Whisper of Wildflowers

Chapter 4

**Chapter 4**

Lina 8:02 a.m
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Hi there! I hope you're doing well.
I was just wondering if we could
possibly meet up sometime soon.
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That message came three days after our first meeting, and I was beginning to doubt her interest. My heart raced, feeling like a teenager on the brink of his first kiss. Unsure of how to respond, I definitely wanted to meet her. It would be our first real date, and I had no clue what to say. Where do you even take a woman on your first date? I wanted to make it special, but I didn't know her well enough to figure out what she would enjoy. I opened Google and typed in "10 best places for a first date." It felt a bit silly, but I was desperate. Most suggestions were for expensive restaurants and cafes, which didn't feel right.

Leonard 8:41 a.m
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Hi Lina, I'm doing well, thanks.
How about you? I'd really like to
meet. How does tomorrow at 7 p.m.
at the bowling alley sound?
I'm not sure what you like,
so if you have something else in mind, let's do that!
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Was that the right way to text the most amazing woman I'd ever met? I was buzzing with excitement, almost like a kid again. Was this what love felt like?

At work, I struggled to focus, my mind still on Lina. My boss called me into his office, and I felt a mix of nerves and confidence. He said, "Leonard, I've known you for quite a while now, and I've noticed you've been performing exceptionally well. I want to offer you my position once I retire. I don't have any children, so I trust you to lead the next generation. Your only competition will be Ben. I'd like both of you to share your life stories with me, from your past to your future dreams." I was left speechless. Me, as the future boss? Was I dreaming? I pinched myself hard while leaving his office. I had to do everything I could to earn this opportunity.

It felt like everything in my life was falling into place for a change. I rewarded myself with a soft serve ice cream from a nearby shop—a treat that always made me happy. As I sat on a park bench, I reflected on my boss's request to write down everything about my life and my aspirations. I wasn't sure how that would impact my performance at work, but in that moment, I was more preoccupied with thoughts of Lina. I was set to see her again tomorrow, and the excitement coursed through me. I wasn't shy about my feelings; it felt only human to be thrilled about it, even as a man.

I wanted to look, behave, smell, and act just perfect for her—what if she didn't like me? I was caught in a whirlpool of overthinking, focusing on the "what ifs." I simply wanted her to see me for who I was. Despite feeling like a lonely guy who had lost everything, I ate a pizza for dinner, watched a movie, and tried to distract myself from the fact that my date was on the horizon. I picked out my clothes for work and hit the hay, hoping to be at my best. The happiness overwhelmed me, making it hard to fall asleep. That rush of excitement felt like adrenaline keeping me awake. I only got two and a half hours of sleep before waking up to go to the restroom. I tried to fall back asleep, but my body had other ideas. I managed to get a bit of work done before finally drifting off again, exhausted. My body resisted sleep, but eventually, my eyes shut immediately.