The fork froze mid-way to my mouth,
"I'm so sorry."

"Thank you. I was adopted not too long after by the O'Connells. They had a daughter, younger than me, who is now a pain in my ass."

I smiled when I saw the love in his eyes.

"I graduated from MIT and now I'm the CEO of O'CE"

"O'CE?" I frowned,

"O'Connell Engineering"

"How long have you been running it?"

"Five years now, since I graduated."

"Wow. You didn't waste any time." I said, "Your parents must be proud."

"I hope so." He had a small smile, "So, what about you?"

"Hmm," I swallowed as I tried to get out, "My parents had an accident six months ago. I lost my dad, and my mum's been in a coma since."

I couldn't look at Matt just yet.

"Oh my goodness Anna." He paused and exhaled sharply, "I'm so sorry."

I shrugged even though my throat was clamming up,
"It's...been tough. Every day is another reminder and reliving the same thing over again." I swallowed as I shook my head, "I feel so lost sometimes."

"I can understand that."

I looked up at him to find him looking at her intently, both their food forgotten.

"It gets hard before it gets better." He said, "So, Dr. Adams is your mum's doctor?"

I nodded,
"Yea he is. He always calls when there's some new development."

"Why would they do that?"

"The doctors kind of lose hope when a patient in a coma doesn't come around within a few weeks. And well, it's been six months. Plus, it's been really hard to pay her bills."

"Can I help?"

"No!" I said sharply then caught myself, "I mean, thank you but I'll manage."

"Pretty strong-headed, are you?"

I shrugged with a little smile.

"You really should smile more often, you look more beautiful when you do."

I felt my cheeks heat up as he stared at my lips with a smile on his. I felt the butterflies in my stomach flutter.

"Look at us," I said, "Having fun conversations."

He laughed,
"Yea, we should probably talk about something else." He said, "Not that I don't like you sharing this with me."

"No, I get it," I said with a smile,


Matt's POV

The conversation got lighter as we talked about our life.

"Dessert?" I asked as while later.

She smiled. It made me happy that I was the one who made her smile. I called for Martha and she came with a chocolate cake, my favourite. She took our last dish and came back with new dessert plates.

I sliced the cake and put one big piece on each of our plates.

"Looks delicious" she said

"Trust me it is" she looked at me.

"Looks like someone's in love"

"Yea with the cook" she laughed

"I was talking about the cake"

"I know. But without the cook, there's no cake"

"You love it that much?"

"My first love"

"No one's beaten it?"

"Never"

"Wow. Lucky cake"

I watched her take a piece out of hers with the spoon and put it in her mouth. Lucky cake.

We talked and ate till she finally said it was getting late.

I drove to her house, and this time we talked as I drove. We reached her apartment. I switched the engine off and got out of the car to open her door. She let me open it for her this time. Progress.

She got out and I closed the door, I walked her to her door.
"I guess this is it."

"Yea. I had an amazing time."

"Me too." She blushed, and I couldn't help but smile at that,

She unlocked her door and was about to enter
"Anna?"

She looked at me and smiled,
"You know everyone calls me Belle right?"

"I know. It's why I prefer Anna."

She waited for me to say what I wanted to say before she interrupted it.

"I'd really love to do this again."

She was quiet for a while,
"Are you sure?"

"Yea, I'm sure I want to have more fun with you."

She laughed and nodded,
"Ok."

I smiled,
"I'll come see you before I plan anything."

"You could just call me"

I thought about it. I'd really love to see her soon. But if that's what's fine with her, I'm all ears.
"Okay" I went down the stairs

"Hey genius" she called, I smiled and turned back to her "Don't you need my number to do that?"

"Right," I was on cloud 9,

I went back up the stairs and collected her number,

"Goodnight." She said,

"Goodnight." I waited for her to enter her house before I left.


Anna's POV

I entered my apartment and locked it. I smiled as I made my way to the kitchen. Took a bottle of water and went upstairs to my room.

I took off my clothes and got into my PJs.

Why do I feel this way?

Matt really surprised me tonight. He was everything and then more. He was really sweet and fun. I didn't want the night to end but it did and I had a job.

I was looking forward to seeing him again or hearing from him.

I pulled my blanket over me, turned off the bed lamp and forced myself to stop thinking about him and go to sleep.

Kat is gonna go ballistic.

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