CHAPTER FOURTY NINE 49
AND WE KISSED
Rita
I looked behind me, only to see Finn.
He just alighted from his car and walked towards us with a fruit basket and a bouquet.
He wore suit with dart stripes, surprisingly matching the colour of my gown. He had styled his black jet hair which looked kinda glossy, perfecting his chiseled face and the stubbled neatly trimmed shaped beard at the bottom of his face.
His deep-set hazel eyes sparkled, drawing me in yet I refrained myself from drooling besides, I was still shocked and surprised to see him.
“Good evening ma’am, sir” He greeted parents, bowing his head respectfully.
“We’re late, aren't we?” He asked, throwing his hand over my neck while I kept gazing at him.
“Late? Not at all, you both arrive just in time” My mom beamed.
“Come on in, come in” My Dad paved the way for us as he motioned us to the dinning room.
“This is for you both” Finn said, dropping the basket of fruits on the table right in front of them.
“Oh wow, just wow. You are such a sweet gentleman” My mom praised him.
“And this is yours babe” Finn handed the flower to me, his eyes locked onto mine; yet he acted like nothing was wrong.
“The flowers are beautiful right?” He said and I nodded slowly like a confused dummy. “But you are more beautiful” He added, tucking the fallen strands of my hair to the back of ears.
I gave a little false smile; “Thank you..my love”
We were putting up an act, weren’t we?
However, underneath the intriguing surface, there was an undeniable tension, a silent understanding acknowledging the unspoken intensity as we exchanged a knowing glance but he smiled.
We sat next to each other at the dining table while my mom and Dad sat opposite us, next to themselves as well.
Just then, it began to rain heavily.
“Great, what a sweet cold atmosphere for this special gathering” My Dad remarked.
“We’ll talk over dinner right, screw the don't talk while eating rule” My mom said and I giggled.
“Here, your favourite dishes on the table” She displayed with her hands.
“I’ll dish out the meal” I volunteered. I stood up and opened every plates. “Awwn” I sniffed in once the aroma passed through my nose. “I have missed your food mom, you have always been a very good cook” I complimented her.
“I am sure you took after her” Finn added.
Huh! Oh wow! Perfectly played, now my parents will think we’ve been together for real. Anyways, I noticed my mom already loves Finn.
“There you go” I served everyone’s meal and lastly, Finn; giving him an obvious smile while I stepped on his feet underneath the table. He looked at me and smiled instead, acting all normal on the outside.
“What’s your name?” My Dad interviewed him.
“Finn Lakston” He replied.
“Finn? I thought you said his name was Zane” My mom turned to me. I trembled a little..
“Yeah, I.. uhm actually my name is Finn, and I also go by the name Zane, Rita prefers to call me Zane” Finn responded, tryna exude confidence.
“So Finn, where did you meet my daughter?” My mom suddenly ask.
“Err…“ He stuttered, glaring at me for an answer.
We weren't fully prepared for this, I didn't expect them to throw these questions at him. I thought we were only to appear as couple, have dinner and leave.
“We met at work” I answered truthfully.
“Let the gentleman speak” My Dad scolded.
“Yeah, we uhm.. actually met at work”
“What do you mean? Do you work at the same company?” My mom probed further, and I was even more scared.
“Actually he…” My mom shushed me, but Finn continued.
“Uhm I stopped by at where she works one fateful day to get a little glow up at the studio” He paused; “and I met this beauty” He intertwined his finger with mine and kissed it, It sent a shiver down my spine, igniting a fire within me that I never knew existed. Physical Touch!
“Awwn, that’s so sweet” My mom remarked.
“The sweetest thing is that, I fell in love with her at first sight and she did too” He added.
What the hell, I stepped on his foot again.
“Oh dear future husband, where have you been all this while? Rita has been single her whole life” My Dad dramatized and I felt a little embarrassed when Finn chuckled, I secretly shot him a glare.
They didn't ask him anymore questions while they ate, our fingers were still intertwined on the dining table, so I slowly moved it under and unintertwimed it.
“What plans do you have for my daughter Finn?” My mom asked.
“Uhm, we will get married eventually” He answered.
“So what’s stopping you?” She inquired.
“Err…” He cleared his throat and looked at me, so I had to answer.
“We only just met month ago and I told him to keep things slow and gradual” I replied.
“Yeah, I'll do whatever she says, anything at all as far as she’s comfortable and happy” Finn said, pecking me on the cheek.
Argh! He’s got to hint me when he is about to do stuff like this. I can't keep wearing a sudden shock look and shift into a smile the next second.
“Uhm Rita, so it’s you who is delaying the marriage, you are not getting any younger you know” My mom said.
“I think you should leave her be, you can clearly see that her man is also not in a rush” My Dad chided. I love the fact that he has always been on my side.
And there was another long silence, till we were done eating; my mom stood up to clear the dishes.
“Come on mom, I am here now. I’ll do it.” I said, collecting the plates from her and packing the rest of the plates.
“You need an helping hand” Finn offered.
“Sure, assist me” I said, we communicated more with our eyes. I had a lot to ask him and I'm sure he had something to tell me too.
“Aww Finn, you are so romantic. I can see why Rita loves you so much” My mom remarked, as she watched him clear the plates along with me and I led the way to the kitchen while he followed me behind.
Immediately we entered the kitchen, I closed the door and stood in front of him.
“Woah Rita, you look really beautiful “ He complimented, staring at me from my head to toe.
I know right; I’m aware of how good I look, I have planned to dress this great for Zane not him.
“You have been hiding this curvy body, under the cooperate outfit you wear to work” He said.
“Enough Finn” I said, “spill out the explanation you owe me”
“Okay, I'm very sorry. Something came up earlier and I thought, I wouldn't make it but I could, only by chance and Evelyn gave me this address. I had to rush down here, fortunately we arrived at the same time that your parents didn't notice anything” He said, beaming along.
“Hmmn” I rolled my eyes, now calming my nerves. “Thanks for coming” I said, dropping the dishes in the sink and helping him with the ones he carried.
“And what’s up with pecking and kissing me on the cheeks, on my hand, you don't have to do all that; it's not part of the plan” I cautioned him.
“You didn't give me script by the way, all you told me was to pretend like a real boyfriend and I'm sure I aced it. Look, I already won your parents heart” He grinned and I scoffed.
“Give me a gestured head up next time,” I told him.
“So, was that why you were stepping me under the table” He bent cleaning the dust off his shoe.
“At first, I thought you disappointed me even after I already promised you a date, I almost caused you under my breathe” I told him honestly but he chuckled, giving me a wonderful gaze while he was still admiring me.
“Finn, you are a very good person, you are generous, loving and nice. I hope you find someone who loves you wholeheartedly” I said and he smiled.
“Are you saying all this because I played the pretend boyfriend role well?”
“Uhn.. Maybe you are right. You’ld make a lovely husband to your future partner”
The door suddenly opened but I didn't know because the door was behind me, while I faced him.
“Thank you for being a lovely but fake b…”
Finn leaned forward immediately and kissed me to interrupt me from fully pronouncing ‘fake boyfriend’
“Oops! Sorry” It was my mom who opened the door, she closed it immediately she caught us in such act.
Finn withdrew his lips
“Sorry, I just had to. There was no other way to interrupt you” He apologised, cleaning his lips.
I was lost, I mean I enjoyed it even though it was an abrupt and a quick one. He needed not to be sorry.
I burrowed my eyes into his, slowly my gaze landed on his juicy pink lips which felt soft and smoochy on mine, can't describe what it tasted like but I loved it.
Since the beginning of this fake intimacy, Finn has been the reason behind the shivers running down my spine and recently, he has also been caused of my racing heart. Now, he has just kissed me, one of the physical touch I have desired for and this electrifying moment, all I craved for was more.
Instead of being mad at him for kissing me, I move closer to him, stood on my toes, so we could be of same height, then I kissed him even more deeply.
I felt he wanted to withdraw or disengaged from me but I wasn't satisfied yet, I didn't let go of him. Hence, he slowly reciprocated.
*****
To Be Continued.