章 37: A Sunday Morning Date.

Anna pulled her ergonomic chair towards the table, as she settled across Mister Truce, at the east side of the Fireside Brew. The atmosphere was warm and cozy, a striking contrast from the chilly air outside the Cafe. Sweet scents of baked goods and freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air and she inhaled deeply,

Snowflakes gently spattered the street of Jobs Lane outside the large windows, and inside, soft jazz music played from speakers that were hung on the soft baby-blue walls round the room. Anna guessed they opened late on Sunday mornings as they were the first to arrive. The hard floor was painted in gray ash. Subtle yellow lights glowed from table lamps and string lights, lit the place and made it a mildly romantic place to be, depending on the view of the person.

Truce watched her excitement bloom, as she sank deep inside the gray chair, her eyes darting here and there. This wasn't his first time in the Fireside, but he understood why she acted the way she was doing. He grinned at her. "Sharks can perceive blood from a quarter of a mile away, but you, lady Ruby, smell food from more than that."

Anna retorted dissembling, with a playful smile on her face. "I do not!" Before she added. "There's just something about food. Whether baked, cooked, grilled or however it was made. " She replied, smiling pleasantly at him.

A barista in casual clothes, and a black apron tied round his waist approached them from the counter. "Good morning, I'm Mike, and we open in five, but what can I get you in the meantime?" He asked, focusing his gaze on Anna.

"We should celebrate today, as it births a new relationship on the earth. Shouldn't we?" Truce suggested, as he relaxed in his chair, obviously not fazed by Mike's attraction to her; and she giggled. Trust Mister Truce for his grandiloquence. Anna nodded and watched Mister Truce order their finest wine. Mike was back in less than a minute with a tray, and two glass cups.

"Hey, If you don't mind, can you take a picture of us?" Truce asked, bringing out a camera from God knows where. Anna froze in her seat; an alarming look appeared on her face. Anna, It's just a picture. She exhaled and put on her best smile as Mike took One. Two. Three shots.

"Thank you," she said in a small voice, and he bowed, and walked away.

The place was quiet, and they sat there thinking of what to say to each other, and sipping from their drinks. A thought flashed through Truce's mind, he allowed it linger in his mind, while gazing at Anna as she drank from her glass with her eyes hooded. She peered at him through them and that blew him away. He didn't realize he was holding his breath. 'Anna not Miriam,' he chided himself in his mind.

Then he remembered as it occurred to him, that he'd thought more of Miriam since Anna walked into that room at the resort. He had to know things about her to put Miriam's thoughts away; and washed from his mind.

"Lady Ruby, if I asked you to tell me about your likes and dislikes this time, would you tell me about them and not beat around the bush?" He asked and she straightened in her seat. "That's if you promise to tell me yours right after." He raised his right hand up, signifying surrender. She giggled again. That sound made his blood heat in desire.

"Well, I like food. The universe already knows that. I think I haven't known myself as I ought to, that'll explain why it's hard to tell. But I do a lot of reading–"

"Romance?"

She paused. "I read both fiction and non-fiction. But why was that your first guess?"

"I felt you were someone who fantasized about the perfect kind of love."

"Well, that's true on one hand. I find that only in written journals of people's imaginations. But I'm sure there is, I just haven't found it yet, and I'm hoping to, someday... and I'm talking too much." She said, and Truce chuckled at her, his smile blossomed on his face, making him more handsome than she thought, and Anna noticed now, that there were a few people seated in the Café because she felt eyes on her.

"That's cute. You're cute." He said, and Anna's heart skipped a beat. Then he asked. "What do you think someone like me would want most?" He said, and she gazed into his pale blue eyes.

Was that longing she saw in them? She felt heat rising from her most intimate place. The man didn't have a family, no relatives, and the people he considered as family were double faced. He wanted to be loved, cherished. Just like she desired.

A small smile plastered on her lips, as she held his gaze. His answer was written in clear, bold letters, there was no need to say it out loud. Silence settled between them again.

There was a gentle hum in the room as people filed in, cups and saucers clinked. Truce asked, changing the subject. "What would you like to have? I hear their Winter Spice Latte is good. Do you want to try that?" She nodded. Great of him to always suggest what was good for her in a charming way. She exhaled again and her eyes darted to the table beside them, while Mister Truce signaled for a waiter.

He's just being nice and you don't know the place, Anna. Stop being difficult.

"Are you alright?" He asked softly; his eyes didn't miss the mix of emotions on her face. Anna nodded again. Miriam would've said the same thing if– he caught himself quickly.

Another barista arrived at their table, and Mister Truce offered her the menu. "Maybe you should choose for yourself." She took it, not sure about how she felt. Was he reading my mind just now?

********

On the 20th, Anna walked out of the estate, and down the path to the beach. Ever since Mister Truce had shown her this hidden path that led to the ocean from the estate, she had come to love evening strolls. She reminisced about her breakfast date with Mister Truce. Something smelt off, and it had bothered her since then.

He knew just what to say when she found about the 'million and one dresses,' and he did exactly that at the café again.

Can he read minds? Should I ask him? Maybe a test would be a perfect trap to certify if this was true or not. All that was left was the perfect subject and time.

Crickets chirped in the grasses that flanked both sides of the narrow path. Her skin bathed in the warm glow of the sun, and violent breeze whipped at her hair and dress from all sides. The sea had always amazed her, and she loved taking long walks about the beach, inhaling the crisp saltwater and occasionally dipping her feet in water as it lapped against the cold sandy shore.

She put one foot, in front of another, and another one, her schedule for the past several weeks was the same. Wake up. Shower and go out for breakfast. Bond with Charlotte, or do some reading. She was almost down by fifty books from Mister Truce's library and more than ten from Corinne's fiction library. Then more bonding with Charlotte and the other women from the kitchen. She had learnt more about business and cooking in the past month, than she did in college. Now what? Her life was on halt, with Mister Truce politely threatening her about her safety. This wasn't exactly what she planned for her life, and she didn't know where to go from here, or what to do.

"I knew I'd find you here…"

"Ahh…" they chimed in unison, and Anna jumped and swirled mid-air, her feet merely inches away from the ground. He caught her by the waist, just before she hit her left leg, and tripped.

"Whoa, careful. Are you alright?" He asked as he steadied her on her feet. His hands lingered around her, she felt burned by his touch, so she avoided his eyes.

"Mm-hmm. Didn't hear you come." His hands reluctantly left her waist. They both faced the tranquil ocean. The view was incredibly splendid. The water sparkled in the afternoon sunshine. Seabirds soared and dipped; their raucous cries muted the sound of the gentle surf.

Anna sighed deeply in satisfaction. Truce peered at her from the side of his eye; her skin glowed, but that gentle smile of satisfaction creasing up on her rosy lips warmed his heart. He figured it didn't take much to please her.

"Have you watched the sunset before?" he asked, turning ninety degrees to face her.

"Dinner is always prepared before that time." She said curtly and Truce sensed she was angry at something. He didn't mean to scare her; and didn't think it was wise to bring it up. An awkward silence rested between them, Anna taking this as cue, closed her eyes and painted the dream of her life for the past two months; legs intertwined on crumpled linen sheets, torsos meshed and hands groping. Her body came alive and hot. She peered at Mister Truce, sweat glistened on his forehead, his fingers clenched and he looked like he was restraining himself as he stood rigid on his feet.

Well, would you look at that?