4. Brad
4
brAD
S ince our first meet-up at Rogue Bar and Lounge, Nola and I have seen each other a couple more times this week, continuing to get to know each other. I liked Nola. She was beautiful, intelligent, and so nice. She’s so easy to talk to, the conversations we’ve had weren’t boring, and I enjoyed flirting with her, watching her blush in the process. I’ve never felt so comfortable being around someone, including my ex-fiancée. The more Nola and I talked, the more it felt as if we’ve known each other for a long time. I think we have chemistry, and hoped that our fake relationship looked real enough for people to believe.
I went up the elevator, meeting Nola at her hotel room before her cocktail party event downstairs in the ballroom. The other day, I asked her what the reason was for throwing a cocktail party. She told me that it was World Cocktail Day—there was no other reason but that. Nola mentioned that she hasn’t thrown a fancy cocktail party yet and it was on her bucket list.
I found her room and lifted my hand to the cool, wooden door. Knock. Knock. Knock.
Shortly after, the door opened and I gasped at the beautiful woman on the other side. Nola’s presence nearly knocked all the wind out of me. She was so fucking gorgeous. My gaze raked down her body, taking in every inch of her. She was wearing a black, sleeveless, body-hugging dress that fit her like second skin, showing off her curvaceous body, and black, strapped, high heeled shoes. Her hair was down, curled and pinned on the side with a sparkling rhinestone barrette.
“Wow,” I said breathily, still trying to catch my breath. “You look gorgeous.”
Her cheeks quickly turned a dark pink as she gave a shy smile. “Thanks, Brad. You look very handsome.”
I was wearing a black, fitted suit, a crisp, white dress shirt, and black tie. It was a classic look.
“Thank you,” I said.
She stepped aside. “Come in. I’m almost ready.”
I entered her room, her sweet fragrant scent enveloped me as I trailed behind her. I sat in one of the chairs and watched Nola finish up her makeup.
“You don’t need makeup, you know. You’re already so beautiful,” I complimented.
I looked at her reflection in the mirror. Her lips curved, flashing her beautiful smile. It made my stomach flutter and my knees weak.
“Thanks,” she responded, but her smile faltered, making me frown.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, worried I may have said something I shouldn’t have.
“I appreciate all the compliments, but I don’t think I’m beautiful. That’s one thing my family reminds me of—is that I should make more of an effort to look better, lose weight, and get settled down. My parents always compare me to my older sister.” She looked at herself in the mirror, her eyes filled with sadness. “Have you ever dated a Filipino woman?” she asked.
I shook my head. “No, but I have plenty of friends who are Filipino.”
She twisted around to face me. “You’ll see first-hand tonight my parents and relatives criticizing me, and basically tell me I’m not good enough. I’m a physical therapist, but my mom still gripes that I should have been a nurse instead, following her footsteps as well as my aunties and cousins. My sister is a nurse…she has always been their favorite.” Her voice softened, her dark brown eyes dulled, filled with sadness.
Hearing her tell her story broke my heart. I got up and closed the distance between us, holding both of her hands. Electricity ran up my arms from her touch, wondering if she felt this, too. I hope so.
“Don’t listen to them. From what I know about you, you’re intelligent, self-less, and care more about helping others before yourself. You’re an amazing woman, Nola. I’m really glad that we met and I got to know you.”
She gave a small smile, looking away from me. I lifted my fingers to her chin, pinching it between my thumb and forefinger, twisting her head until our eyes locked.
“I’ll be by your side the entire night and will do whatever it takes to make you happy. That’s what a boyfriend does.” I gazed into her chocolate brown eyes, watching tears well up.
“I’m so happy to have met you, too, Brad. And so grateful that you agreed to do this with me.”
I pushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear, then cupped her jaw. She nuzzled into my hand, closing her eyes briefly. My other hand snaked around her waist, pulling her against my body, then planted a long, sensual kiss. Her body tensed at first, then she relaxed, kissing me back. Her arms circled around my neck, pulling me down, her fingers running through the back of my hair. The touch of her smooth lips sent a surge of energy in my nerves.
Nola’s lips parted, an invitation for my tongue to explore her mouth, yearning to get a taste of her. My tongue slid inside her mouth and curled around hers. I tilted my head, deepening the kiss. The rush of heat spreading through my body had my senses on overload, my heart rate quickening. She moaned into the kiss, the sound vibrating against our lips, earning a low groan from me.
I slowly pulled away, releasing the kiss, soft panting escaping our lips. Our gaze locked, her eyes sparkling and a smile appearing on both of our lips. I caressed her cheek with the pad of my thumb, her skin so supple and soft.
“I’ve wanted to kiss you since we met,” I admitted, my voice low.
Her cheeks slowly turned pink, blushing adorably. “Me, too,” she said softly.
“Your party’s going to start soon. How about you finish getting ready then we’ll go downstairs to greet your guests?” I suggested.
Nola nodded, still smiling.
I leaned down and kissed her forehead, then she finished getting ready before we headed downstairs, hand-in-hand, our fingers interlaced.
Nola and I entered the ballroom, which was all decked out in black and white decor. It had chandeliers hanging and white flowers on the tables. It was elegant, just like her.
I leaned into her. “This looks incredible, baby,” I said into her ear.
She twisted her head, her lips tugged up in a warm smile, our faces close. “Thanks, baby.” Then she placed a chaste kiss to my lips.
Nola greeted her guests, introducing me to her friends, some family, and colleagues. Before I could ask if her parents were here, an older couple approached Nola and I. I hooked my arm around her waist, holding her close.
“Mom, Dad,” Nola said, a tight-lipped smile curved on her lips.
“Nola, kumusta na, anak (how are you, my child)? ” her father asked.
“I’m good,” Nola responded.
Nola greeted her parents with a kiss on the cheek, then stood by my side, her arm around my waist.
“I want you to meet my boyfriend, Brad,” she said, tilting her head back and gazing up at me.
I looked down at her, grinning, admiring how beautiful she was.
“Brad, these are my parents, Fidel and Maria Vasquez,” Nola said.
I extended my arm out, shaking hands with her father then her mother.
“Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Vasquez,” I answered, extending my hand. He shook my hand, then I turned to Nola’s mother. “Mrs. Vasquez, nice to meet you, too.” I shook her hand. Both her parents eyed me, sizing me up. I wonder what they think of me. Would they think I was good enough for their little girl?
“Nola, sobrang gwapo niya (he’s so handsome) .” Her mom smirked, looking at Nola.
“ Mom ,” Nola huffed.
“What?” Maria asked, chuckling.
Nola’s cheeks turned pink, and I pulled her closer. I didn’t know what her mom told her in Tagalog, but it embarrassed Nola. I’ve told Nola earlier that I wouldn’t leave her side and would be here to make her happy, wanting to comfort her and make her feel safe.
“So, Brad, how long have you been with my daughter?” her father asked.
“About a month,” I answered.
“Where did you two meet?” her mother asked.
I glanced down at Nola with a smile across my face, our eyes finding one another. “We met at a bar. It was crowded and Nola almost fell while wearing her heels, but I caught her. I didn’t want her to fall.”
“Nola’s always clumsy,” her mom snickered. I felt Nola’s body tense up. “But I’m glad you were there to catch her.” Nola relaxed after that comment, and I tugged her closer to me.
“So, what do you do, Brad?” Fidel asked.
“I’m a software engineer at SV Communications here in San Francisco,” I told him.
“Impressive.” Nola’s father grinned, nodding.
“Mom, Dad, why don’t you give Brad some space. You’re interrogating him,” Nola said, chuckling nervously.
“ Sige (okay) ,” Nola’s mom scoffed.
I felt Nola’s body tense up again and I could have sworn I heard a growl come from Nola with the irritation she felt from her mom.
“Enjoy yourselves. Get a drink and mingle. The titas (aunties) and titos (uncles) are over there by the bar.” Nola’s words came out rushed as she pointed to the bar area across the room, trying to get rid of her parents.
“Our daughter doesn’t want us to get to know you,” Maria said, side-eyeing her daughter. “We’ll leave you both now, but will continue our conversation later. When you meet Nola’s older sister and her husband, you’ll see how different they are compared to Nola. Good luck with this one.”
Fidel shook his head, scowling at this wife. “Maria.” His tone was low and stern, then he looked at me. “Sorry, don’t listen to Maria. Nothing’s wrong with Nola. She’s always been a good daughter.” He chuckled awkwardly. “Come on, Maria, let’s leave the love birds alone.”
They walked away from us, then I led Nola away to the side. Facing directly in front of her, I pinched her chin and twisted it until her eyes met mine.
“Are you okay?” I asked, searching her eyes.
She nodded with a crooked grin. “Yeah, they’re just too much.”
“Baby, don’t worry about them. As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters,” I said.
“You’re really sweet. You know we’re out of ear shot from other people. You don’t need to talk to me like I’m your girlfriend,” she said, almost in a whisper.
The act we’re performing for others felt all too natural, it felt so real. I knew it was too soon, but I didn’t want what we have to be temporary and fake. I wasn’t going to tell Nola that, though. I wasn’t sure how she felt about me or us, but from the kiss we had earlier in her hotel room, I hoped that she felt the same way I did for her.
“Sorry, I just caught up in the moment.” I dropped my hand, our gaze never breaking. There was a sizzle in the air between us, a connection I wanted to experience more of.
I cleared my throat. “Let’s grab a drink. After all, this is a cocktail party.” Then I took her hand, interlacing our fingers and leading her to the bar.
A few hours and three drinks later, Nola and I said our goodbyes to the guests, including her parents. Nola and I avoided her parents after I met them, but it didn’t look like it bothered them. From that short interaction with Fidel and Maria, I could tell they were as intense as Nola made them out to be, especially her mom. I felt bad for Nola, but I did my best to make sure that she was happy tonight. I didn’t want her to feel stressed or get upset by her family, ruining her party. But as the night went on, it seemed like Nola was more relaxed and had a good time. I enjoyed meeting her guests and mingling with others, having Nola by my side as my girlfriend . I think we fooled everyone here, including her parents.
As the last guests exited the ballroom, I sighed, not wanting this night to end. She turned to face me, tipping her head back to look at me.
Looking down at her, I couldn’t help but smile. “I’ll walk you up to your room then I’ll head home,” I told her.
She cupped my jaw, the softness of her skin sent a shiver down my spine. I nuzzled into her warm hand, relishing in this moment.
“I think it’s only right to have my boyfriend stay overnight. You were drinking and I want you to be safe—here with me,” she suggested, her dark eyes intense, a smirked lifted on her lips.
“I am a gentleman and don’t want to turn down an offer from a beautiful woman, especially from my girlfriend .” I took her hand from my face, kissing the palm, then leaned in, pressing my lips on hers in a gentle kiss.
She slowly pulled back, smiling.
“I can stay on the couch,” I said, although I was hoping that I would be sharing a bed with her and holding her in my arms.
Mischief filled her eyes. “Let’s go, baby. I don’t think you’ll be taking the couch.”