Cupid's Prophecy

"You and Clarissa seem to have grown… close."

"Oh, yeah- it kind of just happened. She wants to get to know me."

"Are you sure?"

"Huh?"

Am I sure? Of course I am, she's the one that told me after all. But Alphonse seemed conflicted when he told me that day at the mall.

Does he… like Clarissa also?!

I did end up seeing a few photos of me and her on social media after our little picnic. Did he see them as well?

"When are the other parents going to show up?"

"I didn't invite them."

"What?"

"Well, I wanted to talk to you privately-"

Why would I want to embarrass Alphonse in front of other people? I'm really not that mean.

Though, the door of the café enters and a woman approaches our table, sitting by Alphonse.

"Who is this…?"

"My wife, Seraphine."

"Oh."

Our drinks are ordered and I can't help being a little suspicious. I haven't seen this lady around at any of the meetings.

"Are you sure?"

"Uh… yes?"

My eyes move toward their hands- there are actually rings there. I'm not sure what to make of all of this, so I put it bluntly.

"I thought you had a thing for Clarissa."

He almost spits out his drink, yet Seraphine seems unfazed. Did I just ruin their marriage or something?

"That is surely… an assumption. But no."

"Then why did you ask me if I was sure he liked me?"

"She's never had a single dating rumor about her before."

"Really?"

"Yeah… not until you, obviously. But has she hidden her past lovers very well, or is there something she wants from you?"

He has a point. There's no way I'm this woman's first boyfriend, right?

"Is it really impossible to imagine, though? She looks kind of young.'

"I suppose."

"Do you know how old she is?"

"Uh…"

After a bit of hesitation, Seraphine speaks up with an answer that shocks me.

"She's thirty three."

"What?"

She's older than me? By four whole years?! I can't believe I thought she had a thing for older men… it might be the other way around.

I offer to pay our bill for the drinks until I see the cost on the receipt.

"Seraphine… it says our total is thirty three dollars."

"Oh really? What a coincidence!"

"It doesn't look like that to me…"

Has this woman had plastic surgery in Guadalajara to look that young? Or is her age supposed to be a mystery?

If that was the case, couldn't Alphonse and Seraphine just tell me they didn't know?

It doesn't really matter now, does it? How does nobody know barely anything about her?

"Hey Bea! Wondering if we could have a little chat."

"About what?"

"I was just curious… how long has Clarissa worked for Kassel?"

"I'm not sure, she was the one that hired me."

"Who was the previous CEO?"

"Rumors have said it was her great aunt."

"So it's a family business?"

"I literally don't know."

"Has she dated anyone before me?"

"Are you dating her?"

"Well, the lines are a little blurred right now…"

"If you want to know so badly, why not just ask her instead of emailing me at two in the morning?"

"Right. Sorry. Good night."

That was awkward. I should ask Clarissa directly, but I don't want to seem intrusive. Maybe I should sweep all of this investigation under the rug and accept that there isn't enough evidence.

"Are we dating?"

"Huh?"

"We're on a walk while picking flowers… isn't that what couples do?"

"I was the one running alone at first, and you somehow found me."

"I was just in the area!"

"That sounds like something a stalker would say."

"You're right- but why would you say you're interested in me if you don't want to date?"

"Do you not think I have options?"

"Huh?"

What kind of person has a roster full of men? And how does she have the time to go on dates with other people? And why are the rumors of her love life only involving me?!

"That's not what social media thinks."

I murmur under my breath, kneeling down to pick a daisy from the ground.

"Why would I care what a bunch of faceless gossipers have to say about me?"

"What about what I have to say about you?"

"And what is that, Dylan?"

Nothing comes to mind, probably because I've been put on the spot. I take a deep breath, like I'm pondering.

"Have you ever considered taking up acting?"

"What?"

"That day at the park- when you were crying and claiming to get revenge on me, it looked quite realistic. Like you were actually in pain."

Clarissa pauses for a moment, clenches the flowers in her hand, and scoffs.

"I must've been drunk to act as foolish as that."

"You were."

"Well I didn't mean what I said back then."

"I know, but your acting was incredible-"

"Shut up. My managerial skills are better."

"I guess that's true, since you're a CEO. Wouldn't your great aunt have had to train you, though?"

"Possibly."

"Possibly?"

"What do you think, idiot?"

"Most likely."

We continue walking until I can see the sun starting to set. I'm not sure if I'm very fond of this limbo between us.

"How old are you, Clarissa?"

"What do you think?"

Why does it feel like I'm the one being interrogated? About her?

"I don't think anything."

"I can tell."

"Ugh, fine- I think you're thirty three."

"And you'd be right about that."

"Huh?"

"Did you not just hear me?"

"I think you're just saying that because it was my guess."

I then stop in my tracks, and Clarrisa looks back at me. My hand raises to hand her the makeshift bouquet in my hand from our walk.

"Do you really see us going anywhere?"

"On more dates, perhaps."

"I mean with our relationship itself. You don't seem to like me very much."

"I'm sorry, then."

"For what?"

"For making you feel that way."

She takes the flowers in my hands, and takes three steps forward. Her other hand seems warm as it cups my cheek, and she leans in for a kiss. My brain almost shuts down.

"Huh-"

"I'm not talking to anyone else, so rest assured, okay?"

It's difficult for my own mouth to come up with a sentence of its own, but she speaks even more.

"I only have eyes for you, Dylan."

A car pulls up from behind, and Clarissa gets in. I'm so distracted with the heat in my face, and give a slight smile back.

At least I can be sure of one thing. She likes me. Is it greedy to want to know more, though?

Maybe I should stop being insecure at the pace we're at. Alphonse's words almost made me doubt her intentions. But I don't need to know the men from her past. I'm here now.

Hopefully, my efforts will be enough.

"Let's go on more dates soon."

'Why are you texting me past midnight?"

"Bad habit, sorry."

"Where would we go?"

"The carnival, maybe? Do you like rides?"

"I've never been to one before."

"Well, I'll make sure it's a great new experience for you, then!"

"Clarissa?"

She's probably fallen asleep. It's late, anyway. I should close my own eyes too-

But what should I wear to our date? Something casual and light? Bold and vintage? Maybe I should just choose my outfit on a whim, and it'll end up looking put together?

I don't remember dating being this hard.