AN: Sorry for the late ass update! I had a lot going on at home. This chapter is about Bonnie and Jason's date. Hope you enjoy it!
Bonnie looked at herself in the mirror and took another deep breath. Okay. You can do this. It's only a date. Only date with an absolutely gorgeous man.
Bonnie silently started to scold herself for her own thoughts making her more nervous instead of calm. She twist and turned her body to make sure her outfit looked perfect in the mirror. She wore high-waisted white pants with black heels and a maroon crop top with an open grey cardigan over it. She had her hair curled into loose waves and her makeup was minimal as usual. She was actually really happy with her outfit choice but that smile turned into a nervous one as soon as she heard her doorbell ring.
"Okay, take a deep breath, grab your purse, open the door, and then try not to make a fool of yourself." She said aloud. She did exactly what she said and as she reached her front door she had to stop and take another deep breath before she opened the door.
Standing there she saw Jason looking incredibly handsome in black pants, a blue button-up shirt with a tan sweater on top, and brown dress shoes. He was also holding a beautiful bouquet of pink roses.
He smiled brightly at her. "Hello Bonnie, you look absolutely beautiful. Are you ready to go?"
Bonnie shyly looked at him and thanked him for the compliment. "You look really good too. Are those for me?" She pointed to the flowers.
"No, these are actually for my sister, I have to give them to her later."
Bonnie deflated, "Oh."
Jason just started chucking. "I was just joking, of course, these are for you."
Bonnie smiled an embarrassed smile that she fell for that joke and took the flowers that he handed to her. "I'll just go put these in water real quick. I'll be right back."
Jason just smiled and nodded his head, "Okay, I'll wait out here." Bonnie rushed to the kitchen to find a vase.
When she came back and locked her front door, Jason put his arm out for her to hold onto which Bonnie was actually grateful for. While her heels looked great, she's not used to wearing heels that much. So any help with her not twisting her ankle or tripping was greatly appreciated. As they walked to his car, Bonnie tried not to squeeze his arm but his bicep felt incredible and she wanted nothing more than to wrap herself around them like a snake. It was still light outside but the sun would set within the next two hours.
He opened the door to his Mercedes that was parked in front of her house and helped her inside. Once he got in the driver's side, started the car, and started driving Bonnie looked around the car.
Damn no wonder why these cars are so expensive. Everything looked and felt like genuine leather. The wood finishing on some of the car features and dash looked like real wood. Even the drive just felt so smooth. Bonnie thought about her cheap little car and couldn't help but wish she had something nice like this. She loves her little car but she would be a liar if she said she would still choose her car if given the chance to upgrade to something like this.
"You have a beautiful car."
Jason just looked at her and flashed her a quick smile before he looked back at the road.
"Thanks. I know it's a little flashy but Charles actually convinced me to get it. She said I cannot wear expensive suits and drive a cheap car." He chuckled and Bonnie joined him.
"So where are we going? You wouldn't tell me over text."
Jason looked a little sheepish as he glanced at her before focusing on the road again. " I wanted it to be a surprise but the drive is a little long so I might as well tell you before you get worried I'm kidnapping you or something." He laughed but when he looked at Bonnie and her nervous face he shook his head and shot her an apologetic smile. "Sorry, that was a really bad joke. I made reservations for us at Nova."
Bonnie's eyes widened. "Nova? The waterfront restaurant?"
Jason smiled while looking ahead, "the very one."
Bonnie started fidgeting in her seat. "Um, isn't that restaurant really really expensive? We don't have to go somewhere so fancy like that. I'm fine with something simple. You could take me to a TGIF and I would be okay with that."
Jason just smiled and shook his head at her. "Bonnie, don't worry about the price of the place. We already established I can afford expensive suits and this car. I think I can afford to pay for dinner. Plus, if Charles found out I didn't take you to a restaurant that didn't have 3 dollar signs on google, she would probably strangle me with one of her many pairs of jeans."
Bonnie couldn't help but laugh and instantly calmed down in her seat. While she still felt bad they were going somewhere expensive, he was right. He could clearly afford it.
"Do you mind me asking why you call your sister Charles?"
Jason just snickered. "When we were younger she was such a tomboy. She wanted to be one of the boys so much. It became a joke with our parents that they had two sons and should have named her Charles instead. Obviously, as we got older she became more girly and feminine, but I still call her Charles because it gets on her nerves. You would think after all these years it would lose its humor but every time she gets annoyed when I call her that, it never fails to be funny to me."
He shot a small smile at Bonnie, "I probably sound like a terrible brother."
Bonnie just smiled back, "no, not at all! It's actually a cute story. If I'm being honest, it is amusing watching you both bicker a little bit. Plus, you're lucky you have a sibling. I'm an only child so I always wanted a sibling. But I was lucky my best friend Elena was basically like my sister growing up."
Elena, as in the Elena Gilbert. The one Damon wants because she looks like that Katherine woman. Jason thought back to his file on Damon.
"For you guys to be so close that you view her as a sister, she must be an amazing person."
Bonnie smiled at him. "Yeah, she is."
Jason told Bonnie that she could turn on the radio and put whatever she wanted on. He had Sirius XM so she had a lot of music channels to browse through. She settled on the 90s channel. They were playing hits from the 90s and Bonnie was trying so hard not to sing along out loud. She knows her singing voice isn't terrible but she's still self-conscious about singing in front of anyone who isn't her closest friends. So she just hummed along to the songs.
About three songs in, she started to hear singing next to her. She turned her head from looking out the passenger side window to see Jason quietly singing along to I Want It That Way by The Backstreet Boys. She couldn't help but gape at him singing. He's singing along to the backstreet boys?
Jason noticed her staring and looked at her from the corner of his eye, "why are you looking at me like that?" He laughed.
Bonnie couldn't help the smirk that made its way onto her face. "I wouldn't take you for a backstreet boys fan. I don't think I've ever heard a man sing along to this song before."
Jason had a surprised look on his face before it turned into an embarrassed look with a blush on his cheeks. "I didn't realize I was singing out loud. My bad, but in my defense, Charles used to blast all those boy bands and more girly songs all the time. Those boy bands are like a virus that sneak their way into your brain and it's impossible to forget the lyrics to songs like this."
Bonnie just laughed, "well I think that's cute that you know the lyrics. You should keep singing along!"
Jason smirked at her, "only if you sing with me."
Bonnie looked hesitant but once Jason started singing along again and a little louder than before she decided to be a good sport and joined in. Next thing you know their both belting out the chorus and moving their hands getting super into it. When the song ended, they looked at each other at the same time and couldn't help but start laughing.
"You have a beautiful singing voice you know," Jason said to her.
Bonnie smiled shyly. "Thanks, you do too."
Jason laughed, "you're being polite. I know I can't sing but at least I'm not as bad as Charles. That girl could not sing to save her life. But despite her terrible singing voice, you can't help but love her anyway." Jason smiled while thinking of his sister.
Bonnie loved seeing how much he cared for his sister. It was so endearing. Just then Motownphilly by Boyz II Men came on and they both started singing along again.
After about a 40 min drive, they arrived at the restaurant. Jason parked in front of the valet to take the car and walked around the car to open her door for her. When she got out of the car, he offered his arm again which she took and they walked inside.
Bonnie has seen the outside of the restaurant before but she was never inside. It was beautiful inside the restaurant. All the windows were ceiling to floor length for the view of the ocean. All the tables were lit with candles and there was even a man playing the piano live in the corner. All the waiters were wearing the same uniform and all the patrons just screamed money.
Bonnie started to feel a little bit out of place. But still followed Jason over to the hostess for their reservation.
As they walked toward a table with the best view of the ocean in the whole restaurant, Bonnie noticed a lot of the women staring at Jason in want and glaring at her. She couldn't help but feel extra special that she was on a date with a man they clearly wanted instead of whoever their actual dinner date was.
Jason pulled out her chair for her and pushed her chair in after she sat down before taking his own seat.
Bonnie opened her menu and already you could tell this place was expensive by the sheer fact that nothing on the menu had prices listed next to them. Thankfully, the menu was not extremely extensive so she at least did not have to flip through pages of endless options.
A waiter came by and took drink orders, Bonnie just asked for water with lemon while Jason ordered a wine bottle for the table.
"Um, you know I'm not 21 right? I can't legally drink." Bonnie said nervously.
Jason just smiled, "I know, you're still in high school. I saw a textbook behind the counter when I was last at your job. I really like this wine, if you want to try it, you're more than welcome to. No pressure though."
Bonnie just smiled before looking at her menu again but mostly to avoid looking directly at him while speaking. She was so nervous being on this date.
"So, um, do you mind me asking how old you are exactly? I just realized I never asked for your age before."
"I'm 30."
Bonnie's head shot up with her eyes bulging wide.
"Wh-what?" Bonnie sputtered.
Jason just started laughing, "sorry I couldn't help myself. I saw an opportunity and took it. I'm not 30, I'm actually 22."
Bonnie playfully glared at him for tricking her but then turned her head and stared at him quizzically. "You're only 22? How is it possible a 22-year-old is so successful as you are? I assumed you were older."
Jason just gave a slight grimace. "Charles has told me working so much was adding years to my face. I guess she was right. I hope I don't look that old."
Before he could finish Bonnie put up her hands and interrupted him, "oh no, that's not what I meant! I mean I assumed you were in your mid to late 20s so I was not super far off! I am so sorry, I didn't mean to offend you!"
Jason just smiled at her, "don't sweat it, I'm not offended. I was just kidding around. But to answer your other question on how I'm so successful at such a young age, well Charles's father who is my stepfather is a very successful businessman. I work for him hence me being able to afford the life I live."
"Oh wow. That's awesome. You guys must be a close family."
Jason's face hardened slightly before he put on a forced grin. "Yeah, I guess some could say that."
Bonnie was about to ask what he meant by that but the waiter came by with her water and his wine. The waiter actually poured her wine glass as well assuming she was drinking. The waiter then took their food order and walked away.
"You don't have to drink that if you do not want to. If you don't want it, I can just drink it for you. I promise I have a very high alcohol tolerance. No drunk driving will be done by me." Jason said sincerely.
Bonnie sipped on her water while he spoke but then switched glasses. "I mean it wouldn't hurt to try it.
Jason picked up his glass and grinned. "Well in that case, to having a meal with a gorgeous date and a gorgeous view." He gave his head a tilt towards the window they were next to. Bonnie turned her gaze to see the sun starting to set. The view was absolutely beautiful.
"Bonnie, typically we have to clink our glasses for the toast to end," Jason said amusedly.
Bonnie turned to look back at him. "Oh! Yes, sorry." She said as they clinked glasses.
They both took a sip of their wine at the same time and Bonnie was pleasantly surprised that she loved the taste of it. She was never a huge wine drinker but she really liked this one.
Jason watched her in anticipation to see if she would like the wine, his Bonnie loved this wine so he hoped that this Bonnie did as well.
"Wow, this is really good," Bonnie said drinking a bit more of it.
Jason smiled. "I was hoping you would like it. Isn't the sunset so beautiful?" He asked as he looked out the ceiling to floor-length glass window with a stunning sunset view.
Bonnie turned and looked at the view as well sipping on her wine. "Yeah, it is really beautiful."
"But not as beautiful as you." Bonnie glanced at Jason who was looking at her intensely with an emotion in his eyes that Bonnie couldn't quite place. It was almost a look of total adoration but something else.
Bonnie put her glass down on the table and looked down tucking a loose piece of her hair behind her ear, "thank you".
Jason just smiled a dazzling smile at her and just then their waiter came to their table with their food.
The rest of the dinner went by as any normal date would. They asked one another questions to get to know one another better. Mostly talking about Bonnie's college choices and the future career path that she was still uncertain about. Jason was actually very understanding and made her feel okay about still not knowing what she wants for her future yet. Her father, teachers, guidance counselor, and even her friends made her feel like she can't enter college without knowing. Caroline and Elena knew what they wanted to do and expected her to know as well. Jason told her she could always enter college undeclared until she figures out what career path she wants to pursue.
Bonnie was grateful for the conversation. He truly made her feel at ease about not having her future figured out.
When the date ended, Bonnie and Jason made small talk in the car. They talked about their meal and the amazing dessert they had at the end. They talked about some of the other patrons they saw at the restaurant and played a game of guessing who they thought was a wife and who was a mistress. Once they reached Bonnie's house, Bonnie got immense butterflies in her stomach. She was so lost in her own thoughts she did not realize that Jason left the car and opened up the passenger side door for her. He held his hand out to assist her in getting out of the car but once she was finally out he nor Bonnie tried to remove their hands from one another. So they held hands as we walked her to her front door.
They reached the front door and turned to face each other. Jason started rubbing his thumb across the back of her hand. "I had a really great time with you tonight Bonnie."
Bonnie felt so nervous and shy but also so happy. She smiled at him, "I had a great time too. Thank you so much for tonight."
Jason smiled back, "I'm glad you enjoyed yourself. I really wanted tonight to go well."
Bonnie raised a brow with an amused mock questioning look on her face. "Really? Why is that?"
Jason just let out a chuckle at her behavior, "well I wanted it to go well enough that you would agree to go on another date with me."
Bonnie's eyes widened. She hoped for a second date but she thought maybe he would take his time to ask her out again. She was squealing on the inside that he wanted another date.
Bonnie calmed herself down, pulled her shoulders back, and straightened her posture, "I would like that very much."
Jason laughed, "it's not a business deal Bonnie. No need to get so serious and formal."
Bonnie looked down in embarrassment.
"Hey." Bonnie felt Jason's fingers under her chin, moving her head up to look at him. "I was just joking. You don't know how incredibly happy I am to hear that you want to go out with me again."
They were just staring into each other eyes and slowly leaning in closer to one another.
When their lips met it was a feather-light kiss. It was quick but neither pulled their faces apart. As he spoke she could feel his breath on her lips. "I'll text you about our next date. Goodnight Bonnie." He then gave her a chaste kiss on the forehead and smiled at her. Bonnie smiled back and whispered, "goodnight". As Jason walked away, Bonnie reached into her purse to grab her house keys and opened the door. She walked inside but before she closed her front door she saw Jason in his car watching to make sure she made it safely inside. They both waved and smiled at one another and she watched him drive off.
Bonnie closed the door and leaned her back against it. She lightly touched her lips and couldn't stop herself from smiling.
When she finally changed and got into bed she checked her phone one last time. She saw a text from Jason.
I just wanted to say again that I had an amazing time with you tonight, I can't wait for our next date. I'll try to clear up my schedule for this upcoming weekend so that I can see you again if you're free then? Let me know when you can and I'll keep you posted about my schedule. Goodnight beautiful.
Bonnie responded right away, she didn't care if he made her seem eager, she was!
I would love to see you again next weekend. Just let me know when you'll be free. I had such a good time tonight. Goodnight Jason :)
Bonnie put her phone to charge and fell asleep with a smile present on her face.
