Chapter 238 - Putting On An Act
Recalling his mother's reaction when he let her know that he was going after Natalie, Zeus knew it was not the best time for them to meet.
"It's just a first date, mother. She hasn't even agreed to be my girlfriend. Don't you think it's too soon to meet the parents?"
It was reasonable. Lucy agreed with the point, and it had been a trap of sorts all along. She knew that if the woman was Natalie, they had clearly met before and Zeus would not be too reluctant to let them meet. His reaction might mean it was someone new. But one couldn't be too certain with matters related to Zeus so she pushed a little.
"It doesn't matter to me. But in case she thinks I'm a creep for wanting to meet so early, maybe you could just show me a picture of her?"
"I'll see you later, mother." He changed the topic swiftly to make her leave, which confirmed her suspicion. How could this happen?
…
Traffic was crazy in Imperium in the evenings. He had not forgotten this but it had slipped his mind. He should have gone over to the ice cream parlor right after leaving the office. The fact that he had taken ages dressing up had contributed to his tardiness. He was late for his first date! Not even his handsomeness could save him this time. He could only hope that she didn't get a bad impression of him.
Natalie was sitting at the corner table when he arrived. She was playing with her phone and had a smile on her face. He could give anything to see her smile more often.
He walked over and cleared his throat to get her attention. She looked up unsurprised.
"I had a feeling it would be you."
He didn't know whether to be scared or flattered. He pulled a chair for himself and sat down. "And you still came."
An evil smile ghosted her lips. "If I didn't come, how would I collect evidence to beat the crap out of Zaria?" She had a feeling Zaria was up to this kind of thing. It was so out of character for her to ask her out and tell her what to wear while at it. Zaria had said to wear a cute dress but instead of that, she wore a pair of shorts and the simplest top she could find. However, from Zeus' gaze, what she had thought of as dressing down didn't have the intended effect.
"I feel like that's not the only reason why you agreed to meet." He observed.
"You are right." She admitted. "Do you want to order a sundae? It's on me."
He frowned at her offer. "I will never let a woman pay for me."
"What a different view from mine. I don't think it matters who pays." She drew a circle with her finger on the table as she chose her words. "I'll get straight to the point. I appreciate your feelings for me. You're a…"
"Don't." He knew what she was about to do.
She didn't drop it. "But you really are a good guy. I just don't feel the way you do and I never will. I only think of you as a brother—literally—and I don't want to lead you on.
"So you prefer to give me the good brother card." He laughed like it was funny even though it wasn't.
"Well, uhm…"
"I get it." He smiled and she knew that it was a forced smile. Even so, it would hurt him all the more if she said anything in consolation. Perhaps it made her heartless to admit but she felt relieved after letting him know what she thought of him.
"Can we have ice cream as these weird friends or siblings then?" He asked, to which she agreed. He noticed that she had the same preference as Zaria when she ordered the exact ice cream Zaria loved—one part blueberry and one part vanilla with caramel and chocolate shavings. No wonder they got along. It was the most awkward twenty minutes of her life while he was heartbroken. When they were done, he walked her to her car and leaned at the side of it.
"Can I kiss you?"
"What?" She stopped, still holding the car door open.
"Just this once. Since you are rejecting me anyway, it shouldn't matter much, right?" He closed in on her adding, "There is no other way to be certain that you don't have feelings for someone. If you get grossed out or feel nothing, I'll be convinced that you really don't like me."
She stepped back. "I don't need to prove my feelings to anyone."
He watched as she entered the car and stepped away from her car so she would drive off—taking with her a piece of his life.
…
Natalie drove aimlessly around the city. She was neither in the mood to go home and didn't have anywhere specific that she wanted to be. If only Zaria had made real plans with her, then she would have someone to hang out with.
She stumbled into a bar before she realized it. It was probably the only place that would keep her from thinking about things she should forget. With her shorts and simple, cotton top, it was not a surprise that she stood out. Most of the women here were in sexy outfits and sky-high heels and although hers showed some skin, she looked out of place.
She sat by the bar and was yet to order a drink when a man slid to the stool beside hers. "Hey beautiful, can I buy you a drink?" He offered a smile.
She turned to reject him but stopped when she saw his face clearly. "Hey, I think I know you."
"You do?" He looked amused. "You probably saw me on the silver screen."
"Silver screen." She burst out laughing. "Wait. Are you an artist of sorts?"
"Close enough. I'm an actor." Answered the man.
No wonder she found him familiar. That sculpted face with a five-o'clock shadow and domineering emerald eyes definitely belonged in a dreamy romance movie.
"I'm not sure if occupation is the first thing I want to talk about when I meet a beautiful woman but now that we're on the topic, do you mind telling me what goddesses are usually doing when they decide to grace the earth with their presence?"
She chuckled. "I'd tell you, but I'm more interested in what Greek god actors do outside of the silver screen."
"Try to pick up the goddesses who won't reveal their occupations."
They both laughed at how silly the topic had gotten.
"So, is your name out of your 'to-tell' list as well?" He asked.
"Call me Belle." She decided not to reveal her name.
"Your parents sure know what name is fitting, don't they? I'm Roland. It's nice to meet you." He offered his hand.
"The pleasure is mine."
When Roland saw the bartender come their way, he ordered her a drink of his choice.
"Rosemary and bitters mimosa, really?" She looked at him like he was an alien.
"That's my choice for you. If you don't like it, I'll let you pick our next drinks, how about that?" He offered.
Natalie had to give it to him. This guy was smooth. She had initially not intended to drink with anyone. She would simply drown herself with whatever pleased her and go home on her own. There was something about Roland—probably the fact that he was an actor—that made her want to drink with him. It was unfair to him that at the back of her mind, his occupation was the only thing that attracted her to him. However, they were just drinking and nothing else.
"How about you forget your sorrows for tonight?" He spoke out of the blue.
"What?"
"You look sad." He pointed out. "Do you want to talk about it?"
It was a tempting offer and she grabbed it. "I may have fallen too hard for a man I shouldn't have seen as anything more than an idol."
He probably didn't understand what she was going on about because his expression remained blank.
"Don't tell me you fell for an actor." He frowned after a few seconds.
"Is it wrong?" She pushed.
"Not wrong but a stupid move if you ask me."
"I know." She forced a smile. She had just gotten burnt thanks to her own options and a reminder of that was the last thing she needed.
"I'll have five tequilas, thanks." She signalled to the bartender.
"You cannot do that." Roland was horrified.
"I can and I will." She downed the first two tequila shots as soon as they arrived. The bartender had probably seen too many shocking things to be puzzled by a woman switching from flirting to downing drinks in under a minute.
"What were we discussing just now?" She asked in a slight slur.
"Uhm, I think we were about to curse out the asshole who broke your heart." Roland guessed that it was probably time for him to leave her, but would she be alright, drinking on her own?
"Oh right, yes. Screw the asshole. Why don't we talk about something more interesting?" She focused her gaze on him, giving him goosebumps.
"Like what?"
"Ruining his damned life. It will totally be worth it, don't you think?" She had an evil glint in her eyes which was terrifying.
"Yeah, I'm not going to be part of that." Roland gave up.
"Actors…" Natalie huffed. "He was just putting on an act all along.." She burst into tears.
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