The Hardest YOU Hart!

VII CHAPTER: EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

However, from now on I have to focus on the menu, the ingredients, the appetizers, types of wine, decorations, groceries, and so forth. A bunch of things to do before the BIG NIGHT! Wait, why am I so excited about this? Well, it may be the fact that Nova will be my first female friend EVER. Or is it because I am not going to feel lonely anymore? I really do not know. I am totally clueless!

NEVERTHELESS, the next two days I was trying to set everything up. Taking care of every single detail. Also, taking care of my duty and my chores at the club. I barely mention my dinner date to dad or Greggie. Tessa asked me about it. How did she know? Nova told her she wanted for us to meet somewhere to grab a meal and converse, when she asked her for my phone number. I cannot tell why! But everyone would start talking about it very soon.

What is it about? There is nothing people can use against me or against her. Right?

- You just have to be careful, okay? When it comes to the Waltz family nothing is everything and small things are the most important ones. -

- I really appreciate that. Still, I think you are overreacting, okay! But thanks for taking care of me. You are such a good friend, Tess.

Remember what I just said about girlfriends, maybe Tessa was the first one since I got here. Or more than my friend, she became my guardian angel. Her words made an echo inside of my head, at least just for a while. However, I could not take back now. Giving my word to her is a promise, and my mom used to tell me I should honor my commitments. ALWAYS!

And quoting one of my favorites; "I must trust people until they show me otherwise."

TIME FLEW BY and as the blink of an eye, the big night came. My parmesan chicken smells SO good, if I can brag about it. It is still inside the oven for the next 20 minutes or so, meantime, I am preparing risotto and mashed potatoes. For the entry, I made an Italian salad, with fresh veggies, prepared my special season (secret recipe).

I bought the best white and pink wine selection, to join the chicken and salad, grapes, cheese and deli to entertain the stomach before we get to the main event of the night. I also made some espresso for the dessert. I suppose she likes coffee, the few times that she was at the club for tea time, she had a cup of coffee instead. I made some jasmine-green-mint tea for me, my speciality. It tastes so marvelous and smells deliciously. You are right! I am in the Italian mood. But it is classier to prepare something that is not pizza for a change.

Remember I told you guys before, I have concluded independent studies in fine arts. Well, it is in Culinary Arts. Ha! Surprised? Nah, it is not big of a deal. It only means that I am able to cook every single Italian meal, and some other European, Asian, and American ethnic foods. I know, it sounds too fancy, right? In fact, it sounds fancier than it actually is.

The last thing to do before Nova comes, is getting dressed. Not even a clue about my outfit for tonight. It was not formal or anything like that. But at least, I need to match the sophisticated dinner I made. Do you think not? Fortunately for me, this was my day off, so I had enough time to be ready for my guest. My blue navy dress will suit perfectly. High heels? For sure! Lucky me, I brought the silver ones, with the tiny belt and the round border.

Being almost 7 o'clock, the bell rang, and it is her. Nova Waltz is at my place. What an honor, I believe! Not every single day you have one of the richest girls in California, knocking on your door. Am I nervous? Or just anxious! NO! I am thrilled. The last time that I cooked an elaborated meal was for my mom, it was her last weekend with us. She was one of the biggest fans I have, besides dad, Gregg, Jay and Jülien.

Probably Jason, even though he always took me out or asked for delivery. Nonetheless, tonight I am not cooking for any of them. And it feels great. Life is good so far, I must say.