Dating to (Hopefully) Piss Off Her Grandfather

I must've blacked out for I felt the carpet and the rays of sunshine burning my face.

Dude, on the floor again...

Groaning, I cracked my back and stretched my arms. Immediately, the scent of toast filled the room. The sizzling of bacon reminded me how hungry I was, so I walked into the kitchen.

Just to see Emma, hair into a fluffy bun and an apron covered in oil, cooking.

She's so cute. She may be related to my arch nemesis but that's fine. 

"Ace!" she jumped ever so slightly, "I was hoping you'd wake up after I was done!"

"I guess I was too excited to see you."

If it weren't for the boiling heat, this woman was two seconds away from ensuring the pan met my face. I laughed, ruffling my hair.

"Go one day without freaking out, Emma."

"Y-you know, it's a lot harder than you think! You were someone I looked up to after all, and now I'm supposed to accept that you're cool with me like that?"

"Hey, I didn't ask you to cook me breakfast."

"How about you go one day without being such a flirt!"

"Sure."

She scoffed, clearly finding it difficult to believe that beyond my exterior beauty I could remain serious had she not react so amusingly to my mannerisms.

The eggs were scrambled, and the bacon teased my hunger I salivated. She divided our portions and placed the meals on the table. The smell of a successfully cooked meal reminded me of the times when my mother spoiled me rotten with the little money she saved.

"Thanks for the meal," I smiled and chowed down. A blink of an eye later the plate was empty.

"You're that hungry? Man, had I known I would've prepared more!" Emma stated as she bit onto the bacon.

"Don't worry about it, it's the thought that counts," I rested my head on my hands. After nothing but the sound of gobbling, I added, "Hey, let's go out."

"Out? Where?"

"Anywhere. I see you like gemstones. Maybe a shop of your preference?"

"Eh?! But I got work soon! I already called out yesterday, boss would kill me if I do it again!"

I rubbed my forehead. Seriously, how is this woman, of wealth and status, prioritizing some job over getting a date with her idol?

"Up to you, Emma. Although, I was hoping we could hang out again, now that we're..."

Teasingly but purposeful, I slowly glanced away and waited for her response.

But to my astonishment, she hadn't reacted. No replies, no finishing each other's sentences, or stuttering, or even a slightest hint of feeling flustered.

If anything, she focused on her empty plate. The same kind of disassociation from last night. I wondered, if the conversation of her grandfather slowly came back. Maybe Emma's not the kind to admit fault when her family's involved, or maybe accepting the truth would meant jeopardizing her lifestyle.

But what lifestyle is there to jeopardize living like a commoner?

"Hey," I stared at her intensively, "so, what's a pretty girl like you doing renting an apartment?"

She continued to play with her fork. Staring to the side, she took a couple of deep breaths as if to prepare herself seconds to think of a valid excuse.

"I know things become of value when you work hard. My grandfather's the one who taught me that."

"Hah."

"And even though my family's rich, it's not like we grew up with a silver spoon. I'm lucky to have grandparents who made us work for our money. Nobody wants to be like Auntie Edna. Only person in the family to have gone broke because some man swindled her. Or Cousin Himeko, who gambled to death."

"So there are a couple of black sheep in the family."

"I am too, technically. I'm just well-liked enough by grandfather that I don't have to worry about ever disgracing him. And that's why-"

She slapped her palms down on the table, causing it to shake. With such an abrupt change of mood, I hadn't registered how ironically terrifying it was to witness a woman of anxiety become genuinely pissed. 

"I wasn't expecting someone like you to disrespect him of all people. Especially since you've seen his ads, reels even I'd assume! Heck, I've helped on those and his social media content several times already. So to hear that you two have history..."

She trailed off, seemingly going back to her depressive state. Eyes slowly formed tears barely clinging on from falling, her cheeks reddened from being flustered.

"You're someone I genuinely like, Ace. I really want to get to know you, but I can't be having two of the most influential people in my life be at odds. Not like this, it's-" 

And thus the waterfall of tears begun, soaking my table cloth.

"i-it's too much for me!!"

I reached over and gave her a pat on the head. She wept onto her sleeves; clearly her priorities aren't aligning with my genuine concerns. As much as I wanted to confront her about actual issues other than a disagreement in business practice, it wasn't the right time.

If anything, my feelings for her wavered slightly the moment I'd realized who she was. It was cognitive dissonance teasing me, one where her beauty and quirky mannerisms had me melting. Yet, my chest hardened with riled up anger the moment she spoke so fondly of her grandfather.

Alas, while I'd like to get my fists up against that old man, I have other priorities too.

"Call off. Let's go on a date."

"D-date?!"

Her shallow breathing began surging. 

"Y-you said you wanted to hang out! That we're f-friends! W-what do you mean, DATE? WAIT!"

Emma stood up. Her foot rapidly tapped the floor, in some chaotic rhythm that I could've imagined the train of thoughts derailing out loud. 

"Does this mean you like me?"

The audacity of this woman.

"Emma," lowering my gaze, I stood a step forward. She stepped back. "I suppose- after giving it some thought- you could say I have my eyes on you."

Like a prey facing a predator Emma dared to not turn her gaze away from me. The floor creaked as she took another step back until her hands felt the soft couch in the living room. One would think this was a signal to stop, but with our eyes fixated at each other like this...

They're so sparkly; her eyes, dilated and begging for attention, were alluring. Without a second thought, I leaned in and caressed her face. She had cowered onto the couch, trapped and yet, reluctant to escape the situation she's in.

What a tease.

To admit the temptation to kiss her was an understatement. The mental strength I endured was abysmal. Holding back such urges, I simply smirked and licked my lips.

"You know exactly what you're doing, Emma," 

Those bedroom eyes of hers.

"What do you mean, Ace?"

"So you're one of those who likes to act dumb."

She bit her lip. For every second passed, her face gradually turned a brighter shade of red. 

"Don't worry, we can totally give us a shot," grinning, I slowly leaned away from her, "Not that I'm calling you anything more than a friend yet. That's why I'm asking you out. Although, since you're so busy with work..."

"I'll..."

"Go on."

"I'll call off," with a noticeable gulp, she headed towards my door, "give me a second."

Her legs trembled as she exited out of my apartment. Worried that she was going to trip on herself, I gave her a few seconds to unlock her door and peered out. 

Nice, she didn't faint in the hallway.

The morning sun had long since risen; birds chirped merrily with the winter breeze cooling down the sweat dripping on my back. I heard a faint commotion downstairs; it sounded like a couple of elderly folks gossiping about their favorite TV shows from decades back. Another regular day for many, but a special one for us. 

And I was excited.

Turning back into my apartment, I took off the disgusting sweater I had worn and tossed it carelessly into the laundry basket. The cold zephyr felt nice against my bare skin. Looking over at the stack of folded sweaters, I pulled out a simple, but comfortable black one. A design created for the minimalists, I'd say. 

Perhaps due to my imaginary thoughts running wild, I had forgotten to shut my door. 

As I lifted my arms, Emma walked in on me in the middle of changing.

We stared at each other, partly awkward, partly ashamed, but mostly on her end.

Without exchanging a single word, Emma abruptly turned her heels and walked out.

Sighing, I adjusted the sweater and grabbed my wallet. As I stepped out and locked my door, I glanced at the staircase to take a view of Emma.

Basked under the warmth of the sun, she stood patiently, waiting for me. No signs of stress, but one of genuine shyness.

Smiling, I held my hand out and led her down the steps. Despite her entertaining reactions, something about her soft demeanor pulled my heartstrings.

That's when I realized, I hit the jackpot.