12 CHAPTER 12 – THE NIGHT TO REMEMBER

Jade's POV

When Althea fetches me at work, and take note at exactly 5:00 PM sharp, I could say it was one of the most fulfilling days of my life or night, was it?

You may wonder why our young Senior Architect has to fetch me, hence she's working at TGC as well.

Will, before my father hired Ms. Althea Galura, they already had an arrangement of her schedule.

My dad, the all-mighty Mr. Oscar Tanchinco understands that the young genius has prior responsibilities other than being TGC's Senior Architect.

So to fulfill her other duties, she will be reporting at TGC every two days for the whole week.....which are Mondays and Fridays.

I just recently know the agreement when I was bursting with anger not seeing her for the whole duration of one week.

What a shame that was.....remembering that day, I want to wish the floor open up and swallow me at that precise moment.......oh well, what has done was done....end of the story.

Where I was again?................Oh yah, Althea fetching me from work.

FLASHBACK

Wearing her pilot uniform which she looks dashingly beautiful and by the way instead of me treating her for dinner........again, she's the one doing so, instead. What a chivalrous woman right?!

I'm overwhelmed by how selfless this young pilot is......considering she just came from her work, but still she keeps her promise.

Althea brought me to one of the many restaurants she owned, and her bistro is so grand.

Beforehand, I thought she will bring me to an artwork show since the area we are driving was surrounded by Art Galleries.....nevertheless I just keep my mouth shut and let her lead or I may say drive the way.

But when we stop at a very elegant restaurant the discernment I have thought where answered......we are going to dine in.

She stops in front of the bistro where valley personnel is waiting, Althea unbuckles herself and signaling me to wait, then she gets out from the car.......went around and open the side of my door, assisting me to come out.

What a valiant woman indeed.

After that, she gives my key to a valley to attend my car.

As we step inside the bistro, I was more empress.

The style was like the neighboring Art Galleries in this area, the elegant white space with parquet floors is furnished with steel tables and chairs and decorated with contemporary art on every wall.

Immediately the attendee of the bistro assisted us, escorting us to one of their VIP tables.

The atmosphere of the surroundings is so warm especially the staff, they are all smile and very courteous............like the owner.

Did I not mention that most of the paintings that were displayed in her bistro are her creation?

That's what she informed me when we were eating our marvelous meal tonight.

As we enjoying our meal while conversing, I get the privilege to know that one of her best friends is managing this beautiful bistro and her other restaurants, since her schedule is so erratic.

After we consume our deliciously serve food, Althea invites me to the second floor where my eyes almost pop out from their sockets.

If the ground floor is amazing!?......the second floor is heaven!

There you could find the finest wine collections that being served and other variety of beverages.......and what caught me most was the design.......it calls attention to the building's oversize windows and they even incorporate exposed brick walls and steel columns.

Still marveling at the interior design, Althea leads me to the open area of the second floor, where you could grasp the magnificent view of city lights.

The night was so magical......you could see the stars shining so brightly.

There's no dull moment in conversing with Althea, I was in trance with her story.....her adventures, and mishaps.

At first, she hesitates to talk about herself but she can't resist my power of persuasion.....so in the end, I won.

I'm the type of person that is easily bored with any type of conversation but with her, it's all interesting.

We're exchanging stories........I observe that she's a keen listener when I tell her my experience in life while growing up and especially when I have trouble sleeping at night.

She wants to know why, but I think she got the idea that I don't want to talk about it for now............that's why she let it slide.

She never interrupted me, sometimes she agreed with what I say and other times we are debating on some topics, and most of the time we laughed.

I hope this night would never end.

"Jade...I think we have to go now it's so late, I was not able to notice it." Althea informed me when she took a glance at her wristwatch.

"Really?...... me either, I didn't notice the time. Now I believe what they meant 'time flies when you're enjoying the company of the person you're with'.........never thought I could experience it". I tell her truthfully......it's true I've never had........until........now......with her...........this is a 'FIRST' again.

We decided to end the night, as usual, Althea being her........a gentlewoman that is, she's helping me going down the stairs....through opening the bistro door........till we arrive in my car.......opening the car door, assisting me inside and even buckle my seat belt.

All the time she's doing those to me, I feel a tingling sensation inside my body that about to burst out but I'm keeping it together.

The drive through my house was rather silent........but a very comfortable one, sometimes I caught myself smiling without any reason at all and taking a glimpse of this dashing young lady driving beside me.

"Do you enjoy tonight Jade? I hope you did......because I like your company." Althea breaking the silence between us.

"Of course I do, who wouldn't....as a matter of fact, I had a blast.....who knew." I sincerely said. Still, my eyes outside the window hiding the red tint slowly creeping up in my cheek.

"I'm glad you did." Sounding relief, turning her head towards me, as soon as I look at her.........smiling.........that eye disappearing smile of her....'ugh' how cute.

Then she went her attention back to the road.

I'm hopeful that she didn't notice my dilemma.

As we arrive at my house, the guards open our gate assisting Althea to park the car in the garage.

Althea unbuckles herself, open her side of the door, and went directly in my side, opening the door then removing my seat belt and helping me to come down in my car........what a woman.

"Thank you Althea for tonight.........I had a wonderful time." I told her when we stop in front of my door.

"Do you like to come in? Have some coffee? I timidly added smiling at her like a love-sick teenager. Expecting she would say 'Yes' to my invitation.

"I'd love to Jade, but I know you're tired and you have to wake up early tomorrow.....I mean today (looking at her wristwatch) oh my god! It's already 2:00 o' clock in the morning." Althea shock and worried at the same time.

"If you say so (frankly I'm a little bit disappointed that she couldn't accept my invitation, but I understand and she also has work tomorrow) hey it's okay no problem. For your information Ms. Galura I'm a morning person........I always wake up very early even though I slept very late, I think my body is used to it. And I know you're worn out for the day.......coming from your flight." I assured her......and once more for the nth time tonight, she's giving me that signature smile of her again.......'Ugh' Althea I'm now drowning to you more.

I escorted her where she parks her bike. She so confidently gorgeous' riding her motorbike.

"So.....good night Jade". She's about to put on her helmet, but I stop her.

Here goes nothing............

She looks surprised but I don't care, I leaned in and kiss her in the corner of her lips and whisper 'good night' to her back, near to her ear.

She's a little bit shock at what I just did, I tap her check slowly waking her up from her trance......I smiled knowing she's affected by what I did.

"Hey, Ms. Galura are you okay?" Asking her and pretending not to be bothered by feeling her smooth cheek in my lips.....the scent of her sweet perfume that drives my hormones over the top and the smell of her minty breath that lingers to my nostrils.

"So....so...sorry I zone out." She diffidently smiles.

'God Althea why so adorable'.....seeing her reddened cheek.

I just nod then step back to give her way to maneuver her bike.

Then she puts on her helmet, waves her hand before she cranks her motor bike to life, and drove away.

I stand there for a minute to process what happened till I couldn't see her anymore.

I went inside the house with satisfaction etched on my face.

And I whispered to myself 'TODAY IS A GREAT DAY'! A GREAT DAY INDEED!!!

END OF FLASHBACK

After the moment of reminiscing last night happenings with 'my goddess'.........I went downstairs in a hurry scared to be late.....but then again I was surprised.

Althea is in our living room talking to yaya Sita.........is she wearing an apron?

"Althea?!" I called her out of disbelief about why she's here.

"Hi, Jade...good morning to you too." She replied happily noticing my distrust.

"Why you here? Is there a problem?" I worriedly questioned her.

"No......not at all, remember what I said? That you will not eat alone, did I not promise you?" Althea's confused face recalling what she said to me.

"I told you, Jade...I'm a woman with my word, I would never break a promise.......promise is a promise." She added, then giving me a wink.

Then a smile creeps into my face, running towards her and hug her.

We almost stumble but Althea's reflexes keep us steady.

I'm so happy, very happy.

After our scrumptious breakfast, Althea wants to send me to my work but I decline since I know she will be late in her duties too.

She insisted, but I told her maybe next time and I'm glad she give up and let it go.

To tell you frankly I'm disappointed as well but I have to be selfless sometimes knowing she also has other commitment......very well, I'm still over joy considering we have breakfast together and the thought of having breakfast every morning with her is sooooo..............over the top fabulous, who wants to ask for more.....right?