Lie to Me
Chapter Four: The Dreamy Date
[Kenshin]
I couldn�t believe what had just happened. Did I just get a date with the woman of my dreams back there? Technically, I don�t have a list of strict qualifications for the woman I wanted� I just wanted someone whom I love... someone who doesn�t know that I am an actor and someone who will love me as who I really am, which is�
A hopeless romantic and�
�a big liar!
I slapped my forehead when I remembered the name I gave her. Kenshin Okuma. How could I be so stupid. So much for originality and creativity. Why� for all the names I had stored in my memory bank did I have to give her the surname of the character I portray in �Ai suru Hito o Mamoru Tame ni� [To Protect the Ones He Loves].
I am in big trouble, I know that. But I don�t need to burden myself with that problem until I know that she is the one. I could be worrying over nothing. I mean, what if during our date tonight I find out that she�s not really a princess but an ugly old hag who just wants to gain popularity. Actually, I didn�t think so. Something was whispering in the deep recesses of my heart that I should give my all during our date. That I should win her heart in this chance that fate gave us.
She is the one.
I won�t screw this up. I hope.
I am so glad she asked us to meet by the park, going to a restaurant will prove to be disastrous. Suddenly, something came to me. I have a great idea for our date. I snapped my fingers as I grinned like a stupid fool. A fool in love.
That afternoon, I came to the lake early to make the arrangements. It was quite simple so I finished early. I glanced at my watch, and said to myself, �In thirty minutes, she�ll be here. That is, if she isn�t late.�
While waiting for her, I sat on the log as I watched the summer sun set on the horizon. It is so beautiful. I just hope that the next time I witness its magnificence, I had somebody with me to appreciate it. I sighed audibly thinking that, what if I never find the one.
Does that mean that I should spend the rest of my life alone?
Or should I settle for less?
My contemplation was cut short when I heard footsteps approaching. It is her. I stood up, smiled and greeted, �Kaoru, you�re early.�
�I just wanted to view the sunset.�
�You�re just in time. Come, let�s sit here on the log and watch.�
She approached me with wide smile on her face. When I looked into her eyes, I was surprised to see a special sparkle on them. Was it because of me or because of the sun�s orange rays. It must be the sun. It�s wrong for me to assume. Well, there�s no harm asking, �Kaoru, you seem to be happy this evening. Did something special happen to you?�
�Actually, yes.�
I raised my eyebrows and asked curiously, �What is it?�
�I never thought I�ll be able to watch the sunset with someone,� she replied casually, not meeting my eyes.
With all honestly, I was shocked at her response. I never thought that she felt the same way I did. Could it be that we are both longing for someone? But Kaoru is a very beautiful and comely woman. Surely she has many suitors.
�It�s beautiful isn�t it?�
�Do you love sunsets?� I asked.
�Not as much as I love the stars,� she replied looking straight into my eyes. I looked back at her, trying to see the emotions that she was hiding. As I penetrated her deep blue eyes, I was surprised when I saw the same things my heart refused to show.
Sadness.
Loneliness.
And sheer�
�Kenshin, do you sometimes feel empty?�
I swear, this girl will never cease to astonish me. �Why do you ask?�
�I can see it in your eyes.�
�Oh.� That was the only thing I could say at that moment. Am I that transparent? I know I can hide my emotions well, but I guess it takes one to know one. I smiled widely at her as I motioned her to move to the other side of the lake. �Come, I have something to show you.�
She stood up and looked at me quizzically. I just grinned mischievously in return as I moved behind her. With my two hands, I covered her eyes as I led her to the my secret spot. �Where are we going?�
�You�ll know soon enough,� I whispered to her ear. From my position, I could feel the rapid beating of her heart but I am not the one to judge because I know that my heart is beating as rapidly as hers, if not more.
�Promise me to keep your eyes closed, okay?�
~~~~~
[Kaoru]
I nodded slightly as I allowed him to lead me. I sighed in contentment while I savored the feeling of his warm fingers on my eyes. I know, I know� this is not the romantic part yet, he still hasn�t swept me off my feet. I an anticipating this too much. Oh no! What if I am being too optimistic, what if he turned out to be some sort of a serial killer, rapist or whatever. Hey! I am not a suspense/thriller novelist so pardon the lack of smut.
�Hold it there,� he said stopping us both. �I am going to remove my hands but don�t open your eyes yet.�
I nodded again, feeling my whole body shivering because of the repugnant mixture of fear, anticipation, dread and longing.
Half of me tells me that this is my dream come true, yet the other one screams out�
HEADLINE: Famous novelist Kaoru Kamiya found dead on the lake with a silly smile on her face. In love until death.
Definitely not a good publicity scam to increase my book sales.
Note to self: Call the nearest mental hospital when this is over. I am not only a hopeless romantic, but a crazy one as well. Hmmm� Not that I didn�t know that ages ago.
�You can open your eyes now.�
�Finally! The suspense is killing me!� Oops! Maybe I shouldn�t use the term kill. Taking a deep breath, I slowly opened my eyes, expecting the worst case scenario.
O my�
Where have you been all my life?
He had set up a candlelight dinner for both of us. I never realized that my jaw was hanging until I had to pull it up to speak, �Thanks this is wonderful.� I looked at him and smiled appreciatively. Actually, I want to threw my arms around him and ask him to marry me, but there is still some sanity left inside me and of course, I don�t want to scare him off.
For a compromise to myself, I walked up to him and hugged him� not too tightly. I whispered to his ear, �Thank you. You know, you shouldn�t have went through all the trouble.�
�But I want to.�
I pulled back shortly and sat on the picnic blanket. I looked at the delicious food in front of me, slightly drooling. You can�t actually blame me, I haven�t eaten a single crumb ever since this morning. I don�t know if it�s date jitters, upset stomach or the fact that I just wanted to wear this dress by Issey Miyake.
�The food looks delicious,� I commented, hoping that he�ll get the hint.
He smiled at my compliment as he handed me an empty plate and some chopsticks. �Let�s eat?�
I nodded enthusiastically. �Itadaikimasu!� I scooped myself generous amounts of sukiyaki. I gasped. This is� �This is really delicious, Kenshin!� I exclaimed. �Where did you order this? You have to tell me.�
He blushed a deep shade of red and answered shyly, �Ano� I was the one who cooked it.�
I almost choked on the lump of beef when I heard him. Is he for real? Isn�t he perfect enough. Well actually, I am still not in the position to judge that, but still� �You cooked this?�
�Yes. I�m glad you like it.�
My face heated up when I noticed the way he looked at me. I just wanted to melt that instant. I looked away from his piercing gaze and continued to eat my food in silence. Trying to break the tension, I asked, �So Kenshin, what do you do for a living?�
There was a long stretch of silence then finally, he spoke up, ��I follow my dir� boss�s orders.�
�Oh, so you are an employee.�
�Umm� you can put it that way. What about you, Kaoru? What do you do for a living?�
�Umm�� Oh shit! I should�ve thought about this sooner. I can�t tell him that I am writer but I can�t rephrase it in such a way like, �I put my fantasies into writing.� �Anoo� I do a lot of thinking and meditations before I sell to make living.� Oh no! He is looking at me as if I am crazy! Ugh! Why didn�t I think of a better way to say it?
The tragedies of life.
I am a writer and I can�t even make a decent florid lie.
�Oh, so you are a businesswoman.�
�You can put it that way.� I smiled at that, silently thanking him for not prying on the matter.
�Kaoru��
�Yes?�
�Let�s sit on the log beside the lake so we can gaze at the stars while chatting.�
Oh! How romantic!! It took a great amount of effort to keep myself from saying that out loud.
He got up and offered me his hand to assist me in standing up. However, the good fortune that I had for the day seemed to had ran out when I tripped on the zucchini platter.
Just then, I found myself staring straight into his eyes with my hands on his chest. Obviously, my very able prince charming caught me. I looked down at my hands and blushed. Oh! Well-built muscles! Nice touch!
When I looked back at him, his soft amethyst eyes stared at me as a small smile curved on his lips. My heart beat rapidly as I felt my knees weaken.
He is going to kiss me.
As any princess would, I closed my eyes, waiting for his lips to touch mine.
Nothing.
Maybe he is just moistening his lips.
�
I inwardly groaned as I thought to myself, maybe I should make the initiative. With that I puckered my lips.
Nothing!!!
I snapped my eyes open, preparing to yell at my bashful prince.
Where is he!? I turned my head from side to side looking for him. Maybe he is just teasing.
After standing there for quite some time, he never returned.
I knew this was too good to be true.
I slumped my shoulders, headed towards the lake in a trance and sat on a log.
I looked up at the sky and said miserably, �Looks like it�s just you and me again, stars.�
Just like it always was�
�and will always be.
I am meant to be alone and to live in a dream.
A dream that will never be a reality.
I hugged my knees to my chest, seeking comfort. I recalled everything that happened throughout the day. The first time I saw him� the way he caught me when I fainted, the way he almost kissed me, the way he looked at me� and when he left me. When everything finally sank in, I broke down.
Silent tears fell but no one knew.
Except maybe the moon and the stars.