Romanticismo Per Caso ❤

Hesitation (Elias POV)

Lorena had told me no to a date. I've dealt with rejection before but nothing like this. I don't know why it was in my heart like this.

Some part of me did not trust her response. Don't you think I have enough to deal with? What did she even imply by that? That I would be too much to deal with?

She was very indecisive and I know a tiny part in her cranium would have said yes. Her heart was yearning for mine, just like mine was, but her mind had control.

As I went home that night, I did what I normally do when I'm frustrated. I did a workout. My mind did not care that it was 11 at night. As I was punching the weighted punching bag, I let go of my anger with every ounce of effort. It took me a while to get out, but I did. I also punched that bag thinking about that one customer that drove me mad, but that's besides the point.

I did not want to go into work the next day. But like every business man in America, I sucked it up. It was Wednesday and I knew Lorena was going to be there. Hopefully, she'll go late so I don't have to encounter her again. I can't wait for my mom to say I can finally leave. Forget the necessary "culinary skills", I'll have a maid for that.

Offredi's was packed this morning. I don't think I can handle this, I tell myself. I see my mom by the door and take a big breath before I approach her.

"Hey Lyckost," She says, giving me a big hug. Lyckost is "lucky one." She always called me when I was little dealing with rough days. Apparently, she could tell I was already having one. "What's wrong?" She questions looking empathetically in my eyes.

"Nothing Mom, don't worry about me. How are you? How's Liam?" She looks down. "I'm going to move out of our big house and into a smaller building. Money is fine, Elias it's not that...I just think it would be best if I don't have to walk around in the same building your annoying father was in." I nod and console her for a few more moments.

"I have to go in," I say eventually and we exchange goodbyes. I walk in the building and immediately see Lorena. Wow, Lorena was the epitome of an angel but had the heart of a tornado. I catch myself staring at her and she glances up at me while wiping down a table.

She looks at me with a slight smile and I look away. I can't do this today.

"Hey Elias." She comes up behind me with a hand on my back. My back becomes stiff and I reluctantly turn around to face her.

"What do you want from me, Lorena?" I say with my eyebrows raised. My response is dull and unenergized. She flips her hair back and glares at me. "I wouldn't talk to myself like this if I was your boss." She says in an attempt to be playful. I don't have time for these games.

"Is it okay if we meet sometime today? I want to talk to you about your request yesterday." She smiles at me with hope in her beautiful brown eyes. I deepen my tone in anger and answer her. "What's the point? Don't you have enough to deal with already?"

"Elias, no. Of course you're not too much to deal with. Oh my goodness I am so stupid," She puts her hand on her head and shakes her head. "I shouldn't have said it like that, but that's not the point. I want to go on that date Elias."

I raise my eyebrows. Part of me doesn't buy this act at all. "No you're probably right. I mean your parents are gone. You have a lot to deal with." I try to walk away with two dishes in my hand. She stops in front of me and puts her hand on my stomach. My stomach stiffens in response.

"Please," She says in desperation.

"Let me think about it."

"Meet me at Two River Gardens after our shift today."

"I said let me think about it."

She moves to the side and I deliver the plates to a couple that are flirting with each other. How fun.

I know that she wants to go on a date with me. But I don't understand why she was so hesitant about the question. Does she really want me?