CHAPTER 28 - Can't Help Falling In Love

COURTNEY's POV

Everything about this date was well thought out. From the flowers down to the food he prepared.

It wasn't the typical red roses, not even the clichéd romantic dinner for two. No, gladiolus as a symbol of strength and victory, not love. Lasagna because he remembered it was my favourite.

I know he wasn't going for the romantic side, he wasn't even attempting to flirt. I'd encountered lots of flirts before and I could tell if someone was trying to be a playboy wannabe or make romantic advances.

He's a charmer without even trying to be one.

Everything Chad did scream romantic for me though. I'd been assuming a lot, yes, and I know I shouldn't. And most importantly, I shouldn't give any meaning to this. But I couldn't help it.

"Eat it while it's hot." Chad pulled me out of my train of thoughts and gave me a portion of the lasagna on a plate.

"You really made this?" I asked him as I took my first bite. "Oh my god this is so good!" I told him with full honesty.

A smile danced on his lips. "Thanks, that's kind of you to say." He humbly responded and started eating too. "I just followed my mom's recipe. Hers is way better than this." He proudly added.

"Well, I can't say that because I haven't got the chance to try it." I replied as I ravished this delicious dish. I'd eaten almost half of it in a short time. "This is really good!" When I looked up, I saw Chad looking at me—beaming.

His eyes locked to mine, and at that moment, I wanted everything around us to stop and just stare at each others eyes.

"I'm really glad you liked it." He confessed with a grin. "Maybe next time, I'll ask my mom to cook one for your next visit." He tore his gaze to mine as he returned back to eating.

The idea of me coming over and his mom cooking my favourite dish gave me that warm feeling inside. Something that I didn't realise I wanted—no, something that I needed. It was so damn hard to shake-off this feeling and not to assume.

Chad treated me as if I was special to him. I felt precious and cared for. He made me feel things I wasn't familiar with, but something I was longing for a long time.

He feels like home.

Next visit.

Warmth filled my heart and happiness flowed through me.

Our conversation continued but diverted. He asked how my day had been and he told me how Cindy insisted on helping with the lasagna, but ended up almost ruining it. We were laughing the whole time as he carried on with the story about his sister while we savor the cheese platter. I noticed how happy he could be every time he talks about his family—his laugh was true and genuine. I'd always been wondering how it feels like ever since I was little because I could barely feel I have one.

There was a brief pause as he filled my cup with grape juice. I found myself staring at him and wanted to make an excuse to capture this moment and wouldn't appear as if I was too eager or even desperate to have a photo with him. But let's face it, this is Chad. He would know.

"I want to do a selfie." I blurted out. "With you." I added, to clarify that I wanted him to be in that photo, too. I'd remember this boldness and die of embarrassment later, but right now I didn't care.

He could think whatever he wanted. The important thing was, I'd been honest.

"Oh sure. Why not." He surprisingly agreed right away. No questions, no retorts. This made me sigh in relief.

He crawled to where I was seated and I was trying my very best to calm my nerves down at this sight of him. He settled himself beside me, and when our elbow touched, it instantly sent shivers down to my spine. "Ready?"

I took three calming breaths before I opened the camera on my phone and steadied my hand. I was adjusting the position to have a full view of Chad and me. But, "I have short arms!" I complained with a nervous laugh, trying to hide the tension but I know an epic fail one.

"Oh, I need to move closer." Before I could even say anything, he already moved a bit behind me. I felt the back of my left shoulder resting on his right chest. I froze. I swear, at the moment, my heart went frantic and my breath caught in surprise—a strong unfamiliar emotion engulfed me. "Better?" I heard him say, his warm breath tickled my neck which made my stomach flip. He was so close, too close to me that I was afraid to look at him and say something stupid.

Not if the silent feelings were haunting you, making you feel uncomfortable and giving you sleepless nights for ignoring them. For sure you'll let those three strong words out of your mouth unknowingly.

The conversation I had with Chad way back suddenly resurfaced, and I... panicked.

Is this—

"You want me to take the photo instead?" I didn't realise I was spacing out until Chad called out my attention one more time. I didn't argue—how could I if the ability to speak had left me! I just gave him my phone right away, still feeling mute. The sooner it's over, the sooner I could steady my heart again. "Smile." He said. I looked up and saw him through my phone. He flashed a vibrant grin. Almost instantaneously, I smiled back.

He took three shots. "Do you mind if you could send me one later?" He asked as he handed my phone back. I took it and assured him I would sent him a copy. I looked at the photos as he crawled back to his usual spot.

He's unbelievably handsome. I thought to myself.

The unpopular geek with goofy glasses that I was irritated before for his boldness and arrogance. For not bowing to my commands, for always making me fume in anger.

Now, I found myself drawn to him. Like gravity. There was this strong force trying to pull me towards him. No matter how much I tried, I just kept on falling.

I didn't even know when this started. How? When?

Obviously I didn't have any answers to those questions. But there was a question that I was dying to know though.

Do you also feel the same way? Do you also feel that strong gravitational pull?

"Is there something wrong with the photos?"

I'd tried to shake off the questions that were formulating and polluting my head, instead, I convinced myself to concentrate on this moment—my moment with Chad, and just leave those unnecessarily and mind boggling questions that could possibly leave me broken if answered.

"No, they're perfect." I told him as I put away my phone. "You're a great photographer." I commended, trying to be casual.

"Actually, I'm a wannabe photographer. I like taking pictures."

"Is that the reason why you have that camera with you every time you go to our spot?"

He let out a grin that stretches from ear to ear, "I'm surprise you noticed that. You're very observant."

I could feel myself blushing at his comment. I silently wished for a cool breeze to warm my rising body temperature.

I cleared my throat and tried my very best to be casual again. "Of course I notice that! I always find myself looking at y—" I bit my lip and stopped mid-sentence as realization hit me. So instead of going for a casual conversation, I was about to confess that I always stare at him!

Wake up, Courtney. Save yourself, please!

"Y—our camera. It's dapper."

Dapper? Dapper? Are you even talking about the camera?

I swear I just wanted this ground to open up and swallow me whole. Why do I keep on embarrassing myself in front of him?

Every.Single.Time!

"So," I cleared my throat and tried to divert his attention away from that topic. "Do you still have some hidden talents under your sleeves?" I asked in a high-pitched laugh.

"Oh, I think I have one." A corner of his mouth lifted and I saw his eyes lit up. I was virtually fanning myself at the sight of him. Why do you have to be this attractive! It should be a crime.

"I bake. Do you like cakes?"

"Are you kidding? I'm a sucker for sweets. I love cakes, pastries, and all!" I leaned forward and gushed in full excitement. "But someone said I shouldn't as I need to watch my weight." I slumped back and rolled my eyes at the memory of Troy constantly reminding me that I should lay off from sweets and watch my weight.

Jerk.

"What?" Chad burst out. "Do you think you should watch your weight?"

"What do you mean by that?" I couldn't help but ask. Chad's question surely surprised me.

"Well, are you happy with how the way you look? Are you satisfied and okay for not eating or depriving yourself of something you want for... that matter? I mean, if you ask me, in my opinion, shouldn't you be surrounded with people who will make you feel good about yourself, instead of disregarding your own personal choice just to please them?" His brow furrowed in guarded curiosity as he stared at me.

"If you constantly do that, you will definitely lose yourself in the process." He added the last one as a warning.

Everything he said made sense and made me happy at the same time. All this time, I was feeling guilty for walking away from Troy. At that moment, all I could think of was the fact that it didn't feel right. Something was off whenever I was with him. I just couldn't fathom what. And it was unfair to him that I ended our relationship for merely feeling unsure all of a sudden.

But now that Chad pointed it out, I finally saw the bigger picture of it.

What I should have done was, to care for what matters to me, and not deny myself of what I really want just for the sake of my social status, and Troy for that matter. I shouldn't live to the others expectation just for the fear of losing their adoration and admiration of me.

So what if, all this time that I'd felt I was losing myself because of Chad, instead, I found the real me—the true and genuine Courtney, through him?

"Yeah, you're right. That's probably the reason why I broke up with that someone." I bit my lower lip to keep myself from smiling.

"Oh," he stiffened, he looked away for a few seconds before he redirected his eyes back to me. For a brief moment there, I sensed something different from him. It was as if he was caught off guard by my answer, but that feeling washed away when I saw his smile. "Good for you then."

I was about to ask if he also deprived himself of something he likes for someone, but that thought was suddenly thrown out the window when he started packing up.

"I should probably get going." He said.

I had this sudden urge to stop him and tell him that I want him to stay a little longer. But then I realized that maybe he'd woken up early just to prepare all this, and it might take time for him to clean this up at his place.

So with that, I didn't insist on it and just offered to help which he gladly accepted.

"Thank you for all this, Chad." I said as I walked with him to his car.

He opened the back door and put the basket in before he turned to me. "I hope you enjoyed it." He finished with a small smile, but I responded with a big grin that extended to my eyes and let him know that I enjoyed it very much.

I stopped myself from throwing my arms around him and envelop him into a tight hug as a thank you for this wonderful date he prepared. I wouldn't want to appear too smitten, you know. Maybe some other time?

"Have a good rest, Courtney." He waved his hand before he drove off.

On my way back to the house, I stared alternately from Chad and I's picture on my phone and the gladiolus flowers on my left hand.

I must have done something good in my past life to deserve this. After all the things I did to him, he'd still repaid me with something great. I was trying my very best not to get too emotional about this and just savor the happy thoughts, but a part of me was holding back a bit.

I was afraid that if I let my feelings for Chad consume me, I might end up broken, and worse scare him off and lose him in the process.

"Oh, what a lovely flower you have there, Miss Courtney." I jumped in surprise, and almost dropped my phone when John suddenly came out of nowhere.

"Did you know that gladiolus is also known as a sword flower? By giving gladiolus flowers to someone, it sends the message of 'you pierce my heart' to the receiver. A declaration of infatuation and admiration to someone."

What? I felt my eyes widened in shock.

Before I could even ask John to elaborate the meaning of these flowers and give me assurance that it's true, he'd already disappeared.

I adored the flowers in my hand that Chad had given me.

You pierce my heart.

I looked up, trying to blink the upcoming tears away, but failed miserably.

Hey, Chad.

If what John said about the gladiolus flower is true, then I think I should have given you a dozen first.

Because you already pierced my heart long before I'd acknowledged it.

And yes, I finally stopped fighting the gravity and accepted the fact that...

I'm falling for you.

—END OF CHAPTER 28—

Hi lovies! How's the story so far? What do you think? I hope you enjoyed it! Please like this chapter if you do and leave a comment of how you feel, what you want to see next, and what do you think will happen, I like reading your comments! Also, follow me so you can be updated when the next chapter will be uploaded.

Thank you to all who submitted the new book cover for SILWAG! I was having a hard time choosing one! They're all beautiful. Thank you all! Also, follow the SHE'S IN LOVE WITH A GEEK playlist on spotify. This chapter is inspired by Can't help falling in love and Your Love.

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