Always You

Ali made a quick look at her face, making sure that her make-up was alright. Before going down, she put her favorite perfume; it's a sweet smelling perfume with a light floral scent. She smiled to herself as she walked to the elevator.

When she stepped out of the elevator, she saw him waiting in the lobby. Axel was smiling widely at her. He looks dashingly handsome in his casual clothes. He was wearing a white T-shirt in a blue striped shirt. He is also wearing a silver necklace around his neck that enhances his visual effect. She subconsciously grinned widely too.

Though there's no flowers to welcome her, she still feels great that someone was there waiting for her. That feeling was really refreshing. Just thinking that he has been waiting there for a long time without complaining makes her feel gratified. Then, there was this feeling of deja vu like it's been a long time since she felt this way and it felt really great. She was enthralled by this moment; she felt that she belonged to this moment.

Wait, deja vu? Is that right? Is it something you will feel when someone is welcoming you back? Welcoming her back? That's new. As far as she can remember, this was the first time she felt that way for him. She was overwhelmed and felt a little confused for a moment. Well, she's not innocent when it comes to feelings, she had crushes before too, and that's why it comes as a surprise to her.

She felt it's quite funny to have this kind of weird thoughts especially to Axel whom she only knows for a short time so she shrugged her shoulders and threw it at the back of her mind. She felt it is not really important to dwell on this, well not at the moment.

He led her to his car parked just at the entrance of her office so she won't walk for too long. He opened the door for her and let her sit at the passenger side.

"Such a gentleman." she thought.

"He is really considerate."

She doesn't really realize that she is starting to think more of him and slightly analyzing his every move.

"Where do you want to eat?" he asked while fastening her seatbelt.

It looks so natural that he would do that for her and she didn't find it out of place like it was the natural order of things.

"Umm.. Anywhere is fine. It's already late and there are not many restaurants open at this time." she answered, not really thinking about what she wants to eat.

"Alright, let me take you somewhere." Then he started to drive his car.

Well, it's not really that far. It is just around the corner and fortunately they are still open at this time.

They only drove to the restaurant for about fifteen minutes. The ambience was really great; the big chandelier highlights the design of the restaurant. Although there are not many people at this time of the day, you can still feel the liveliness in the atmosphere. It was a traditional Cantonese restaurant.

"Table for two, please." he said to the waiter.

"This way, please." the waiter ushered them to the window seat on the second floor.

It's just right to Ali's taste. She doesn't really like sitting in the middle of the restaurant. She likes sitting in the corner or near the windows to look outside. The restaurant was beside the road so she could see the vehicles pass by. She really likes looking at them.

She didn't notice that Axel was looking at her. He was gazing at her silhouette and silently enjoying the moment. He looked fascinated and he had a very soft smile on his face. Sadly, Ali just missed to see it when she turned around.

"This is just right." she muttered silently.

"I know." Axel said.

"What?" she asked confusedly.

"I said, I know right. This place is really great."

"Yeah, it looks like it. I hope the dishes are good too."

"I think so. Well, let's order?"

"Yeah."

"What do you like? Soup, noodles, xiao long bao?

"Soup and something light. Hmmm.... let me see the menu. Oh, and tea. ü"

It will take some time before their meal arrives so they busied themselves with some chit chat while slowly sipping their tea.

"Well, how was your day?"

"It was kind of busy." she said.

"Isn't that obvious? Do you work every day like this?"

"Well, yeah. I feel more relaxed when i am preoccupied with something. I don't really like to stay alone in my apartment for a long time so it's better this way. My apartment was there to act like a sleeping capsule. Just kidding!"

She smiled then continued, "But there are times that i really don't want to go outside so it's also my safe haven."

"Wow, you're a workaholic."

"Not really. I just really preferred it that way."

They ended up chatting until the food arrived. Both of them didn't talk much while they were eating. It seems like they are both enjoying the silence while eating a meal or are their minds preoccupied with something?

"Dessert?"

"Still not full? I feel so full right now."

"You like sweets, right?"

"Yeah, how did you know?"

".... i guessed?" He answered after a quick pause.

"Yeah, right." Not really minding that pause, then she continued.

"I have a sweet tooth, so i can't really say no to that. I will always have a space somewhere for sweets. ü" she said while smiling sweetly.

After they ate, he drove her to her apartment and he made sure she was inside before walking back towards his car and drove away.