Friends & Paradise 2: Forever Doesn't Last Forever

Chapter 12: The "Give Him A Chance" Date (Christine's POV)

"Mom, do you really have to go?" Natasha asked me Saturday night.

She was sitting on top of the countertop in my bathroom while I was putting my make-up on. I was getting ready for the date that I agreed to go with Richard. I was dressed in a black satin halter top that tied at the back of my neck, with black pants and black high-heeled sandals.

The reason why I agreed to go to this date, was because he seemed like a nice man who, I believe, will take care of me and maybe will be able to have the relationship of father-son or father-daughter that my ex-husband never really had with my children. Richard seems different than Walter, my ex-husband and my children's father. He never sees them anymore. He never calls me anymore to ask me anything about my kids. It's like, they suddenly evaporated into thin air on his world, because he doesn't have space or money for them due to the fact that he now has a new family to take care of.

"Nash, honey, you know I do. It'll be rude to say no at the last minute." I said.

"But why are you going?"

"Because...Richard seems like a nice guy."

"Richard? That's Dr. Jacobs's name?"

"Yes. His name is Richard. Why?" I asked my second daughter, as I was finishing to put on my eyeliner.

"I don't know... He sounds serious and not really your type."

"What's my type?"

"Somebody who can take care of you, someone fun to be around, someone..."

"Not like your father." I finished for her.

"...In a way, yes. But, mom, do you know this man enough as to go to a date with him?"

"Nash," I said, turning around to face her. "It's just a date. I'm not gonna forget about you three in just one night with a man I barely know. Calm down. Let me just go to have dinner with Richard tonight, and then I'll decide whether I want to keep seeing him or it's over with him. Let me take it one step at a time, okay?"

She mashed her lips together and silently nodded. Then, after her nod, she quietly added, "Okay, mom."

"Good." I said.

Downstairs, we heard the doorbell and I rushed on putting on my lipgloss before grabbing my shoes and purse and rushing back to the bathroom to spray last-minute perfume. I leaned near Nash's cheek, and kissed it and said goodbye to her and rushed out the door of my bedroom. I walked towards Michael's room, and opened it and found him laughing at some youtube video that sounded like two guys doing crazy stuff related to movies becoming a reality or some crazy thing like that. I kissed him on the cheek goodbye, and then walked downstairs and over to the front door.

Once I opened the door, there stood Richard, standing in what seemed to be an expensive and custom-taylored black suit with a red tie around his neck and underneath the black blazer he wore over a white button-up shirt. On his right hand, he was holding a red rose, while his other was still near the doorbell, ready to ring once again if I hadn't come out yet. My brown eyes met his green eyes, and suddenly I could feel my cheeks grow redder as if I was sixteen once again, while his smile suddenly widened while watching me.

"Hello." He said. His deep voice broke me from the trance I entered while staring deeply into his green eyes.

"Hello." I said. I had never felt this shy ever since I went out with my first boyfriend back when I was fifteen. I don't understand how come a man who I barely know has that impact on me.

"Shall we go?" He said, while stepping back and offering me his right hand. I held the rose in my hand, and grabbed his hand. He led me towards the passenger door of his black convertible BMW. He opened the door for me, and I slid inside the black leather seat. He closed my door after I had the seatbelt on, and walked to his side. He opened his door and slid inside the driver's seat and closed the door.