Dave
I made it to my restaurant.
I stepped out of my car after parking.
I had a meeting with the manager.
Keeping tabs on the restaurant.
Most weekends were packed.
But I invited friends for dinner.
I dined here once in a while.
It was a great way to keep up
with the restaurant.
Because when the cat’s gone
the mice will come out and play.
Quan was the first to make it.
Then came Trevor.
We ordered our drinks.
Then entrées.
Quan spoke.
He spoke of taking bigger steps.
Steps to make his beloved his wife.
He wanted to take their relationship to
A new level.
She was a good woman.
She deserved the world.
He was a man willing to give it to her.
I lifted my eyes.
It landed on a face I could not forget.
Honey brown complexion.
She was the same one I saw earlier this week.
Our gaze locked.
Her golden globes stared right through my soul.
I felt the blood pumping through my veins.
Heating up by the second.
Her expression said everything.
She was just as shocked.
Our tables were a few feets apart.
On this side of the restaurant,
Four big tables were set.
There was a lake view by the window.
And we were seated by the window—
She was out of her work clothes.
The light hit her face just right.
She sparkled under the light.
She wore a white dress.
It made her look like an angel.
She looked away first,
But I,
I could not take my eyes off her.
Her hair was out of the bun,
Let down curly.
Each curls
Perfectly made.
Falling around her face.
She was already gorgeous,
that evening in the lounge.
But now,
Her beauty made me hold my breath.
She sat with two other women.
Both also beautiful.
Quanito spoke of my projects.
The hotel that was being decorated.
So I pull my gaze away.
“It’s almost finished.”
I answered.
“The interior stylist gave me a tour.
And it didn’t disappoint.”
Quan spoke again,
but this time I didn’t hear a word he said.
I was too busy drowning in her beauty.
“Dave… Dave?”
He called.
“Mmh?”
I looked at him.
“What’s got you distracted?”
He asked.
He turned his head around,
then looked straight across the room.
He looked at what I was looking at.
“Oh.”
He laughed.
“That’s what got you distracted.”
Trevor had his back to them.
He turned around and looked.
He did a double take.
“You know them?”
He asked.
“We don’t.”
Quan said.
“We saw them at the lounge Monday.
It was only the two.
The one in White and the other in Green.
“And you spoke to them.”
“We didn’t.” I said.
Trevor frowned.
As if we had lost our minds.
“Don’t look at me. I got a girl.”
Quand defended.
“Alright, Dave?”
“Don’t act like you don't know him.”
Quan added.
I thought of defending myself.
But they wouldn’t understand.
Though I know I shouldn’t have to.
“He did pay for their drinks a little later.”
I breathed in and sighed.
We didn’t see women the same way.
Or respect them on the same level.
Quan did respect women.
But Trevor—
Trevor had miles to go.
We weren’t raised the same way.
“You don’t always gotta touch
everything you see.”
I spoke.
“You can appreciate them.
Or be grateful God allows you
to even lay eyes on such beauty.”
Quan agreed with me.
The look on Trevor’s face says
he won’t get it today.
“You trippin.”
He said then shook his head.
“I’m serious.
You’re single Dave.
You would let that beauty
go into another man’s life?
You’re not even willing to try?
I know you're different.
We’ve known each other for years now.
So I know you enough to say that
you’re not the usual man.
But I’m telling you,
you trippin.”
Quan was in a way agreeing with him.
“I could tell you like her.
It’s not just about appreciating her beauty.
You’re attracted to her.”
He reasoned.
“Who wouldn’t be.”
I defended.
“Okay,
but I’ve never seen you look
at anyone like that.”
Quan added.
I listened as they tried to convince me—
Convince me to make a move.
Being attracted to someone wasn’t all.
You have to be ready,
Ready the moment you approach her.
Not to just carry her like a purse
But to hold on to your vows.
And I wouldn’t be able to give her my all.
Not now.
It’s not because I wouldn’t be faithful.
I want to give her what she needs.
All of my attention—
I wouldn’t dare disturb their nights.
I watched as they started dinner.
I called over the waiter.
“Yes, Sir?”
“Table 22 is on the house.”
He turned around and looked at the table and said.
“Yes sir. Is there anything else I could help with?”
“Thank you Josh. That’ll be all.”
“Pretty privilege is real.”
Trevor said.
I did want to approach her.
Tell her personally that she was beautiful.
See her face closer.
But I wasn’t going to disturb them.
They seemed to be having a nice dinner.
“I can see you thinking, Dave.
You don’t have to walk up there.
This is your restaurant.
You could just send a note
to her through the waiter.”
Quan encouraged.
Quan and Trevor.
They were my good friends.
The only ones I’d allow to make me feel this way.
Feel like I wasn’t man enough to talk to
a woman I was attracted to.
When in truth,
I had valid reasons why I was holding back.
What is the point in getting her attention,
Then to not give her enough.
Or be enough?
Did all my senses screamed,
begged me to speak to her.
Yes.
But—
I had way more control over my mind.
I was not ready and she deserves more.
They ordered champagne.
They celebrated.
Three guys walk up to them,
Probably trying to ask them out.
But failed miserably.
So they walked away.
Quan looked at me and chuckled.
I didn’t realize I had a frown on my face.
He shook his head,
He knew the battle I had in my head.
I was already overprotective of her.
And I didn’t even know her name.
In one night,
She has managed to make me
second guess my motives.
I watched her as she smiled.
Her beauty was out of this world.
DgoldenBlossom🌸
Chapter 2 Chapter 3>>>
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