Chapter 4: The Kiss

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Outside her workplace, Stan leads Tess to his car, "is this your car?" she asks looking confused, it was an S-CLASS black Mercedes 'oh wow it looks so expensive and luxurious. He has to be a millionaire or something' she thought while admiring his car.

"Yeah, is something wrong?" he replies, as he opens the door for her to get in, "no, not really, I just asked" she replies as she enters the car. As they drove off and listened to some music playing, He didn't say anything, he just left her with her thoughts which she appreciated. When they eventually stop, she notices he is packed in front of one of the best restaurants in the town. They walked into the building and she was amazed at the structure of the place. She felt a bit uncomfortable due to how fancy the place was and how she didn't look presentable enough for a place like this. He had his hand around her waist as they were being led to their table, the feeling of his hand on her waist made her blush.

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"Wow this place is so fancy for just a talk" she said looking amazed, "this seems to be one of the best spots I go to when I want to relax and have a good meal also their dishes are amazing. I know you will love them" he replies, "that was why I brought you here" he added as they both picked up their menu. Tess saw the price of each meal cost and was amazed at how food could be this expensive. 'Oh my God some of them are even much more expensive than my house rent' she thought. "I think I'll just have water" she said hoping she won't go bankrupt just by drinking water. But before she could say another word, the waiter came in with a bottle of wine. She looked at the bottle of wine in front of them stunned and then looked at Stan who was enjoying her reaction but hid his expression behind the menu list. "Seen anything you'll like to eat or rather you prefer the water" Stan jest. "I don't know, this is all new to me, I don't even know food could be this expensive" Tess replied feeling worried. "Don't worry you'll get used to it" Stan said. This statement was confusing to her. She didn't know what he meant when he said "You'll get used to it". "Tell you what, how about I pick something for us and if you don't like it, we'll change location, is that ok?" he asked looking at her. "Ok, sounds reasonable" she replied. After their conclusion, the waiter came in and took their order.

"So, do you now want to tell me what happened to you" he said as he leaned closer to her.

She was at first reluctant but later she opened up and began to tell him everything that had happened to her, the breakup, how she felt, and how she is staying with a neighbor who is also her friend and was kind enough to take her in and she was almost in tears while expressing herself.

"But now I'm okay, you don't need to worry about me" she said as she tried to give a smile while wiping her tears. Stan felt her pain in his heart, an overwhelming desire to protect her took over him. He wants to do everything in his power to make her smile again and never feel hurt.

"The best thing for you is to forget that jerk and get your life back on track" he said calmly, "when you get on track, you will begin to feel better and be proud of yourself" he added as he stared into her eyes with compassion and empathy, this made Tess to go bright red as she tries to not look into his eyes.

"Nobody is worth crying over Tess, especially not someone who doesn't know your worth, it's his loss and not yours" he added. She tries to stay calm; she just couldn't believe what she went through was real and Stan seems to understand her perfectly but she didn't want to look sobber, so she decides to change the topic and before she could say anything, the waiter came with their meal. "Wow this actually looks delicious" she marvels as she looks at the dish served before her. "Wait until you taste it" he replied as the conversation continued.

"So, uh-um…how have you been doing in the last few months?" she asks, as the topic moved from her to him, she began to relax and discover more about Stan, including the fact he owns different companies and does a lot of computers work and travels a lot too, their discussion went on for hours until the day almost went by.

"Thank you for a great time, Stan it's getting late, I need to head home" she said as she stood up to leave.

"Hold on, it's late, true but I am the one still taking you home, so relax we will leave soon enough" he said as he smiled. He didn't want to let her go yet; he was still enjoying her company. "Yeah sure, I don't mind" she replies as she sits down again and thinks of enjoying his company. Tess thought of how she was really enjoying his company and didn't want it to stop. After an hour Stan had to admit it was getting late, he got up took her hand told her, let`s go now before it gets late. They headed to his car, got in, and drove off.

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As he drove her back to her place, she felt a little better, there was a smile on her face. Getting to her place he pulled over and looked at her. "You feel better?" he asked, "yea thanks to you" she replied "I don't know how I would have done today if it wasn't for you" she added. "Nah, I wanted to see you again, and guess I was a sent angel" he jested. This of course made her laugh and this made Stan happy. After, there was an awkward silence. "Will I…." they both said, "sorry after you" Tess said. "Will you call me?" Stan asked. 'Oh, no I don't have his card anymore, what am I going to tell him?' she thought. "Yes, I will" she replied. "So can I have your phone so I can dial my digits?" he asked. 'Oh, thank God' she thought as she gave him her phone. After saving his number he gave her back her phone their skin slightly touched "Oh sorry" Stan said trying not to make her uncomfortable. "it's ok" Tess said as she leans towards him. "I actually had a great time too" he said as he also leaned towards her. Noticing the closeness of how the two of them are, Tess was about to distance herself when Sten brought his hand forward to adjust some strain of hair behind her ear. "Your eyes are so beautiful" he said looking deeply into her eyes, "I wish this moment could just pause for a bit and last a little longer" he added. Fully blushing at this moment Tess tried not to be too forward 'he's not just good looking but also has a way with words *screaming* he's just too good to be true' she thought. While smiling she asked, "Will I see you again?" "If you want to, I'm a call away" he winks at her. "I should…uh…probably start going" Tess said as she took off her seat belt "Thanks for today again, I had a great time" Tess said while looking at Stan, "anytime, if you need someone to talk to, just know I'll be there for you" he replies with a smile, which made Tess blush. As she was about to open the car door, Stan called her and as she turned to look at him, he kissed her. It was a surprise but she found herself kissing him back. It wasn't strong but gentle and passionate almost like he was vulnerable to her at that moment. As their lips departed, they looked into each other, feeling drawn to one another. "wow" she whispered. He smiled and then gave her a peck on the cheek "Good night" he said as he let go of her and after she got out of the car drove off. As Tess walked to the entrance of the door she couldn't believe what had just happened and was blushing so much when she opened the door and saw her friend Katie glaring at her curiously.

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"I'm so sorry for coming late, I was…" "Where on earth have you been and who was that hottie that dropped you off" Katie said cutting her off and folding her arms and still looking at her curiously.

"There's no need to worry, he's just a friend" she replies smiling at her, "Really, is that so, isn't it friends that become boyfriends, and my gosh that car looks expensive" Katie said.

"No, no, it's not what you think, he's really just a friend" she said embarrassed as she sat on the couch and began taking off her shoes, she explains how she met Stan the day before Fred dump her.

"That must be a sign from above, before you discover the trash, the trash man shows up that will take away the trash" Kate jest, Tess smiles because Kate has a way with words. As she fell asleep that night, she had a smile on her face.