by Alice Cooper
“Oh my dear Habanero, I was going to tell you from the moment I laid eyes upon you but your lips convinced me not to.” he said as he reminded me of the day of my first kiss. I blushed as I remembered the feeling of his lips upon mine. “And to be completely honest, I don’t mind this position.” he whispered as he leaned towards me with our faces only inches away.
I pulled back as if he was poison and removed my arms but in a blink of an eye he switched our position. He pushed my back against the door and trapped me within his arms. A gasp left my lips as my back made contact with the door and noticed how Ciel was close to me. I could feel his heated breath upon my neck making my skin grow goosebumps.
Now that I see Ciel in a new light I see him pretty differently and he looks absolutely… “Breathtaking.”
My whole body freezes as I realized that I said it out loud. Ciel’s smirk only grows if that’s even possible. “So my Habanero thinks I’m breathtaking?” he asked cockily. I tried my best to frown and sound mad “No.” But I know that this time he wasn’t going to be fooled.
I can feel that his eyes hasn’t left me. I hesitantly looked up into his blue eyes and found myself lost in a beautiful ocean. My heart started racing but instead of frustration it’s a whole new feeling. A feeling I don’t want to acknowledge.
“You know… I could take you here. Right here, right now.” he whispered but I pretended that I didn’t hear him.
“What do you want Ciel?” I asked as I averted my eyes from him. I could hear him chuckle as his hand started caressing my cheek. The skin that he’s touching felt like it was being lit on fire. I never wanted this feeling to end.
“Go on a date with me.” he suddenly said. My eyes widen as I shoved him away from me and asked “What the hell Ciel? You expect me to go on a date with you just after knowing who the freak you are?”
He smirked and said “All the more reason to.”
Why do such good looks have to go to waste on this creature? He didn’t know when to quit as he started advancing on me once more. I tried backing away but I was back again with my back against the door. He leaned towards almost like he was going to kiss me and all I could do is shut my eyes.
Instead of lips I felt his breath against my ear as he whispered “Go on a date with me just this once… I’ll be sure that you’ll enjoy.” Which only increased the redness of my face. His fingers started tracing parts of my face and once his fingers traveled down my neck about to reach my collarbone, I decided to agree to his terms.
“Fine.”
“Good. Now we can start by eating breakfast.” he said softly as he walked off towards the kitchen. I suddenly felt the absence of his warmth and my body started yearning for it. He left me all hot and bothered that my mind was screaming to kiss him.
I shook my head and mentally scolded myself.
We ate breakfast in silence but our eyes were silently communicating as if our eyes were having sex. He kept smirking as I kept a frown on at all times. The food tasted absolutely delicious but I wasn’t going to let him know that.
Tons of things ran through my head desperately trying to process everything that happened. From me collapsing and Ciel playing doctor then there was Ciel being a complete neat freak and he can cook effortlessly, then there was Ciel Storm, my angel investor. Lastly, was the date.
I was so consumed with thoughts of Ciel but I wonder what I actually thought of him now that I was getting to know him more.
Chapter Six
Ciel
When Fran’s friends came to pick her up we said nothing else but I did tell her to not forget out date. A date with my Habanero. A day has passed and all I could think of was going on a date with her. I wasn’t the type to bring girls on a date unless you can call a small motel a date. All my thoughts about the date weren’t innocent that every time I thought about it my member would stand in attention.
I went to the bar to hang with Zen and the others but instead of paying any attention to them I would find myself lost in thought of Fran and smiling like an idiot. I guess Fran was right, I am an idiot. But I’m her idiot.
“She must be that good after just one night she has you all dazed.” Zen commented. I ignored Zen and the guys as they started to tease how I’m like a love-struck high school boy. I wouldn’t care what people would say about me as long as it made my Fran happy then I would be fine with it.
I quickly left the bar as I started making my way towards Fancy Cups. I was still smiling like an idiot along the way but as soon as I could see the inside of the shop my smile instantly disappeared. Inside was man wearing decent clothes and he looked like a nice boy. He looked to be flirting with my Fran.
Fran’s eyes turned towards me and the smile of her face disappeared. She quickly said something to the man and turned around to disappear behind the employee door. I stormed inside the shop right as the nice guy was about to exit and I slammed the door on him making him tumble forward. I ignored the guy as I rushed towards the employee door.
“Ciel! You can’t go in there!” Fran’s female friend tried to stop me.
It was like my body had a mind of its own. I saw Fran sitting down at the back of the room pretending she was lost in her cellphone.
“Who was that?” I growled as I pointed where the entrance was located.
“Nanya.” she replied without even looking at me.
“Nanya?” Wasn’t that a woman’s name?
“Nanya-business.” she finished as she put down her phone and exited the employee room. My fists were turning white from clenching too tightly. I didn’t like when men flirted with my Fran or even glanced at her.
Now that she agreed to go out on a date with me she’s now mine.
Fran walked around the shop either cleaning or trying to make herself look busy but I was able to follow her every move. Once she knew that I wasn’t backing down she sighed and said “I don’t believe that I have to explain myself to you.” For a Habanero she could sometimes be so cold.
“We’re dating.” I hissed making sure some of the male customers heard me. She turned around to face me as we both stopped walking around. “We are going on a date but that doesn’t mean we’re dating.” she said.
“Speaking of date, are you ready for tonight?” I asked with a smirk on my face. Fran’s eyes widen but she quickly composed herself. “We’re going tonight?” she asked.
“Yes.” I gave her my simple answer. Fran looked down towards her clothes and I could tell she wasn’t happy about going on a date with what she’s wearing. She was wearing a simple baby pink long sleeve paired with denim skirt that stopped right above her knees and stockings with black doll shoes. Even in simple clothing she looked absolutely magnificent. I can’t even stop myself from imagining taking them off.
“What you’re wearing is fine.” I assured her. She frowned again and argued “I’m not worried about what I’m wearing besides it’s just you.” I won’t lie and say that didn’t hurt. “And I also didn’t agree that it would be tonight. I could be busy tonight.” she added.
This woman doesn’t know when to give up. I knew that somewhere deep inside that fierce heart of hers lies admirable feeling for me. I walked away from Fran making her curious about what I was about to do. I walked up to the counter where stood two of her friends who were always glued to her side.
“Your usual?” Fran’s female friend asked with a boring tone. I decided to at least get my usual since I’m already here. I nodded and asked “Is little miss Habanero free for tonight?”
Both of Fran’s friends glanced at each other as if they were silently communicating. Fran’s female friend faced me as she gave a friendly smile which was rare. “She has her usual shift and she’s also doing the closing tonight,” she said as Fran smiled triumphantly that’s until Fran’s male friend added “But we can cover for her.” As they both gave friendly smiles.
Fran had the look of disbelief written all over her face. “Traitors!” she called out.
“Oh my de
ar Francesca, you must at least have some fun in your life.” the male friend said. “Even if it’s with some douche who punched you.” the female friend suddenly sounded angry, she even shook her fist in front of me as if she was threatening me. Women and their mood swings are extremely confusing, it’s like an unsolvable puzzle.
“That reminds me… you haven’t apologized yet.” Fran said as she smirked. I had to try and hold the urge to kiss her smirking lips. She stood in the middle of the shop with her hands on her hips looking as if she just won a prize.
I walked up to her and grabbed her chin and I noticed that her body tensed. I held back a groan because such a simple action could stir me with desire. Only my Habanero can make me feel so weak yet at the same time strong.
“I’ll make it up to you all night long.” I teased as her face reddened. She shoved me away from her as I expected. “I’m not some cheap whore nor am I that easy. We will be doing nothing all night long.” she raised her voice.
“Stephen! Angela!” she called out to her friends. Now I remember their name. “You’re supposed to back me up here. He’s the enemy, not me.” she cried out.
“Hon, the only enemy here is yourself.” Stephen said as Fran looked at her feet like they were the ones talking. Angela swiftly walked over to Fran as she took off Fran’s red apron and pushed her towards me.
“She can even leave now.” Angela said.
Those were like music to my ears. Fran’s jaw dropped at her friend’s sudden action. I didn’t hesitate as I grabbed Fran’s soft hand and started dragging her out of the shop. Fran was trying to yank her hand away from mine but my grip on her was as hard as iron. Her friends bid her a farewell and have fun.
“Hey Ciel! Let me go!” she shouted and I’ll give her credit she’s a lot stronger than she seems but nothing I can’t handle. We started grabbing unwanted attention from other places so I spun Fran around until she was snuggled into my arms. I whispered into her ear “Just tonight you’ll be mine. If you don’t want anything to do with me after…” No, I don’t want to say this but I couldn’t stop. “Then I’ll leave you alone.”
She sighed as she frustratingly ran a hand through her hair. “Fine… so much for imagining a Mr. Darcy first date.” she mumbled the last part thinking that I wouldn’t hear it. I smirked as I started leading the way to the main street to grab a taxi.
“Oh, I’ll be way better than that Mr. Darcy of yours, my Habanero.” I said to myself.
Chapter Seven
Francesca
Ciel brought me to a small but fancy restaurant. I felt so out of place because people here looked too formal. We were seated way in the back giving us some privacy. I looked around and adored how almost everything was red and gold. Did he come here often?
I took a peek from my menu to see Ciel also staring at his own menu. He didn’t look like the type to come to places like this nor did he look the type to drink at Fancy Cups. But then again he is a Storm. It just shows you how little I know of Ciel yet I can go on all day about each trait of his that irritates me while I think of that dream and what could’ve been if that dream continued.
Ciel’s ocean eyes suddenly caught me staring. I quickly averted my eyes and made sure the menu was blocking view of my face. I shook my head trying to get a hold of myself.
I’m usually calm and collected around him except the times when I’m yelling my head off at him. Now I can’t keep my heart from racing as if it was on a marathon. My cheeks kept burning up more often.
We managed to make our orders and then the silence consumed every inch of the room. I’ve never felt this awkward before with Ciel. He either made my blood boil or… get my heart racing.
“After this we can go walk around Battery Park and if you want to buy a few things then we can do that as well. We can also go the Rockefeller, I heard that there was a performance there at this time.” he casually said.
“You… You don’t have to go through all this trouble. It’s just me.” I told him as I blushed at what he had planned. Just eating at this restaurant was enough for me. When he grinned I instinctively frowned.
“That’s why I’m doing all this because it’s you.” he said.
My heart started trying leaping out of my chest at his words. He chuckled at my reaction and commented “You’re adorable.”
What’s with him?
What’s with me and this racing heart of mine?
Stephen’s words suddenly repeated in my head “You know there’s a saying the more you hate the more you love.”
This isn’t love, right?
Probably.
Maybe.
Definitely not!
Cause of all the arguing inside my head I didn’t notice that I slammed both of my fists on the table which startled Ciel. “Oh, sorry.” I stuttered as I put my clenching fists in my lap.
“Don’t worry, you can do anything on this date of ours… I wouldn’t even mind if you sat on my lap.” he said as he leaned forward with his arm as a support. I ignored his suggestion. A glass of wine in his other hand as he stared at me like I was the most interesting person in the restaurant.
Wait.
Date?
I then came to a complete stop with all my messy thoughts. I was on a date. My first and ever date. The infamous date that will shape how you look at dating. The date that everyone will ask about in the future.
My hands started to tremble, something that hasn’t happened before. I was on my very first date with a person I claimed to be the most irksome person ever yet had dreams of passionate love making.
“I’m on a date…” I mumbled and I wasn’t lucky that Ciel heard what I said. He grinned as he put down his glass of wine and slowly clapped his hands. “Good observation skills.” he commented.
What do you exactly do on a first date?
All that comes to my head are fictional moments from my books. I know for sure that having a first date isn’t something you can find out from your books. I racked my brain for any logical answer.
I was at a complete lost. That’s until an idea struck my brilliant mind. I simply just need to get to know Ciel more especially since he’s my angel investor.
“So how exactly did you become my angel investor?” I asked him. He smiled which startled me since it wasn’t his usual grin or smirk but it was a genuine smile. It suited him very well.
“We usually receive lots of business ideas—”
“I know how it works. It’s just I didn’t apply specifically for your company.” I cut him off. This time he didn’t have a smile nor did he looked at me. His lips were drawn straight across his face as his eyes stared at the glass of wine.
“I saw your paper from my brother. He initially didn’t like the idea but I just thought that Fancy Cups was unique.” Was his simple answer. I expected him to go into great detail and I was about to ask him in detail until he said something that shut me up. “You sounded passionate.”
There goes my traitorous heart again. Racing just by the sound of Ciel’s voice saying words that might change me. He suddenly leaned over the table, something that I couldn’t pull off even if I tried. Ciel was the tallest man I know and he effortlessly leaned over to whisper in my ear “I don’t exactly know how dates work but I find this distance between us agonizing.”
Shivers ran down my spine. I could feel the heat of his body and it was exhilarating. Luckily, I was saved by the waitress delivering our food. We ate in silence as Ciel kept stealing glances at me while I ignored at contact with him.
Once we were done eating Ciel asked if I wanted any dessert but I declined. We exited the restaurant and even though I told Ciel that I could pay for dinner he insisted that he would pay. I reluctantly agreed, it was his idea after all to come here.
As we stood on the sidewalk I didn’t know where we were going that’s until he grabbed my hand and started leading the way, more like dragging me along the way. We arrived at Battery Park and started walking around. My eyes sparkled at our surroundi
ng. It wasn’t December yet but Christmas lights decorated the trees and lamp posts.
“It’s so beautiful.” I commented as I stared at a large tree decorated in golden lights making it seem like the tree was glittering. “I agree, it’s beautiful.” he added when suddenly he grabbed me by the shoulders and made me stand in front of the beautiful tree with my back against the tree.
He took a few steps back and said “Now it’s perfect.” I couldn’t help but blush at his comment. He seriously knows how to pull my heart strings. He whipped his phone out and took a picture of me.
“Hey! I don’t believe I gave you my consent to take a picture of me. Delete that immediately!” I demanded. He just smirked and said “I’d just had to capture this beautiful moment. But I won’t be deleting it… ever. It would be nice as well if we could take other photos such as you in less clothing.” I burned up as I imagined it but I knew he was just teasing me, right?
I walked up to him and tried snatching his phone from his hands but he held his phone high up where I couldn’t even reach it. I tried jumping and stretching my hands but Ciel was too tall. He was teasing me by putting the phone up high where I can’t and I bet he was enjoying it.
I was so focused in trying to grab his phone and deleting the photo that I didn’t notice that I was literally jumping in his arms. He suddenly wrapped his arms around me and said “But you look even more beautiful here in my arms.”
I tried pushing him away but he wouldn’t let me go. Before I could spout fire he whispered calmly in my ear. “Let’s stay like this for a while… We’ve known each other for almost a year and ever since then we’ve been fighting. For just this once can we not fight? Please.” he softly said the last word.
I tensed in his arms. This flirtatious bastard can actually be genuine and kind from time to time. A side the peeks my interest.
A side I want to get to know more.
“Did you know your boobs were rubbing against me and they were bouncing while you jumped?” he asked. I instantly turned red as I shouted “Pervert.” And pushed him away. I take back my words.
