My Two Worlds - 4
Enjoy your date!
Disclaimer: Why must you keep reminding me? I'm getting rid of you next chapter!
Cornelia was practically flying around her room without wings. She had already taken a shower immediately once getting home and had been in the bathroom a good hour and a half; cleaning out her hair, scrubbing dirt from her skin, putting ointment on her scratches and cuts, and just making sure she looked glowing. Afterwards she had gone to sleep. She had planned just to sleep for three hours but instead overslept for an extra hour. Which really wasn't that big a deal unless you noticed that she was still clearly tired.
She didn't want to look tired in front of Cedric though. What if she yawned and he thought she wasn't interested in him? Or if he noticed the slight bag to her eyes? Would that change his opinion of her? She had no idea, but she was self-conscious so she applied makeup onto her face before even putting on more than just underclothes. It hid the slight bag to her eyes well enough, you couldn't tell unless you were looking for it. Of course she could just say that she had been staying up working on a school project.
Yeah! If he asked that would be her answer. But she still didn't want him to ask. Cornelia sighed and brushed her hair from her face as she ran a comb through it for the last time. She still needed to find clothes, casual but date like would be best. Didn't want to seem too eager. That was an amateur move especially so early in the relationship. Now that she thought of it she realized she might have already taken a step over the line back at the bookstore yesterday.
Staring like a zombie... She shook her head erasing the memory from her mind. Didn't matter. She had a date with him so obviously she hadn't creeped him out that much.
Ugh. What a horrible thought right before a date. But she couldn't hold back the laugh so just let it out before going to look at her clothes.
Simple, but more grown up-ish. That's what she needed. Her hand fluttered over dresses then skipped over to shirts. After a moment of consideration-really it was around ten minutes-she picked up a red off the shoulder tee. She threw it on then looked around for a dark pair of jeens that would compliment her long legs.
Finally she moved to the mirror, applying a light sparkly eyeshadow that twinkled red and gold in the light. She picked up a stick of red lipstick next and applied it making sure it was just a little. Wouldn't be good to look like some sort of clown. Smacking her lips together she grinned at her reflection. "You never disappoint." she said winking at the mirror, which winked right on back.
With another laugh to calm her nerves she slipped into some black sandals. The outfit was a bit darker than what she would normally wear but, red was said to be sophisticated. Plus she did look good in it. "Hmmm." She pulled her hair back and stuck a black dragonfly hair pin among the strands to keep it there.
Good. Everything was good. Well, almost. People would definitely be staring at the two of them wherever they ended up going. On second thought maybe she should tone down her outfit... they might think she's some young hooker and he's like.. her 'target' for lack of better word. She glanced over her shoulder hesitantly to check the time. Barely a quarter of an hour until she was suppose to be there. Not enough time. Well, they would be staring just because of the drastic age difference afterall.
She sighed softly then brightened up. If it didn't bother him then it wouldn't bother her! To assure herself she struck a pose, which didn't really help. It was just fun. The nagging thought continued in the back of her mind though. Her parents would say someone around her age is more ideal. Well... screw ideal!
Cornelia ran out of her home rushing to get to the bookstore in time. Ultimately she made it, barely.
Cedric was standing outside key in hand as he locked the place up. He was in his usual attire along with the leather jacket. Damn, he looked good. Since he was turned away from her she smoothed out her shirt before approaching him. "Hello, Cedric." she said with a smile.
He glanced up at her, violet gaze on her. She hadn't noticed that before. How had she not noticed? Violet eyes were rare she knew that, supposedly people with them could only be found in one part of the world, and it was suppose to be cold. He must have a parent from there, or he just got lucky if it was from someone further up the family tree. He was smiling back at her, "Good afternoon Cornelia." Her heart fluttered when he said her name. "Do you mind if we go somewhere that doesn't sell coffee as a main course?"
She collected her hands infront of her to stop them from trembling. He made her nervous, the butterflies in her stomach sort. "Not at all." She replied still smiling. How could she care? As long as she was with him it was fine.
"This way." He told her walking down the sidewalk. Cornelia beamed and caught up quickly so they were walking side by side.
"Ummm could I ask a personal question?" Cornelia asked remembering the Guardians asking before. She wanted to know exactly how big this age gap was. That of course she would overcome. She wasn't going to give up on him in a heartbeat. The way she felt around him now was already exhilarating. Just imagining how it would be when they were boyfriend and girlfriend... well, it would just be that much better.
"Of course." Two small words that granted her permission.
"How old are you?" It was hesitant even though he had said she could.
He glanced at her, those violet eyes watching her as she walked for a few seconds before he looked where he was going again. "Twenty four." So he was nine years older than her then. So what? The tips of her lips curved up. "And you are?"
She tensed up rather visibly. Her mouth opened, no sound coming out for a second. Her brain was in overdrive. What was she suppose to say? She knew she looked a year or so older than she was but she couldn't necessarily pull an eighteen could she? And he was waiting for an answer.
Cornelia licked her lips nervously. Would he care? The internal battle in her head went on for two more seconds. "Fifteen." Her answer was soft and she peaked at him from the corner of her eye but he wasn't saying anything about it.
He turned to her, catching her gaze. Oh! She could practically feel herself falling in to the violet depths, their gaze remained locked for another second then he extended a hand past her. "We're here." He pushed open the door and with a quick thank you she stepped through first. He moved ahead of her to a host dressed impeccably well for a restraunt. "Table for two."
Wait. This place... Cornelia glanced around at the complicated yet beautiful tile work. The high vaulted ceiling with the lights hanging off from chains interwoven together like a spider's web. Her hands tightened together as she looked to the dark wood tables and booths with red cushions that looked extremely comfortable.
The host asked a question and Cornelia turned her attension back to the two. She still couldn't believe he had taken her to a place like this. "A booth." With a nod the host grabbed two menus and waved them over toward a free booth pressed against the wall. Cornelia slipped into the right while Cedric to the left. After the menus were put down the host simply walked away. "I trust this place is fine with you." Cedric spoke before she could even glance at the Italian restraunt menu labeled Un'uscita Della Luce. "I heard it was good and wanted to try it."
She met his gaze and smiled. "It's perfect." Her mouth snapped shut a second later. Had that been too blunt? He didn't seem to notice if it was and she relaxed.
The waitress walked up giving a quick glance at the two with a certain look, that friendly to customer but hint of disgust one. Cornelia busied herself with opening the menu to avoid the stare. "What would you two like to drink?"
"A glass of Lacryma Christi." Cedric replied simply.
The waitress glanced over to Cornelia already knowing the younger woman wouldn't be ordering wine. Cornelia glanced up from her menu quickly to say, "Just water please." She looked back down toward the pasta section as the woman walked off with their drink order. A blush was creeping up her cheeks from the whole ordeal. That was one stare down. She didn't remember the host staring because she had been looking at the restraunt but then maybe he thought they were related or something. She could feel an uneasiness settling over her.
Warmth flowed through her fingers and she looked up quickly, the blush deepening rapidly. "Something wrong?" Cedric asked, his hand still on top of hers sending sparks into her flesh, as if a fire was burning through to her very soul. How on Earth did he do that? Make her feel so... important?
"I'm fine." she assured him. "I just don't normally go to these places." the add on was just a quick explanation. It was better than saying, 'oh and the waitress thinks you're some sick pyscho freak that likes raping young woman' or 'she thinks i'm a hussy.' She smiled, trying to look convincing. He seemed to buy it as his hand went back to the menu flipping pages. She felt herself yearning for his hand to be on her skin again but shoved it down. Instead spending time looking over the menu again and double checking what she wanted.
The waitress was back soon enough with the drinks. She set a champange glass down on the table in front of Cedric and uncorked a wine bottle before pouring it into the glass. She tilted it back putting a plug in the bottle and setting it on the table. Next she picked up the water from her tray in a normal glass to set in front of Cornelia. "Are you ready to order or do you need more time?"
"We're ready." Cedric picked out some special entree Cornelia had never heard of before.
She quickly rattled off her own, some sort of spagetti with a white sauce and vegetables. After a pause in which the waitress departed again she asked Cedric, "What did you do before opening the bookstore?"
"I was in the military."
Wow she hadn't believed he would say something like that. He didn't look like a fighter, just really fit. Maybe she should have guessed that before since he did have a good amount of muscle on him. Just another quality she liked about him. "What was your... rank?" She wasn't to sure what they called it but she went with rank since it seemed close enough.
He caught her eyes in a piercing stare. "A General. I was in charge of an army but we didn't see much action. Mostly defended the people and places we were assigned." He told her as she got lost in his voice. "I resigned after ten years of service, just a few months ago." Ten years of service and he was so young. Must have been been a family tradition. Did that even include training? She decided not to ask not wanting to appear an idiot.
"What made you open the bookshop?" She asked sipping on her water, a lemon and lime attached to the edge of the glass.
"I've always liked reading. All sorts of books: fiction, non-fiction, biographies. When I was in the military I read through a lot of strategy books." His hand was wrapped around his untouched glass of wine. "I always wanted to open a bookstore and saved funds in the bank until I quit the military and opened the store."
Cornelia would have asked him another question but two steaming plates were placed infront of them. You could tell it was an upclass restraunt, the appearance of the food was pretty in itself. She almost didn't want to eat it because it resembled a flower with the vegetables formed into oval shapes for petals over the pasta and the sauce concentrated in the middle with random wisps going out. If she was a critic she would give them a twenty. After a moment though she realized she was hungry and dug in.
As they ate they made more small talk. The tables had turned so that he was now asking her the questions, what her dreams were, etc. She answered quickly except for when she had a mouth full of delicious food. A joke was made over the ceiling and the two laughed heartily. Cedric has drained his glass atleast twice and was working on his third when they finished.
The waitress walked back over to pick the plates off their table and set the receipt down. Cedric set the money down for the meal and they got up, retreating outside.
It was dark, the stars winking above.
Cornelia smiled and glanced toward Cedric. "That was really great, thank you." She could hardly believe how good a time it had been.
"It was." Cedric agreed as they walked down the sidewalk back toward the general direction of his shop. "I have to go take care of some things now but I'll see you again."
"Definitely." She was ecstatic that he wanted to go out with her again. It was afterall the only reason he would say that he would see her again, if he had fun. Oh, did she have his number? She was about to ask about it when a kiss was placed on her cheek. Her blush came back full force.
"We'll have to do that again." His breath ran along her ear and then he had turned away to open the door he had already unlocked and entered the store.
Cornelia slowly raised a hand to her cheek staring after him. Her skin felt hot and his lips... they had been so soft. She swallowed down trying to rid herself of the sudden dryness in her mouth. Instead she turned and walked not knowing where she was going until she stood in front of the Silver Dragon shock still going through her. He had kissed her! The butterflies in her stomach rose drastically. Even though it was just on her cheek it felt wonderful. The girls would love to hear about this.
Tough question: Did you like it?