The passing of time felt both slow and fast simultaneously, which Matilda knew was impossible. Yet, that was how it seemed to her muddled mind. Sooner than she was ready, it was time to go out and meet up with Aden.

It was what she feared the most. However, it was what she desired more than anything in her life. Being so confused was something she hadn't experienced often. Thus, it made her more sympathetic to stupid things people in love did.

"Is that really what you'll wear on your first date?" Jenifer asked after scrutinizing her for a while as she had come to help her get ready.

"First of all, he never said it was a date. Secondly, this is the most comfortable clothing for going out that I have," Matilda said, used to putting on regular, non-flattering clothing.

She felt the jeans she wore went well with the black t-shirt, that they made her look acceptable. It was good enough for any place. Besides, many women in their town wore similar clothing, so she couldn't really see what Jenifer's problem with them was.

"It's just so plain. Why didn't you wear that beautiful pink dress of yours?" Jenifer asked as Matilda started putting her shoes on.

"Because that dress is only for special occasions. Besides, it's not the most comfortable thing to wear. I will be nervous enough as it is. I don't want to worry about my clothes, too," Matilda said.

"Okay, I guess you have a point," Jenifer said, not too happy with her choices. But ready to compromise just to see Matilda finally find some happiness. "Still, if anything seems suspicious or you feel odd, call me, and I'll come and get you with like two or three strong guys."

"Jenifer, stop worrying. I am not a child. You checked him out, so we know that he is legit. Also, we are going to a public place. I mean, you saw the pictures of that restaurant. It always seems to be packed. I'll be as safe as anyone," Matilda said, not really worried about her physical safety as much as her emotional and mental ones.

"Fine, fine, you are right. I am starting to sound like an overbearing mother," Jenifer said, sighing deeply. "Don't do anything I wouldn't!"

Her voice followed Matilda out of the door, and Matilda couldn't help but smile through her nervousness.

"Is there anything you wouldn't do?" Matilda muttered as she hurried down the stairs, not wanting to be late for whatever the night had to bring her.

The moment Matilda entered the restaurant, she noticed how elegant it was. It made her worry about how she was supposed to find Aden in the vast expanse of the sophisticated-looking restaurant.

"You came," his familiar voice said as he rushed towards her. "I wasn't sure you would come."

Aden was sitting near the entrance waiting for her. When she arrived, they were led to the restaurant's more private section, consisting of comfortable booths.

However, she didn't like that there was no table between them to separate them. It made her worry about what could or couldn't happen in such close proximity.

"You look amazing," he said as he settled far too close for comfort.

Still, she had enough space to pull back, to put some distance between their bodies. She just didn't want to. It was as if her mind and body had completely different ideas on what should be done.

"Oh, come on. I know I look too plain for this restaurant. I am surprised they even let me in," Matilda said, laughing off his compliment.

"I can tell you one thing I know for sure, and that is that there is absolutely nothing plain about you," Aden said once.

Once again, he lifted her hand to his lips, gently brushing them against it making the action feel far more intimate than Matilda thought possible.

"Thank you, but I don't think that's true. I mean, here you are, a model that every woman is staring at, and then there is me. They must find it odd that you would spend time with someone as ordinary as me," Matilda said.

"Sure, there are certain standards that we models have to keep, but you have something that many of us don't have and wish we did," Aden said.

"And what is that?" Matilda asked curiously as her hand burned from his touch.

The fire spread through her whole body, causing flames that she didn't think could ever be extinguished.

"Natural, wild, untamed beauty," Aden said. "That's something most of us will never achieve. And let me tell you something, that's the most breathtaking type of beauty there is."

Before Matilda could spontaneously combust, both from his touch and compliments, the waitress came to take their order causing Matilda to pull her hand away, embarrassed. She didn't want the waitress to get the wrong impression. Although even Matilda wasn't sure what it could have been and why she cared about what a random woman thought.

"So, tell me a bit about yourself. You know a lot about me, and I barely know anything about you," Aden said conversationally as the waitress went away with their order.

"Well, there isn't much to know. We are originally from Edinburgh, but I've spent most of my life here," Matilda said.

"Oh, I guess that explains that beautiful red hair of yours," Aden said, playing with one lock of Matilda's luscious hair flowing down her back freely.

Matilda rewarded his compliment with a bright smile as many people didn't share his opinion about the beauty of her hair. Although there were a few who found it desirable, none had so openly and honestly complimented it. Or at least none about whose opinion she cared.

"Go on," Aden said, putting a strand of loose hair behind her ear absentmindedly.

"I am usually very boring. I just work and sit at home watching TV, nothing special. This was actually the first time I did something even remotely adventurous," Matilda said.

"Meeting me?" Aden asked.

"No, no," Matilda said, her pale skin blushing profusely. "Going to Saudi Arabia. Especially with my hair color as I heard that some African countries see it as a bad thing."

"So, how was it?" Aden asked.

"What?" Matilda asked, flustered.

"The adventure," Aden said.

"It was so much more than I expected," Matilda admitted, her eyes wandering from his eyes to his lips.

She couldn't help wishing for a small taste, another delicious adventure.

The waitress broke the spell again, making Matilda wonder if the Universe was trying to tell her something. If perhaps she was making a big mistake by wanting what she did, whom she did.

Thus, Matilda did her best to focus on her food. She did her best not to get lost in the endless expanse of his eyes. It was a far safer option for both of them.

Conversation managed to flow despite that. It was about random things, experiences, and impressions. About different countries and places. It didn't go back to that intimate moment of connection that Matilda felt before their meal had arrived. That was mostly the case because she did her best to steer the conversation into safer topics.

It was far too early to get so close. Matilda attempted to put some distance between them, to be rational. He was still a guy she barely knew.

"I think it's time for me to go," Matilda said after finishing the meal.

"Are you sure?" Aden asked hesitantly. "What about a dessert?"

"I'm too full for a dessert," Matilda lied.

She needed to keep the boiling passion at bay, and she didn't know how long she could do that if he stayed that close to her, his leg brushing against her side.

"Alright," Aden said hesitantly. "Let me at least take you home."

"I'll take a taxi," Matilda said.

"Please let me at least do that for you," Aden said, catching her wandering eyes for the first time since the food arrived.

"Fine, I guess that's okay," she said with uncertainty.