I'm interested to learn more about his life but I find it hard to bring up the topic once again. So, we end up talking mainly about me. Again. Though I don't think my life has been that interesting, Daniel seems keen to learn about how I grew up, and the family I've been raised with. As I talk, I realise our lives have been so different. Daniel didn't have a family, didn't have a consistent home, while I've grown up with loving parents in a comfortable environment.
We've both finished our food, but neither seems to be in a hurry to leave. I'm in the middle of responding to Daniel's question about my current degree, when I notice the blonde girl that was knocking at our door the other day walking straight towards us. Daniel sees her too. He starts standing up just as she approaches, he's about to say something when the girl slaps him right across the face, then turns on her heel and walks off, away from us.
Daniel stands still for a moment, looking at her walking away. He looks a little shocked himself. I bet not many people have the courage to slap him like she did. He then lowers his eyes and looks at me,
"Wait here, Sofia. I'll be back" he says and runs off after the girl.
I'm left sitting here alone, shocked. Who is she? There's only one explanation. She is his girlfriend. Or was his girlfriend and he left her. But would she slap him if he didn't do her wrong? No. Probably not. She must be his girlfriend, and seeing him with me, she thought he was cheating. I feel a certain heaviness in the pit of my stomach. All the hopes I've had about being with Daniel come crumbling down. I think the biggest hurt comes from the fact he likes her. He wouldn't have run after her if he didn't. I have a sudden urge to run away from here.
I call the waiter over and pay our bill. Then I stand up and go, not really sure where I'm going. Only thing I know is that I want to get away from everyone. I want to be alone. I walk through the city, not letting tears leave my eyes. I won't cry. Not again. It seems to happen so much lately. But I am stronger than that. So what if I liked him? I don't need him. I don't need anyone. I see a park and hurry towards it. It's filled with people so I walk off the pathway, to the grassed area hidden by a few trees.
I find a place where I can be alone. I'm trembling in anger? Sadness? Hurt? I lean against a tree and stare out into the distance. No, I won't cry. But my eyes feel wet. I can't cry over someone I never had in the first place. A large, heavy tear rolls down my cheek. What did I think? Am I really that upset over nothing? What a stupid, stupid girl. I wipe the lone tear away with my fist. I am better off alone, anyway. I...
"Didn't I tell you to wait for me?" Daniel's voice, coming from right behind me startles me. I turn to face him, he's looking at me with curiosity,
"How did you know where I am?"
"I came back to the diner and saw you weren't there. The waiter told me the direction you left. Then I saw you walking on the streets and followed you"
"You didn't have to"
"I told you to wait for me"
"You did"
"But you left" he says,
"I did" I respond,
"Why?"
"Didn't want to be in the way" I say, trying so hard not to sound as upset as I feel,
"Whose way?"
"The girl that came to see you" I respond, he smiles, tilting head,
"Do I sense some jealousy?" he asks,
"No"
"Then why are you upset?"
"I'm not, but..."
"But what?"
"But when you take one girl out to lunch, you don't run after another" I blurt, he smiles even harder at my words, I frown, he's literally mocking me!
"And it's not jealousy" I add quickly, "it's just common sense"
"Didn't know we were... what do they call it? Uh, exclusive?" he grins,
"We're not exclusive"
"Then what's the issue?" He asks with a teasing smile, stepping closer towards me, I frown, folding my arms over my chest,
"Who says there's an issue? Go back and be with her, I'm not stopping you" I say, he stands in front of me now, goes to take my hand but I pull away, push myself off the tree and turn to walk away. I don't manage a step when he puts his arm around my stomach, pulls me into him. I try breaking away but he doesn't let me. He lowers his head so his lips rest at crook of my neck, I feel my body quiver,
"You're jealous" he whispers, I try breaking away again, unsuccessfully,
"No, but I know you were looking for her"
"How do you know that?" he asks, then kisses my neck, the sensation I feel is so strong I almost squeal.
"I saw her photos in your room" I say, struggling to push his arms away,
"Ah, that" he mutters, "I forgot you were sniffing around my stuff" he kisses the crook of my neck again, my knees go weak, I'm forgetting why I was upset,
"Stop doing that" I breathe,
"What?" he kisses once more,
"That" my voice comes out as a desperate whisper, I'm losing my breath. Unexpectedly, he grasps my waist and roughly turns me around to face him, only now I realise that he's also breathing hard. He lowers his head towards mine, like he's about to kiss me. I succeed in turning my head away, he pauses a centimetre above me,
"You have to know something about me" I manage to say,
"What's that?" he asks, looking at my lips,
"I know we're not exclusive, but..." I gather all my strength to say what's on my mind, "but I don't go out with guys for the sake of going out with guys"
"Yeah?"
"I only go out when I think there's potential, like actual relationship potential... and I understand you're different, and that's all good, but... but I can't start something if it's going nowhere"
"And why do you think it's going nowhere?"
"Well, if you were serious at all about me, I don't see how you can also be getting to know other girls" I mutter, he laughs,
"And you're laughing!" I push against him, but he doesn't let go,
"That other girl, Sofia, the other girl you're so jealous of..."
"I'm not jealous!"
"The girl you're obviously jealous of" he says over me, "is my sister" my eyes widen in shock, I stop my attempt at freeing myself, "she's my little sister, the daughter of my father and a woman he cheated on mum with"
"She's your sister?" I mumble,
"I didn't know she existed until a few months ago, I went to visit my father in prison and there she was. Trying to get to know the man that made her, then left her mother just like he left mine"
"I'm sorry" I whisper, he smiles playfully,
"Don't be, I got something important out of this" he says, "one, you're jealous, and two you think there's potential between us" he says, and without waiting for another beat, he leans down and kisses me hard. This time I don't resist. This time it's a real, long kiss. Like he'll never ever let go.
When he finally does, we both gaze into each other's eyes, his eyes are dancing as they look into mine. And I have the weirdest sensation all over my body. Like small electric shocks that I can't quite control. I never felt this before, Not with Alfred. Not with anyone. How can a single person make me feel all this? How am I still standing on my feet, and not melting away. The moment is intense. It has to stop. I can't take it.
"Let's go home" I whisper. Slowly, he nods, then steps away. I take in a big breath I wasn't aware was missing. The only consolation is that he seems to be as confused as I am. And he's never confused. Never. Daniel puts his arm protectively around my shoulders. Together, we walk back to the pathway and make our way towards the city.
As we walk without talking, I realise I like the way he feels walking next to me, I like his heavy arm around my shoulder. I like his warmth, his confidence. I hope he feels this pull as much as I do.
When we're sitting in his car, I finally allow myself to glance over at him. He's back to himself, any confusion or uncertainty that might have been there is gone. As confident as ever.
"Daniel?" I ask,
"Yes?" he glances at me,
"Why did your sister slap you?"
"She thinks I lied to her"
"How?"
"When I met her, I said I would call. We exchanged numbers. Never called her"
"Why?" I ask, he shrugs,
"I live life that way. No attachments" he says, I can't help but slightly flinch at his words, he seems to notice because he quickly adds,
"Except you"
"Except me?"
"Seems like it, doesn't it?" he grins, I bite down on my lips,
"But she's your sister"
"A sister I never knew" he says,
"Why didn't you call her?"
"I wanted to. Then changed my mind"
"Why?"
"Guess I decided I didn't need her in my life"
"That's cruel"
"You think?"
"It is. She's your sister. Your only family. You said it yourself"
"Family. Never had a family when I needed one. Don't think I need one now"
"But what if she needs you?" apart from anonchalant shrug, he doesn't respond.