TANIAI turned to head out of the kitchen, but Zarek's tone froze me in track. “Now, you are trying to run off because you know you're not telling the truth.”“I'm not running off.” I sighed, feeling cornered. “You have an interview, don't you?” I asked, checking my phone for the time. “You're running late.”Zarek's expression turned warm as I said that. He bit into his toast and said, “Yeah, I should get going.”He was heading out the door when I heard him say, “Take care and don't get into too much trouble with your boss.” “I'll be an angel,” I responded, but my relief was short-lived, as I remembered I had to get to work. I hurried out of the kitchen, my pace quickening as I made my way to the bar. I wanted to make a good impression on my first day, and arriving early was a must.I reached the bar and took a moment to familiarize myself with the premises. As I looked around, I introduced myself to the staff, and they all greeted me with friendly smiles. One person stood out in
TANIAZarek shook his head, chuckling. His gentle laughter sent a flutter through my chest. “That's not what I was writing down,” he said, his brown eyes shining bright.I raised an eyebrow, trying to sound stern. “Then, what were you writing down?” But my voice came out softer than I intended, betraying my curiosity.He took a step closer, his eyes locked onto mine. “Just some thoughts,” Zarek said, his voice low.“What kind of thoughts?” He smiled, his eyes gleaming with excitement. “Thoughts about how beautiful you look when you're focused,” he said, his voice dropping to a whisper. “How your eyes light up when you smile.”He reached up and gently pulled a strand of my hair behind my ear. “I was too busy noticing you,” Zarek whispered, his eyes never leaving mine. I felt my face flush slightly. “And now?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. “You smell like heaven,” he whispered, looking deeply at me.His intimate tone sent my heart racing, and my face reddened with excit
TANIAThe short drive flew by, and soon we arrived at the apartment. We took turns getting ready in the room, our excitement building as we prepared for our date.When it was my turn to get ready, I slipped into my favourite silk dress, the soft fabric hugging my curves in all the right places. The emerald green colour made my eyes sparkle, and I felt a sense of elegance wash over me. My hair fell in loose waves down my back, and I kept my makeup natural, wanting to look radiant but still like myself. I couldn't wait to see the way Zarek would look at me.I stepped out of the room, expecting to see Zarek still getting ready, but instead, I was surprised to find the dining room all set, with candles lit, flowers arranged, and the table beautifully laid out. The living room, where we would later watch our movie, was also prepared, with blankets and pillows neatly arranged. The atmosphere was inviting and romantic, exceeding my expectations. It was as if Zarek had gone all out to
ZAREKWe wrapped up our conversation, but Tania was still pondering a suitable punishment for cheating - something I didn't worry about, knowing I'd been faithful in my past relationship with Amelia.As the night wore on, we shifted to the living room, settling into the couch together. Our eyes were glued to the TV, with Tania fiercely guarding the bowl of popcorn she'd made herself. I suspected she was protective of it because she'd popped it all by herself, without my help.Her grip was tight, even as her gaze remained fixed on the movie. I tried to sneak a handful, but she quickly smacked my hand away.“Don't,” she muttered, her eyes darting back to the screen. I had chosen her favourite movie, a historical vampire romance that wasn't quite my cup of tea, but it was surprisingly engaging. As we sat together, watching the movie, I noticed Tania's eyelids drooping. She fought to stay awake, but her head began to nod forward, her grip on the popcorn bowl loosening. I smiled, and
ZAREKI strolled alongside Tania, enjoying our carefree evening at the mall. She was in high spirits, eager to splurge on a shopping spree after receiving her three months' salary as a bar manager at Red Sox bar.“I deserve to treat myself,” she said, having abstained from shopping for quite some time. I playfully agreed, and we set off browsing the stores together. However, I had an ulterior motive in mind. Tania busied herself selecting clothes, her eyes scanning the racks with excitement. I casually mentioned, “I need to grab something from another store.” She looked up at me with a gentle smile, her eyes showing a hint of concern. “Okay, be quick, I don't want to be here too long.” She paused, then added, “And don't forget to come back to me!”I chuckled, feeling a warmth in my chest, and replied, “Don't worry, I'll be back before you can even miss me.” With a playful wink, I added a flirtatious touch, and she rolled her eyes, laughing.As her laughter trailed off, I turned
ZAREKI walked back to where Tania was, the ring box securely tucked in my pocket, my heart racing with excitement to propose. However, my joy was short-lived, as I noticed a man lingering nearby, his eyes fixed on Tania. At first, I thought nothing of it, but then I saw him raise a camera, as it seemed like he was angling for a shot.My instincts kicked in. I subtly shifted my gaze, keeping an eye on the man without alerting Tania. He snapped a photo, and I knew something was off.He was taking her pictures secretly. I kept a close eye on him, pretending to browse shelves while tracking his movements. When he made a move to leave, I followed him. Outside the mall, I accelerated my pace, closing in on him. He sensed my presence and took off in a sprint. I chased after him, navigating through the crowded parking lot with ease, dodging cars and pedestrians as he continued to run.As I drew close, I seized his arm, twisting it behind his back. A groan escaped his lips just before I
ZAREKI approached Tania, feeling a sense of ease. “Yeah, I guess I've got a soft spot for kids,” I replied, shrugging slightly. My gaze drifted down to her hands, and I noticed that she was holding only one shopping bag.“What's with the solitary bag? Are the clothes stuffed inside?” I asked, curiosity tinting my voice as we walked out of the mall.Tania's face fell, her lips pressing into a slight frown. “No, they're not,” she said, her voice laced with a hint of disappointment. “I was going to buy a lot, but I think these clothes are fine. I don't want to go broke buying luxurious clothes.”Just then, a woman in a crisp uniform approached us, a friendly smile on her face. “Here you go, ma'am,” she said, handing Tania a few shopping bags adorned with the logo of an upscale brand.Tania's expression transformed in an instant, her smile radiant as she took the bags. “Thank you so much!” Tania exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.The woman smiled and nodded. “Have a great
ZAREKWe reached the apartment, and Tania sprang into action, efficiently sorting and putting away her new clothes. As she worked, I discreetly stashed the ring box and camera in my dresser, making sure they were out of sight. Just then, my phone buzzed, breaking the silence, and I glanced down to see the proposal planner's name on the caller ID. With my heart racing, I swiftly stepped out of the room, not wanting Tania to overhear my conversation. I answered the call in a low tone, trying to contain my growing unease. “Is it necessary to call?” I asked the planner, my words barely above a whisper.Just a hint about tomorrow's proposal, and Tania would quickly piece it together - she'd assume I was planning to propose, and it would ruin the surprise. I wanted to keep it under wraps until the moment I got down on one knee.The proposal planner's voice cut through my concerns. “I just wanted to confirm the proposal plans for tomorrow at the garden. Everything is set.”“Thanks for