After finishing their meal, Carlos arrived to clear the table.
Emma leaned in, her curiosity piqued. "Do you have a girlfriend?"
Jayden raised an eyebrow. "Do you think I'd be here with you if I had one?"
Emma smiled. "True."
Jayden's eyes locked onto hers. "What about you... Got a guy yourself?"
Emma shook her head negatively.
Jayden nodded thoughtfully. "Hmm."
Emma's curiosity deepened. "What happened in your last relationship?"
Jayden's expression turned introspective. "Well... Jenny and I grew up together. She's an amazing person, and we've always been close. After a string of bad breakups, she vowed to give up on love."
"I was there to console her, and I suggested we try dating. We knew each other inside out, and I thought, 'What's the worst that could happen? I was 19 then, and fame had just started. I had my own place, and she was 18. Her parents were pressuring her to attend college, but she was hesitant."
"So, we moved to another city together. She enrolled in college, and I accompanied her, supporting her education. We dated for about a year and a half before I found out she was cheating on me."
"I traveled for a game, and she was at school. She made love to this guy and denied it when I confronted her. But the guy posted pictures from the night they spent together... She didn't think I'd have his social media handle."
"I ended things immediately, blocking her on all socials. Months later, she reached out, asking to patch things up. I forgave her, but she continued cheating, countless times."
"I couldn't take it anymore. That's when I realized I needed to focus on my career and myself, not relationships."
Jayden's eyes hardened. "Ever since then, I vowed to prioritize football and my physique. Nothing else gets in the way of that."
Emma listened intently, sensing the pain beneath Jayden's words.
"What made you trust her again after the first time she cheated?" Emma asked.
Jayden shrugged. "Love, I guess. And stupidity. But I learned my lesson."
"So, you never dated since then?" Emma asked.
"Oh, I did," Jayden replied, "but they were usually nothing serious and didn't last more than a month."
Emma's curiosity was piqued. "Can I ask why?"
"Well... I'm a very busy guy," Jayden explained. "If I'm not training on the pitch, I'm at the gym. I'm a total gym rat who's obsessed with fitness."
"And when I'm not sweating," he added with a grin, "I'm usually on the market trying to make badass profitable entries."
Emma looked puzzled. "Huh?"
Jayden chuckled. "I trade, Emma. Forex trading is my other passion."
Emma's confusion dissipated, replaced by intrigue. "Really? I wouldn't have guessed."
Jayden shrugged. "People often underestimate footballers. We're not just athletes; we're entrepreneurs too."
Emma nodded thoughtfully. "I never thought about it that way."
As the night wore on, Emma and Jayden sat together, lost in conversation. Emma felt like she'd gained a deeper understanding of Jayden, thanks to his openness.
"Do you usually get this close with your fans?" Emma asked, shifting the topic.
Jayden raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, I'm just a normal girl with a normal life, and I'm out on a romantic date with the world's best footballer," Emma said with a smile. "Is this something you do regularly?"
Jayden chuckled. "Not to sound cocky, but a lot of people admire me. I've had plenty of offers, but I'm disciplined. I reject advances often. I'm not interested in casual flings."
He leaned in, his voice sincere. "I want you to know, Emma, I'm doing this with the best intentions. I'm not just looking for a fleeting connection."
Emma's cheeks flushed at his heartfelt words.
"Why me?" she asked, curiosity getting the better of her.
Jayden's eyes locked onto hers. "Let's just say you piqued my interest. Something about you from the first day I saw you... drew me in."
Emma's heart skipped a beat. To ease the tension, she decided to be playful.
"Well, I've always had the biggest crush on you," she admitted with a grin.
Jayden's face lit up with a warm smile. "Is that so?"
Emma nodded, her cheeks still flushed.
The air between them seemed to thicken, filled with unspoken possibilities.
Emma's gaze drifted back to Jayden. She rested her hand on the table, her eyes locking onto his.
"I want to kiss you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Is that weird?"
Jayden's eyes widened in surprise, his pulse racing at her boldness. He couldn't help but stare at her inviting lips, tempting him to abandon all restraint.
But he hesitated, determined to respect her boundaries. "Emma, I...," he trailed off, unsure how to respond.
His eyes searched hers, seeking permission, but also wary of misinterpreting her intentions.
Emma's gaze held his, her expression open and honest. The air between them crackled with tension.
Jayden's thought swerved: Should he take the end or play it safe???
"You're not weird at all," Jayden said, his voice low and soothing, accompanied by a warm smile.
Emma's cheeks flushed, and she smiled back, her eyes sparkling.
"Good," she whispered, her hand inching closer to his on the table. "Then let me kiss you" She let out
"I'd kiss you Emma... But not just yet" Jayden said to her with a calm smile which felt reassuring. At least, she wasn't embarrassed with herself at the moment.