Most girls would dream of

He was casually wearing a blue-collared shirt, light gray denim, and black sneakers. If I were looking, I would consider him as a good catch, but just as I said, I was not ready for any kind of relationship other than friendship.

"Ready to go." He extended his hand and waved goodbye to Gemma, who acted so foolishly as she ushered me toward Daniel.

"You kids have fun." I heard her say as I closed the door behind me. I hope Gemma would not turn me into a pumpkin if this date did not turn out according to her plan. I mused to myself.

Daniel brought me to a nice Italian restaurant a quarter drive from my apartment. It was not too fancy though I would still assume that the meal would cost more than I would be able to afford. We got a table at the corner with a nice view and a cozy ambiance. It was not as crowded as I imagined. All the dishes looked delicious, and choosing was a task on its own.

As the dinner progressed, I gathered some fascinating things about him. He was twenty-three, single, and a loving son. It turned out that he was a momma's boy. His mom let him get away with most of his naughty antics when he was young. Then, he loved to swim and used that as his ticket to college.

He was an only child, with high expectations from his father to take over the business. He declined his father's offer and instead pursued his engineering course. After proving to his father that he made it with his hard work, Daniel eventually earned his respect and support. Now, he worked at one o the most prestigious construction companies in the city.

I wondered what it would be like if my dad were still alive. I was sure that he would have guided me towards my dream too. If I forgot to mention, I was a daddy's girl, my dad's princess.

"Tell me something about you" Looking directly at me from across the table. Daniel had a set of kind eyes that could easily make you feel comfortable around him.

I slowly lowered my eyes and stared at the glass in front of me. "There is nothing much to tell." I played with the pasta, swirling it in my fork, thinking of what else I could share.

He quirked his eyebrows. "I doubt that." Daniel, with his easygoing attitude, must be rubbing off me. I ended up telling him more of myself than I never thought I could.

I told him about my mom taking care of us when my dad passed away. She became a superwoman in my eyes as she tackled the task of being a mother and a father at the same time. I bet it was not easy. I did sometimes heard her cry at night.

I started, putting my fork down as I recalled some details of my life. "I was not able to finish my last year of senior high. During that time, it was just impossible." I supposed it was vague, but it was not a lie. I had to stop after the accident. It had been too difficult for me to continue.

"Last month, I decided to move and try my luck in this city. Fortunately, Gemma got me a job at the diner." Here I was, trying to make a new life.

He did ask if I had any plan to continue my schooling or to pursue a career. After all that happened, I did not see the point of continuing my education. Academically, I was not as bright, unlike my brother. As Harry would usually say, my mind was always floating above the clouds.

"In terms of a career..." I hesitated. "I'm not sure if you'll understand. I'm still, sort of, figuring it out." That was as truthful as I could be.

I knew what I was used to be good at, the one that I loved to do, but I had not done it for a long time. Truthfully, I believed I could not do it anymore. "Perhaps I'm just one of those people, who doesn't have any purpose," I said sadly.

He patted my hand as he said. "I refused to believe that." I looked at him, pleased at his words, despite knowing me only for almost a day. "I think you are pretty special."

After a brief pause, he continued. "I like you, Scarlet."

On impulse, I pulled my hand away. "Hey! Before you freak out. I'm ok with just being friends..." I suddenly let go of my breath, not realizing I was holding, but I could sense that there was more to it.

"Ok." I did like him to be my friend, but that was as far as I was willing to go. "I am not ready for anything resembling a romantic relationship at this point." I reasoned more to myself.

I must have spoken it aloud as I saw a slight dejection on his face. "Let us see where this friendship would lead us. Deal." He gave me a genuine smile, sensing my uneasiness.

"I'm good with that," I said, accepting the friendship he was offering, nothing more.

After a pleasurable evening, he brought me home and said our goodbyes at the door. I could feel that he wanted more, but gratefully, he just let it go. He was indeed a great guy.

As much as I enjoyed his company, I could not go beyond friendship. There was something in my past that was holding me back. A pang of guilt that would not allow me to be happy because I know it would always come out to haunt me.

Other than that, I guessed if I was honest, I never felt anything for him. He was someone most girls would dream of, but he was not the one for me. However, I could sense that we could become great friends. Then again, who was I to judge relationship, when I was no expert, and I could be wrong.