The next day, as promised, Jade came in with a bouquet of red tulips. The brunette and her smile were the much awaited presence. Althea didn't really think about the tulips or the person behind it. She just wanted to see Jade.
When she woke up this morning she was determined that this will be the day she finally made the first step. Yet even with the mantra she repeated over and over as she drove to the office, the words of encouragement from her bestfriend, and Wila's warning ringing in her ears, she still could not bring herself to ask Jade out for coffee.
She's a businessperson for heaven's sake! Confidence was her middle name, smooth talk was her game. Yet what is it about the gorgeous brunette that made her question herself and always left her tongue-tied?
After the formalities, the usual banters, and the light flirting they shared almost every day for the past two weeks, Althea found herself accompanying the delivery girl to the door.
The question remained unasked. Again.
Although this time she did find the courage to lightly touch Jade's shoulder as she opened the door for her for the first time. The gesture surprised the latter, but she later smiled in appreciation.
"So tomorrow then?" The black-haired woman asked expectantly.
Jade stopped.
"I can't. It's my day off tomorrow." She had an apologetic look on her face. "But someone else will deliver it."
"Oh..." It was all that she could say. She didn't want anyone else bringing her flowers. But she couldn't tell her that.
It's now or never, Althea.
Slowpoke.
I swear, I'm going to ask her out myself.
Before someone else snatches her.
"Actually, Jade..."
"What is it, Althea?"
"If you don't have plans for tomorrow, would you... like to go out with me? For coffee, I mean."
Jade froze.
"Or tea maybe? Or any other drinks you'd like. Or maybe we could just eat. Do you like cake? Or maybe a sandwich? I could make you one. Or lunch? I can cook. Or dinner? Wait. Maybe that's too soon. Okay, maybe no meals. How about... Maybe we could just uh... you know... uhmm... hang out?" She rambled.
She couldn't read Jade's expression. Althea could feel the sweat forming on her forehead as she nervously waited for a response.
The long awkward silence stretched before the brunette finally moved her mouth to speak.
"No. God, no."
The words hit her like a snowball.
Her shoulders dropped. She just got rejected. This felt worse than when her first girlfriend left her. She looked down to hide the disappointment.
"Oh... It-it's alright. I understand."
"No!"
She looked at the nearly frantic Jade.
"I mean--- God, that came out wrong. I mean... I... don't have plans for tomorrow."
"Really?" She asked. Althea felt hope rising.
Jade nodded. "And I love y--- I ah... I w-would love to go out with you... for coffee."
A big smile spread across Althea's lips. Her wide eyes disappeared. She was finding it hard to contain the bubble of happiness rising inside her.
"Thank you, Jade."
"Did you have a place in mind?"
"Uh..."
Did she? Of course, she didn't. She was so focused on gathering up the courage to ask Jade but she didn't really think this far ahead. How could she be so unprepared?
Points for you, Althea. Congratulations.
"Wait, let me just give you my number so you can text me where and what time," she said as she searched her messenger bag for a pen and paper.
Althea watched Jade write on her pocket notebook.
"I love you," she absentmindedly whispered.
"Excuse me?" Jade gave her a puzzled look.
"I uh... I said..."
Think, Guevarra! Think.
"I said I lo-look forward... to s-seeing you... tomorrow. Yeah. That's right. Haha."
Smooth.
Jade smiled. "Me too, Althea. I'll see you then?"
She carefully tore the page she had written on off the notebook and handed her the piece of paper.
"Yes. See you, Jade."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"I'm sorry, did you wait long?"
Althea couldn't believe her eyes as she watched the stunning figure standing in front of her. The flowy above the knee sleeveless baby pink dress she was wearing right now was a far cry from the usual jeans and red and white shirt with "Sal's Flower Shop" embroidered on its left chest pocket.
And her hair. Don't even get started on her hair. It was finally free from the ponytail and the red cap that hid her brown locks. Althea was right about how beautiful they are though. Jade's mermaid waves now flowed freely. They were gathered to one side, leaving her neck and her left shoulder exposed.
If seeing Jade in her uniform already made the wide-eyed woman's jaw drop, can you just imagine her reaction right now?
"Thea?"
"Wow."
That was all she managed to say. She heard Jade chuckle.
"Surprised?"
"Very. Pleasantly."
She blinked, realizing what she said. She scratched her eyebrow. "Sorry, I ah..."
"I'm glad you like it." Jade smiled at her sweetly.
Althea realized she had just been sitting there, gawking at Jade. She hurriedly stood up to greet her, but she accidentally bumped her knee on the side of the table. She clenched her fist and bit her lip to prevent the groan from escaping.
Luckily, Jade didn't notice her clumsiness. She looked up and was met with the smile that made her forget about the pain. She smiled as well.
"Hi."
"Hello, Althea."
Althea felt the butterflies in her stomach go wild at the sound of Jade's voice. Her name sounded so beautiful and seemed to roll out perfectly with the way the brunette said it.
"For you, m'lady." Jade handed her the flowers she hadn't noticed earlier.
Gardenias.
She blushed. She hardly thinks "m'lady" fits her black ripped jeans, plain white tee, and white Jack Purcells that matched Jade's.
Matchy-matchy couple stuff?
You wish, Guevarra!
"They're beautiful. Thank you, Jade. Delivery on your day off?" She asked jokingly.
"Nope. This time, it's from me."
There was no denying her heart beating like a drum.
Althea bit her lip.
Jade was looking straight into her eyes with a familiar glint that mirrored her own.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
