When Love is a Quest Chapter 4: James Lucas

Chapter 4: Jas Lucas

The date was set for 6 p.m., but Jas Lucas, brimming with excitent, arrived at the dock well before the hour. He couldn't stay still, pacing anxiously as his heart swirled with anticipation, nervousness, and joy.

Tonight, he was dressed to impress in a crisp, dark suit that highlighted his features and a light cologne that added a subtle charm.

The yacht, softly illuminated by fairy lights, looked enchanting. The deck was arranged with a white-clothed table, candles glowing softly, and a delectable dinner set for two.

The tranquil water reflected the fading sunlight, and the stars were beginning to sparkle above, creating a romantic atmosphere.

Jas glanced at his watch, then out to the horizon, rehearsing what he wanted to say. "Zinnia," he whispered to himself, "I've been waiting for this mont. Under these stars, I need you to know how much you an to . I've fallen for you deeply, and I hope you feel the sa way."

He repeated his lines over and over, trying to perfect his posture and tone. He practiced standing with one hand placed on his chest and the other holding the small velvet box containing the necklace.

Each ti, he would turn toward an imaginary Zinnia, drop to one knee, and say, "Zinnia, I've been waiting for this mont. Under these stars, I need you to know how much you an to . I've fallen for you deeply, and I hope you feel the sa way."

His repeated rehearsals caught the attention of the yacht's crew. The captain, chef, and steward exchanged amused glances and chuckled quietly. "Oh boy," the chef whispered to the steward, "I hope he manages to make her say yes. He's really going all out!"

Jas practiced his gesture of presenting the necklace with care. He imagined opening the box, holding it out with a loving smile. When he finally decided on the best way to confess, he opened the box and gazed at the necklace, his mind drifting back to the first ti he t Zinnia.

He had been reluctant to attend class that day, dragging himself through the door. But the mont he stepped into the classroom, she caught his eye.

She was the prettiest girl he had ever seen, dressed simply yet elegantly. Her slim figure, long brown hair, and charming eyes made her stand out.

Even from a distance, he could sense a sadness about her. Surrounded by noisy classmates, she sat alone by the window, gazing outside.

His heart ached at the sight. He longed to see her smile, believing she would be even more beautiful if she did.

With his heart racing, he walked toward her, trying to calm himself and wear his best smile. It felt like fate was on his side when he realized his assigned seat was right next to hers.

As he approached, she finally looked his way. When their eyes t, he smiled even brighter, feeling blessed to be near her.

Jas was always quiet at ho and didn't interact much with others, but eting Zinnia changed him. He'd never believed in love at first sight, but when he first saw her, he felt sothing shift inside him.

Her sadness, even from a distance, tugged at his heart. He wanted nothing more than to see her smile.

Though he wasn't usually talkative, he made an effort to start conversations with her, trying to appear calm despite his nervousness.

When he heard her voice, it was like music to his ears. He didn't care if others called it puppy love; to him, it was real. Just being friends with her made him happy. Every smile from her made his day.

They grew closer, and Jas found himself becoming more chatty around her, just to make her feel less lonely. He loved the way she looked at him when he spoke. Even though he was scared of rejection, he wanted to tell her how he felt.

Whenever other guys were near, he'd place his hand on her shoulder, as if to claim her. She never pushed him away and would blush, which gave him hope that maybe, just maybe, they had a chance.

As their high school days ca to an end, Zinnia's feelings seed to mirror his own. With college approaching, Jas finally decided to take the leap.

Tonight, on this special yacht, he was ready to confess his love and tell her how much he wanted to be with her forever.

Jas snapped out of his thoughts when the captain approached him. "Sir, it's already 7 p.m. We were supposed to depart at 6. An hour has passed. What should we do now?"

Jas glanced at his watch and realized how much ti had flown by. "So, two hours have already passed since I arrived. But where is Zinnia? She's never late; she always arrives early," he wondered.

He scanned the dock for any sign of her, but she was nowhere to be seen. "Let's wait a bit longer. She promised she would co. I'll wait for her," Jas said.

The captain nodded but added, "Okay, sir, but we need to move the yacht. We're supposed to be in a different spot now. It's ti for other yachts to dock here."

"I understand. Thank you," Jas replied.

As the yacht was repositioned, Jas remained in his original spot, his anxiety growing. He felt nervous, lost, and scared. His mind raced with doubts: Did she change her mind? Did she decide not to co? Am I being rejected before I even had the chance to confess?

His hand trembled as he held the box with the necklace. The anxiety felt suffocating, and it was hard for him to breathe. Despite the overwhelming fear, he tried to stay composed, clinging to the hope that she might still show up. He desperately wished for her arrival, determined not to give up just yet.

Each minute seed like an eternity to Jas. He stared at the dock, his heart sinking with each passing mont.

His thoughts raced, imagining every possible reason why Zinnia might not show up. The excitent he had felt earlier was now replaced by a heavy, painful dread.

"Why isn't she here?" Jas muttered to himself, his voice trembling. He looked at his watch again, feeling the seconds drag on.

The thought of losing Zinnia, of her never arriving, was unbearable. Tears welled up in his eyes, and he struggled to hold them back.

"Maybe she changed her mind," he whispered, his voice breaking. "Maybe she doesn't want this."

He clutched the velvet box tightly, the weight of it feeling like a heavy burden. The romantic setup now seed like a cruel joke.