Author's Note: This is my first attempt to write a story. As you may have noticed from Pt.1, English is not my mother tongue so you will find some mistakes for sure. Whatever is included in these stories happened last winter. Names are changed for obvious reasons. Feel free to leave your comments below. Parts 3 and 4 are almost ready and they are much more interesting. I strongly suggest reading Pt.1 before the story below
-That's great, Anne replied.
-Yeah. Now I have to find what to wear.
-You've got to impress him, what does he like?
-Skirts, but I'm not in the mood to wear one. I'm going to wear the navy blue trousers I bought last week with a white plain shirt
-Wait a minute. You asked him out. You must impress him to hit your target. But you are not going to wear what he likes on a woman?
-Yes! I also don't know how to tell him.
-Tell him what?
-That I want this kind of "relationship" with him
-Let your clothes do the talking.
-I hate skirts.
-He likes them
-I guess if he agrees on my proposal that from now on he is going to tell me each time what to wear. This may be the last time I can wear trousers.
-As you want
As Mary was ready, she looked herself on the mirror. She looked attractive; the navy blue trousers made her bottom look great. But she was nervous. Very nervous. She was shy when she was talking to men, even to John, whom she knew for more than 6 years. It was now or never. If she wasn't going to take advantage of his interest that night, she wouldn't have a second chance.
It was too early. She spent the next half an hour listening to music in order to relax. That night all she had to do was to take a deep breath and tell him what she wants. Easier said than done though. She decided to wear the pink leather watch, the one he bought her when he fell in love with her. It was old but still great.
Anne wished her Good Luck and told her to text her a code message when she had the chance. It was the signal that everything was OK
"What I'm going to do if he says no? He will probably stop talking to me". That was her main thought on her way to underground station. The ten minute walk seemed like an eternity to her. But that wasn't a first. They had stopped talking to each other several times, but each one of them either she or he made the first move for a reconnection. Once he had told her that he was thinking of her the whole time and he was asking common friends for her news. She did that too. Now she was the one to risk their relationship.
As she walked into the train she was watching the faces of other passengers. They seemed relaxed, only she was the one to be so nervous. Her pulse was elevated. Her hands were shaking. But she had to act normal. As the train reached her destination, she made one last thought. If she was going to run away, that was the time. She didn't know what she was afraid of. Him? Or the chance that a whole new chapter in her life could start that night?
He was late, probably stuck in traffic. While she was waiting, she texted her friend the code message. It was early, but she was sure that everything is going to be fine. She trusted him. She knew that he will not hurt her. She knew that he still cared about her, even though his love for her may now be long gone.
About half an hour later than expected, he finally arrived. He was dressed smart, as always. A nice white shirt with yellow and blue stripes and a grey chino. He looked older than he was
-Sorry to be late, I was stuck in traffic, John apologised as she entered his car
-I thought so. It's ok, there is no need to apologise
-Nice to see you
-Nice to see you too
-You look nice.
-Thank you
-It is a bit late and it is Wednesday but it was a very busy day for me. I couldn't make it earlier
-There is no problem. I asked you to go out after all, blame is on me.
-That's correct, he smiled. How was your day?
-Boring. Anne went to her mother's so I was alone. It was a chance to clean the house
-You're right. I haven't cleaned mine in weeks. Working and studying at the same time really consumes most of your time.
-Yeah, I know
-Are you all right? You seem a little upset, John asked her when they stopped at a red light.
-Yep, I'm fine. I'm just a bit tired
-That makes two of us. Plug your phone to the audio system. I let you choose the music to cheer you up.
-Oh, thank you. You never let anyone change the music in your car
-That's a first, John laughed.
After another ten minutes' drive, they reached their destination. He dropped her off while he was searching for a parking slot. She entered the bar and told to one of the bartenders John's name. It turned out he had reserved the best table. She sat there, waiting for him. After a few minutes, which seemed like days to her, he finally entered the bar and sat across her.
-Nice place huh?, John asked her.
-Yeah. I don't know many places in this area. It's a bit far away from where I live.
-There are a lot of nice spots to have a drink here. But this one is the best. One of the best in the whole Athens I believe. I like the music, the drinks, the atmosphere. It's great.
They were chatting for some time, he told her about the project he was working on, how his fellow colleagues were taking advantage of him because of his age and how much he paid to fix his car after he crashed last week. She was relaxed, alcohol had its effects. He was in a better mood too. He was laughing more often and seemed to enjoy his time with her. While he was finishing his second beer, she took a deep breath and told him
-Look John, I have something really important to tell you. Will you promise me you won't laugh?
