The Love Expert

Chapter 10

Johnny woke up. “Good morning Claire!” he texted her. He started the day with a smile. Johnny was very jolly. He did his morning preparations happily. As he cooked and ate his food, as he took a bath and wore his uniform, he moved his body in a groove as if there was a music playing even though there’s none. Johnny went to his workplace. His co-workers could see the difference in him and they appreciated it.

When he went home, he prepared himself for his date with Claire. He chose to wear a polo shirt and fitted pants. He looked at himself in the mirror and took a deep breath. He smiled at his reflection and fetched Claire at the department store. He arrived at the meeting place ten minutes before 5 PM. He texted Claire and reminded her to notify him if she is already at the department store. Johnny waited for her. He looked at his watch. “It’s already 5:30PM! Where is she?” He started to panic in his mind.

The time was 6 PM and Johnny lost hope of seeing her. He called her phone a few times but she did not answered. Johnny decided to go home because of too much disappointment. He walked towards the exit door.

“Johnny!” He heard the voice of Claire.

“Hey Claire!” Johnny’s face became happy again.

“Why are you going out?”

“I’m just…hmm…I will…”

“I understand. You waited too long. I’m sorry. I had to finish a short story.”

“It’s okay.”

“Let’s go now?”

“Sure.”

Johnny brought her to a karaoke bar. The customers there were given a room where they can sing privately and order some food and drinks.

“Oh my God! I’ve never been in this place! Thank you, Johnny!”

Claire started singing. She loves songs with sustained high notes even though she’s not really good in singing. After she finishes a song, they both laugh at her very low score. Claire has already sung four songs consecutively. She wondered how good Johnny is so she passed the microphone to him.

“Johnny! It’s your turn now!”

Johnny chose a rock song.

“Oh, nice choice!” Claire said. Claire was a bit wild because of the beer she was drinking.

“Shot through the heart and you’re to blame darling. You give love a bad name!” Johnny sang the famous song of Bon Jovi. Claire was impressed by the way Johnny sang. “Hey, you’re a good singer!” she said. After the song, they waited for the score to be displayed. When the score appeared, Claire was amazed. The score was 90! Johnny returned the microphone to her. Even though Johnny was good in singing, Claire was never shy to sing also.

It’s Johnny’s turn again. Johnny sang a romantic song.

“Too many billion people running around the planet. What is the chance in heaven that you’d find your way to me?” Johnny sang the song, Born for You, as he took a sweet glance at Claire. The chorus came, “That I was born for you. It was written in the stars. Yes, I was born for you and the choice was never ours. It’s as if the powers of the universe conspired to make you mine. Until the day I die, I bless the day that I was born for you.” Claire became quiet while watching Johnny. Even though the words were just part of the song, Claire felt that those words were pertained to her. Johnny sang it very romantically that Claire felt his message.

After Johnny’s song, they stopped singing. They stared at each other. Their face moved closer.  Claire’s heart beat faster.  She knew what can happen. For the last second, she thought of Luke but she could not resist letting the moment go. She erased Luke in her mind. Johnny and Claire kissed for a short moment.

After they kissed, silence filled the ambiance. They could not speak. Claire liked what happened but there is confusion in her mind because she was still in a relationship with Luke. After several minutes, Claire checked her watch and saw that it was already midnight. “Johnny, it’s already 11 PM. Let’s go home.”

Johnny accompanied Claire as she went to her home. They were still quiet. Johnny was thinking of the right way to confess his feelings. There was also a debate in his mind whether their kiss pleased her or not. Before Claire entered her house, Johnny grabbed her hand and said, “Claire, I love you!” After that, Johnny kissed her. They kissed passionately. As their lips were detached, Johnny thought that he could enter Claire’s house but she suddenly said, “Good night Johnny.”

Johnny went home. He did not know if all the events that happened would help him win the love of Claire. He was afraid that it might anger Claire. He thought that the events that happened might be too early. Nonetheless, he was still contented that he already confessed his true emotions to Claire.