After fussing around for about an hour, Elena decided she would wear her long satin red dress. It accentuated her curves. She fixed her hair up in a fancy bun with curls hanging down the sides of her face and put her diamond earrings on. She looked at herself in the mirror to make sure everything was perfect. She was satisfied at what she saw and decided to wait for Howie downstairs. He should be arriving in a few minutes.
"Oh boy," she said to herself as she paced around her living room. "This is it. I'm gonna do it. I've never told anyone that I loved them. Well, except my family, but that's different. I've never felt like this about anyone. But am I sure? Yes. I'm sure. I'm positive. But what if he---"
Elena didn't get a chance to finish that sentence because the doorbell just rang.
'Well, here goes…'
She opened the door and smiled at the wonderful sight before her. Howie was standing there in a very suave and expensive Armani suit, holding roses, and wearing the cutest grin. He gave her the flowers, then extended his hand for her to take.
"Ready to go, my lady?" he asked
"You betcha!" she excitedly replied, "I mean, yes."
She took his hand and they walked towards the white limo Howie had arranged for them to take.
"Oh my God," she gasped in delight, "I don't know what to say…I, uh, do I look alright? Is my hair curly enough? Is the dress---"
Howie stopped her rambling by giving her a kiss on the cheek and assuring her that she looked fine.
"Don't worry, you look beautiful! I wouldn't change a thing."
"Oh, how sweet."
"They don't call me Sweet D for nothing!"
"You still haven't told me where we're going."
"And I won't. You'll find out when we get there."
He opened the door for her and she carefully got in. Then he gently closed it, walked around the limo to the other side, and sat himself next to her.
On their way to the 'special place,' Howie stared at Elena and thought about several things… like how beautiful and angelic she looked with the moonlight shining on her dark brown curls and the happiness and liveliness sparkling in her greenish hazel eyes. Elena noticed and turned to him, still smiling.
"What?"
"Nothing," he replied still looking into her eyes. Then he got closer to her and gently pushed away a curl from her face. "I'm just thinking about how lucky I am."
"Nah, I'm the one who's lucky." She leaned over to him, their lips met, and they engaged in a long, deep kiss.
They were too busy making out to notice that they had already arrived to their destination. Finally, Elena opened one eye and noticed the limo had stopped.
"Howie?" she mumbled. They were still liplocked.
"Hmmm?" he replied still oblivious to his surroundings.
"We're here, I think."
They finally stopped and Howie looked out the window.
"Uh, yup. We're here."
He got out of the car, walked to her side, opened the door, and helped her out, like a true gentleman.
When she stepped out, she immediately recognized where they were…the Pantagis Renaissance, a very elegant, romantic, and expensive Italian restaurante`. Elena always wanted to dine here, but it was way too expensive. Now she was glad she never went because she knew she would never feel the same way if she had come with someone else.
They entered the grand restaurant arm in arm. The main dining area was huge and magnificent! The walls were emerald colored marble with gold trimming. The chairs were covered in velvet of the same green and the tablecloth matched them. The floor was carpeted with intricate Celtic patterns, except for a square space in the middle of the room, which was the dance floor for the sensual tangos later that night. A gorgeous, huge crystal and gold chandelier hung over the dance floor. And what might seem to be the most frivolous of details, which caught Elena's eye was the crimson red of the single rose that contrasted so well with the dark green of the room, placed in a delicate crystal vase and set in the middle of each table.
A waiter soon showed them to their seats and handed them menus and the liquor list.
"I will be right with you, sir and my lady," he said with a thick Italian accent.
"Take your time. So, Elena, what do you think of this place so far?"
"Oh, it's so, so…words can't describe it! I'm truly speechless! I never imagined myself coming here, to this beautiful place, in a limo! And everything else…wow! Tonight is so perfect."
"Yeah, tonight is perfect, but not because of the limo or the fancy restaurant. It's because you're here, by my side, and I couldn't ask for more."
"Oh my gosh, I think I'm going to cry!" She was so overcome with emotion; she wanted to tell him right then and there how she felt. But she decided to wait for a more private moment.
The waiter returned, ready to take their orders. Howie asked for minestrone and a salad, while Elena decided to forget about her diet and ordered chateaubriand, with sautéed mushrooms and stuffed clams. Then they both ordered champagne to wash it all down.
"Howie! Order something else!" she whispered to him, "you're making me feel fat!"
He chuckled. "Sorry, I can't risk gaining any weight over our six month break. You have to watch yourself when you're in the public's eyes all the time," he whispered back.
"Oh please! You should see how A.J. eats! Jeez, that boy consumes everything in sight! And he still fits his nickname, 'Bone'!"
"Yeah well, I'm like a million years older than him. I'm getting old."
"Oh, shut up! You are not! You just turned twenty-five for heaven's sakes! I, on the other hand, am almost thirty!"
"I know," he grinned.
Twenty minutes later, the waiter arrived with their food. After they finished eating and everything, they decided to tango. They dipped, twirled, and danced till 1 am, then decided to leave the restaurant.
As soon as they plopped down in the limo, Elena took his hand and looked him in the eye. "Thank you so much, Howie. You don't know how much tonight means to me. I've had the time of my life."
"Oh, but it's not over yet, my darling. The night's still young."
"Are you serious? Where are we going now?"
"You'll see."
About fifteen minutes later, the limo stopped near a huge, shimmering lake. Elena gasped as she stepped out of the car and saw the mother of pearl moon's reflection shining on the midnight blue water.
"It would have been nicer near the ocean, but we're so damn far from the beach," said Howie sounding a little disappointed.
Elena looked at him. "No, this is…this is perfect."
He smiled then took her hand. "Do you mind taking a little romantic stroll around this scenic lakefront?"
"With you? Of course not!"
So they took their little promenade along the lakeside, the gentle breezes blowing through their hair, and the bright moonlight illuminating their path. They stopped midway and sat down on a cozy, pretty white bench.
"Elena, I need to talk to you," he said quietly.
"Go ahead."
"Ok. I know I haven't been exactly 'Romeo' lately…"
"No, but---"
"No, just let me explain. You know, being a Backstreet Boy is one of the best things in my life. But at the same time, it could be the biggest pain in the ass. You never get to see your family or friends as much as you want. There's hardly enough time for a love life. And being a pop star's girlfriend isn't all it's cracked up to be…the rumors and comments, the cameras being shoved in your face, and you don't know how harsh some obsessed fans can be…"
Elena 's heart sank. Was he dumping her? She looked down.
"Yes…" she said quietly.
Howie tilted her chin up, held her hands in his, and looked her straight in the eyes.
"But I don't care. I'll make time. I'll take it all without complaints…if you're willing to sacrifice your old life, and start a new one with me."
His eyes were so sincere, she knew he meant it.
"Yes," she whispered happily, nearly in tears. "I love you."
"I love you, too, Elena."
They hugged and kissed. Neither one of them would ever forget this night…the night they said their first "I love you's"…the night that they realized that maybe they were the right ones for each other for eternity… someday.
But for now, they were content with what they shared…finally, true
love
made its way into their hearts.
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