Ten truths

As they sat down at their table, Vanya couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and nervousness. She had never been on a date with someone like Nolan before, and she wasn't sure what to expect.

Nolan, sensing her nervousness, reached out and took her hand. "Hey, relax," he said, smiling warmly at her. "I'm not going to bite."

Vanya laughed and smiled back at him. "I know," she said. "I'm just a little nervous, that's all."

Nolan nodded understandingly. "I know exactly what you mean," he said. "I'm a little nervous too."

Vanya's eyes widened in surprise. "Really?" she asked.

Nolan nodded. "Yeah," he said. "I don't usually do this sort of thing."

Vanya smiled and leaned in closer to him. "I'm glad you're making an exception for me," she said.

Nolan smiled back at her, his eyes sparkling with warmth. "I'm glad too," he said.

As they talked, Vanya couldn't help but steal glances at Nolan. She was struck by how handsome he was, and how kind and gentle he seemed. Yeah, sometimes he was cold but then he hadn't treated her badly before.

But despite her growing feelings for him, Vanya couldn't shake the image of the portrait from her mind. She had seen it on his desk earlier, and she couldn't help but wonder who the woman in the picture was.

The woman had dark hair and blue eyes, and she was smiling up at Nolan with a look of adoration. Vanya had felt a pang of jealousy when she saw the picture, and she couldn't help but wonder if Nolan still had feelings for the woman.

But she didn't ask him about it. Instead, she pushed the thought aside and focused on enjoying her time with Nolan.

Vanya nodded, feeling a sense of excitement and anticipation. She wasn't sure what the future held, but she was eager to find out.

....

Nolan looked at her, his expression neutral. "It's not uncommon for arranged marriages," he said, his voice low and even.

Vanya nodded, but she couldn't help feeling a little frustrated. She wanted to get to know Nolan better, to understand what made him tick. But he was so guarded, so reserved.

"I know," she said. "But that doesn't mean we can't try to get to know each other better. I want to learn more about you, Nolan."

Nolan raised an eyebrow, but he didn't say anything. Vanya took that as a sign to continue

"I mean, think about it," she said. "We barely knew each other's names before we got married. It's crazy."

Nolan nodded in agreement. "You're right," he said. "I guess they just assumed that we would figure things out as we went along."

Vanya smiled wryly. "Well, I think it's time we started figuring some things out," she said. "Don't you?"

Nolan raised an eyebrow. "What did you have in mind?" he asked.

Vanya thought for a moment before responding. "I was thinking we could play a game," she said. "Ten truths. We can ask each other any questions we want, and the other person has to answer truthfully."

"I was thinking we could play a game," she said. "Ten truths. We can ask each other any questions we want, and the other person has to answer truthfully."

Nolan considered her proposal for a moment before nodding. "Okay," he said. "You can start."

Vanya grinned, feeling a sense of excitement. "Okay, my first question is... what's your favorite food?" she asked.

Nolan thought for a moment before responding. "I don't really have a favorite food," he said. "But if I had to choose, I suppose it would be... pizza."

Vanya laughed. "Pizza? Really?" she asked.

Nolan didn't smile, but he did look at her with a hint of interest. "Yes," he said. "I find it... satisfying."

Vanya smiled, feeling a sense of curiosity. "I see," she said. "Well, my favorite food is vinaigrette. And I also love chocolate cake."

Nolan's expression didn't change, but Vanya could sense a hint of hesitation. "Vinaigrette... that's funny" he repeated. "I've never met anyone who likes vinaigrette before."

Vanya laughed. "Well, I'm full of surprises," she said.

Nolan didn't respond, but he did look at her with a hint of interest. Vanya felt a sense of excitement, wondering what he was thinking.

" I don't like vinaigrette.. infact I hate it, I just don't understand the appeal. And I'm allergic to chocolate..", Nolan slurred gently

"What? I've made them for you.. that day, you didn't have a reaction", Vanya frowned

"Yes, it takes a while for the effects to kick in but I'm okay, don't worry", Nolan said

As the game continued, Vanya found herself feeling more and more comfortable around Nolan. He was still reserved, but she could sense a hint of warmth beneath his cold exterior.

And when he looked at her, she felt a sense of gentleness that she hadn't expected from him.

As they continued to play the game, Vanya asked Nolan a series of random questions. "What's your favorite project you've worked on?" she asked, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.

Nolan thought for a moment before responding. "I think my favorite project was a marketing campaign I worked on for a new product launch," he said, a hint of enthusiasm creeping into his voice. "It was a challenge, but it was also really rewarding to see the results."

Vanya nodded, impressed. "That sounds amazing," she said. "I can see why you'd be passionate about it."

Nolan smiled slightly, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Yeah, I love the thrill of the challenge," he said.

Vanya asked him a few more questions, each one designed to get to know him better. "What do you like to do in your free time?" she asked.

Nolan shrugged. "I'm a bit of a workaholic, to be honest," he said. "But when I do have free time, I like to read or listen to music."

I'm a fan of classical music," he said, his voice a little softer than usual.

Vanya's eyes widened in surprise. "Really?" she asked. "I wouldn't have pegged you as a classical music fan."

Nolan shrugged. "I find it soothing," he said.

Vanya nodded, making a mental note. "I'll have to send you some book recommendations," she said, smiling.

But then, as she sipped her juice, Nolan asked her a question that made her heart skip a beat.

"This one might be a little more difficult," he said, his eyes locked on hers.

Vanya felt a sense of trepidation, but she nodded for him to continue.

"What's the history with your ex-boyfriend?" Nolan asked, his voice low and even. "Why did you break up with him?"

Vanya's eyes widened in shock, and she felt like she had been punched in the gut. She hadn't expected Nolan to ask her such a personal question, and she didn't know how to respond.

She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath as she tried to gather her thoughts. She didn't know how much to reveal, or even if she was ready to talk about her past.

But as she sat there, she could feel Nolan's eyes on her, watching her with a quiet intensity. And she knew that she had to answer him, no matter how difficult it might be.