the clothes you asked for" and older woman said crossing the room walking towards me and him handing him a plastic bag. "Thank you marge, your the best" he smiled laying a hand gently on her shoulder. "Here I thought you might need these. He said handing me the bag. "What is it?" I asked curiously. "A change of clothes" he said motioning to my dress. Which I now only realized was soiled. Oh my god how embarrassing I threw up on my dress and he had to see that. "It's fine I just didn't think you wanted to sit in that much longer he motions to a large door on one side of the living room. "The bathroom is right through there. Theres towels and soap in there as well. Walking through the door there was a corridor with a few doors on each side i didn't know which was the bathroom and I didn't want to be bothersome so I just checked each one. The first one was locked so I walked down further reaching a door that was slightly cracked walking in the bathroom was even beautiful there was a glass shower with clear doors and a double sink with a giant mirror. There were towels hanging up on the rack and bar soap on a dish in the shower I pushed the door up undressing before stepping into the shower. I tried to brush away what happened. But it made tears well up in my eyes. This was the sole reason I never dated because I'm a complete mess. I stepped out of the shower onto the cold floor. Looking at myself in the mirror I'd washed my makeup off, finding a hair tie I always keep in my purse I put my hair up into a bun and began drying my face. "Yes, I know it's not that far off I should be able to get it done before then" I heard Oliver talking before he walked in the bathroom he had nothing on but some jogging pants. "Oh my god!" I exclaimed. His mouth dropping wide open. "I have to call you back" hanging up he rushed over to a small closet in the bathroom fetching a robe and handing it to me turning his head. "I'm so sorry I thought you were in the other bathroom at the end of the hall" he said covering the side of his face while I threw on the robe. "That door was locked" I said as my face was burning hot and im sure red. "This is my master bathroom. It's connected to my room. He said pointing to the door he came in on the opposite side leading into a bedroom. "Crap I'm sorry I didn't realize I should've asked. I said ashamed. "Is it ok if I get dressed" I asked. "Of course he said stepping out into the bedroom. I got dressed as fast as I could hanging up the robe on the back of the door before stepping out. He walked out of a giant closet holding a T shirt. " I'm sorry again I'm sure this isn't how you expected the night to go. I said ashamed to even be alive at this point. Looking at him i felt my words get caught in my throat as I took in his appearance he had a decent build with a blue jay tattooed on the side of his neck and a tattoo down the middle of his chest in an unknown language.. wait "how did you?" I started to say as he threw his T shirt on. He looked at me quizzically. "What's wrong" he asked. What was I to say? Hey I saw you naked in my dreams?. "Uhm how long have you had that tattoo?" I asked pointing at his now cover chest. "Oh uh for a few years now he said." "What does it mean?" I asked taking a step toward him. "It means the love I have for you remains imbedded in my soul my little dove." I froze as if I've heard that before. "Who's it for? If I may" I said curiously "Someone that I lost" he said with a small grin but I could see the pain in his eyes. "I lost her some time ago" he sighed. "I'm sorry to hear that" I said regretting I ever asked seeing that it brought up whatever pain he experienced before. "You have a lovely home" I said changing the subject. "Thank you I had someone design it for me and pick out everything I'm no good with decorating" he said with a Chuckle. He showed me around leading me from room to room until we reached a small library off of the living room it was beautiful there were books on every shelf and each shelf reached the ceiling. "This is beautiful " I said in awe. "Thank you" he replied solemnly. Not realizing he was right behind me when I turned to leave out of the library I stumbled and knocked him to the ground falling on top of him. "I'm so clumsy, I'm so sorry" I said using one of my arms to raise my body off of his when I locked eyes with him. As if time stopped around me, I got lost in them, but they seemed sad it pulled my heart apart to see sadness in his eyes and I didn't know why. Before I could have a second thought, I found myself pressing my lips to his. They were soft and warm. I felt that same warmth creep up my back but this time it traveled throughout my body. He ran his finger tips up the inside of my shirt along my spine sending chills through my body. Then I felt it. Oh my god is that his-. Breaking the kiss, I leaned up to look at him only this time his face was the one that was red I scrambled to stand up as did he. "I'm so sorry" he said adjusting his pants to try and hide his obvious erection. But there's no way he could hide that thing. "Uhm my driver went home for the night and it's late if you'd like you could stay in the guest bedroom, and I'll have him drive you home in the morning I have an early start at 6am." He said taking a step back. "Yea that'll be fine thank you" I said. He led me to the other end of the hall to a large bedroom that was dimly lit. "We'll here you are" he said giving me a gentle nod before turning to go in the direction of his room. "I had a good time tonight too" I said. He turned and nodded with a satisfied grin. "Goodnight Lily" he said turning before disappearing down the hall.