Heaven Is A Place On Earth

Heaven Is A Place On Earth
Later that evening, the house felt warmer than usual, maybe because Tessa had been pacing in front of her closet for nearly an hour, but she finally settled for the new Tiffany dress she picked up, although it was too revealing.

“Girl…” Maya breathed, eyes stretching wide as Tessa stepped into the light. “Wow. You look, hold on, let me stand up for this.” She jumped to her feet dramatically. “Tess, You look breathtaking. This color complements your beautiful skin.”

Tessa burst into a shy laugh. “Maya, you say this every single time I get dressed.”

“No, no.” Maya shook her head with exaggerated seriousness, pointing at her. “This time, I mean it. Like… mean it, mean it.”

“So you’re saying all the other times, you didn’t mean it?” Tessa teased.

“What? No! I meant those too…ugh, don’t twist my words.” Maya rolled her eyes, then softened. “I’m just saying tonight, you look like a woman who’s about to break a man’s heart without even trying.”

Tessa blushed, smoothing her palms over her dress. It was a soft, elegant champagne-gold satin that hugged her body just right and glimmered under the warm light.

She sighed, the nerves swirling back in. “I’m a little worried, Maya.”

“About what?” Maya flopped back on the bed.

“I know I didn’t want Damien coming here. I didn’t want him to know where I stay. I tried to avoid it but he kept insisting he'd pick me up.” She exhaled. “What if one day he shows up unannounced and sees me with Naya?”

Maya sat up. “Tess, relax. He’s not going to just barge into your apartment like a home inspector. Besides, you’re overthinking.”

“But I really don’t want Naya in the middle of all this,” Tessa whispered. “Not yet. She’s too young to understand anything and I don’t want to put her in a confusing position.”

“And you won’t,” Maya assured her. “Tonight is dinner. A date. Not a life revealing conference.”

Tessa breathed out, nodding. “Right.”

As if on cue, a soft honk came from outside.

Maya peeked through the curtains. She wiggled her brows mischievously. “God, he looks good.”

Tessa felt her cheeks heat up as she grabbed her purse. “Wish me luck.”

“You don’t need luck. You need to breathe. Now go before I steal him.”

Tessa laughed, slipped on her heels, and stepped out of the apartment.

Damien was already outside the car, adjusting his coat when he saw her. The way his entire expression transformed like someone had switched on every light inside him. He stared shamelessly. But with stunned admiration that made her stomach flutter.

“Wow…” Damien exhaled, stepping closer.

His suit tonight wasn’t his usual corporate, no-nonsense attire. This one was deep charcoal with fine stones lining the collar, catching the dim streetlight like faint stars. The fit was tailored to perfection, hugging his broad shoulders and tapering down his trim waist. His hair was slicked back neatly, and there was a softness in his eyes that always made her feel seen and cherished.

Thank goodness she wore this gown even though it cost a small fortune.

“Tessa,” he murmured, voice thickening. “You look… incredibly beautiful.”

She smiled shyly. “Thank you.”

“No,” he insisted softly. “Thank you for looking like this and still choosing to spend the evening with me.”

Heat rushed to her cheeks again.

He offered his hand and when she placed hers in his palm, he held it with the kind of care that made her heart swell.

He walked her to the passenger side, opened the door for her like she was royalty, and she slipped inside. She felt special, spoiled, adored, wanted. Every time she thought she’d gotten used to this chivalry, he did something that made her fall just a little deeper.

Damien rounded the car, got in, and pressed a button on the dashboard. Soft music filled the car almost instantly.

The opening notes made Tessa gasp, then laugh.

“Heaven Is a Place on Earth?” she looked at him. “I love this song.”

He smiled. “This is my song.”

“Your song?” she teased.

“Our song,” he winked at her.

She blushed again, turning toward the window to hide her smile, but he caught it anyway and she could feel him watching her with quiet adoration as they drove.

………….

When they pulled up to the restaurant, Tessa blinked. It looked different.

This was the same high-end place she’d heard about but never visited. Very expensive, classy, elegant but tonight… tonight it looked like someone had poured magic into it.

Ribbons fluttered from the pillars. Fairy lights glowed like stars. Fresh flowers hung in beautiful arcs around the entrance. It looked like an anniversary setup or something straight out of a movie.

“Damien…” she whispered. “This place looks different.”

He stepped out and rushed to her side, opening the door again and helping her out. “I wanted it to feel special.”

They entered the main hall and she froze.
The restaurant was empty. Completely, not a single customer. Just them.

She turned slowly. “Where is everybody?”

“Not here,” he said simply.

She gaped at him. “Did you…?”

He smiled, a little sheepish but mostly proud. “Rent out the entire restaurant for the evening? Yes.”

Her mouth dropped.

Before she could speak, three waiters emerged seemingly from nowhere, each carrying covered plates. They arranged everything on a floral centerpiece-covered table for two. Candles flickered softly around the edges.

“Tessa,” Damien said gently, “do you like it?”

“Like it?” she breathed. “Damien, I love it. This is… this is beautiful.”

“You’re beautiful,” he countered.

Her chest tightened, emotion rising. No one had ever made her feel this important. Except St. Eli.

“Come,” he whispered. “Let’s eat.”

The food looked too pretty to touch, but the moment she tasted the first bite, she forgot her nerves for a moment.

They talked. And laughed. And talked some more, about silly things, childhood stories, the embarrassing things he did to get a girl once in high school.

When they were done eating, soft music drifted through the silence, the same song again, but faint and warm, wrapping the atmosphere in a gentle glow.

She smiled. “You really love this song.”

“It reminds me of you, you're heaven on earth,” he said simply.

Her heart thudded, heavy and warm.

“Tessa…” he said her name like a prayer.

She swallowed.

His voice had changed lower, deeper, trembling with something rawer. “I have something to ask you.”

The room suddenly felt still. Even the candles flickered more quietly. Tessa’s was nervous.

“I’ve loved you from the first moment I saw you at the bar. I knew there was something about you, something I couldn’t shake. When I woke up the next morning and you were gone. I thought I would lose my mind. I looked for you everywhere.”

Her breath trembled.

“I don’t ever want to look for you again,” Damien whispered. “I want you where I can see you. Where I can love you with intention, with clarity, with no games.”

Tessa’s eyes grew glossy.

“Would you…” His voice cracked with sincerity.

“…be my girlfriend?”