Finding Carla

Chapter 4 - Wave of You

I tried to keep up with her again as she turned on the street corner, attempting to get rid of me. We still have two blocks to go. I want to make sure that before we reach our apartment building, she has already warmed up to me even just for a little bit. I want to talk to her properly.

"Ouch, that's harsh. It's rude to ignore a peaceful handshake. Look, I'm really trying here. Just give me a chance. If I acted like a jerk and annoyed you last night, I'm sorry. There I said it. To make it up to you, why don't we grab some dinner? My treat. Pick anywhere you want."

"Wow, are you asking me out on a date?" She said with an incredulous look on her face.

"What?! Of course not! I'm just inviting you to grab some dinner." I replied surprised at her question. I don't want her thinking I have "romantic intentions" on her (even though my subconscious is telling me, yes you have but you know it's wrong! It's forbidden; my inner self is telling me).

"So, what do you call a guy asking a girl to go out? Isn't that a date? Or do you have another term for that on your planet?" She said mockingly.

I let out a deep sigh. I'm starting to lose my patience. She's making it too difficult for me, but I can't let her win. She's being her stubborn self; she always thinks she's right. She could be arrogant like that. Just like me. But I know how to accept defeat if I realize that I'm wrong. Although I usually don't show it. That's just part of my male ego.

She definitely got this from Uncle Amir. I've seen this side of her one time when I followed her when she went out with her friends in a bar. I know she would hang out with them once a week which she hasn't done recently. Maybe because of her busy work schedule.

I accidentally overheard their conversation as their voices were loud. I could tell all of them were buzzed at that time. They were arguing about the best series of all time. She didn't want to lose and tried to make her point that "Friends" is the greatest comedy series ever made. On the other hand, her flamboyant male friend was insisting that it should be "How I Met Your Mother." I couldn't help but laugh while hearing their drunk arguments.

I've seen her different sides, including her formal side whenever she meets with her clients. And every time I follow her, I always make it a point to be "incognito." That's why I was frustrated when she suddenly appeared at my front door. I wasn't ready for us to meet. But I think inevitably, it's bound to happen whether I like it or not. I looked at her patiently and tried to answer her question.

"I'm not asking you out on a date. I'm sorry if you interpreted it that way. I just want to make it up to you for disrupting your sleep the past few nights. Let's say it's my peace offering."

She stared at me, trying to discern my real intentions. And then, she shook her head.

"Nah, I'm already tired. Maybe you can make it up to me next time. I want to go home and relax at my place." She said then continued to cross the street. By this time, we're just one block away from our building and I need to think of another strategy for her to agree to sit down and talk with me.

"Hmmm, how about I invite you to my place? You can relax at my comfy couch while I cook. You can even remove your high heels and put your tired feet on my new ottoman chair. It was just delivered this morning." I grinned sheepishly.

"Wow, you're really persistent, Mr. Country Boy! We're not even close and you're already inviting me to your place! How can I be sure that you don't have ill intentions? What if you're one of those crazy serial killers? I just want to warn you, I know martial arts so don't dare do anything that you would regret!" She said proudly.

I laughed at her spill. Now, she's really living up to her Alita Battle Angel personality.

"I promise you, I'm not a bad person. I'm harmless. I won't do anything bad to you. I just want to be friends with you and enjoy your company tonight. I'm new here in the city so I haven't made friends yet."