Chapter 44 - 44: Group Date I
Fitzgerald's was a local bistro popular to the students of Windsor's school for nobles. It was frequented by students to unwind as they serve wines, beers, and other alcoholic beverages.
When Charlton and company arrived, the girls were not yet present. Vincent who made the reservation talked to the receptionist who led them to a long table set up for twelve on the right side which was clearly visible from the entrance. The boys sat in a straight line as it was a group date. Charlton, wanting to be inconspicuous sat at the far end.
"Ok, so like we talked about earlier, Mia's friend, Janine, is my date. I don't care where the other girls sit, but you guys know the drill." Vincent instructed. He was the one to set this meet up, wanting the chance to get the girl he likes date him.
Everyone nodded as they waited.
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"Sorry, for running a little late. I hope you guys did not wait long?" Mia, the leader of the group said with a sugary voice, so sweet that ants may just suddenly appear to bite her.
When she, along with the other girls, entered the bistro at quarter to six, they were pleasantly surprised to see Kylo and Charlton amongst the boys. All the girls eyed the two, wanting the chance to sit with them.
"No, not at all." Vincent replied as he stood up along with the boys. "Please let me introduce my friends." He introduced the boys by name as he pointed at them. He was sitting in the middle, on his right were Miles and Jeff, while on his left were Joshua, Kylo and Charlton.
"It's a pleasure to meet all of you here. Now here with me are Janine, Elizabeth, Richelle, and Mildred, whom you may have already known as we are all sophomores. Now, I want to introduce my cousin, Isabel Price, a freshman who mind you all is a princess from Balamb." She proudly said as she looped her arm with her shy cousin who was just looking at the ground.
"Oh, it's a pleasure to have you here with us, your highness." Joshua, who found the freshie fetching teased.
Mia not liking Joshua who was a renowned as a rake for her innocent cousin chose to ignore him. Being the leader, she was given the prerogative to choose to be seated first. Not being shy, she directly sat in front of Kylo and let her cousin sit in front of Charlton. Although the two were also rakes, they at least have the right to be. Besides, if she can snag Kylo who is a prince through this then why not? All is fair in love and war. Now for her cousin, well, she did hear some stories about Charlton, but that was all in the past. She never heard about him playing with a girl's heart since they were freshmen.
When all the girls were seated, the waiters began serving the starters of the pre-ordered food and drinks. Meanwhile, the twelve began talking to their assigned partner, as if creating their own bubble.
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When Isabel finally had enough courage to look at the man her cousin paired her up with, she suddenly felt a fluttering in her stomach that made her feel queasy. She saw him smile at her tentatively which made her forget to breathe, triggering light headedness that caused her to end up falling. Thankfully, her cousin was supporting her, or it would have been truly embarrassing.
Kylo elbowed Charlton, as if telling him, there you go, easy picking. But he just shook his head. He had no plans of engaging with some random girl. However, although he's just here to fill in the numbers, he still had to be polite. So, he waited for the girl to sit before sitting back himself.
As he had no interest, aside from the tentative smile he gave, he did not start a conversation and just started drinking the wine set in front of him.
Isabel who had her head down and cheeks heated waited for the man to reintroduce himself and start conversing with her. After a few minutes of nothing, she raised her head to look at him, only to find him staring at the glass of wine in his hand. Seeing that, she became a little anxious. Here she was, expecting a fairytale, labelling him as her prince charming, but there he was just sitting not paying her any attention.
Isabel thought that perhaps the man, she heard his name was Charlton, was just as shy as she was. And so, she tried to go out of her shell.
"Uh… Mr. Charlton, am I correct? I am Isabel Price. I hope you don't mind me asking, but why are you here today?" she asked as she smiled at him shyly.
Charlton who was contented with not conversing raised his eyes to look at the girl in front of him. He saw her flushed cheeks and her smile. Truthfully, he was used to girls giving him that look. So, he was not surprised to see that kind of expression on her. And though he had to admit that she was quite fetching, he was just not interested.
"I hope that this doesn't offend you, Ms. Price, but I'm just here to fill the numbers. Sorry to trouble you."
Isabel felt her face flush in embarrassment. But despite that, she didn't want to end everything there. When she first saw him, she thought that she and he were meant to be. That meeting him there today was fate.
"It's all right. Uh… so, ah… what do you do on your free time?"
Charlton raised his brow, is this girl for real? Did she read the 'what do you ask on your first date list?' Seeing her all embarrassed trying to talk to him, he took some pity on her.
"I like playing some music." He answered, hoping that they can end the conversation there.
"Oh… my friend also has that hobby. She was even requested by her music teacher to play on a wedding."
Charlton hearing this immediately thought of Serena. Was this girl her friend? How come he never saw her around his girlfriend before?
"Really? What's her name?"
"Her name is Emily." She began, but since she felt like Charlton was more interested about her friend than herself, she added "but she's not here with me now as she is spending more time with her boyfriend. Don't tell her I told you she has one, it's a secret."
Charlton intrigued by the information could not help being curious. Serena did say that Geoffrey was seeing Emily. He wondered how that ship is sailing.
"Hmm, so that's why you're here. Why is your friend keeping it as a secret? I thought girls like it when their man tries to proclaim to the world that they love them."
"Uhmmm… well it's a secret…" Isabel tried to evade.
"come on, what's the secret about it? It's not like I know her. I just want another girl's opinion on that matter."
Isabel who thought herself in love with him felt that she can tell him all her secrets, what more of just her friend's? Besides, it was not like Charlton knew Emily. "Well, it's a secret because the man is already engaged. I hope you do not think of me like her. I would never even think of stealing a man from his intended."
Charlton being content about what he learned felt that the girl was quite amiable. So, he smiled at her and acted a little friendlier. She did supply him with some information.
It was just too bad that it was this sight that Serena saw when she entered the bistro with her friends.
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TBC