3: Decision

~ A Swift Seductive Dance Of Familar Souls~

"I should get going now. Elle would be waiting for me." Clearing my throat, I push my chair back and stand up, reaching for my sling bag.

But he quickly grabs it first and puts it over his shoulder, flashing me a smile as strides towards the counter to pay for our meal.

I stand for a while waiting for him and once he's done, I walk towards the exit door with him behind me.

"It's too late. Maybe I should ride you home."

I slowly turn to spare him a glance. We're almost in front of his red sleek car.

"Stop acting up, Ted. I go home everyday this late or much more late, for the past few months cause of my work. And nothing terrible have happened to me."

"Yeah. But, uh, I just want to spend some more time and if it's cool with you, maybe you can-"

I let out a small chuckle. "You really suck at this kind of stuffs but it's okay."

"So, it's a yes?"

I can't hold my laughter again so I kind of laugh out, hoping that it doesn't hurt his feelings; while nodding my head in response.

He gets into the driver's seat but not after opening the door for me to get in. This doesn't sway me though. I mean, Mark does that every freaking time but he's a scum.

Trusting guys can be so disappointing. And Mark proved that again.

Luckily, we don't talk too much. I ask a few questions and Ted answers it to my satisfaction. After that, we're back to the sanctity of silence that I so much enjoy even though the air is quite tense.

My mind still reflects on his words back then in the restaurant. They were too sincere and promising. But I'll pass.

"You can just drop me here." I say, smiling genuinely.

He made this night a lot better for me. But I'll never tell him that to his face.

"Your house is still few blocks away. Don't you think I-"

"It's okay, Ted. Drop me here." I insist, while trying to be polite.

He halts his car and I open the door to get out after taking my sling bag from him. Some weeks ago he had walked me home and Elle caught sight of us from the window where she had been peeping.

And ugh! She keeps teasing me about him even till this evening when I left for my work at Cassana Clubhouse.

"Thanks for tonight. I really appreciate."

Actually, I do feel sparks when I'm around Ted. His attitude and respect for me is something I like about him. He never once judged me.

But I have a lot to protect. And my heart is part of those things. For I can't do much for my sister Elle, if I'm emotionally broken down.

He tells me goodnight as well and his eyes looks like they don't wanna lose sight of me.

I slam his door shut and start walking down the street. But his car is still there to watch my disappear from his sight. And I'm sure he leaves after I've walked a good distance.

Looking around, here is not so empty. Some couples are taking a walk. Some dog owners too. But I can't be oppressed so I roll my eyes and corner off to a convenience store I regularly visit to buy Elle's favorite type of chocolate.

Not so many people are inside so I quickly purchase the chocolate, like I do almost every night before continuing with my walk which I find therapeutic at times.

I'm reflecting on so many things that I almost walk past our tiny house where I live one with Elle.

A small smile tugs on my lips as I knock before the door was flung wide open.

"You're late again, ugh!"

Elle- the dark haired beauty of my younger sister rolled her eyes as she shut the door behind me.

"Oh please, don't act so concerned when you actually aren't. I come home this late almost every damn time." I retort.

She smiled smugly as she poured out hot tea from the jug on the small centre table into my red cup before handing it over to me.

She knows how addicted I am with hot tea. And it's so sweet that she makes it for me everyday.

Literally.

"Here," I throw the chocolate towards her and she squeals while catching it. "I broke up with Mark. "

She doesn't talk for some seconds before shrugging and finally saying, "You finally let go of that douche. I never liked him and always knew something was off. Like, he never gives you the respect that you deserve. Never treats you enough. And... sincerely, I'm glad."

I try not to be offended. "Glad about what?"

Elle scoffed, flipping her hair. "I'd actually be mad if you're feeling bad about breaking up with Mark. Maybe it's time for you give other guys around a chance. Uh, Ted isn't that baaad." She said, placing emphasis on her last word.

I scoff this time around. "Shut it. You know nothing about relationships and you're still in high school for goodness sake."

"So what's your point? Not being over Mark or actually having feelings for Ted? C'mon, that guy seems cool and you should introduce him to me."

"That would never happen, " I let her know standing up.

"I already finished packing for you. So try to have a good night rest. I'll join you when I'm done with my assignment." Elle says, as though she just read my mind.

Tomorrow noon, some of Cassana Clubhouse pole dancers selected for the NewYork's pole dancing camp would leave for the one week life changing event, which I'm part of.

"Yeah, goodnight." I manage to say while sighing tiredly.

Suddenly, it occurs to me that I didn't mention this to Ted when he came to Cassana during practice hours and back there at Jel's Restaurant.

It shouldn't hurt so much if I tell him nothing and he gets to know of my camp trip from the remaining workers at Cassana. But I'll never forgive me too if I'm in his shoes.

So I suck in a breathe and retrieve my phone from my sling bag before hitting him a text.