CHAPTER 5: COURTSHIP

She got in, and Red closed the door before sitting in the driver's seat. He took her to a restaurant she thought would be expensive. Upon entering, she saw that all the people eating there were in business suits. She hesitated all of a sudden. Red took her by the hand again and they followed a waiter. Red already reserved a table for them.

She let him order their food because she didn't know what was on the menu. While waiting for their order, Red was telling her stories again about his older brother. She thinks he idolized his brother so much.

She found out that their parents died in an accident when he was still in high school. From then on, his older brother took care of him. His older brother also manages the businesses left by their parents.

"You might find my older brother arrogant when you see him, but deep inside he is the most loving and caring brother," Red said, smiling.

"I'm scared to meet your brother based on what you're telling me," she joked.

Red said that he could not decide things right away as long as there was no "Go signal" from his older brother. The young man planned to study fashion in the U. S. He said he loves art and anything related to fashion. He is also good at photography and sculpture. His dream is to have a museum for his work. His brother seems to be the only one who really refuses. His brother wants him to pursue Business Administration so that he can pass on to his brother the management of their other businesses.

"Sometimes I want to rebel because my older brother seems to be controlling me, but when I think of his hardships for me and the ones our parents left behind, I feel more sorry for him. Maybe if his marriage to Faith happened, maybe he would be happy forever, "Red said sadly.

"Why was it canceled?" she asked curiously.

Their order arrived, and Red let the waiter put the food on the table first before he answered.

"They were supposed to get married two years ago, and then they had some misunderstandings and had a little fight. Faith went to London with her parents. My brother was on his way to the airport to follow Faith to London. Then he had an accident. It was really bad. It almost killed him. I don't know what I would do if that happened. He was in the hospital for three months. Fortunately, little by little he recovered, but after that, he was totally a different person. He didn't continue to follow Faith, even though I know he still loves her very much. They still keep in touch, by the way. I don't know what happened to him after that accident, but something really changed him," she said, describing the man's face.

She held his hand to give him comfort.

"The good thing is that they're still in touch. They might rekindle their past relationship." She said with a smile. The young man smiled back.

"You're right about that because Faith will be coming home five months from now." He held her hand. "I'm sure my older brother won't let her get away this time."

She did not take it back. She feels that Red will court her and she wants to encourage him. She also likes him even though she still doesn't feel what they say is "magic" when she's with him. She thought because maybe they were still in the getting to know each other stage. She also talks about her life to him, except the one about her job as a waitress at the bar and especially her current job as a private sexy dancer.

They have already started eating. They were about to finish when he took her hand and stared at her seriously.

"Can I court you, Sam?"

She was still stunned, even though she had already expected to hear that. She did not withdraw the hand he was holding, but nodded and smiled shyly at him. She saw how his eyes twinkled with delight.

"Thank you, Sam!" he said happily.

She gave him permission to take her home.

Since then, she has been receiving flowers every day from Red. He only visits her at home on Saturdays and Sundays because she said she wouldn't be available on weekdays because of her work.

She didn't give him a hard time courting her. There was nothing she didn't like about Red. She likes everything about him.

After all, Red already has all the qualities that a woman would look for. She just couldn't understand why she didn't feel any romantic excitement. He makes her smile, and that's it.

But she was happy with her decision. She has already introduced him as her boyfriend to her mother, who is now able to speak well even though she can still talk a bit slowly compared to before.

Her mother also knew nothing about her work as a private dancer every night. What her mother knows is that she is still a waitress at Diva's bar. She asked her former boss not to mention her new job to her mother. Diva understood her request and promised not to say anything, especially to her mother.

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She was standing in front of the mirror and was staring at her reflection.

She was nervous because Red would pick her up tonight. He will introduce her to his older brother.

"My d-dau-ghter, y-you lookkk so b-beautiii- fulll," her mother said, even though she is still having difficulty talking straight.

Earlier, her mother had been watching her, staring at herself uneasily. She turned to her mother with a smile.

"Thank you, Mom. I got my looks from you." She approached her and kissed her on the cheek.

She could also see the pleasure on her mother's face. Her mother had already eaten dinner; she made sure of that.

Her mother was able to move her hand slowly, so she was less worried when she was left alone. She always leaves a phone number so that she can call her immediately when there is an emergency, especially when she is at work.

Red went inside their house and personally asked her mother to bring her to their house so she could meet his brother.

It was seven o'clock in the evening. He said that he had already prepared their dinner for tonight and his older brother already knew that he would take his girlfriend home to introduce her to him.

She was wearing a white blouse and a pink skirt that was below the knee. She even pinned her hair, so she looks like a teenager.

Before they got inside the car, Red stared at her face, smiling. He seemed to enjoy watching her intently, and that made her even more uneasy.

"Relax. I'm sure my brother will like you, okay?" He even touched her cheek when he said that.

She took a deep breath and smiled at him.

Her boyfriend's house is not that far. When they entered the big gate, she was amazed at the size of the house. She knew her boyfriend was rich, but she did not think the man's family was this wealthy. He immediately took her by the hand as they entered the house.

They have been in a relationship for three weeks, but they never shared a kiss, not even a smack on the lips.

She admired the man even more because he never took advantage of her.