Chapter 183 052
FIONA stood behind Vivian, carefully adjusting the final strap of her dress, her fingers precise and gentle. The room smelled faintly of perfume and hair spray, the soft glow of the lamp casting a warm sheen over Vivian’s reflection in the mirror. Vivian stood still, her hands clasped nervously in front of her, her heart thudding harder with every second that passed.
“You look… insane,” Fiona said finally, stepping back to admire her work. “Like the kind of woman men write poems about and lose sleep over.”
Vivian laughed softly, her cheeks already warming.
“Stop it. You are making me more nervous than I already am.”
Fiona grinned.
“As you should be. This is your first date with a man who has been melting over your voice for weeks.”
Vivian took a deep breath and looked at herself. The dress hugged her perfectly, elegant without trying too hard, simple but breathtaking. Her hair fell effortlessly around her shoulders, and her makeup was subtle, enhancing rather than hiding. She barely recognized the confident woman staring back at her.
“Do I look like myself?” Vivian asked quietly.
Fiona placed her hands on Vivian’s shoulders.
“You look like the best version of yourself. And that is more than enough.”
The sound of a car horn outside made Vivian jump.
“That is him,” Fiona said, excitement lighting her eyes. “Or at least the car.”
They walked downstairs together, Vivian clutching her small purse as if it were an anchor. Outside, a sleek black car waited by the curb, its headlights glowing softly in the evening.
Fiona stopped at the door.
“Alright,” she said gently. “Go have fun. Laugh. Be yourself.”
Vivian turned and hugged her tightly.
“Thank you. For everything.”
Fiona pulled back and winked.
“I expect details.”
Vivian laughed, waved, and stepped into the car. As it pulled away, Fiona stood watching, smiling to herself.
The restaurant Vale had chosen was intimate and elegant, bathed in warm lighting, soft music floating through the air. Vivian’s nerves spiked as the car stopped. She stepped out, smoothing her dress, her phone already in her hand.
She glanced at the picture Vale had sent earlier, his smile familiar from countless video calls. She scanned the room through the glass doors as she walked in.
And then she saw him.
Vale stood near the entrance, tall and composed, dressed impeccably in a dark shirt and tailored trousers. He was holding his phone too, eyes darting around until they landed on her.
The moment he saw her, his face changed.
His eyes widened slightly. His lips parted. And then he smiled, a slow, genuine smile that made Vivian’s breath hitch.
“Vivian?” he asked, stepping forward.
“Vale,” she replied, smiling back.
They hugged, the kind of hug that lingered just a second longer than polite. He kissed her cheek softly, and she felt the warmth of him, familiar yet new.
“Wow,” he said, pulling back just enough to look at her. “You are… even more beautiful than I imagined.”
Vivian blushed.
“Thank you. You look really good too. Honestly.”
“Really good?” he laughed. “I flew across continents for this moment. I was hoping for breathtaking.”
She laughed, shaking her head as he led her to their table.
They sat across from each other, the energy between them electric but comfortable.
“I can’t believe this is our first time meeting,” Vivian said. “It feels like I already know you.”
Vale nodded.
“I feel the same way. Hearing your voice every day… it became my favorite part of my routine.”
He watched her as she spoke, his eyes lingering openly and unapologetically. Vivian noticed, and it made her cheeks warm again.
“Stop staring,” she teased softly.
“I can’t,” he admitted. “I have tried, but it doesn’t work.”
They laughed.
A waiter came over, and they made their orders, wine for him, a mocktail for her, dishes chosen easily as if they had done this before.
“So,” Vivian said once they were alone again, “tell me about being back home.”
Vale leaned back slightly.
“It is strange. Especially as I had left the country immediately after high school. After years abroad, everything feels familiar and new at the same time. But meeting you?” He smiled. “That feels right.”
Her heart fluttered.
“I was scared,” he continued. “Scared you wouldn’t be the same in person.”
“And?” she asked.
“And I’m relieved,” he said softly. “You are exactly who you said you were.”
The drinks arrived. Then the food. They talked as they ate, talked about his studies abroad, her work, the little things that had never quite fit into phone conversations. They laughed over misunderstandings, shared stories of childhood memories, dreams, and fears.
Vivian noticed how attentively he listened. No phone had come in-between them. No distractions. Just her.
“You know,” Vale said at one point, “I think I’m falling for you.”
Her fork paused mid-air. She looked at him, searching his face for hesitation.
There was none.
“That was… fast,” she said honestly.
“I know,” he replied gently. “But it is real.”
She smiled, feeling something warm bloom in her chest.
“I think… I might be too.”
He reached across the table, his fingers brushing hers lightly. She didn’t pull away.
As the night wore on, the world outside seemed to fade. When they finally stood to leave, Vale offered his arm, and she took it without thinking.
Outside, under the soft glow of streetlights, he kissed her cheek again, this time it lingered.
“I’m really glad I asked you out,” he said.
“So am I,” Vivian replied.
And as she stepped back into the car, her heart felt lighter and fuller, like the beginning of something she had been waiting for without knowing it.
But was this just it?