Thank you for the reviews!
Hope you enjoy this one!
Around 11 that night, people started to leave the MET…Melissa and Javier were part of them. As they walked out, Melissa turned to Esposito and said "Thank you Javier, for doing this".
"My pleasure. Perhaps I can drive you back? He asked
"Oh thank you but I live across the park." She said pointing in the direction. "I'm going to walk. I often do." She added with a smile
Javier Esposito wasn't going to let her walk across the park at this time of night. It wasn't real late but he knew all too well what happened in the park after dark.
They didn't have much chance to talk during the evening, anyway. She was real intriguing. After a few minutes, Javier decided to ask her anyway "So why are you the wild card of this family again?"
"It's a long story." said Melissa
"I've got time" he answered with a grin
Melissa took her time in answering. Javier could see she was thinking. "Well…I'm a wild card because I refused to go to Princeton and meet a nice rich boy and get married and spend my days planning parties or spending my husband's money at Bendel's or Cartier's" she said bluntly "Amongst other things." She added
Javier didn't answer at first. "Wow" was all he said.
"Yeah I know." she answered back. There was an awkward silence between them until Javier couldn't help himself but laugh a little. Melissa "It's not funny" she answered. "I wish I was cut out for this life I am not."
"So what happened then?"
"Well, after High school I travelled for almost two years in Europe and in South America. During which I discovered teaching as a possible option. My mom, of course, hated it but my dad didn't. So when I came back, I applied to Berkeley, moved out and went to California to study. I came back, got a job and Voila!"
Javier really liked listening to her talk...it was intoxicating. Every word that escaped her beautiful mouth was like music to him. Yes, he had accepted this date, if it even counted has a date, out of impulse, but only because he wanted nothing more than to see her again and get to know her.
"But, how's your relationship with your family now?" he asked. Melissa gave him a weird look. "I mean I heard parts of your phone conversation with your mother and I saw that you didn't seem to be on the same page." He added
Melissa shrugged a little. "Yeah. It's not that we don't get along…and I don't hate her or anything. It's more like…" Javier could see she was looking for words. "I'm annoyed. I'm annoyed and I disagree with her lifestyle and of my sisters, and the money, and this so-called life that's already planned out for only because I'm Kensington and….and I hate it." She paused for a moment "I don't know why I'm telling you all this…it's not things a really proud of. I mean, for most people this is silly….it's not like I ran away or did drugs or anything. My mother and I have simply argued about my life and what was I expected to do and not do since I was thirteen."
"Well we all go through life in our own special way. Not everyone is the same" added casually Esposito
Melissa smiled. "That's a nice way to say things".
"But" she added "You must know that I don't hate everyone. I do love my dad and Henri so much that it kinds of numbs the rest." She said with a smile and laugh. He smiled back.
They reached the end of the park got out and arrived at Melissa's apartment building soon enough. They stopped near the door.
"Well this is me. Thank you for doing this. Really" she said again.
"I'm glad I did" answered Javier
"I mean you didn't have to. Considering that I almost stole your coffee the other day" said Melissa, almost hiding her face with her hands. Javier laughed. Melissa found it adorable.
"Ok, I wasn't going to use this against you, you know?" answered Javier very seriously.
"But still. Thank you" she rose to her toes; even with her shoes Javier was still taller than her, and kissed him lightly on the cheek. She then turned around and moved towards her door.
"Hey!" shouted Javier. She turned around slowly has he closed the gap between them. "What if I wanted to see you again? In a non-family event perhaps. Do you have a number I could call you?" he asked
Melissa froze for a while. She couldn't believe what she had just heard. "Umm yeah…Yeah of course" she answered. Melissa took his phone from his hand and saved her number in it. She handed it back to him
"So goodnight." she said
"Goodnight".
Back to her apartment, Melissa couldn't stop smiling.
WOW! She though
This night had turned out way better than expected. Of course, when she had asked if anyone was available she secretly hoped Javier would do. But her hopes weren't too high…she really did expect a handsome men like him would a girlfriend…apparently not.
She got to bed, her head filled with memories of the night. She really hoped he would call her.
XXXXX
The next morning, Esposito got early to the precinct. No one was in yet, not even Beckett. He sat at his desk, filling paperwork. But his mind was clearly elsewhere, wondering if he should or could call her today.
"Morning, Espo." Said Beckett has she walked in. "You're here early"
"Ah you know…paperwork" he said while putting down his pen.
"Right…" he wasn't fooling anyone. "I take it you had a good time last night?" she asked
"Yeah…yeah more than expected" he said
"That's good. She seems like a nice girl." Said Kate
"Yeah she is" Javier looked at his best friend. She knew everything… she always did.
"So are you going to see her again?" she asked
"Maybe… I took her number"
"That's a good start. Word of advice, if you want to, don't take too long" she said while giving him a pat on his shoulder. She left to go to the break room to make some coffee.
The whole Melissa story took a different turn once Castle and Ryan arrived.
XXXXX
Two days had passed since the Kensington benefit and Esposito was still wondering whether he should act or not.
He asked his friends for advice but he turned to be crappy advices…Until Kate came into the precinct.
"Don't listen to Castle, Espo. A doubt a girl, even if Kensington is her last name, that travelled for two years and now is an elementary school teacher expects or wants a fancy dinner at the Plaza" said Beckett. "She probably went there often enough"
Espo took Beckett's advice real seriously "Sooo…Ernesto's should be fine?"
Beckett gave him a smile. "Oh yes. That's a great place".
That smile didn't escape Castle. "Wait, you now this place?
Beckett rolled her eyes as she walked away, Castle following her. "Yes Castle I know that place…Espo is my best friend and we went there once…" was all Espo could ear.
Javier took his phone and dialed Melissa's number.
He waited…until he got her voice mail.
Hey it's Javier. So I know it's kind of last-minute but I was wondering if you wanted to grab dinner with me tonight…around 7 maybe?
Call me back. Bye
XXXXX
Melissa got his message about an hour later. The minute she listened to it, she called him back. Melissa paced around the room while it was ringing.
"Esposito" she heard him say
"Mm hi, it's a …Melissa" she said slowly
"Hey! How are you?" he answered spinning around in his chair
"I'm fine thanks. So…um I got your message and turns out I'm free tonight"
"Yeah? Great! Tell me do like Mexican food?"
"I went to school in California of course I like it"
"Great, so I'll pick you up around seven…?" he asked
"All right. See ya"
"Bye"
The minute she hung up, Melissa dialed the only number she had on speed-dial.
"Hello" she heard Henri's familiar voice
"He called me….he called me and I'm having dinner with him tonight!" she said
"Really? Well he really doesn't lose time now does he?" said Henri with a laugh
"Apparently not. Anyway I just wanted to tell you." She said
"You have fun girl, you deserve it"
"Thanks. I love you" said Melissa
"I love you to sweetheart"
Melissa hung up and put her phone back in her pocket. All that was left until seven o'clock was to figure out what to wear.