Tears Of Cinderella

Chapter 9 - The First Date

Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin makapaniwala si Steffanie sa mga naganap. It was simply absurd that Prince Gareth stashed ten million worth of cold-hard cash just to have a date with someone like her. Her, who was a total nobody. Her, who was a scholar.

 No one in their right mind will do that. But then again, she knew that Prince Gareth does not fall under the "usual" category. He was different. He was no prince charming, but he has a different charm of his own.

Mariing tinitigan ni Steffanie ang malapit na grandfather's clock. It was already quarter to seven pm. Masyado siyang maaga. In fact, she was thirty minutes early. Napagpasyahan niya kanina na mas mabuting dumating siya ng maaga. She hated being late, no matter how fashionably it may appear.

"Ma'am, is there anything I can do for you?"

Hindi na niya namalayan na nakalapit na sa kanya ang waiter. She was seating alone in a private dining room inside one of Camelot's most exquisite restaurant, The Arca. Doon kasi siya itinuro ng maitre'd kanina nang siya ay dumating. Minsan na silang kumain dito ng kanyang kuya. The food was delectable but the price was over the top. Naghinayang lang siya sa perang nagastos ng kapatid. This was a place of luxury.

"Thanks, but I'd rather wait for His Highness before ordering."

Mataktikang tumabi na lang muli ang waiter sa sulok ng silid.

Muli namang lumipad ang kanyang isipan patungo kay Prince Gareth. Everything was still fresh as if it had happened yesterday. She could still remember their passionate first encounter and the sweet sensations it brought along with it. She was aware of her body's reaction to the man. He evoked a foreign feeling that she couldn't even name. She never felt something like this before. Only him.

Naputol ang kanyang pag-iisip nang pumasok na sa silid ang taong laman ng kanyang isipan. Gareth came in all of his royal splendor. She suddenly felt that familiar yet foreign sensations Nagsalubong ang tingin nila. She was still in awe on how expressive his eyes can get. Right now, his amber eyes emanated passion and desire. She vividly recalled the burning feeling of having his mouth on hers. How his powerful arms felt as it enveloped her. Her thoughts immediately sent sparks of desire in her body. She blushed to the roots of her hair.

As a sign of respect, tumayo siya bago ito tuluyang umupo. He sat opposite her. He flashed a naughty grin to her. Waring nababasa nito ang takbo ng kanyang isipan. Agad niyang inilayo ang tingin dito.

"I am sorry. Hindi ko alam na maaga kang darating, Should I've known, mas maaga pa sana akong nakarating." he started.

She just smiled timidly at him.

Umiling-iling ito saka sumulyap sa wristwatch. "Here I am, thinking that I will be the early bird but you beat me right through it, sweetheart."

"It's ok your highness, I didn't wait that long. Nauna lang ako ng mga fifteen minutes."

"First and foremost, do not address me as Your Highness. A plain old Gareth will do."

"But, it is very unethical."

"A lot of my friends call me that, so it's okay for me. I assume that we are friends now? Right, Steff?"

Tango na lamang ang naisagot niya rito. Her, being friends with a prince? Ni sa hinagap ay hindi man lang ito sumagi sa isipan niya.

Lumapit na ang waiter sa kanila saka inabot ang menu sa kanila. She just ordered a salad. She was so intimidated by the presence of this man that her appetite was suddenly lost. At isa pa, isa ito sa pinakamurang naroroon. Nanghihinayang pa rin siya sa laki ng perang pakakawalang nito. Gareth ordered a sirloin steak. The waiter served them with champagne bago ito tuluyang lumabas ng silid.