love Me with terms and conditions

THE RARE GEM

◇~◇

The air was thick with an awkward silence as Jonathan’s car came to a slow stop outside my apartment building, I reached for the door handle but before I could step out, I caught sight of someone familiar, Joseph.

  He was walking toward us and as soon as he saw me, his face lit up.My heart warmed instantly ,without a second thought I pushed the car door open and hurried toward him, His presence made everything feel lighter, the tension I’d carried from the dinner with Jonathan melting away in his warm smile.

  Behind me I could feel Jonathan’s eyes on us but I didn’t care. Joseph was my peace, my escape from the strange, unspoken tension that came with Jonathan, I needed that peace now more than ever.

  “Hey, Ara,” Joseph called out as I approached, his voice full of warmth. He glanced over my shoulder at Jonathan, still sitting in his sleek black car. His smile faltered slightly, curiosity creeping into his expression "Who’s that?”

  I hesitated, not wanting to get into the complexity of my strange encounter with Jonathan. “Oh, him?” I said casually, waving it off. “He’s just the company driver.”

  Joseph’s eyes narrowed slightly, skepticism flickering across his face. “He looks a little too... put together to be a driver, don’t you think?”

  I shrugged, brushing it off. “He’s just trying to make a good impression.”

  Joseph seemed unconvinced, but he let it go. His hand reached up to brush a stray strand of hair away from my face and I felt a blush creep up my neck. The way his fingers lingered for just a moment longer than necessary made my heart skip a beat.

  “You seem a little stressed,” he said softly, concern lining his voice. “How about I make you something to cheer you up? Pancakes and smoothies?”

  I smiled, grateful for the offer. There was something about Joseph, his kindness, his ease that made everything feel a little more bearable. “Pancakes and smoothies sound perfect.”

  His eyes brightened, his smile growing. “Would you like to be my honorable guest? if you don’t mind.”

  “Mind?” I laughed, shaking my head. “Joseph, you know I’m greedy. I’ll never say no to food.”

  He opened the door for me, but then stopped, turning to face me, his hand still holding the door as he looked into my eyes. “No, you’re not greedy,” he said quietly. “You’re... unique.”

  I blushed again, suddenly shy under his gaze, His words felt so sincere, almost reverent “Is that a fancy way of calling me weird?”

  “No,” he said softly, his eyes never leaving mine. “It’s a fancy way of saying you’re not common"

  I felt the heat rise in my cheeks, and I quickly looked away, tucking my hair behind my ear as I laughed awkwardly. “Stop trying to flatter me, Joseph,” I said, sitting down at the small table. “I’m just me.”

  He smiled, sitting across from me. “Exactly You’re just you and that’s rare, you see I’m trying to gatekeep you, you know? You’re a gem , a very rare gem.”

  I raised an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at my lips. “Gatekeep me?” I repeated, pretending to be confused. Inside, my thoughts were spinning. *Does he mean... to be my boyfriend?* The thought made me giggle to myself, but I quickly caught the sound and covered my mouth, embarrassed.

  Joseph tilted his head, amused “What’s so funny?”

  “Nothing,” I said, still smiling “I just... I think I’ve heard it all tonight. I’m a rare gem and unique, I’ll sleep well knowing that.”