Our first outing

Our first outing
Chapter 19~ Dante's POV

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Arriving at the designated location, I stopped the car and turned to look at her. I could see the creepy look on her face as she asked, "Why are we in the woods?"

Chuckling a little, I uttered, "Relax, Valerie, not like I want to get you killed or anything,"

"Ha-ha-ha, a very funny joke," she said in a sarcastic tone.

Realizing this, I swiftly stopped my tease as I took her hands into mine without seeking permission, but she didn't complain about it or act in a non-responsive manner, so I guess she is cool with it.

Then I continued, "Come on, Valerie, trust me on this, I promise you will enjoy the serenity I feel every time I come here."

Staring at me with her eyes, I suppose she saw the sincerity in my words, so she finally spoke, "Okay, I will risk it, trusting has to begin from somewhere."

"Good, that's the spirit, so can we proceed?" I asked.

Giggling, she responded, "Sure,"

And so, we both came out of the car and headed deep into the woods.

After some seconds of walking, we approached a serene lake, where all we saw were trees surrounding everywhere.

Seeing this, I spoke, "Welcome to my happy place," with my hands wide open, and I wore a smile.

I could see the shock within her, as I knew she never expected someone like me to have such a side.

"Why do you look surprised?" I confronted.

"Well, I must confess, you mustn't judge a book by its cover," she said.

"Oh really, so I'm the book, you don't say," I chimed.

Laughing out loud, she continued, "I do say, Mr Dante," teasing the hell out of me.

Seconds later, I stretched out my hand to her as I made my way to sit on the wooden bridge leading into the water.

"Do you care to join?" I asked.

But she chuckled, which left me confused. "What's so funny?" I said to her.

"Nothing, it just feels weird," She replied.

"Welcome to my world then," I uttered, tapping onto the space left as I sat.

And with visible reluctance, she made her way to sit next to me.

Instantly, she sat. I began, "Do you feel weird, sitting here alone with me?"

"I'd say my response is in between, but going with whatever flow this is should help," Valerie responded.

Then I suddenly continued with my words as I asked, "Do you want to swim?"

"Uhmmm," She interjected, as she did not have the right answer for it.

But without wasting any time, I quickly took off my clothes and jumped into the water. Already inside, I brushed my wet hair back with my hands so as not to get it into my eyes.

"Come on, Valerie, you can't refuse me now," I said to her.

"Alright, turn your back," She told me.

At first, I thought to myself, "Is she in high school or what," but I decided to continue with the act of as a good guy to her.

Suddenly, I heard a splash of water, as I turned to her, taking her balance inside the water, and she suddenly acted shy. 

I mean, why is she acting this way? We have both been naked before, miss loosen up, all I want is to hold onto some breast.

Then I said, "Seems you feel uncomfortable, should we go grab dinner? It's getting late already, and I wouldn't want to inconvenience you."

"Yes, of course," she responded.

So she got out of the water, with my back turned as she quickly put on her dress, and so I came out afterward with permission from her. I didn't bother to cover up, so I dressed up with her, looking at me.

I could see how uncomfortable she was, but yeah, I didn't give an ounce that I cared, so I finally uttered, breaking the silence between us.

"Shall we leave?"

"Yes, we can," she responded, and so we made our way back to where my car was parked.

The moment we reached there, and instantly, we both got into the car and I drove off.

After some hours into the drive, we arrived at a restaurant named "Restauranto càsa grandeur,"

I know what you are thinking, why such a restaurant? Well, I guess being a Playboy requires a much pretentious look of me caring.

Coming out of the car, I rushed to Valerie's side of the car door to open the door for her.

Doing this, I saw a twinkle in her eyes, so I added, "For you, miss."

She reddened out with a bit of chuckle, "Thank you," she said.

Hearing this, I was happy my gentleman's facade was paying off.

So, I put more effort into it, as I proceeded, "After you, Valerie," I declared, as soon as we walked right to the entrance of the restaurant door.

And immediately we entered, one of the waiters there hurriedly came to where we were, as they welcomed us, "Welcome to Restauranto càsa grandeur," the waiter said.

And we gave a warm smile to him as he continued, "May I take you to your corner?"

"Of course," Valerie and I responded in a unison tone.

Instantly, he took the lead as he said, "This way," swaying his hand to the pathway direction.

After a few seconds of following the waiter, we arrived at our given seats.

Settling into the chair, he continued as he portrayed his professionalism further.

"These are your menu books in front of you; you can check them out, so I can know what your orders would be."

But I felt too overwhelmed by his words, so I said to him in dismissal, "You can get us a bottle of your most expensive wine with two glasses, then after some time, you can come back for the order." 

"Right away, sir," The waiter said as he left.

I think Valerie understood what I did there, so she chimed in once he left, "He is a pain, right?"

"How did you know?" I reacted.

"I can see it in your eyes, he was annoying the daylight out of you, but I believe he is just too involved in his job," she continued.

"Yeah, I guess so, so here we are, can I ask a silly question?" I said to her.

"Yes, feel free," She encouraged.

"I feel you don't trust me," I opened.

"Well, I can't say I do trust you, because our reconciliation isn't up to a day, and I know what prompted this question," She uttered.

"What prompted it?" my curiosity quipped.

"Because I asked you to turn for me to get undressed and get dressed back, I believe it's my body, my choice," She cleared.

I know she was right, but not showing it was the best, so I said, "You are wrong, it was just an honest question that I wanted to know."

"Anyways, I apologize for asking you such a question," I feigned a plea.

As she opened her mouth to produce an utterance, the waiter arrived with the bottle of wine I ordered.

"Here is your order, sir. Is there anything else?" He said.

Finally, Valerie said, "So I'm ordering pasta with extra cheese on it alongside some sea boil pack."

Feeling interested in her orders, I told the waiter to get the same for me.

Some minutes into our order, the waiter brought them, and trust me when I say that, it was the most satisfying meal I have ever tasted.

After filling our bellies, I suggested we go home so I could drop her off. And without holding back, Valerie gave a positive response to it, and so we stood up and left the restaurant.

As I drove for about two hours to her house, I finally arrived there, and I turned off my car engine.

"So.....," I started.

"So.....," She replied.

"I had a nice time with you today," I continued.

"So did I," she said, as the silence around us suddenly turned music to our ears.

As we were both visibly lost for words, I voiced out, "I guess we will see at the office tomorrow." 

"Yes, but my mom will be discharged from the hospital tomorrow, so I need to be there before coming to the hospital," She explained.

Wanting to use the medium to be a friend indeed to her, I offered, "We can go together, then leave for the office later."

"Really," She said, as I could see in her eyes, that she never expected such an offer from me.

"Of course," I responded.

"Thank you, Dante, for everything," She thanked.

"It's okay, so you should have a great night," I said to her.

"I will, so should you," She stated.

So I nodded with a bright smile on my face. With that, she opened the door on her side of the car as she got down.

Once she reached her apartment entrance, she turned and waved at me with a smile. I responded.

And the moment she entered, I turned on my car engine. Not that I couldn't kiss her, I said to myself while I began driving.

But slow and steady should do it till she falls so hard that she would falter so badly when I leave her.

And with that, I wore a wide grin on my face as I was joyous of my smooth-running plans, enjoying the dim beauty of the night.