Goosebumps - part 2

Read other Sunday Scribblings here.

Read part 1 here.

For some reason I just had to do a part 2. I didn't think I would but here it is.

Gus got up his nerve on Wednesday afternoon and asked Zoey to lunch. He was almost grinning as walk to her. He took a breathe. Zoey was busy making copies of a huge report. Gus went into the copy room. Some small chitchat about the weather being so nice and cool. Then Gus went for it. He straighten his glasses and said,"Zoey, would you like to join me for lunch today?" He face was all flushed, but he forced himself to look at her. Goosebumps appeared on his arms. He was sweating but felt chilly. She was pulling out some papers from the copy machine. It was jammed. "Could you fix this?" she asked, holding ink-stain papers in her hand. Gus responded by checking out the machine. It was doing its usual business and sucking the paper inside without spitting anything out.

Gus shut the machine and open it up and pull out the rest of the paper that was stuck. He closed it and restart. "It works!" Zoey was grateful, smiled at Gus and went back to copying the files. Gus felt so embarrassed that she didn't reply to his question. He was about to give up and leave when she said, "Gus, how about lunch tomorrow? I can't do it today, my boss is really pissed today. He just got divorced papers and is taking out all his frustrations on everyone. I really don't have time today." She turned and face him, a smile on her face. Not one of those pitiful smile but a genuine sweet smile.

Gus was so excited, he nearly scream but held it in and said, "Sure, no problem."

"Okay then, see you at 1 tomorrow. I'll meet you at your desk." Zoey said and then went back to copying.

Gus said, "See you then." He went back to his desk and all day couldn't concentrate. All his thoughts lead to tomorrow.

The next day, Gus took Zoey to lunch at that new place where they serve health food. Gus knew Zoey's a vegetarian and this place was perfect. It was a small place, but it has places to sit and eat. The day was light and breezy. Gus wore his cleanest shirt that he could find and make sure his sneakers don't smell. Zoey wore a lovely blue dress.

There they were just eating and chatting. Things was going well, until Mick came by with his girlfriend, Sue. They said hi and make small talks but Gus fear Mick might make fun of him in front of Zoey. Sue went to pick up some food, leaving Mick with Gus and Zoey.

"Zoey, you look really pretty today. New dress? It really hides all the bumps doesn't it?" Mick was such a jerk, he pulled up a chair and sat next to them.

Zoey was not a particularly skinny girl and she knew it. Anger by his remarks, her eyebrows raised up and she was about to yell at him when Gus said," Mick, that's not very nice. How would you like it if I stop working on your computer? I don't know. I may have to stop, what's with so much work and all. I guess you don't want your files, then." Gus was not about to use insults against him. Whatever he can think up would be just too lame to use.

Mick apologized just as Sue came back with their food. Mick grabbed her arms and walk off. "Why aren't we staying?" Sue wanted to know.

"Thanks," Zoey mutter, a little embarrassed. Her face was flushed.

"Zoey, it's nothing. You're a beautiful lady and there's nothing to be ashamed of. I think you look wonderful in that blue dress. It brings out your eyes." Gus didn't realized what he had just said until he heard his own voice. He wanted to add something more but could not think of anything else. "Thanks, Gus." Zoey smiled at him, looking directly into his eyes. He knew then that she liked him.

Everyday, they had lunch together and sometimes even dinner. It wasn't long before Gus got the guts to tell her how he felt about her. They would taking a stroll on a Saturday afternoon. It had been a couple of months since their first lunch date. Gus knew if he doesn't confess now, he would never get another chance.

Apparently she knew. How he asked her. "Everyday you came by my cubicle to said hi. You've always made me laugh with your silly lines. And you always held the elevator for me even when the door was barely open. You often came by to check if my computer's okay. You've always been nice to me even if it inconvenient you." Gus never realized his actions were that loud. He was just trying his best to be nice. And she noticed. She just never thought he really like, that he was just being nice. Gus was overjoyed to hear this. He grabbed her and twirled her around. He nearly dropped her and they laughed happily.