Mine

Date

Charles

If you told anyone that Charles Alexander Arnold was planning the perfect date for a girl, they'd probably laugh in your face. I mean, seriously—me, the guy who's never had a serious relationship, going out of my way to impress a girl? But here I was, planning the most perfect, unforgettable date for Saarah Xerxes. I wanted to show her how serious I was about her, how much I genuinely cared. She wasn't just another girl to me; she was the girl. And I was going to make damn sure she knew it.

Thanks to my dad's wealth, our family owns a ton of properties—large, tall, and beautiful ones that dominate the city skyline. I decided the best place for this special night would be at the top of the Arnold Building, a skyscraper right in the heart of the city. The rooftop offered an incredible view of the skyline, the perfect backdrop for what I hoped would be a magical evening. I wanted to do something that showed her I was willing to go the extra mile, something that screamed effort and sincerity.

First, I contacted the designers from my dad's business to help me set up the space. I wanted everything to be perfect—no, better than perfect. I remembered scrolling through Saarah's Instagram and noticing her preference for green and white, subtle yet vibrant. Those would be the colors of the evening. The designers brought in soft white lights to string around the rooftop, interspersed with greenery to give it a garden-like feel. They added a few delicate lanterns for ambiance, and I arranged for a cozy setup with plush cushions and a low table for dinner. It was intimate without being over the top.

And then, there were the little things—the details that would make Saarah see how much I had paid attention. I made sure to get her favorite snacks, drinks, and sweets. Isak had been a massive help in this department. He has this almost annoyingly sweet friendship with Saarah and was able to provide me with all the intel I needed. She loved chocolate-covered strawberries, so those were a must. Her favorite drink was a particular brand of elderflower tonic that wasn't easy to find, but I made it happen. I even got a few of those fancy cheeses she always mentioned in passing.

I knew Saarah loved roses, so I got Isak to drive all the way to the other side of the city to pick up a bouquet from this high-end florist who imported the most beautiful, rare roses you could find. They were expensive as hell, but that didn't matter. I wanted only the best for her. I wanted everything to be flawless, every detail meticulously thought out, every touch perfectly calibrated to show her how much I cared.

As the day of the date approached, I could feel my nerves building. I'm not usually the nervous type. In fact, I'm the guy who keeps it cool, who never lets anything get under his skin. But this was different. This was Saarah. And I wanted her to see me, really see me, not just as the guy who's good at football and cracks jokes in class, but as someone who could be more, who could be everything she needed.

That afternoon, I had football practice. My mind wasn't in it at all. I was running drills, but all I could think about was whether I'd ordered enough of her favorite pastries or if the rooftop lights were strung perfectly. Isak noticed, of course. He's known me long enough to see when I'm distracted.

"You alright, mate?" he asked as we jogged off the field for a water break.

"Yeah, just... a lot on my mind," I replied, wiping sweat from my forehead.

He smirked. "Or just one thing on your mind. Or should I say, one person?"

I couldn't help but grin. "Yeah, something like that."

He chuckled and clapped me on the back. "Don't worry, Charles. Saarah's gonna love it. You've gone all out. I've never seen you like this before. You're in deep, man."