"Good morning sleeping beauty" I heard Brian's voice in my sleep.
I opened my eyes to adjust the rays of sun passing through them.
i sat upright on the bed as the blanket fell to the bed.
I had forgotten that I was half naked until I heard Brian Cough
"What's wrong?" I ask.
he didn't say anything but pointed at my chest.
I looked down only to realize that I was just in my bra which exposed my cleavages. I quickly pulled up the sheets to cover my body.
I looked at Brian, he turned his head to the other side.
why is he acting like he's never seen a naked woman before? I'm pretty sure Janelle Walks round the house in nudes giving him a chance to wander his eyes over her body and here he was pretending.
"Good morning" I greeted Brian who placed a tray containing tea and muffins.
"Rise and shine sleeping head"
I grinned, holding my head.
"Are you okay?"
I look up to meet his eyes "yeah I'm fine. I'm just having a migraine that's all" I explained
"I guess it was the alcohol. you had a lot to drink yesterday" he said placing his Palm on my forehead.
I raised my head to look at him. his eyes were fixed on my head so I stared down.
"Do you want to see a doctor?"
I shook my head no.
he's acting different. not a bad different but a good one.
I could get used to this side of Brian.
I mean I couldn't forget the kiss he gave me last night.
damn! it's all so complicated
Does he like me?
or a more important question, Am I starting to like Brian?
What if he's doing all this cause he's missing Janelle?
or what if he changes when he sees Janelle?
no, I can't risk it.
I can't love him
it's not going to be possible.
I'm sure he's doing all this cause he feels as if it's a responsibility and especially cause we're alone together and that I have no where to go.
But that doesn't explain the kiss kiss does it?
I scanned my brain for answers
"You need to rest. you'll be fine I promise" he tells me and I smile.
Fuck Ciara, don't smile.
you hate Brian okay.
He's not really your husband. maybe he is but it's just on paper.
I reached for the tray to eat breakfast.
"you made this for me?" I asked a little bit surprised. I wasn't expecting this at all.
"I did. you've been doing all the house chores so I thought I'd do something nice for you. I picked up my clothes from the floor—" he paused and looked up to meet my eyes cause he kinda noticed that I was staring at him.
I looked at the floor to confirm the truth and he was right. there was nothing on the floor.
What is going on?
"You really picked them up? why?"
"I realized that you were the one who normally pick them up every morning" he said with a smile.
I blinked twice, no thrice,
"Brian are you okay? are you sick perhaps? Are you having a fever?" I ask
"You better eat up before it gets cold and don't get used to it. i might change my mind later so enjoy it while it lasts" he said and walked to the door leaving me completely astonished.
"Is this happening right now?" I whispered to myself "What kind of angel visited Brian Last night" I questioned myself as I picked up the glass to take a sip.
"He even brought me breakfast in bed"
the thought of it made me smile.
I slapped myself countless times to stop myself from blushing.
I woke up from bed and walked into the bathroom to bathe.
.
After having my shower, I scanned the wardrobe for clothes.
I don't know why but somehow something in me decided to put on something smashing.
not that its for Brian but a lady has to look good once in a while.
I settled for a flair gown.
then styled my hair and applied some makeup.
"All done" I say staring at the mirror.
"What if he doesn't like this?" I thought again "he doesn't have to. it's not like I'm wearing it for him"
who am I kidding?
"I won't change it. i don't care if he likes it or not. I didn't wear it for him. I wore it cause I like it. that's right Ciara. he doesn't love you so it shouldn't matter to you whether he likes it or not" my mental self slapped me.
.
I turned to go when I noticed Brian standing there. he looked at me like he's seen a ghost or someone who's having a brain disorder.
I cleared my throat "Have you... have you been standing here for a long time?"
he shook his head no.
I nodded "so you didn't hear anything?
"is there something you wanted me to hear?" he asked giving me the look
"No. nothing at all" I said nervously
"Why are you wearing that" he asked and I became self conscious all of a sudden.
"You mean this?" I said pointing at the dress
"you've never worn something like this before. do you have a date with someone?"
"No I—"
"its okay. you don't have to explain anything to me. you look actually different but in a good way. you're pretty. whoever you wore this for, the guy must be very lucky" he said before walking out the door.
I should've known. I was such a fool for thinking that he'd actually like it.
I better change. I don't want to look like an idiot in front of him again.
I can't believe he doesn't like it.
oh Ciara. how could you be so stupid?
I was about taking it off when the door flew open again. it was Brian I know so I didn't bother to look.
"why are you taking it off?"
"I don't like it" I simply replied
"But you looked good in it"
"no. don't flatter me. I look terrible in it. which is why, I'm never wearing it again" I remark
"what if I say you should wear it?" he asked and I turned to look at him.
"Not that I'm stopping you. I wanted us to go out and explore this place and it looks suitable for the occasion." he said running his hands through his hair
"You want us to go out? like on a date?"
"Um... yes if you call it that but if you don't want to then its completely fine"
I smiled "I would love to go"
"Then don't change. I wasn't lying when I said you looked really pretty in this. I'll wait for you in the living room" he said before closing the door.
Brian actually called me pretty? he thinks I'm pretty?
I decided not to take it off and went out to meet him.
"So are you ready?"
"Yeah but what about Alex and Jake? won't they be joining us?"
"Maybe next time. they're sleeping in today so they said it's fine if we go on without them" he said and I nod
"Here. wear this" he said putting a sun hat on my head and a shawl round my neck.
"So where are we going?" I ask
"I don't know. wherever the road takes us" he said with a grin on his face.
"okay" I say and we both head out the door.
We took a cab to a restaurant and got inside.
we sat down and Brian took the menu card while I just stared at him.
"Aren't you going to order something?" he asked
"I'm sorry. I didn't know I was supposed to" in said picking up the card. he only smiles.
"Haven't gone out on a date before?" he asks
"This is my first date." I say staring at the menu.
"Your first date?"
"Yeah."
"you mean you've never been asked out before? so you never had a boyfriend?" he gave me a puzzled look
"I have been asked out before. I just wasn't ready. I had to work for my family so I never really gave it a thought" I said
"so you mean I took your first kiss? you never even kissed in high school?" he asked
"I guess some people has other things in their lives which are more important than a romantic relationship don't you think Mr Salter?" I ask still not looking at him
he didn't respond.
"You never really had anyone to care about your needs so you took it all on yourself didn't you?" he asked and I couldn't respond "don't worry I'll take care of you from now on okay?"
"you're not serious"
"I am. let's start by knowing the things you love. so what's your favorite color?".
" yellow?" I respond
"Favorite ice cream?"
"Vanilla" I reply
"favorite song?"
"I don't really know"
"okay" he reply.
he called the Waiter and whispered something to her ears. is he flirting with her?
She smiled and walked away.
I guess people don't really change.
.
She returned later with a huge glass containing vanilla ice cream.
I smiled trying to take it in.
"Is this what you were whispering to her?" I asked still smiling
"Yeah. you thought I was asking her out?"
"No I didn't"
"Okay"
"thank you" I say and he nods.
.
We finished eating and bought some for home.
"Thank you for today" I say but he didn't say anything.
I walked up him.
"Brian?" I called and he turned to look at me
I kissed him on his cheeks.
I don't know why I did but I just felt it was right.
He walked towards me and I took a step back till I hit the wall.
He caged me in still staring at me.
he tucked a strand of hair behind my ears and brought his face down to mine.
I closed my eyes as I felt his breathe on my face.
He was about to kiss me when suddenly the door flew open.