Chapter 2 The Dawning

RORA

Sean and I dropped Jill at the apartment before we went our way to our dinner date. Sean told me he called for a reservation on this famous steakhouse in town.

While on our way, we only had casual conversation about our day.

"...and then my head editor told me my work isn't like my previous articles before. He told me I've been slacking off. I know that's not true. I'm a good writer... it's just that I've been focused on law school the past month because it's midterm exams."- I vented

"I know you're great. Maybe your editor doesn't understand your busy schedule."

I sighed. Of course he doesn't. No one in the office really does.

"That's out of my control anyway. How about you? Is the hotel going well?"

He smiled.

"Sales-wise, yes."

"That's good to hear. Your hotel has been like that for the past years."

"OUR hotel." - he corrected

"After our wedding, it's going to be our conjugal property so you might as well call it our hotel from now on, sweet pea." - he said and I turned my head to the right. The wedding's something I don't want to bring up tonight.

An awkward silence filled the air as he said that. And I know he sensed my indifference too. By that, Sean turned on the car radio to drown the silence. No one between us said a word until we reached the restaurant.

-

"Here we are."

I focused my attention to the cosmopolitan building right in front of us. I heard about this steakhouse before. Some of the most important people in the city recommends and were hosted in this place. That speaks volume of their quality and service.

Sean got out of the car first and opened the door to my side. He helped me out by holding my hand. When a valet came for the car key, another man in black suit approached us and confirmed our reservation. Shortly, we were escorted inside.

The glass ceiling made the moon look gigantic. The huge Dorian columns, the marble tables, the candle accents on each corners and the Victorian vibe of the interior design was picturesque.

"This way, Sir, Ma'am." - the man said

Our table was located in the cornermost area of the steakhouse, right next to an artificial fireplace. The table has a small bouquet of rose, a champagne on a bucket of ice and two champagne flutes. I guess that came with the reservation?

Sean picked the bouquet up and handed it to me.

"These roses sure do look fresh as they said." - he murmured

"Thank you."

The menu was handed to us and I ordered garlic-seared salmon with sauteed lentils on the side. Sean ordered a T-bone steak in medium rare and a small bowl of mashed potato. After a filling lunch at the office today, I don't think I'm in the mood for steak.

"Let me pour you some champagne, sir." - the man said and we waited. Finally, when he's done, he left our table.

I picked up the flute and took a sip. It was a treat to the tongue. First sip and I already know we'll have a long list for the bill.

"This is great, Rora. " - Sean said and smiled. His two rows of perfect teeth made me frown in envy

"It is." - is it, though?

"Actually, there's uh- (Sean paused to wipe the corners of his lips with the napkin)... there's a real reason why I came here this morning."

I see... I already knew it in my guts.

I waited.

"The wedding's 3 weeks away. Our parents have been busy with all the preparations. Last night, the wedding gown arrived. It's in the trunk of my car. I came here to let you fit it, see if there's some adjustments and stuff. I had my wedding suit yesterday and it was perfect." - the genuine smile got into me

I subconsciously nodded. Sean looked so happy. I'm also positive he's a busy person too, but he came all this way to bring the wedding gown to me himself. He's really a good man... and here I am across the table thinking about the upcoming Midterms I have to prepare to secure this semester.

"... the tailor would be too happy to cater your wishes if you need something. I haven't seen the gown myself, but it's your mother's choice, I'm sure it's the best."

Even my wedding gown's selected by my own mother. Great.

"Sean, just... (I paused and bit my lower lip.) Let's have this dinner first. I'll take the wedding gown later at home. With Jill."

Sean looked like I hurt his ego... but it was a fleeting emotion in his face, and then it was gone. Thankfully, we didn't need to engage to awkward silence after that because our mouth-watering orders just arrived. Even the smell's enough to make my stomach growl.

"Here are your orders, sir. Anything else?"

Sean dismissed the waiter with a thank you and a smile. The rest of the evening went on, but none of us mentioned anything about the wedding again.

-

-

Sean dropped me off to the apartment half an hour later. The light's still on inside as seen from the thin baby blue drapes. I unbuckled my seat belt and as soon as my right hand touched the car door, Sean spoke:

"Can I see you again this week?"

He looked at me like a hopeful puppy. How can I say no? Besides, I felt obligated to do so.

"I'll call you, Sean. I have a lot on my plate this week."

"Sure. I had a beautiful night, Rora. I hope we can do this again."

I nodded and smiled, in the most convincing way possible. Then I walk out of the car with a weird feeling. He said he had a beautiful night. I don't know which part of that date was he referring to. I am aware I had been awful. Cold and indifferent as always.

I knocked on our apartment door the same time the car drove away. Jill welcomed me with an enthusiastic "How did it go?'. I said nothing, walked past her, and crashed on the bed.