Althea nervously rubbed her palms together as she tried to remember what she was going to say. She focused on the calm waters of the artificial lake at the botanical garden.
They agreed to meet here. She had been so relieved when Jade considered. She didn't say yes, but she didn't decline either. So here she is, sitting on a bench, patiently waiting for her.
She looked at the gazebo in the middle of the lake. Everything was set. She looked at her watch then turned to the horizon. The sun was setting. The lake reflected the sky's purple and orange hues.
She took another deep breath. She had been here for almost three hours now. Yet she can only hope for Jade's acceptance. She can only wait.
- - - - - - - - - - -
Work ended an hour ago, but she had spent her time debating with herself whether she should show up or not.
Well, here she is now. Although she wasn't even sure if Althea was still here.
She parked her bike and locked it to the railing before making her way towards the entrance. She was surprised to find it still open. The botanical garden should be closed by now. She knows because she goes here when she wants to relax or to just stop thinking about the bills that needed to be paid.
A piece of paper tucked between the vines that formed the archway caught her attention. It had her name on it. She smiled when she read the note. Althea had beautiful penmanship. She carefully folded the paper and put it in the back pocket of her jeans before hurrying inside.
Althea was waiting.
She slowed down when she spotted Althea on the lakeside bench. She decided to take her time to admire the gorgeous figure, the same way she had done for years. Jade watched her from afar.
She had seen her look so serious at eight in the morning when she had just gotten out of the café just across the street from where the flower shop is. She had seen her joke around with her two best friends when she accidentally spots them at the mall where Sally had dragged her on a Sunday. She had seen her look peaceful when she happens to see her here, sitting on that very same bench. Once, she almost approached the raven-haired woman when she saw the pain and the tears on those beautiful eyes. She had been here too, on her favorite spot, stealing more than a few glances at her favorite view. She had seen her look nervous and sometimes she'd seem to be practicing a speech, just like now.
There was something about Althea that drew her. She could be in the middle of a crowd and she'd still be able to spot her from a hundred yards away. She always caught her attention. And yes, she had fallen in love with her before she even knew her, but she could never get enough courage to make the first step.
That fateful day three weeks ago was definitely a blessing. A delivery needed to be made, but Miguel had a family emergency and Abby had called in sick. She was the only one available. She never realized it would lead her face to face with the woman she had been secretly crushing on.
She didn't know how managed to compose herself enough not to stutter or where she got the courage to crack a few jokes afterwards when she saw her brows furrow during a phone call.
She had been shocked when Althea asked her out. She couldn't believe it. Her thoughts went haywire that all that came out of her mouth was, "No. God, no."
Thank goodness she was able to gather herself or she wouldn't have had the opportunity to get to know the mysterious woman she was staring at right now.
Althea must have felt her presence because she started to turn towards her direction. She immediately stood up and smiled when she saw Jade.
Althea's smile really amazed her. She doesn't know how those round anime like eyes that she loves so much could just disappear. She also has that cute little dimple that would go unnoticed if one didn't look closely.
