Love Games

Ten: Love or Lure?

Standing on the terrace, sipping champagne and looking out to sea, I can't help but feel a mixture of anticipation and nervousness. The evening was perfect in every way - the romantic setting, the cool breeze, the beautiful dress, the perfect make-up.

But the absence of my blind date was becoming increasingly noticeable.

I kept looking around the restaurant, half expecting someone to come up to me, introduce themselves as my date and apologise for being late. But the minutes ticked by and no one came.

"Maybe he's late," I think to myself, trying to stay positive. But eventually doubt creeps in.

Has there been a misunderstanding?

Has he forgotten?

Or worse, has he decided not to come at all?

Maybe he came, saw me and left?

After all, is he not the owner of this restaurant?

At least that's what Maria told me, and she'd been pushing me for months.

I am angry at her.

I took another sip of champagne and tried to calm my nerves. Mario, the waiter, smiled and offered to refill my glass. "Would you like another glass, madam?"

I hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, please. Thank you, Mario."

He poured me another glass and discreetly put the bottle back on the table. "Good evening, madam," he said politely before leaving.

I leaned against the terrace railing, feeling a mixture of disappointment and embarrassment.

Emma had been so excited about this blind date, encouraging me to step out of my comfort zone and try something new.

And here I was, alone on what was supposed to be a special night.

As I watched the waves glisten in the moonlight, my mind drifted back to Emma's words the day before. "Enjoy it to the full and don't think too much," she'd said. But here I was, thinking of every possible scenario.

Maybe it was a joke. Maybe they had kept him on the job. Maybe... maybe it was all a mistake.

It was certainly a mistake, a mistake to come here in the first place.

Doubt grows inside me.

I close my eyes and take a deep breath to calm myself.

It wasn't that it hadn't come up, it was just the way I felt at the moment.

I got dressed, faced my nerves and bravely stepped out.

I wasn't going to let this disappointment ruin everything.

Just then Mario returned with a small plate of appetisers. "Chef's compliments," he said with a warm smile, placing the plate next to me.

"Thank you," I replied quietly, touched by his gesture. The chef must have noticed my situation and wanted to make me feel welcome despite the circumstances.

I took a small bite and enjoyed the taste, but I couldn't shake the feeling that someone had tricked me.

I was waiting for him. Whoever it was.

The minutes ticked by and each one seemed like an eternity.

I gnawed greedily at the delicacies in front of me, savouring every morsel without really tasting it.

I sipped the champagne, its bubbles doing little to lift my spirits. As I took another sip, out of the corner of my eye I saw a familiar figure approaching.