C25 Great Arousal of Emotion

"I thought I answered that," says Leila.

"I'm finding it hard to believe," responds Dexter. "Allergic to smoke? That sounds quite exaggerated. But even if it's true, you rescued me regardless of all the smoke."

"Is that so hard to believe? I was just doing the right thing."

"Maybe, but you put yourself in danger regardless."

"Just... trust me, okay?"

She was wearing her sunglasses again, hiding more from him. He could feel it. What was going on? This was a strange date to him, but then again, this was his first date as well. Maybe this is how women are? Or maybe young women? Could the reason she was hiding because of him in some way? Could it be that she was dating him for other reasons? For money? For fame? Then why hide the fact she rescued him? She could request a reward or be on the news and get fame for rescuing a CEO. Why go through this trouble of hiding your identity? He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but there was something strange about this woman calling herself Amber, and he wanted to figure her out.

Leila takes control again, "putting that aside, why did you decide to ask me on a date?"

"Is there a problem with that?" he asks rather calmly.

"No, nothing particular. It's just that... well... did you really fell in love with me in that instant? I know I saved your life, but to fall in love with me just like that? That only happens in the movies, the whole love at first sight. But you were now not only so thankful to be alive, but you even confessed your love for me," Dexter looks at her with a serious look. It did not escape Leila as she feels a bit apprehensive. "Umm..." she tried to respond but his serious look was making her uncomfortable.

She was about to answer back but Dexter spoke first. "What's wrong with falling in love with the one who saved your life?" Leila could not continue with her current thought. This question put her in a strange situation. He continued, "it was at that time, I thought I was going to die. But not just die, but die alone. I could not find the woman of my dreams up to that point. I've tried dating women before, but they thought I was too cold and distant. I just couldn't love them the way they deserved, and we would always break up. This always happened. Actresses, models, superstars, all from around the world, I could have any one of them, but I can't fall in love with any of them. I feared my destiny was to be alone for the rest of my life.

"At that moment, when I was about to die, I felt a giant regret, of never meeting the right woman. I even joked about it a bit because there would be no woman to mourn me. But in the end, I was going to die with a giant regret. It wasn't until I was being pulled out that I saw your face and had such a strange feeling. I didn't realize at first what that feeling was. I just kept seeing your face in my mind and couldn't understand why, but I soon realized that it was faith. Then everything came together. I found you on the dating app, and you accepted my date. And then finally, I saw you for the first time in person.

"At that moment, when I saw your beautiful blue eyes, I lost control of my emotions and declared my love for you, because you are the one. Leila, you are the one for me, my soulmate. I know this sounds strange to you, but please hear my words: I never want to let you go now! I never want to be alone ever again! I want to be your boyfriend! I want to be your husband! I want to be your soulmate! I'll give you anything you want, I can afford it. Please, Leila, won't you be my girlfriend, and be my woman?"

Leila was even more confused than ever before. This long-winded speech was even lengthier than the confession. Where does he even come up with these speeches? She has trouble writing a 2-page essay for her English class and he whips up a poetic love confession. Maybe this is why her mother is pushing her to study so much.

In either case, it left her with that strange sensation once more. Her breathing got heavy, that pit in her stomach was back, and her heart was pounding like crazy.

"Will you excuse me?" she asks as she desperately gets up from the table and heads to the restroom. Upon entering the lady's room, she goes to the sink and splashes some water on her face. She then looks at the mirror, only to realize she just splashed water on her face with her sunglasses still on. She takes them off aggressively as she looks at herself in the mirror.

What was that face she was making? Her eyes had this hazy and droopy look to them like she was dreaming. Her mouth was open and wouldn't close without her pushing her chin up. It was a startling sight. Her heart kept beating as she clutches her chest. What was going on with her?

"This feeling..." she tells herself, "no, it couldn't be. I couldn't be..." She shakes her head, "this is the only date I am in. I'm not going to see him again. I just wanted to feel like a grown up for once. I'm going back to being a student and hanging out with Tomi tomorrow. I'm not going to be the girlfriend of a guy 10 years older than me. This is wrong. It's wrong to date such an old man that is as old as my dad."

She cocks her head back and exhales, "I'm sorry Dexter. I know you like me, but I am not a 21-year-old woman, I am a 16-year-old high school girl."

She grabs her sunglasses and puts them on, only to find the two tinted glasses were not on the frames. She looks at the ground and realizes that her aggressive action made them pop out and shatter on the ground.