| Fan Fiction |
by Shweta
“Come on, follow me.” Ariel said and spread her arms wide and started marching towards her seat, flailing her arms and legs about.
“Sure, but do I have to walk in that ridiculous manner?” Enrique teased.
“Hey, I’m just happy. Is it a crime to walk in a funny manner when you’re happy?”
“No I guess...you know what, let me join you.”
“Ah! You’re so formal. You’re actually asking my permission to walk in a funny manner.”
“Not asking permission, my lady, just telling you...I’m going to walk or flaunt myself now. Just watch.”
“Watching...watching.” Ariel smiled and bowed.
Enrique pulled out his tongue, and held his head high as he walked into the restaurant. He waited for the normal recognition, then the realisation to take place that Enrique was among them. The normal, and now familiar shock in the eyes of the women, and some men. He waited for the kids to come and call out his name, for everyone to stand in line for an autograph.
A group of teenage boys got up from their seats, and walked towards him. Enrique was a bit puzzled. Teenage boys? Well, he didn’t know teenage boys listened to his music. His fans were girls from ten to seventy. Teenage boys might like him too, whatever it was, he was showing his popularity to Ariel. He would impress her with his popularity.
The boys were walking towards him with bright smiles on their faces. They looked...excited? Some of them had that look on their faces. Maybe they were a group of gay teenagers? It could be possible. He hoped they were only looking for an autograph.
“Hello...” He greeted them, but they walked right past him to someone in the behind.
“Are you Ariel?” He heard one of the boys say.
“Yes, you are?”
“I’m Joshua. These are my friends, um could we have your autograph? And some pictures if you don’t mind?”
“Oh sure.” She smiled at them. Enrique looked at her and the group of boys. Who would have guessed? If this report reached the people back home, it would be a real tragedy.
“Is...is this your boyfriend, ma’am?” One of the boys asked looking sheepishly at Enrique.
“Uh...” Ariel hesitated, but Enrique was quick to step in.
“Yes, I am... Ariel’s new boyfriend.” Enrique replied breaking into the group and standing next to Ariel. He put his hand around her shoulders and gave it a squeeze. Ariel looked up into his eyes with a look of total confusion. Enrique winked and gave her a smile oozing with confidence. Ariel winked back and turned to face the boys.
“Wow, you’re really lucky sir.” The same boy said with awe.
“Thank you, I think the same.” Enrique replied.
“What’s your name sir?” The boy asked. Enrique’s face fell. He turned to see Ariel who was trying to control her laughter. ‘So much for impressing, eh?’ He thought helplessly.
“I’m Enrique.” He replied swallowing his pride.
“What do you do? Are you Ariel’s manager? You don’t look Chinese.” One of the boys bombarded him with questions.
“I’m a singer, a Latin-American singer, I live in America, and no I’m not Chinese or Ariel’s manager.”
“Are you a struggling singer?”
“No, I make a decent enough sun of money.” He smiled. These boys were really irritating him.
“Ok, if you don’t mind, Enrique and I would like to have some dinner. Please excuse us.” Ariel interrupted, for which Enrique was grateful.
He led her to a corner seat near the window, and held out her seat for her.
“Ah! A gentleman.”
“Just a decent man who respects women, and finds you interesting, appealing, and intriguing.”
“I think they all have the same meanings.” Ariel leaned in closer and whispered giving him a wink.
“No, they don’t.” He replied, he too leaned in close and dropped his voice to a whisper. “Interesting, as in I like talking to you. Appealing, as in I think you’re cute. And intriguing as in, I’d like to get to know you. Now, if you find me any of those three things, I’d be set.”
Ariel’s smile faltered for a minute. This man was serious. He really wanted to get to know her. He really wanted to be with her. He wasn’t joking when he said all those romantic words, and he wasn’t fooling her when he asked if she wanted to know him too. But Joe...
Joe? What about him...he is currently in Paris, spending a romantic vacation with his very serious girlfriend who might be the one. And Ariel didn’t have the confidence or the will to fight for him. Joe was not hers anymore. He wasn’t waiting there for her to stake a claim. He was gone. Never will he return. If not Ella, some other girl maybe, but not Ariel. Never Ariel.
Why should she reject this opportunity to get to know this handsome, successful, smart, and really romantic man? What was wrong if she spent some time with him? They weren’t getting married tomorrow. And she had to forget Joe somehow. It’s been a week since he’s gone. She should and must move on. She can’t live on his memories. She deserved better.
“I would like to get to know you too. You intrigue me.” Ariel replied, and was pleased to realise that she meant what she said.
“Just intrigue? Not even appealing.”
“Half the women in this world find you appealing. I’m no less.” She replied. She was enjoying this gentle teasing between them. If this was the basis of their relationship, then she’d be glad to carry this forward. She didn’t have this with Joe. In fact, Joe and Enrique were completely different. While Joe was an open book, Enrique was mysterious. What you see is what you get, is the vibe Joe sends to others. Whereas Enrique was hard to get to know. He was like a hidden passage, which only revealed itself to those who are worthy enough to search for it. Joe was a flirt, whereas Enrique seemed like a one woman man. Joe was impulsive and calculating, while Enrique was careful, and seemed to plan everything. Ariel had a feeling he planned this entire meeting before they even met.
“Thank you for the compliment.” He smiled. They placed their orders and spent the entire time eating and drinking, while chatting away about minuscule matters. Ariel had a feeling Enrique wanted to ask her something, but wasn’t quite able to ask.
“Go on...” She prompted as they fell silent as Enrique paid the bill and escorted her out of the restaurant. “Ask me.”
“Ask you what?” He asked looking at her confused.
“Ask me what you’ve wanted to ask me all evening. I can see it’s been nagging you. Don’t worry, I don’t bite.”
“How do you know that I wanted to ask you something?”
“I can read it, now come on, ask me.” She prompted again, as they seated themselves in the Lamborghini.
“Well...I’ve been meaning to ask you. Rumour has it that you’ve been dating your co-star, Joe Cheng. Is it true? I don’t want to come between anything.”
“There’s nothing there to come between. We have never dated, and we never shall. I did have a crush on him...” She fibbed. “...but that’s all forgotten now. I’m looking to date around a bit, and see what’s out there for me. A relationship is what I am searching for now. I’ve only ever had one, and that ended before it started.”
“Ah...well, I think you should give up your search.” Enrique said looking up into her eyes. There was a magnetic pull, that didn’t allow either to flinch.
“You think?”
“You’ve found me now. I’ll make you fall for me, like I’ve fallen for you. We could be together. Your first long term relationship.”
“How can you be sure this would be a long term relationship?” Ariel asked giving him a tentative smile.
“Because of this...” Enrique replied, and took her face in his hands and kissed her lips ever so softly.
Ariel stilled, mesmerised. She struggled for a second, and then the better part of her won, and she kissed him right back.
***
Such a confusing situation...but you'll be happy to know I have already planned the ending...although that is a few chapters away, so don't bother yourself with that. Just read and relax.
I'm trying to write romance, so please don't laugh when you read romantic scenes.
For serious drama turn to my other ArJoe story...winglin.net/fanfic/shweta9
or read the rest of my stories at shwetastories.webs.com...be sure to check out the coming soon section.