Maya's POV
I close my eyes as he maneuvers his 4×4 pickup truck in reaching the Italian Restaurant since I am so afraid of heights, and I know we were moving up, and I got so nervous that I gripped tightly in my car seat. I force myself to shift my attention to the classical music we were listening to, but the fear that I had is taking over my senses. I just wish we had our date in the city proper, not here where I can't stop myself from feeling so anxious. I don't want Adonis to be turned off with my cowardice. Then, by the time I almost lost my courage I felt Adonis takes my hand, he squeezed it gently, then I felt him massaged my palm to make me calm.
"Are you afraid of heights, Maya? It seems you have seen a ghost, your beautiful face turned so pale." He stated, and I just nodded since I can't even open my mouth.
"Do you, trust me?" He asked softly and his voice is just more than a whisper, and I nod again.
"If you have faith in me, then I wish you to open your eyes, so you can see the beauty below, and above. I am certain you will love it, Maya." He whispered.
"I need you to open your eyes slowly, then look at the sky first." He spoke, and I am so hesitant to follow his instructions since I knew the road we were treading was on the edge of a precipice, and I can't help myself from being so scared.
"Maya, don't worry, I won't let anything happen to you, trust me on this." He added, and his voice is pleading.
"Believe me, Maya, the fright that you feel right now will be replaced with awe and wonder because of the beautiful view you will look at." He continued, my feelings for him outweighed my fear, so I gradually open my eyes, and I am amazed at the beauty I found before us. I listened to his instructions, and I looked up at the sky, the stars in the sky shining and seemed to smile at me, and this caused me to relinquish my dread and nervousness. And I can see out of the corner of my eye Adonis is beaming at me and keeps silent the entire time I am watching the scenery.
"Wow! It is so lovely!" I exclaimed, and he squeezed my hand again.
It was as if the sky was just too close, and it is nice to touch and feel them in my grip. I am mesmerized and when I look down, I can see the city lights sparkling at night. It took my breath away, and Adonis was right, I fell in love with the view. And I became more in worship with the young man driving beside me.
"Thank you, Adonis." I whisper.
"Not yet, Maya, we are still on our way to our dating place." He spoke, and I realize he is grinning.
"I will thank you again later, I mean this is an introductory thank you." I replied, and I learn I am talking no sense, since I am so overwhelmed with joy, and I guess at this point my fear of height is fading away, but I think it took time before I can get over with my Acrophobia. Who could have thought that my long time arch enemy is now the source of my strength and reason for my enjoyment?
Adonis parked the truck, and as usual, he opened the door for me again and supported me until I stood up, and he held my two hands, and I can't stop myself from gazing at his handsome face.
"Let us enjoy this beautiful night, Maya." He said, then he pulled me to the restaurant entrance.
The moment we get inside we pass the tables, which are suited for family or friends since I could tell it based on the dinner table set-up. We went straight to the far end of the restaurant good for couples near the garden where I can feel the fresh air, and the breeze of a summer night touches my skin.
"Welcome Sir Adonis, this way please to your reserved table." The waitress said while smiling at us.
"Thank you, Sophie." He answered in return, I no longer wonder why he knows the beautiful server because I know his entire family is a regular customer here. They are known all over the country because of their family businesses, and of course, their gushing wealth, even though they have their chef and cooks in their mansion, they also socialize with their friends, and I am convinced this place is one of their favorite.
"It is okay with you, Maya, I reserve our food in advance? The owner of this restaurant is a friend of my dad, so I order ahead of time, and I chose the menu for both of us." He said.
"Of course I am glad that you order for me since I don't even recognize what to order, and it might take me overnight to choose because I realize it's too expensive here, and maybe because of the price I can't decide what to eat." I answered, and I felt skittish.
"Next time, I will let you order our food." He said, and he took my hands and squeeze them, and we both fell silent while waiting for our order to be served, and I can't stop myself from being so conscious because he is starting at me like I am the only person in the room.
"Do you know I wanted to punch Richard when I saw him hugged you last year? That was the first time I got so angry with my best friend." He suddenly said, and I smiled while staring at him.
"I wish I knew how you felt at those times Adonis I would not have been so hurt." I spoke.
"Yeah, how I wish, Maya." He responded.
"By the way, I love your drawings, and I am always fascinated with your artworks. I can tell you are an excellent artist, you should continue your hobby, and Ariana mentioned you will study Civil Engineering this coming opening of classes." He said, and I am shocked he knew I love drawings and paintings.
"Thank you, Adonis. I just love drawings, and if I have enough extra time I spend my time drawing, it made me feel relaxed, and it seems every moment I draw I am in another dimension. Yes, I want to be an engineer someday." I said, and I bow down my head, for I felt shy.
"I am sure you will turn into a licensed engineer someday, and you will become famous, and I am certain you will top the board exam." He said.
The waitress approached and served our order, and our conversation was interrupted. All the food he ordered was tasty and mouthwatering, especially the Caprese Salad with Pesto Sauce, I can taste the freshness of the tomato. He also ordered Pasta Con Pomodoro E Basilico, and many more, and the Tiramisu and Pistachio Panna Cotta desserts were amazing. I feel so full that I think I can't breathe. We talk about so many things and I realized Adonis is intelligent, it is getting late, but I don't want our night together to end since I am having a good time with him. Adonis is a charmer, and the further I communicate with him, the more I felt connected to him.
"Why are you looking at me, like that Adonis? Do I have some dirt on my face?" I asked him. He grinned at me sweetly, and I feel like jelly. His beautiful smile can light up the entire place.
"I am just happy right now, having a great conversation with you, I like this, and I want to know you more Aya, but it is getting late, so we have to go." He declared, and beamed at me, and stands up, and he offers his hand to me and when I get up, he surprises me by hugging me tightly, and he whispers in my ear.
"Maya, I like you." He said, and I feel my entire body feel warm, then he kissed my forehead, and we are holding hands in going to the parking area. I felt like I am in the clouds, and my smiles reached my ears.
"Thanks for tonight Aya, I actually enjoyed our date." Adonis texted me after I settled on my bed.
"Thank you, Adonis, I absolutely enjoyed our night together too." I replied.
"I miss you already, Aya. Good night. I want to see you tomorrow, but I will be taking off early, I need to go home because I will be attending a gala with my mom, I will be back this weekend, please take care always while I am away." He added, and I am so happy with his text, but I got disappointed thinking I could not look at him in the coming days. I felt upset because he didn't tell me in person he will be leaving.
"Why are you like that? Why you didn't mention me about this when we were together a while ago." I am about to send my message when my phone rings.
"Hello, Adonis," I said, and I got out of our room quickly since Mary is already sleeping. The night became chilly, and I felt glad I am wearing my sweater.
"Aya, sorry, but I can't help myself, I am missing you." Adonis said on the other line.
"If you miss me, why you have to go tomorrow?" I asked, and I am shocked with my question, I am flirting with him, and I can't stop myself from sulking.
"Wow, it seems to me, you will also miss me if I will leave, you make me feel so happy, Maya. I won't fly tomorrow in one condition." He said, and I became intrigued with his condition.
"Of course, I am going to miss you, Adonis. May I know what kind of condition is that?" I asked.
"Well, I will not leave tomorrow, if you will allow me to take you to another date after your work, and you have to ensure me, you will accept me as your boyfriend," Adonis said in a serious tone, and I can tell my heart is shouting with joy.
"I realize you need to go I am sure your mother will get angry with you if you won't show up, I promise when you get back we can have another date," I said, and I feel so thrilled.
"Yeah, I need to go, and I felt you are not yet ready to be my girlfriend, but I hope when I hit back, I can have your sweetest yes." He said, and I can tell he is smiling on the other line, and how I wish I sleepover to his place at this point.
"I can wait Aya, whatever it takes, sleep now since you have to work early tomorrow. Good night, please dream about me," Adonis mumbled.
"Good night Adonis."
"Good night AYA."
Adonis hung up the phone for a long time, but I remained stunned, and I keep thinking about our perfect date. I hate myself for missing him, and for being so hard to get since right now, I want to become Adonis's girlfriend.