Wishful Thinking

Chapter 3: Agreement

"Hey, what are you doing here? Its terribly cold out here," said Nathan while rubbing his hands together.

"I can ask you the same question," I answered mischievously.

"Well, when I got back to the table, you were gone. And when I asked the girls, they said you were here. That's why I'm here, because you're here. And that brings us back to the original question, what are you doing here?" 

What am I doing here? I can't tell him I'm here because he danced with the viper. He'll think I'm weird then ask me why. And I don't know why. I don't know why I got upset.  I'm not sure that even is the right word to use. I didn't mind when Samantha asked Nathan to danced. But when I looked at them dancing and the viper coiling herself to Nathan, I suddenly felt an urge to rip her skin off thinking that maybe shedding it off might give her a better personality. I didn't understand why I felt that way. I was being... Possessive. But why? I don't even think I like the guy. I mean, sure, Nathan is handsome. He has an adorable smile, and when he smiles his dimples would show and his eyes would almost disappear. He has the perfect height, 5'8". Not too tall, not too small, just right. He has a very well-toned body, muscular and fit. He obviously works out. And when he speaks, there's this accent I can't quite place but makes listening to him hypnotic. Urghh, who am I kidding? I like the guy, this guy in particular, this Nathan guy. So does this mean I'm jealous? No, cause if I'm jealous, I would have ripped that viper's head off. And what would I be jealous about, its not like Nathan and I had something. But then again, Nathan had his eyes on me the whole dinner and after, when the dance was about to begin, he was gonna ask me before that viper took possession of him. And now, he's here outside looking for me. Urgh, I hate how women become irrational because of the existence of men in their lives.

Nathan coughed gently and I looked up at him wondering why he was looking at me like he's expecting something. Damn! He was asking me a question. And he's expecting the answer. What was the question again? Oh right, what am I doing outside. Should I answer him honestly or safely? I opted for the latter.

"I just needed some fresh air. Do you need something from me?" I was curious why he would go out here for me.

"Why would you possibly think that I need something from you? I left the warm four walls of the Jade Hall not because I need something, that hurts, to be judged prematurely because of actions done without any malice. But actually, I do want something," he responded with a coy smile. I'm not sure whether he's playing me or if he's serious.

"Technically speaking, Jade Hall has more than four walls. You're from Archi, you should know that. And Ha! Ha!, look at you being funny. And what would you possibly want that bad to leave the warmth of the hall? And please feel free to answer so that I might know and not judge your without-malice actions prematurely," I said with an extra coating of sarcasm and teasing.

He laughed. Not the full on laugh you see from kids when they see fireworks, but still a laugh. Just a carefree chuckle you rarely see from men his age who's main priority is their career. And what a view it was.

"I want..." He looked at me. Breathe Jillian. Oh brain, breathe! "To get to know you. And I can't do that inside with the warmth of the hall if you're here outside," and there's the smile again.

I am in trouble, big big trouble. I want what he just said he wants but I'm not sure where this is gonna go. And it's so scary how he's so straight forward. Oh my gosh, what is happening. Jillian, breath!! Clear your mind! No, don't do that! You need it to think. Urghh, what do I do?

"What do you want to know about me?" Great! He was flirting with you and you just gave him a "go-back-from-wherever-you-came-from" comeback. Nice one Jillian, nice one!

"Okay. Relax. I don't want you to be tensed or anxious. Just breath deep. I don't bite, I promise." And with the smile he gave me, it had amusement clearly written on it. He found out whatever I was trying to hide (but obviously failing) by the answer I used to do just that.

"Its just that I've never been good with this stuff, whatever this might be. I'm always getting ahead of myself and thinking of what I'll say the next time we see each other. Did I give a good impression? Would you want to see me again next time? After we part ways, am I supposed to wait for your call or is it okay if I'll be the one to call first? And these questions keep on reapeating themselves over and over again in my head while I'm talking to you right now." There had to be something in that smile that made me say those things. Jillian, the brain, you have one. Use it!

"I see. You're a futuristic person, a paranoid futuristic person, interesting." He was obviously amused, he did not even try to hide it for my sake.

"What department are you from Jillian?" He asked suddenly serious.

"Interior"

"Here's the deal. You know me as Nathan from Archi and I know you as Jillian from Interior. No last names, no branch locations, no contact numbers, no addresses. We don't see each other again after tonight, well, at least not planned. If one of us tries, we both know VC is too huge to find the other with just the first name. And besides, our department don't really work together so chances of meeting again would be minimal. That way, we'll get to know each other better. You don't have to think about our next meeting cause it won't happen. And I won't have to think of a very impressive way to get your number. We'll both have a perfect night. No worries, just conversations. This will be a night we'll both look back to when we get old. The night we're both real. What do you think, do we have a deal?" His eyebrows were up, his eyes awaiting answers.

What do I have to lose? This is even better cause I can be myself without worrying about his lasting impression on me. "It's a deal."

He took my hand and kissed it. "To seal the deal," matched with his signature smile.

When I said this night was gonna be long, I didn't expect it to be any longer than this but then again. What have I put myself into? I asked myself more amused than puzzled of the turn of events.