Goodbye, My Mate

Chapter 102

Leah's POV

Just when I was trying so hard to process this, my phone buzzed.

An unknown number.

Feeling disturbed, I picked up my phone.

"Hey, Leah! It's Damian! Do you remember me? I'm the delivery guy from Mediland!"

"Oh, yes. Sure. Damian! I haven't heard from you for a long time. Is everything OK with you?"

Damian's voice sounded full of energy, "Yeah! Uma finally agrees to give me some days off, and I'm in town now! I don't know anyone in Skagen City, so I thought to myself, why not give you a call and ask you out for dinner?"

I hesitated and said, "Listen, Damian, I really want to go out with you tonight. It's just I've been caught up with something and I really can't.."

"Oh, OK. I totally understand." Damian's voice sounded disappointed. He wasn't the kind of person who was able to conceal his true feelings. "It's OK. I feel ashamed for calling you. What's on my mind? Calling you just like this. I'm so sorry. I'm hanging up right now..."

"No... No! Damian! Don't hang up!" I said. "You're new in town and I owe you a big favor. I will meet you tonight. Is there anywhere you want to go particularly? Maybe some restaurant?"

Damian immediately said, "Great! I know a great restaurant in town! Come to El Paraiso tonight around eight!"

I'd never heard of a restaurant called El Paraiso in town, but I could imagine the big smile on his face.

"OK. I'll be there. And after dinner I'll show you around," I said.

After I hung up, Gean looked at me and asked, "Do you have a date tonight, Miss Lewyn?"

"Yeah. Please call the mayor that I'll have to reschedule tonight's dinner."

"Yes, Miss Lewyn, but I don't think he will be happy about it," Gean mumbled.

"Since when do we care about human beings' feelings?" I rubbed my forehead, feeling exhausted.

"Since we decided to co-exist with them," Gean replied.

I sighed and said, "Yes, you're right. I was totally out of the line. Mr. Mayor will be happy as long as you assure him that I will be present for next week's Charity Party. A handsome donation will be on the way."

"Yes, Miss Lewyn. I will do so." Gean bowed slightly and walked away.

As soon as I walked into El Paraiso, I realized that I was in a romantic restaurant. There was a dance floor in the middle of the restaurant, where two tango dancers were performing.

Damian spotted me in the crowd and waved at me with excitement.

"Here! Leah!" He greeted me with a giant ear-to-ear smile on his face.

I felt a bit relieved when I saw his smiling face.

People in my world were known for being reserved. It was great to see a friendly face like Damian and be surrounded by cheerful crowds and upbeat music once in a while.

"Hey, how's everything going?" I barely took my seat and asked.

"You know, same old stuff. Still running around and being shouted at by Uma," Damian smirked as he took out two tropical drinks from the tiki hut bar behind him.

He was tall and muscular, wearing nothing but a vibrant Hawaiian shirt and a pair of faded denim shorts. The shirt, adorned with bright and bold patterns of hibiscus flowers and palm trees, seemed to bring out the stunning blue of his eyes and perfectly complemented his sun-kissed skin.

As he stared at me, a broad smile crossed his face, and his eyes lit up.

"I've bought this for you." Damian pulled out a bunch of flowers from behind like a magician pulls out a rabbit from a hat.

I was surprised and flattered.

"Oh, Damian! Thank you very much for these beautiful flowers!" I took that bunch of flowers and sniffed the petals.

Damian smiled and said, "I was doing delivery to a flower shop. The owner of the shop knew that I was about to have a date with a beautiful woman, so he handpicked these flowers for you."

"I love flowers! They're my favorite! You're so sweet to bring me this! I'm so happy to see you again, Damian!" I took a sip of the drink and asked, "Ah, what's this?"

Damian smirked and said, "You've never tried Banana Daiquiri before? You're so cute!"

"Not really... I don't drink cocktails that often..." I blushed and said.

I only drink fine red wines and champagnes that make me do stupid things. I thought to myself.

"So this is your first Banana Daiquiri! And you're drinking it with me! Great!" Damian said and waved his hands at the waiter. "Waiter, bring us the menu!"

"Why did you ask me out?" I flicked the menu and asked Damian.

Damian looked surprised.

"There's no reason. I'm in town and I just want to take you out for dinner," he replied.

"Damian, the tips of your ears turn red when you are telling a lie," I said.

"Well..." Damian touched his ears and smiled awkwardly. Then, he rubbed his nose and said. "This is such a beautiful night. I shouldn't have said this to ruin it. But it's just ever since you left, I've been thinking about you. I can't get rid of your image out of my mind. I have wanted to call you at least a hundred times, but I just couldn't do it. Uma found out and she warned me not to call you because she told me that you must be rich and powerful, and I don't deserve to be with someone like you, blah, blah, blah..."

Is Damian trying to ask me to be his girlfriend? This is so sweet! My heart melted.

"Anyway, eventually I picked up the phone and called you. I told myself, I've got nothing to lose, you know," Damian blushed and scratched the back of his head. "So, this is me, asking you out and having dinner with you."

"Yes, and I feel so happy that you called!" I said. "This place is amazing. I love the ambiance, the music. And the performers... Are they dancing the tango?"

"Do you know how to dance?" I saw sparkles in Damian's eyes.

"Well, I've always wanted to learn tango, but my brother didn't allow me to do it. He doesn't like the idea of another man laying their hands on me," I said.

"Your brother is very protective. I don't blame him. If I had a beautiful sister like you, I wouldn't let any man lay their hands on you, either," Damian smirked. Then, he strained his ears and listened for a brief moment.

"Ah, my favorite music. Por Una Cabeza! What do you say? Do you want to learn the tango dance today?" Damian asked.

"Me? Now? Right here?" I looked around nervously. This restaurant was packed with people.

"Yes, right here, right now! We're living in the moment, aren't we, Miss Lewyn?" Damian stood up and bowed to me slightly, gesturing to invite me for a dance.

"But... People are watching..." I said.

"Let them watch. We'll have a great time!" Damian said and took my hand, walking me to the dance floor.