Deceived; Chapter 24

"It's me, Fouad!"

My eyes laid on a tall figure. A tall figure with hazel eyes, white skin,  and a mustache. A tall figure that didn't resemble the boy I've seen in pictures. This was not the Fouad I've been talking to.

"Is this a joke?" I said in fear.

"What? No! It's me, Fouad, the same guy you've been talking to day and night for the last few months." Fouad answered.

I just looked back, without saying a word, starring at him.

"Ghaneya.. I would really love it if you would just talk to me.. Talk to me, please." Fouad commanded softly as he rubbed his knuckles against my right, smooth, pink cheek.

"You're not 23..." I quietly stated with a slight tear falling down my right cheek onto Fouad's skin.

"Uh.." he muttered, "just give me a chance to explain, don't get upset, please."

"I'm sorry but I-i-i"

"Hey, don't cry, you don't know how much my heart aches when I see you cry... Even though it's the first time I actually see you crying..." Fouad interrupted me while more tears began falling.

I was speechless. I didn't know what to say, the guy I thought was 23 turned out to be beyond that.

"I didn't know how else to tell you.. Ghaneya please, please, don't get angry, you're killing me, please" Fouad spoke, "forget the age thing, I thought you were mature enough to handle all this, all that doesn't matter, believe me."

I couldn't keep quiet, I burst into tears, "when will you ever tell me the truth?!"

"Ghaneya.. please, I thought you were old enough to understand... I love you, please" he replied after a 2 minute pause.

I gave him a half smile to indicate that I was alright. My mind wasn't fully set on the age thing, it was set partly on his character. He was the sweetest, most wonderful guy I've ever met, and I can't believe he's sitting right next to me.

"You made me think you could tolerate this, Ghaneya. Because when you connect with someone the way we did, and when you find someone the way we found each other, nothing else matters, not even age." Fouad continued.

He's right. I don't get why age has to change the connection that we have.

Sooner or later, my tears vanished, and my face was clear again.

"Can we just walk a bit, grab lunch, and talk?" Fouad suggested.

He read my mind. That was exactly what I wanted to do.

I obeyed, and got up from my seat and followed him. We walked around the mall, it was a week day, it was sort of empty.

I asked him about his flight and how was it as we walked into a restaurant that sold all types of dishes.

 I've learned many new things about him. We were similar in some ways and different in other.

While I was chewing on my spaghetti, Fouad happened to be staring at me with a devilish smile.

"What?" I said shyly.

"You're just so cute, I can't believe it's you!" he said.

I giggled softly and continued my dish.

"So hows school? Did you have classes today?" he asked.

"Nope I didn't, they gave us 2 weeks off." I said with a smile.

"Hahaha! You must be lucky! Happy?" he asked laughing.

"Yeah!" I exclaimed.

I froze all of a sudden and stared at his plate. It was filled with french fries and a large, spicy, chili, cheese dog.

"Do you want to have a bite? It's really good!" Fouad said after noticing my eyes on his dish. He probably thinks I'm a weirdo now.

That wasn't my intention, though, my eyes just happened to fall on his food plate in between my 2 second daydream.

I accepted his offer and leaned against the table closer to him. He held the hot dog in between his hands and moved in closer to my mouth in order for me to have a bite.

It looked awkward, but there were no other customers so it wasn't that big of a deal.

"You're right, it is good!" I said rating the hot dog.

"Yes you are.." Fouad said staring into my eyes all evil like.

I blushed and finished my food.

"Oh yeah, Ghaneya! I bought a gift for you." Fouad said as he extended his arm and handed me a Victoria's Secret pink paper bag.

At that moment I realized that my body lotion had ran out, and remembered that I complained to Fouad about it, he probably got that for me, I don't mean to brag, though.

"Oh my god! Thank you!" I thought I should open it when I got home, I would be too thankful and speechless to say anything.

"Come on, lets go." Fouad said as he took out his wallet and placed some cash on the table.

I followed his footsteps without even noticing where we were headed.

In a matter of 5 minutes, we reached the parking lot of the mall. His black Porsche was parked right out front.

I thought it was a sign meant for me to leave and get lost, but I was wrong. He ushered me to the front seat and opened the door for me, like a gentleman. I sat on the red leather covered seat and just waited for him to enter too but from the driver's seat.

I don't know why I was doing this. Before, I would never enter a stranger's car, but now, Fouad changed that, my thoughts changed. What I used to feel was wrong, feels so right now.

There was an awkward, dead silence for 20 seconds. Fouad was looking at my face, admiring my realistic features. I don't think he's used to the whole "seeing me in person" concept yet.

"So.. Are you gonna open your gift?" Fouad asked with a grin.

"Oh right, yeah.." I answered.

I extended my arm and grabbed the gift he got me.

As I pulled the object out, I was shocked and speechless and sort of scared at the same time about what was revealed.

A lacy pink and black stripped bikini.