Chapter 1 ~ 7pm Date

JANET'S POV.

My hand move fast on the keyboard. I have to get this paper work done with before it clocks 7PM.

I can't help but smile as I think of Collins. He's been acting off but surprisingly, yesterday, he suggested we go on a date today. He also bought me an outfit to wear for the date, which is something he hasn't done for a while now.

I know his attitude towards me lately has been off and on but I think he's just stressed out because of his parents issues and his search for a new job. I try to make him feel okay and comfortable with the fact that I have a job and he doesn't but unfortunately, that only seems to worsen the situation. We end up arguing which makes him stay away for days. When he comes back, he's in a good mood and then out of the blue, he gets angry again. He seems to have a talent of making something out of nothing.

I look away from my laptop as my phone buzzes. I pick it up immediately when I see Clara's message. Her message was a reply from the text is sent her early this morning, about my date with Collins.

CLARA ~ Looks like he's in a good mood again.

I smile and reply to her text.

ME ~ It's the usual.

CLARA ~ So a dat night, uh. I bet your cheeks are hot.

Wear something hot as well, to give a matching

vibe.

ME ~ Stop with the teasing, clara. I have to finish my work.

Talk to you later.

CLARA ~ Yeah, yeah, whatever.

Don't forget to keep me updated.

I chuckle and place my phone back on the desk. I look at my laptop with a huff sigh and continue typing. Just fifteen minutes more, I think, then I'll be through with this. I'll send the document to my boss's assistant and head home to get dressed.

After a long time, Collins wants us to go out on a date, so I really don't want to disappoint him. I want to be on time and impress him.

I finish the paperwork and send it to the assistant. I gather up my stuffs and bid my colleagues goodbye. I quickly walk out of the building to fetch a cab. I check the time on my watch to see I still have enough time. Forty-five minutes should be enough to prepare for a dinner date.

Soon, I was in front of my apartment. I pay the driver and run into the house. I strip off my clothes for a quick shower then quickly proceed to get dressed. I apply light makeup to my face and make big curls on my hair, just as I like it. I pull the short red handless gown Collins got me, from the hanger. I glance through it for a moment before wearing it. I slip on my lace up heels and stand to my feet before the full length mirror which rested on the wall, beside my closet.

My phone buzzes. I ignore it thinking it's Clara. I move to select one of my bags, most suitable, but leave it to grab my phone when it buzzes again.

I frown as I pick it up. Planning to scold her, I smile when I see who actually sent me a text.

COLLINS ~ Look beautiful.

I'm waiting outside.

The thought of him standing outside, waiting for me, makes my smile grow wider.

I walk back to the mirror to take a proper look at myself. Fully satisfied, I quickly grab my silver bag and walk outside.

A blush creeps to my face as my eyes meet his. I check out his outfit as I walk towards him. A blue Jean and black shirt. Simple but I was attracted.

I can't help but blush harder as I see him checking me out too.

God, I'm loving this night.

"You look beautiful as always." He compliments. "The dress suits you." He adds.

I look down and brush a strand of my hair behind my ears. I and Collins have been dating for seven months now. I don't know why I'm acting like a shy teenage girl who just got a compliment from her long time crush.

I just feel good and loved by him after some time.

He opens the passenger door for me to get in. I give him a strange, yet surprised and happy look. He's never done this before.

This princess treatment everyone talks of was never his thing. I guess he's just new to this or I don't know?

"So where are we going?" I ask out of curiosity, the moment he enters the car.

"Your favourite restaurant." He simply answers as he buckles his seatbelt.

I copy him by buckling my seatbelt too. "But you don't like it there."

"To think of it, the food there is nice and most importantly, it's your favourite...Sooo."

I smile. "I can't wait though. I'm famished." He chuckles and drive faster.

Collins parks the car then steps out to open my door. I step down and wait for him to shut the door before we walk into the restaurant together.

We walk to an empty table and sit. I make myself comfortable as Collins calls for a waiter.

"What will you like to have, madam?"

"Oh, um..."

"She'll go with buffalo wings and I'll go with fried steak." Collins answers for me. I send him a thankful smile as he gives me a quick look before looking back at the waiter as he says 'okay' and walks away.

"You are so active today. Do you mind sharing why?"

"Nothing. Am I supposed not to be?" He furrows his brow as he gives me a weird smile.

"No, I'm not saying that. it's just...unusual."

He sighs and grabs my hand from across the table. "Baby."

Baby?

"About how I've been acting." He presses my palm. "I'm sorry. I'm stressed up with everything that is going on in my life right now."

"I know. I ca..."

"No, let me finish." He rubs the back of my hand with his thumb before he continues. "When I leave home, I try to get a break from everything. To have space to think, rest my mind and gather myself. I really don't want my life issue to pull me down and affect what we have. I'm really sorry if..."

"Shh." It was my turn to interrupt him this time. "It's okay." I place my palm over his. "I understand but I just want you to see me as someone you can find comfort and peace with. That's all I want."

He nods and look away at the waiter approaching our table with our food. He places my food before me and Collins before him. He opens the champagne Collins had ordered and pours the liquid into our glasses.

"Thanks." I say and grab the glass to take a sip. I catch a glimpse of the smile the waiter sends my way but ignore it as I place my glass back on the table.

"Jane." Collins calls. I look away from my food at him. "Seems to me the waiter has a crush on you."

I widen my eyes. "No way." I look at the waiter, only to see him staring at me, though he was attending to another table. I look away quickly, flushed at the fact that he isn't paying any regard or respect to the man I'm with. I clear my throat. "I don't think so." I deny.

"Hmm, okay." He takes in his food, now having a dull look on his face.

"Hey." I avert his attention to me, now noticing how his mood has changed. The last thing I want right now is for this date to be ruined. "Only one man got my attention and I believe you know him well enough."

His face lit up into a light smile. "I know." He grabs his glass and drinks little from it.

My phone buzzes. I grab it from my bag and smile when I see it's a text from Clara.

Pretty much expected.

CLARA ~ How is the date going?

I look up at Collins who is now engrossed with his food.

ME ~ Great. He's unbelievably fantastic tonight.

I fork my wings and eat as I wait for her to reply.

CLARA ~ His outfit or character?

I chuckle. She's fully aware Collins have bad fashion taste and never fails to criticize him for it.

ME ~ Both.

He surprisingly had our date at DC restaurant.

CLARA ~ Wait, your fav?

ME ~ I know, right.

It's surprising.

CLARA ~ Is he on drugs or what

Or maybe he has surprisingly gotten a job and

this date is just his way of surprising you.

ME ~ I don't know. Maybe.

He hasn't disclosed anything to me yet.

CLARA ~ Maybe he will later.

ME ~ Maybe.

CLARA ~ Ok, enjoy. I'll be expecting the full gist later.

ME ~ Ok.

I turn off my phone and look up. My attention now fully on Collins.

"Clara?" He asks.

I nod and chew on my food.

"Jane." His face drops. "I want to spend tonight with you."

I stop chewing at his statement. Hoping that what I'm thinking is not what he's talking about. "I'm not sure what you mean."

He continues, "I mean, Me. You. Having the time of our life in our bedroom." He now smiles. "No phones. No Clara. Just us."

I widen my eyes. Sex. He's talking about sex.

"Collins." I swallow. "I don't think I'm ready for that now." This is the hundredth time. He keeps asking for this and I keep turning him down.

"Why? You keep refusing like we haven't been dating for almost a year now."

Does it matter?

"I'm just not ready for it." I repeat. I really hope this doesn't ruin our night. "I want to spend time with you. I really do, but not in this manner."

"Of course." He twitches his lips as he grabs his glass and gulps down everything. That's enough evidence to show that he's now pissed.

My phone buzzes. It better be Clara cause I don't know what to do now that things are awkward. Still, I don't want him thinking that I'm back to chatting with Clara, but I can't help it, now.

With hesitation, I pick up my phone only to see the message isn't from Clara but from an unknown number. I furrow my eyes to see it's not even a text but a video.

I thought of ignoring it since the message is not from whom I expected but decide otherwise, out of curiosity.

I open the video and immediately regret doing so. I want to remove it immediately but my hands can't seem to move from their spot. My heart sinks while my mind refuse to accept that the video is true. But it is.

It's Collins and some random girl I've never even mistakenly come across.

I swallow and take in deep breaths. It was getting hard though. Swallowing and breathing. The air around me was getting tensed. It was like the AC suddenly stopped working properly and was producing heat instead.

My hands are now sweating profusely and with the way they are shaking, I can't hold my phone firmly. They slip out of my hand onto the floor.

I sit there staring at my lap and sweaty palms. Gathering myself together, I look up at him as he stares at me confused. We'll it's pretty obvious. I'm not okay.

Thanks to this man I'm on a date with.

I grab my glass and take in the full liquid with one gulp. I really needed that. I drop the glass harshly on the table, not caring about the loud sound it made.

I pick up my phone, grab my bag and stomp out of the restuarant.

"Jane." I hear Collins yell from behind.

I want to walk back to him and slap him hard across the face, kick his balls and tell him how much of a dick he is. But no. I don't want to create a scene, not because of him but because of my own sanity.

I quickly stop a cab and get in.

"Janet." Is all I hear as the driver drive away from the restaurant.

How disgusted I feel. My name coming out of those sinful lips of his.

I look away from the window and let the silence in the car surround me. The realization that I've been cheated on now hit me hard and clear. I place my palm over my mouth and cry silently.

I just want to cry out and scream. I trusted him.

I fucking did.