Hugh was silent, contemplating. He only had a month in the Philippines and this was a good time to get closer to her. Her idea was logical and a reasonable excuse to go out on a date again. Hugh looked at her, being inspired by her suggestion.

'In this one month, I'll make you fall in love with me, Sheila,' he thought.

He didn't know, Sheila was planning the same thing, to make him fall in love with her.

"As you wish, Mademoiselle. Thank you," Hugh said.

"You're welcome, Monsieur."

The two laughed as they walked.

. . . . .

An hour had gone by, the two was not yet back.

"Jenna, I'm hungry, I can't wait anymore." One of the younger cousins said.

I think they went out for a date and forgot about us, Jenna thought.

Jenna sent Sheila a message.

[Me: Don't buy food for us. Just continue with your date.]

[Chef Sheila: Okay.]

'Oh, they didn't' buy at all, nice dating.' Jenna was partly vexed but shrugged it off. So Jenna announced, "Guys, let's go out and plunder Uncle Clyde's restaurant near here."

"Yey!" The cousins shouted in glee.

. . . . .

The red dress. No, the green one. Sheila couldn't decide. Both were festive and formal. No, wear a casual but elegant dress. She tried every clothes in her closet, including those in her college years, then paired them with different shoes.

After two hours, she chose a light blue flowered wide skirt and a white petal sleeve blouse. Then eyed her white canva.s.s shoes. "Comfortable when walking on dates. I hope we'll hold hands this time." She decided to take charge and hold his hand if he hesitated.

Hugh waited in Clarence's condo. His male cousins saw him handsomely wearing a coat and tie and glossy black shoes.

"Big bro Lucien, it's warm here. Wear a comfortable s.h.i.+rt or you'll choke with sweat. Your date will be embarra.s.sed if that happens."

"Yeah, she'll break up with you afterward." The cousins teased. They knew him as aloof with girls and inexperienced when it comes to dating. "Big bro, let us help you dressed up for your first date."

"No, this is fine." Hugh arranged his collar and ironed his sleeves with the back of his hand.

The cousins pitied him. Suddenly, they looked at one another and agreed. Then all of them ran to Hugh and carried him to his room. Two clutched his feet while another two held his arms and two more carried the back of his shoulders.

"Hey! Put me down." He yelled and wriggled to escape from their clutches.

They tightened their hold with gritted teeth. "Just cooperate, big bro. We'll make you very handsome tonight."

All the male cousins helped undressed him, aside from his underwear and socks.

One pulled a sky blue cotton polo s.h.i.+rt from his luggage. The others helped him wear his jeans. It was chaos inside the room. Hugh didn't want to cooperate. He was a strong well-built man. His body was chiseled in years of training way back his younger years with Uncle Paul. He was even capable of making them sleep with a few moves. They had a hard time dressing him.

They stopped for a breather. The male cousins were grasping for air with their heads down and hands on their hips or legs. Sweats were on their foreheads. "Come on, big bro, trust us. We might be younger than you but we're more experienced when it comes to dating."

The eldest cousin looked at them and conceded. "Fine, but go out. I'll change myself."

. . . . .

Sheila arrived minutes after. Hugh came out from his room after he was notified by his cousins. As he walked to the living room, Sheila gasped to see a very handsome but casually dressed Hugh. He wore the sky blue polo s.h.i.+rt, black denim, and light brown Skechers shoes. His blond hair lithely swaying on his head.

"Let's go." Hugh was not in the mood, so he let go of his self-doubt and grabbed Sheila's hand. The lovers left.

The cousins looked at the two going out. Then they smiled at each other with satisfaction in their faces.

"Yes!" They hollered. "Big bro Lucien will have a girlfriend now and another wedding after and more eating. Whoooo!"

. . . . .

The two sat together at the back seat of the car arranged by Clarence with a chauffeur.

Inside the car was warm and cozy. Warm and intimate. Comfortable in a way that was foreign to Hugh. This was his first official date with the lady he liked. He was a bit nervous but his hand didn't let go of her. Sheila was happy feeling his hand on hers.

Sheila told the driver to bring them to Binondo, the Chinatown of Manila. They went to a seafood restaurant. When they went in, Hugh thought the place was perfect, exotic, and fun.

They were seated by a girl, who handed them the menu. Fried peanuts were served with a kettle of hot tea and two teacups. The girl poured tea on their cups as they read the menu.

"Everything looks wonderful," Hugh said.

"The chef is a friend of mine. I already called him for our food. Just wait and see." Sheila sweetly smiled at him.

"I'm partial to anything but spicy foods."

"Don't worry, no spicy food tonight." She actually asked Jenna and learned of this.

Their eyes met and held, some incomprehensible emotion sparked between them, as though this one tiny detail were jam-packed with incredible meaning.

"You're so beautiful. You look like a fairy tonight," Hugh said, his eyes sparkled as he spoke.

"You're handsome yourself," Sheila said, her pink cheeks were lovely.

No one spoke a word after. Silent but romantic. Only smiles were on their faces.

They barely noticed when their food arrived. The food was eaten with light conversations.

"I heard from Jenna that you're a surgeon."

"Uhum, what else did she tell you?"

"That you never dated any girl before."

"Haha, that nosey cousin. Yes, I admit, you're actually the first. So, please be gentle."

His words tickled Sheila's ears. "I'm not gentle."

"No problem, I think I can manage."

"I like that. We'll see."

Both of them laughed.

. . . . .

After dinner, Hugh invited her to go out for a walk. They told the driver to follow them.

Their fingers intertwined, their smiles bright as they walked the busy street of Binondo. They stopped for some barbecued pork covered with red sauce but Hugh declined to eat.

"I'm not sure if my stomach can handle this."

"Just try it. You'll do fine." Sheila took one and placed the meat on his mouth. He was hesitant but ate it anyway.

Minutes while walking, he felt his stomach grumbling. "Oh no," he said, he held his stomach.

"Anything wrong?"

"I think we need to go home now." He turned his head around, looking for the car. He spotted it and waved his hand. The driver saw him and parked the car near them. Hugh opened the door in a hurry for Sheila. She went in and Hugh followed and told the driver, "Go home, fast."

"Anything wrong?" Sheila was troubled looking at his pale and sweating face.

"My stomach," he said as he winced in pain.

"Oh no, I'm sorry. This is all my fault." Sheila didn't know where to put her hands, to his stomach or to his forehead? Alas, she said, "What can I do to help?"

"Don't worry, just stay by my side and take care of me."

"Are you serious?"

"I'm serious," he grasped her hand and looked into her concerned eyes, "for the first time in my life I'm asking a lady to stay with me. So, please, say yes."

Those words. .h.i.t Sheila's heart bullseye. It was certainly a date to remember.