Chapter 7 Deals with Date

“Okay, we gotta go,” Bianca tugged at Asher’s clothes. She was still a bit wary of letting go of her hold on him as she was not yet very much comfortable with Luna.

Asher noticed Bianca’s expression, so he boldly suggested.

“Can we take her with us?”

The dog leaped and ran back to its house just to return with her collar and leash. She must have recognized Asher’s words which meant she could be going out with her master.

Bianca did not even get the chance to say anything before Luna handed her, not Asher, the leash and collar. As if asking her permission to let her go with them. Bianca looked at Asher.

“What does she mean by giving me these?” Bianca asked.

Asher laughed.

“She knows you are going to decide about her fate, going or staying. She is submitting to you,” Asher answered. “Whoever holds her leash is her immediate master, and I tell you, it rarely happens.” Asher’s laughter became even louder as he shook his head in disbelief. Luna seemed to have abandoned him. He was not in any way offended. He was even proud of his dog. She is making things great to connect with Bianca.

Luna sat in the backseat of his Black Sapphire Metallic BMW x5 M50i. Asher opened the door for Bianca on the passenger’s side then he jogged his way to the driver’s seat. He was feeling as happy as Luna going out with Bianca. It felt like they were a family out for a weekend getaway, although they were just going to buy some groceries. Bianca also thought it would be better to spend time with Luna while Asher was around to make them both get used to each other, so she agreed.

Days passed, days became weeks, and weeks became months. Luna and Bianca got along well right after their first trip to the supermarket. Luna would welcome Bianca home every day, and they spend most of the time with each other as Luna would want to stick around when Bianca is at home. Bianca liked the feeling of having Luna around than being alone, so she let her stay until she decides to go back to his doghouse, which became rare. She would stay in her doghouse when Bianca goes to work, but as soon as she comes home, Luna would also stay indoors with her.

Asher was astonished to have heard all about it from Bianca, but he was also happy that because of Luna, they end up spending the whole weekend nights in the living room with a made bed for the three of them, Luna in between Bianca and Asher as they watch movies and sometimes the two agrees to have bottles of beer while watching.

Summer came, and now it is almost fall. Bianca’s company is having a party to celebrate its anniversary. She needed a date to bring and not feel so alone in the crowd. She thought about asking Asher to be her date when he gets home on the weekend, but he came a bit early this week.

“Hey, I didn’t know you were coming home today,” Bianca complained when she saw him with Luna in the living room after she took a shower. She just arrived home, so she had not prepared anything for dinner yet.

“I know, I’m sorry, I should have called, but I was afraid you won’t welcome me home, so I just came right in,” Asher playfully answered. But he also had the honest feeling of fear she would not like it if he came home on the weekdays.

“This is your home, too. How can I say you cannot come home when you want to?” Bianca scolded him. “Let me see what we can make for dinner,” she walked to the kitchen.

“How about I buy you dinner? Let’s go out!” Asher suggested.

Bianca gave him a questioning look.

“I haven’t been able to buy in return for the spicy noodle soup you shared with me on our first day as roommates, remember?” Asher added.

That day, since they bought a lot of groceries, Bianca declined the idea of going out to have dinner even though Asher kept urging her to go. She is not really fond of going out since she used to be alone most of the time. Being an introvert, she prefers to stay at home, cook, and eat dishes according to her cravings.

“As much as I want to turn your suggestion down, I don’t have much to offer you for dinner, so okay, let’s just dine out,” Bianca agreed. “Or how about we just buy them packed and bring them home to eat with beer or wine?” She is used to having food deliveries back home, but it doesn’t seem to apply the same here.

“Okay, whatever suits you,” Asher was glad to hear her suggestion. It would be nice if they ate a drink without worrying about getting back home after.

They agreed about what food to eat, and Asher called the restaurant to order the food and asked how long it would take to prepare and estimated the time for pick up. Asher volunteered to get the food while Bianca prepared the setting, again in the living room. She will empty the center table and cover the glass with a tablecloth and prepare the cutleries. Spoon and fork and knife for Asher while she has her wooden chopsticks and spoon.

“I’ll be right back,” Asher quickly went out when he knew the time was up for him to get the food. Along the way, he bought a bottle of sweet wine as Bianca said she doesn’t fancy alcohol that much for its bitter taste. She would usually have zero sugar root beer when Asher has his regular beer. Or 3% alcohol soda drinks when she wants alternatives. This time, Asher asked the wine shop for something sweet, and they suggested he buy Riunite Wine with only 8 percent alcohol content.

He was back in less than twenty minutes.

“Food is here..!” he shouted from the front door. Luna did not even move from her spot while Bianca quickly approached Asher to receive the food containers and arrange them on the table.

“Let’s eat! Let’s eat,” Bianca beamed. She was happy to see her favorite seafood all looking red and yummy.

Another reason why she likes to eat these kinds of food at home is that she cannot be herself when they eat seafood at the restaurant. She has to be conscious there while she can be herself and freely do as she pleases to enjoy the food to her heart’s content.

She prepared disposable plastic gloves to peel the shells and skin off, but she ended up doing them bare hands as she felt annoyed with the delay.

“Here have some,” she placed a peeled off of skin shrimp into Asher’s plate.

Asher forked the shrimp, but he pointed the fork to her.

“Ahhhh…” he urged her to open her mouth and take the food in his fork.

“I peeled it off for you,” Bianca retorted, then her eyes widened. “Ahh, is it because I used my bare hands? I washed them thoroughly,” she pouted as she explained. Also, feeling a bit hurt as he seemed to reject her efforts.

“Hahaha!”

Asher laughed heartily. She really looked so cute with an aggrieved face.

“Ladies first,” he said after he cleared his throat. “I didn’t mean to offend you,” he was still smiling as he apologized at a looking upset Bianca, fiercely chewing on the shrimp.

“I am hurt. You have to make it up with me,” Bianca boldly said in between her chews.

Asher’s laughter became even more lively. Her mood can quickly change. From a chirping bird earlier when the food arrived, she is like a snarling tiger now. Yet, in all of them, she looked lovely in his eyes.

“Okay, okay, to assure you I am sincere, I am willing to do anything,” he complied, raising his hands in the air to surrender.

“I need a date next Friday.” She murmured.

“What date?” Asher was surprised to hear her demands, but he was rejoicing. His wicked thoughts were teasing him.

“My company is celebrating an annual party. I don’t have many friends there, so I am afraid I’ll be out of place if I attend by myself. I need someone to keep me company, stick with me, and never leave me around during the whole event,” Bianca stated.

“Okay, but…” he paused. “I have to tell you about my deal with date,” Asher made his face look serious.

“What is it?” Bianca eagerly asked.

“I end my dates in bed. Are you up for it?”