Chapter 8
Nadine's POV
I was sitting at our table staring at my glass of red wine in front me. I could go for something a little stronger right now, perhaps a few vodkas? Jason and I were now both waiting for our main meals to come out. He insisted that we also have an entrée, something we never did, usually we just skipped to a main meal. It was something we began to do early on in the relationship, I wasn't a big eater and he was a bit of a health freak so one main was enough to suite us.
I think I remembered Jason bringing me to this place early on in our relationship. Back then things were easier, more fun, when we couldn't spend enough time together.
"We've been here before haven't we?" I asked him, trying to break the silence.
He looked up and me and smiled, nodding in response. Clearly happy that I'd remembered.
"I brought you here for our third date" he told me, his eyes boring into mine. I had to look away, his stare, like everything was becoming so intense.
"It was the night you told me that you could see things getting serious for us one day".
I remembered that night very clearly, it was a great night. It was the first date after he knew who I was and what I did. It was the first time we'd slept together, I felt like I was sharing something with him that I hadn't shared in a long time.
I looked up at him and smiled, he smiled back at me, we did share some great memories.
The moment was then interrupted by a waiter placing out meals down in front of each of us. "Here you are, please enjoy".
The next ten or so minutes were filled with the sound cutlery clinging with plates and the chewing of food. Through the time I watched Jason, his composure went from calm to quite nervous and he seemed quite unsettled.
Suddenly, I looked up at him just in time to see him stand. My initial thoughts of him needing to use the bathroom were dismissed as soon as he knelt down in front of me.
What are you doing??!!
I felt myself beginning to panic, I knew exactly what was coming next but I hoped to God that I was wrong.
I watched him, just watched him as he pulled a small, red box out of his pocket. I felt other patrons in the restaurant turn to look at us. with anticipation. His mouth opened and he spoke but I couldn't hear the words he was saying. It was something along the lines of "I love you" and "I want to spend the rest of my life with you".
It was like one of those out of body experiences. I could see myself but I didn't feel like I was actually there. I was trapped and not in control, nothing that was happening was being taken in.
His hand touching mine was enough to jolt me back to reality.
"Nadine? Will you marry me", he asked, the look on his face told me that he was expecting an instant answer and when he didn't get one, he thought the worst.
I just sat there for a minute longer, mouth agape and my glance switching between the engagement ring in one of his hands and my hand in his other.
Silently buy quickly, I pulled my hand away from his, stood up and while avoiding his gaze altogether made my way out of the restaurant. I didn't care about the scene I'd caused with all the patrons in the restaurant. The fact that I'd left my boyfriend on his knees back there didn't cross my mind. All I knew is that I needed to get out of there, and get out of there I did.
I ran outside and tried to think of what to do next. A cab... I needed a cab. I crossed over the street to where there were some cabs waiting for passengers. Knocking on a window I told the driver my address and he instructed me to get in.
"Nadine!" I heard Jason shout from across the street as I went to open the door.
"Nadine, wait!" I couldn’t deal with this right now.
"Go" I whispered to the driver.
As the driver began to make his way onto the road I saw Jason also running across it, trying to avoid cars so he could reach the cab. Thank heavens the lights were green so he didn't make it in time. I looked back at his face, a mixture of confusion and embarrassment, but also devastation.
I did not what to be the woman who made him look like that, but this was too much. My heart was not with him anymore, it would not be fair for either one of us.
