The way before the reach

Chapter One – Engaged.





On October twenty-fifth, the view from Albert Street was rather enjoyable for the ones that give young love the proper value. The unpopular restaurant that had its origins many years from this night, in the days in which people’s most important requirements for shops were to stay comfortable and to be well served, was currently the location of an engagement celebration.

The sound of friends and family expressing their happiness and the sign of the genuine smile they often received could be considered a joy for those who passed nearby. Soon the sound of glasses being handled started. The echo of a fork or spoon that would eventually fall, laughter, toasts.

The man was always making contact with the woman, offering protection with a hand on her shoulder or leading the way with an arm on her back.

She would look at him with admiration and love.

  His eyes were brown, and his hair was deeply black. He had a confident personality, aspect that would appear in every handshake, walk and conversation. Although it didn’t cross the line for arrogance, it could easily intimidate the ones that weren’t ready for that sort of attitude. Noticing this, the woman’s behavior would show their compatibility, since her peaceful manners set the group around them at ease. Her blonde hair and blue eyes added some innocent charm in her figure, which often was described as beautiful.

  After the end of the party and the farewells, the couple was walking slowly in the direction of the parking lot.

-          And it was supposed to have just a few people…

-          We did select only family and close friends, Derek.

-          I suppose it is your fault for being dear for so many people.- he said with a smile.

  She gently defended herself,

-          You are the one with the large family, love. Lucy looked adorable in her new dress, don’t you think?

-          Yes, it was actually a gift from me for her seventh birthday.

-          I didn’t know that you had such good taste for women clothing.- Lisa said, raising her eyebrows.

-          I might have had some help, I admit.

She laughed.

-          I would have mercy on you if you asked for it.

-          It was not needed in the moment. Though it would be very much appreciated right now. Which side did we leave the car on…?

-          Left.

-          My hero. - smiling, he took the keys in his pocket and soon they were sitting in the car, paying the parking lot’s worker.

When they were waiting for the green signal, Derek looked at her.

-          You look lovely tonight.

She smiled, blushing lightly.

-          Really. The dress couldn’t have found someone more suitable to show off in.

-          Your cousin Jared commented on it, he said it looked rather intriguing. I still don’t know if that was a compliment.

-          That bastard. It was his way of saying he was wondering about you out of it.

-          I don’t think so…

He snored.

-  You would never think so. Just saying, if his comments start being less needy of interpretation I won’t ignore it.

-  You are so possessive sometimes. The worst thing is that I don’t dislike it. Makes me feel protected.

  They were interrupted by the signalization that let the car continue.

-          Victoria couldn’t stop commenting about how handsome you look in that sweater. You would think she would be shyer about talking about your fiancé’s incredible body in front of you.

-          I wouldn’t blame her. Is really hard to resist me.

She laughed.

-          Then I did a fine job for some weeks.

-          Yes… those were tough times for me.

-          Liar. You made of courting me a hobby, and you were pretty good at it.

-          Remember that time I asked you to have lunch with me? On your break.

-          Yes, of course. You had heard me saying I always wanted to have the food from that restaurant but never had the time to pick it up, since the work break was rather small.

You had chosen my plate knowing I was vegetarian, we sat on a park bench and everything was perfect.

-          I counted that one as a point in my favor.

-          Silly. I was a goner since the time we first met. You walking out of nowhere, and saying hi. After some seconds of looking at each other, I asked if you had come just to say that. You smiled that confident smile of yours and said that no... you came so you had an excuse to stare at me from closer.

He laughed.

-          You amazed me acting like that was normal.

-          Seemed normal to me. There was I on a ordinary day, sitting with a group of friends and then I saw you. How could I walk away knowing someone like you existed? I had to go there, hear your voice, check if you smelled in a floral way like you seemed to, see if you would blush if I said all those things. I decided on that moment, that I wouldn’t rest until we were dating.

-          And your timing was always privileged. It was what? 3 days after that meeting and you rescued me from going home getting soaked by the rain. But something stopped you from walking with me all the way... was it a phone call?

-          Yeah… Charles needed me urgently, something about his computer and needing to send a file for his boss on that same day.

-          You gave me the umbrella and said that you hoped you would see me soon, running away in the pouring rain.

-          Like anyone would reclaim the umbrella and leave the lady alone with the incredibly cold water falling.

-          Still… I thought it was rather gallant. 

He smiled.

-          I was glad I had an excuse to see you again. To get my umbrella.

-          I was glad about it too.

Their conversation lasted the length of their journey home. Getting out of the car, Derek opened the door to Lisa and kissed her. She interrupted the kiss to say:

-          Any special reason for the sudden move?

-          I remembered those days when all I wanted was to kiss you, and now I can.

-          As many times as you want. - she said, making sure to prove her

point. - We better go to the apartment. I don’t want to get arrested for public indecency.

    He took her in his arms, and she let a surprised sound escape her.

-          Gotta train for the wedding, sweetheart.

-          But Derek, there are tons of stairs in the way.

-          I’m young and brave, don’t worry – he said with a huge grin on the face.