Gypsy Lover

They had sometimes "informal dates" on some weekends yes, that was what she called them. It was because they would just meet up at some place like a fast food, coffee shop or just strolled somewhere in downtown area. Sometimes they would just stay in one place like an open restobar or refreshment bar just to watch the doves given something to eat by kids, adults and even elderly people. Sometimes, they would just ride the buses that were routed around downtown and some suburbs in the city or Harman would take her to some tourist spots in Bucharest where she had not visited yet. Because of these, she learned some more about Romania and most especially about the Romani. Each passing day, her feelings for him grew. She was getting more and more attracted to him without doubt and without any relevant and apparent reason if she'd really want to discern it. If she let herself really fall for him, was she safe from getting hurt like her sister? This, she also asked of herself many times. And yet, she wanted to think she was merely playing with him the game that she was the only one who was aware of. She was afraid she would get hurt in the end. It was better to hurt him first though. As it was, she'd never know if his intentions were pure or not anyway. Again, she did not want to end up like her sister Alyanna. That was what she hated the most. She had to be in control of herself and of the entire situation so that she'd live... and go on with her life as if nothing happened in the past.

"Are you up for a night life or a formal party?" Harman asked her one weekend night. He called her just after preparing dinner for her employers.

He had already informed her that the lawyer had the requested CENOMAR from Budapest as it was the nearest Philippine embassy in Romania.

"Huh? I don't know." Her brows knitted to choose which one she would like better. If they were going to a club, they had to dance. She only knew the basic steps. She was not really a dancer. And if it was a formal party, it meant a lot of food and drinks and she needn't need to talk to anyone in particular. Perhaps. Besides, she wanted to check how Harman would act in such an occasion.

"Hmm... I was hoping you'd say the latter." The handsome man brought her back to planet Earth with a smile.

She chuckled. What? Did he have this so-called ESP? "Alright, fine. But I need to find something to wear." She was already right in front of her own closet to check out the dresses she had that were hung there.

She shook her head as she set them aside one by one. The one in purple with glitters? No, it was too much. Strapless short cocktail red dress? Maybe. The black dress adorned with shiny different kinds of beads? Could be. And some others that were very simple and dull-looking dresses. She could not choose except for the red cocktail dress. Besides, she had that pair of gold-colored high-heeled shoes and purse to match. And for that, she planned to just leave her long and wavy hair without any style or hairclips.

She took a shower fast after hanging up. She only had an hour and a half before he'd come to pick her up. She put on her makeup and perfume. Afterward, she looked at herself in the mirror when Giani came in to watch her. She was hugging her huge Snoopy stuffed toy.

"There's a man looking for you, Alodia. I think I saw him already the other day," the little kid stated. Her innocent eyes looked teasing though.

"That should be him... my friend, Giani," she answered with a kind smile at the girl.

"Hmm... it's more like a date to me," she remarked, wrinkled her nose and giggled. And the kid was really teasing her now?

Giani turned around with a smiling face when she called her back.

"How do I look?" She straightened up in front of the kid.

Giani looked her up and down. "Dragut!" It meant pretty. Giani even had her two thumbs while still hugging the stuffed toy. "Goodnight! Have a great date!" And the kid was off to her room. "Mulţumesc!" She thanked the kid with a wide smile.

She let out a sigh before she turned around to look at herself in the mirror one last time. She really took an extra effort to be more beautiful tonight, and she did not want to think why. She felt satisfied with what she had seen in the mirror though and took her purse before going out of her room to greet her gorgeous date.

She found the couple Iustina at Petru who were talking with Harman at the living room. She noticed he was offered a drink while waiting for her. The three got up when they saw her approaching them. Iustina was smiling at her while Harman was staring at her with speechless admiration. As for Petru, he was looking at Harman with a chuckle. Her male employer winked at her when he turned to look at her.

"You look gorgeous, Alodia!" It was not her admirer who said it, but it was Iustina, as though she was his spokesperson.

Harman's expression was so loud and clear for her. She knew that her alluring figure was brought to its maximum at the very moment. The sexy cocktail dress clung to her every womanly curve. And she was proud of and happy about it. She smiled and thanked her employers. The couple left them, holding hands and went upstairs to retire, after wishing them a good and enjoyable night.

"You really look... stunning!" Harman found his voice at last, making her giggle.

"Thank you. You look impressive yourself!" she rejoined with a flirty smile.

He could not take his eyes off of her. "Shall we go now?" Harman asked her with a smile some seconds later.

She nodded like she was the one who was daydreaming at the moment. She could remember her prom night and it was nothing like this. He wore a three-piece suit. His black jacket and slacks suited him well and he indeed looked so attractive tonight. More than ever.

Harman took her hand to hold his arm in a gentlemanly fashion.

Just like him, she could not take her eyes off him while they were on their way to his shiny black limousine. He smelled so nice like she was hypnotized by him.

"If we weren't going to a party, I would've taken you somewhere else. And that place? It'll only be the two of us, all night long," he said huskily, making her heart kick her rib cage.

"What did you have in mind we'll do in that place where it's only us?" she asked, going along with him. She smiled at him coquettishly, watching him through her lashes. Their breaths hitched. She could feel and almost see the sparks fly as they looked into each other's eyes.

"I'll tell you when we're alone next time, Alodia," he answered in a throaty tone.

It was a promise and she anticipated it like she'd never anticipated anything in her life before. And that hot liquid fire pooled in her abdomen, going down to her femininity.