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Chapter 27
Chapter 27
Chapter 27: First Official Date
“Why are you perspiring?” Kate asked, seeing beads of sweat form on Carlos’ forehead. ‘Why?’ Carlos thought. How could he focus on their date now when Kate openly suggested she was willing to give herself to him?
“You make me think about dragging you to my bedroom. That’s why,” while driving the car, he admitted, but soon he took it back, saying, “But, I want this date. I’ve planned for it for so long.”
“You did?” Kate asked. Still embarrassed at having given herself away, she looked at the window as she sought, “But how would you know we’d be together by now?”
“Oliver and one other person I trust did the legwork. I estimated my return, and to answer your question, no. I did not expect to take you out as my girlfriend. I was.” Carlos paused. He glanced at Kate and disclosed, “This was supposed to be me courting you, taking you out on a friendly date.”
From the passenger seat, Kate smiled, her heart galloping with excitement, her cheeks burning
It did not take long before they arrived at Carlos’ mansion. He pulled up in the driveway and said, “My Kate, you are going on a mini-scavenger hunt, and each time you find the right spot, you’ll get a gift and a clue for the next location.”
Kate beamed as Carlos handed her a piece of paper with the first clue. She read, “On the day we first met. You found me, and you told me to find my own place to hide.”
Laughter left her lips. She did not remember all the details, but when she was ten years old, she recalled how they were invited to the Ronaldos’ home. Kate was running away from Kaleb and hid in the front lawn evergreens. Carlos, on the other hand, was hiding from his nanny.
She got off the car impatiently and found the new set of bushes, trimmed and formed into a circle at the driveway. Kate looked at the very center and found an enormous gift, beautifully wrapped for her. “What’s this?”
Leaning against the car, Carlos answered, “Something to hug when I am not around. Go ahead, open it.”
Kate promptly unwrapped the gift, revealing a big brown, soft teddy bear with a name on its
belly.
Carlos.
“Nice,” kate said, hugging the stuffed toy. “I will definitely hug you, Carlos, number two.” She walked up to Carlos and embraced him, saying, “Thank you. I love it.” Kate found the clue attached to the bear, and from there, she read, “Where I hit you with my tennis ball.”
Knowing exactly where to go, Kate ran to the back of the mansion and found Manuel Renaldo’s tennis court remade. She looked around and complained, “The area is too big.”
Carlos, who followed behind her, hinted, “Exactly where you popped out of nowhere.”
Kate snorted, realizing where it was. She walked over and found a pink polaroid camera resting on another clue. There was a note, and she read, “Let’s capture new memories together.” She turned on the camera and took her first shot of Carlos. When Carlos caught up with her, he placed his arm around her and said, “Together, Kate. Together.” “Sorry, I don’t have my personal photo of you,” she explained and cheerfully took a picture of them together. They kept the printed copies of the pictures and moved on to the next. In the later clue, Kate went to Carlos’ previous room. She found two VIP
passes for when she would be ready to see Carlos’ game. Carlos said, “Anywhere, in all the tournaments, the organizers will know that you are with me. If they have doubts, they will at least contact Oliver or me.”
“Got it,” Kate acknowledged while grabbing the VIP passes.
Their next stop was the community’s playground. Carlos drove five minutes tops, and from there, only Kate walked to find her next clue. Carlos remained in the car, wearing a hoodie over his head and dark sunglasses.
Kate recognized one of Carlos’ security team, standing outside, on the lookout. She smiled at the man and went straight to the swings.
The swing was their favorite hangout together with Kaleb after school. Kate immediately understood why Carlos had brought her there. She picked up a new signature bag, a brand that she always loved. When she returned to the car, she squeaked and said, “This is a limited edition! How did you – of course. You could get anything under your name.” “So could your dad,” Carlos said while smiling at Kate’s excitement. It may be just a bag, but it was one that he could never afford in the past. He was proud of himself for being able to offer the luxuries his Kate loved. Kate’s next clue led them to an ice cream parlor. It was their favorite back in the day. Her gift was a pint of her old preferred flavor. The treat was specially made since the shop had no longer produced the same kind.
The couple ate in the car since Carlos didn’t want to risk going inside. His assistant merely pre -ordered Kate’s pint of ice cream.
For a good ten minutes, the couple lingered at the shop’s parking lot as they finished their ice cream. Then, they made their way to their old high school.
As soon as they pulled over, Kate asked while assessing the school grounds, “Is it okay for us to go inside?”
Carlos answered, “It’s a Sunday. The school is closed. Only security guards are around, plus my own. Then, Oliver. Relax, my contact already paid for the school’s private use for today.”
Kate’s next clue suggested it was a place where they often had lunch during school days. Thus, entering the premises, they proceeded to an open lawn, where Kate found a basket of her favorite cheesy steak sandwich.
They had a picnic lunch while talking about their high school days, and when it was time to read the last clue, Kate took out the note from the picnic basket. It thrilled her to read the note, but she froze just as she saw the clue. Her heart felt heavy, and tears stung her eyes. “Kate,” Carlos called her. He offered his hand to her and said, “You don’t have to read it. Let
me take you.”
It took Kate some time to let it sink. She gave Carlos an apologetic look before accepting his hand. She left a note on the picnic basket that read: (Of all the school dances we spent together; I missed that last one.)
At the end of Kate’s scavenger hunt, Carlos brought her to the school’s gymnasium, the usual venue for all the year-end dances.
From the entrance, Oliver met them. He said, “Sir, everything is in order.” He offered his hand, saying, “May I have your jacket and your extremely large, ugly shades?”
Carlos was at least thankful to Oliver, he brought a smile to her face with his remark. He took off the hoodie and big, dark glasses and held Kate’s hand again.
“Miss Wright. Enjoy your dance,” Oliver said to Kate before directing the couple through the double doors.
Kate and Carlos walked into the gymnasium. The place was converted into a simple dance area. It was exactly how their school used to cover the entire gym, except for disco lights and intricately themed decors. There were simply drapes of fabrics flowing down from the trust frames above.
Carlos escorted Kate to the center of the gym. Soon the song began to play, and Carlos asked,” May I have this dance, Miss Wright?”
Kate nodded, saying, “Yes, you may.”
He held Kate’s waist while she rested her arms around Carlos’ neck. Slowly, they swayed to the music. It was a song by Calum Scott, Heaven.
– “I used to count the stars in the sky
Now I count the ones in your eyes
I used to think that my paradise
Was somewhere waiting on the other side, but you, ooh, ooh Take me higher than I’ve been
Laying hands on my skin, it’s true, ooh, ooh
Nothing compares to you” –
“This is a new song,” Kate remarked. “I like it.” Carlos nodded. He replied, “I like it too. It was Oliver’s suggestion.” “I like Oliver,” Kate remarked. A hiss left Carlos’ lips. He reminded Kate, “Hey, I’m the superstar. Eyes on the prize.” “Of course you are, Devil.” Kate laughed while water welled in her eyes. She was still so overwhelmed by what Carlos had prepared for their date. As the song progressed, Kate revealed, “Carlos, I never enjoyed that dance with Tyler, by the way. I hated it. I honestly wished I
went with you instead.” “Good,” Carlos said, and a smile formed on his athletic face. “I hate him for taking away my last high school dance.”
Kate could not laugh at his last remark as much as it tempted her to. After all, it was the reason that Carlos left. Instead, she hugged him tighter, delighting in the song’s lyrics.
– “So tell me why, what good is life If we’re all just waiting to dance in the sky? I’m already there, here in your eyes We climb the gates, every time that you lie down next to me
I rest in peace
They say it’s better, but how could that be?
If everyone had a love like us Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.
They wouldn’t call that place above, Heaven” –
After the song had ended, Carlos stated, “Kate, my last gift for you was something I meant to give you on your birthday, but since your special day falls on the Wimbledon tournaments, I decided to give this to you in advance.” Carlos turned to where Oliver was standing. His assistant walked up to him, handing Carlos a velvet box
Turning to Kate, Carlos opened the box. At the view of what was inside, Kate gasped. “You – you are – It was you?”