Chapter 26.
~Ethan.
“Man, Aurora is good at what she does, you know that right. I mean, that's why you called her down here.” Reginald said once Aurora was out of our sights, dragging me back to the present.
I nodded, “Yeah, I know.” I managed to put on a smile, deep down, I was uncomfortable with the way he was casually talking about Aurora and Greece?
What the fuck was that about?
“I was quite worried when she told me she was going to be unavailable for some time and I only got to rest when I found out she was here because I trust that you will take care of her, yeah?” He asked rhetorically before looking up at Tiffany, who was still standing with her arm around mine.
“You know she came back,” I raised a brow, and he nodded, “yeah, after she got better, she decided to come back home.”
“Is she okay, though? Did the plague get her?”
“No, she is fine but,” he exhaled deeply, “I have to go be with her right now. You know mothers and how they can be. Let's catch up some other time.” I took his outstretched hand and shook it. Reginald gave Tiffany a tip of his head, and she returned his greeting with a warm smile.
With Tiffany still next to me, we watched Reginald as he walked away from us.
“Hey!” I called after him, “when are you coming back?”
He turned back to me and began backing away as he shrugged, “I just told you about Greece, man.” He gave us back his back and began walking out of the field.
Once he was out of our sights, Tiffany locked her fingers with mine and came to stand in front of me.
“Now, where were we?”
I cleared my throat, “pardon?" My mind had been lost thinking about Greece and Reginald and Aurora and the two of them together in that country.
I swear on the goddess's name, that thought didn't settle well with me. And did he come all the way from Waxing crescent just to visit her?
Fuck! Dear goddess, not Reginald, no.
“We were headed somewhere before you saw your friend.” Tiffany chimed. The coldness of her rings revolting through my body as she pressed her palm into mine.
“Oh yeah, that's right. Where do you want us to do? Wanna ride the carousel?”
She laughed, and for the first time, I noticed a small dimple that appeared on her left cheek. “No, your highness. For a start, I need something to help me cool off. The sun is hot, and my throat is parched.”
The sun was not that hot, it was starting to set but, it was still enough to make someone thirsty.”
“Never knew I could bore a lady into leaving me.”
She scoffed and giggled, “you are totally wrong, your highness, I was only saying I need to get something to drink.”
I gave her one nod, “Call me Ethan.” I saw her cheeks get stained with red and I smiled to myself. “What do you say we get dinner? It's almost dinner time.”
“A Mexican cuisine? That's my favorite. Let's go to anyone nearby.”
Finally, a beautiful and interesting young lady, who wasn't programmed to like everything I did.
I put on a big smile, “well then, lead the way.”
She curtsied -an attempt to make me smile, which worked- and lead the way. I was enjoying my time with Tiffany, truly, but a feeling of unease burned at the back of my throat and my stomach. A feeling that I wanted to wash down and drown.
Perhaps, I needed a drink too. A strong one.
Once inside the car, Tiffany instructed the driver to take us to the best Mexican cuisine situated nearest to the center of the pack. According to her, the cuisine was the definition of class and exquisiteness.
“Twenty-eight.” Tiffany replied and washed down her egg with a sip of white wine.
The restaurant, just as she said, could be passed as the best. It was perfect, from the exterior decor to the interior designs. The restaurant was designed in a classy way that seemed to welcome only the rich, and also in a semi local way that opened its arms to everyone.
The dishes too were unique. I went for a simple corn salad, while Tiffany went for the chilaquiles.
I raised a brow, “My mother told you my age, I presume?”
She raised a brow as a grin spread out on her face.
I got to learn more about Tiffany, she was the totality of everything good wrapped in a simple package.
Unique political ideas? Check.
Having other ideas and not agreeing to everything I say? Check.
She loved solving puzzles and reading nonfiction books -a wild contrast. She loved to travel the world and explore new cultures and try new food, which was perfect. Perhaps, we could move to Greece too.
Damn, Ethan, not the right time.
“What?” Tiffany asked with widened eyes and chuckled, “is that the only thing you have to say? It was good?”
I shrugged with my smile matching hers. She asked me what I thought about the food and I gave her a simple 'it was good.' only to humor her and to make sure the date doesn't happen again. At least, not anytime soon.
My legs itched to stand up and find my way back to the pack. I needed to make sure Aurora was still…
“Ethan, really?”
“Fine. It was perfect. Really, I enjoyed every bit of it.”
She sighed dramatically, “I don't wish for this night to end but, I have to go, least I keep my mother worried.”
“Well, I have no intentions of making your mother worried. It wouldn't tell good about me if I did, would it?”
As we walked out of the restaurant, I booked her a cab, and we stood side by side by the side of the building, chatting away about little things.
“That should be your ride.” The headlights of the car went off before they could blind me.
Tiffany stood on her toes and planted a kiss on my cheek. Once I turned to her, still surprised at what she did, she captured my lips and nipped on my lower lip.
I went stiff. Deep down, I knew it was going to happen but, the knowledge wasn't even to take away the element of surprise.
Turning fully to her, I sucked in a deep breath, filling my lungs with the scent of Tuberose and peach.
Even her scent too was alluring.
A grin broke out on her face as I got off my shock, leaned into her and kissed her back. I tasted the wine and the meal she had on her lips, but, that wasn't enough to make me pull away.
I cupped her cheeks and kissed her deeply. Tiffany was the first lady I picked interest in after a very long time, she liked me too, so what was wrong in giving the whole thing a try.
“So, you're saying that I will see you again?” She bounced on her toes and bit her lips.
“I don't know, do you want to see me again?” Her cheeks reddened as she nodded. “You know where to find me when you want to. You are always wanted at the palace, Tiffany.”
Still on her toes, she leaned closer and pecked my other cheek.
With a big smile, I walked over to the car and pulled the car door open. A pain ran through my chest as I watched her get into the car.
Tiffany was amazing and I enjoyed the hours I spent with her, so why did I feel guilty? Why did I feel like things were not right?