America 1982-Chapter 228 - 77: Dating_4

Julian nodded, "I understand, I’m not a rigid, stubborn father, dear. I just feel a bit lost, you know. It’s that feeling when your most beloved daughter no longer sees you as the only man she can rely on in life because of the appearance of another man. It’s a feeling that fills every father with jealousy and slight hostility toward his daughter’s boyfriend."

The embarrassing scenes that Odilia had imagined for her first date did not happen; Tommy chatted with her as usual, and the two of them finished dinner in a relaxed atmosphere before going to the movie theater. They watched a movie, and from beginning to end, Tommy didn’t declare his love in a cheesy way nor did he make any overly intimate gestures, just like every previous encounter.

The date felt good, and maybe tomorrow Tommy would send another invitation that wasn’t a date but actually was a date. Walking out of the movie theater, that’s what Odilia thought.

Tommy walked Odilia toward the parking lot under the moonlight until they reached the entrance. There, Tommy stopped, looking at Odilia who had not noticed his pause and continued walking into the parking area, and called out with a smile, "Odilia?"

"What’s up?" Odilia turned around, looking at Tommy standing under the moonlight.

Tommy smiled and shook his head, "Nothing, my vacation is over, and you have put a perfect period at the end of it for me."

Odilia looked at Tommy, slightly surprised, "But... there is still a while until college officially starts... Are you saying you’re going back to California early?"

"Yes." Tommy bowed his head in thought, then looked up at Odilia, "On the last night before my vacation ends, I watched a movie with the girl I like. Nothing could be more perfect."

Odilia walked back to Tommy, looking at this older boy around whom she couldn’t help but forget his age when they were together, "You never told me your vacation was so brief."

"When a guy likes a girl, he always likes to show off everything about himself in front of her and then wants to know more about her. I’ve done that this week. When I come back next vacation, maybe we can skip many steps," Tommy said with a tender look at Odilia.

"I mean, dear Odilia, if on some nights in California I find myself missing you, can I call you?"

Odilia looked into Tommy’s eyes, shaking her head, "No."

Tommy let out a breath, for the first time a self-deprecating smile appeared on his face, but he quickly shrugged, "Then I guess next vacation, I’ll have to start the peacock display process all over again."

"I mean... maybe you don’t need to call to express the longing; maybe you can tell me every weekend, just like you suddenly took me to New York, I could also show up in California unexpectedly," Odilia considered seriously, "Dear Tommy."

"Thank God, did you know, American Airlines launched a lifetime VIP card? It’s two hundred thousand US dollars for unlimited flights and free upgrades. I’ll have them send one to you as soon as possible," Tommy looked up gratefully, then told Odilia, "Family members can also get a supplementary card, I mean... if one day... I become family... then I could fly back and forth just like you."

"Before I allow you to start missing me, I want to ask you a question," Odilia said, hands clasped behind her back, looking at Tommy.

Tommy nodded, "Of course, what question?"

"Do you want your partner to be an idle woman?" Odilia’s bright eyes asked Tommy, "I just don’t want to be left in a fancy big house like a doll. I know you could do that, and I’m afraid it might happen. That’s a big reason why I don’t date. I’ve been on dates with some gentlemen my parents introduced, but in conversation... they prefer a woman to stay home and take care of the family, to bear children."

Tommy earnestly replied, "Odilia, you can do a lot of the careers you want to do. You can quit this comfortable job and keep yourself busy, or you can think clearly about what you want to do before taking action. Whatever decision, I will support you. Or, I have a project at Wells Fargo that you might be interested in. I can have Julian send you the information on the way back. You can understand it first. It won’t make much money, but it should help a lot of people and give you spiritual fulfillment. If you’re willing, you can try to get involved in some work."

"I promised my family I’d be home by ten, it’s getting late," Odilia said after Tommy’s words, glancing at her watch without a direct response.

Tommy stood in place, "I will stay here and see you off."

Odilia nodded, turned, and prepared to walk to her car, chiding her godmother inwardly, "This is not what Doris said, I... I even used breath freshener twice secretly..." 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

"Odilia?" Tommy called out.

"What?" Odilia turned her head back.

Tommy asked, "What would you do to me in California?"

"Why do you ask that?" Odilia was taken aback.

Tommy revealed a smile, "Because I’m already starting to miss you, just like I would in California."

"Maybe I would..." Odilia looked at Tommy, whose face was slowly approaching. Her breathing became a bit rapid, nervous yet excited as she met Tommy’s lips with her own.

It was just a light kiss on the lips, and Tommy pulled back, "Goodnight."

"Goodnight," Odilia took a deep breath, smiling at Tommy, "Now, you’ve proven my godmother right."

"What did she say?"

As Odilia walked to her car, she laughed and said, "I told her I would absolutely not kiss you, and then she said that men’s lips always have Temptation stronger than promises to their mothers. Turns out, she was right. See you in California, Tommy."

"See you in California, with the high school teacher girlfriend I will never date, who absolutely wouldn’t kiss me, Miss Odilia Farell," Tommy responded with a laugh, standing in the night.