~Blake’s POV~
After driving for about thirty minutes, we arrived at Taste and Bite restaurant, which was one of the fanciest restaurants in the city. Parking the car at a spot in the parking lot, I turned off the car and removed the key from the key slot.
I turned my gaze to Bella and smiled before saying, “We are here.”
She smiled and nodded in response, then we both stepped out of the vehicle. I exhaled softly before walking over to meet her.
“Let’s go,” I said, holding her hand gently, then we both began to approach the restaurant’s entrance.
The doors were opened by the security man and we stepped inside the lobby which was filled with customers, occupying various seats.
“Welcome to Taste and Bite restaurant,” a waiter welcomed us with a smile. “Follow me,” he added and began leading us towards an unoccupied table.
Following the waiter’s lead, Bella and I followed him through the maze of tables and chairs. The ambiance was lively, with the clinking of cutlery and the murmur of conversations filling the air. As we made our way to our table, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement mixed with a hint of nervousness.
Once seated, I glanced around, taking in the elegant decor and the buzz of activity around us. The waiter handed us the menus, and I thanked him before turning my attention to Bella.
“What are you in the mood for?” I asked, scanning the menu. “They have a pretty extensive selection here.”
Bella smiled and returned the menu, “I’m thinking of trying their seafood pasta. What about you?”
I nodded in agreement, “Sounds good to me. I might go for the steak. Can’t go wrong with a classic.”
As we deliberated over our choices, the waiter returned to take our orders. After placing our selections, we settled back in our seats, enjoying the ambiance and each other’s company.
As we settled into our seats, the waiter returned promptly with our drinks and a basket of warm bread rolls. He placed them on the table with a flourish, offering a polite nod before disappearing into the bustling kitchen.
After a short wait, the waiter reappeared, balancing a tray loaded with our appetizers. With practiced precision, he served us each a plate, describing the dishes with enthusiasm.
“Here’s your shrimp cocktail, sir,” he said, placing the plate in front of me, “and the Caprese salad for you, ma’am.”
Bella and I exchanged a glance, our mouths watering at the sight and aroma of the appetizers. We thanked the waiter and eagerly dug in, enjoying the burst of flavors with each bite.
When it was time for the main course, the waiter returned once more, this time carrying our entrées on a tray. He skillfully placed Bella’s seafood pasta and my juicy steak in front of us, garnished with colorful accents that hinted at the chef’s culinary expertise.
“Enjoy your meal,” he said with a smile, before disappearing again to attend to other diners.
With gratitude, Bella and I thanked him and eagerly dove into our dishes, savoring every mouthful. The food was exquisite and it was a testament to the restaurant’s reputation for fine dining.
I gazed at Bella’s face as she ate her meal. Judging by her expression, I could go tell that she was enjoying the food. With a gentle touch, I picked up a forkful of salad and lifted it to her lips, savoring the way her eyes lit up with delight as she tasted the fresh flavors.
“Thanks,” she said with a smile as she chewed it.
As Bella savored the flavors of the seafood, I couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride knowing that she was enjoying the meal. Her smile, radiant and genuine, filled me with warmth, and I found myself mesmerized by the way her eyes sparkled with delight.
“How does it taste?” I inquired, eager to hear her thoughts.
“It tastes really delicious,” she replied, her voice carrying a hint of satisfaction after she finished chewing the morsel.
“I’m glad you like it,” I said softly, my heart swelling with happiness at her enjoyment.
As she continued to eat, I found myself entranced by her presence. I set aside my cutlery, content to simply watch her as she savored each bite. In that moment, she looked more beautiful than ever, and I couldn’t help but admire her with every fiber of my being.
It struck me then, the significance of this dinner. Throughout my life, I had never taken a girl out for dinner, dismissing it as a frivolous gesture. Yet here I was, sharing a meal with Bella, not out of obligation but out of a genuine desire to make her feel loved and cherished.
You might be wondering why I made this gesture, especially considering my lack of experience in matters of romance. The truth is, I wanted Bella to know that I care for her deeply, that she means more to me than she may realize. But as I watched her, a flicker of doubt crept into my mind.
Am I truly in love with her, or am I merely fulfilling my obligations as her mate? It’s a question that lingers in the back of my mind, one that I’m not quite sure how to answer. For now, I push aside my uncertainties, content to bask in the warmth of this moment with Bella, hoping that it will provide me with the clarity I seek in due time.
“Why aren’t you eating?” Bella’s voice jolted me out of my thoughts, and I flashed her a smile.
Bella’s voice snapped me out of my reverie, and I blinked, caught off guard by her question. I quickly plastered on a smile, hoping to mask my momentary lapse in attention.
“Me? Well, umm… I’m full,” I stammered, my mind scrambling to come up with an excuse.
“You’re full already?” Bella’s surprise was evident in her tone as she glanced at the untouched food on my plate.
“Yep,” I confirmed with a nod, attempting to appear nonchalant despite my nerves.
“But you barely touched your food, so how come you’re full already?” Her questioning gaze bore into me, and I felt the weight of her scrutiny.
“Watching you eat made me full,” I confessed with a sheepish grin, unable to resist teasing her.
A blush crept onto Bella’s cheeks, and I couldn’t help but feel a surge of affection for her. Despite my uncertainty about our relationship, there was no denying the warmth and connection that existed between us in moments like these.
As Bella chuckled softly, the tension between us dissipated, replaced by a sense of ease and familiarity. With a shared smile, we continued to enjoy the remainder of our meal, content in each other’s company.
After our playful exchange, Bella and I finished our meal, savoring the last bites of dessert and the lingering sweetness of our time together. As we pushed our empty plates aside, a comfortable silence settled between us, punctuated only by the soft clink of cutlery and the gentle hum of conversation around us.
With a satisfied sigh, I reached for the bill, determined to take care of the final details of our evening. Catching the waiter’s eye, I motioned for him to approach our table, and he made his way over with a friendly smile.
“Can I get the bill, please?” I asked politely, reaching for my wallet.
“Certainly, sir,” the waiter replied, placing the bill on the table before me.
As I scanned the total, I felt a pang of guilt at the thought of Bella paying her share. Despite my uncertainties about our relationship, I couldn’t bear the idea of burdening her with the cost of our evening together.
Quickly calculating the amount, I reached into my wallet and withdrew my credit card, sliding it into the holder along with the bill. With a sense of relief, I handed it back to the waiter, who nodded appreciatively before disappearing to process the payment.
As we waited for the transaction to be completed, Bella reached across the table and gently squeezed my hand, her eyes filled with gratitude and affection. In that moment, I knew that regardless of the complexities of our relationship, one thing was certain: I cared deeply for Bella, and I would do whatever it took to make her happy and believe in me.
With a final smile, I returned her gesture. And as the waiter returned with the receipt and my card, I accepted it with a grateful nod.
After settling the bill, Bella and I rose from our seats, ready to conclude our evening at Taste and Bite. As we made our way through the bustling restaurant towards the exit, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of contentment wash over me. Despite my initial apprehensions, the night had been nothing short of magical, and I was grateful for every moment spent in Bella’s company.
As we stepped out into the cool night air, I led Bella towards the parking lot where my car was parked. The soft glow of the streetlights illuminated our path, casting a warm, romantic aura around us.
Reaching the car, I paused, turning to face Bella with a smile. With a gentle gesture, I opened the door for her, silently offering her the comfort and care she deserved.
“Thank you,” Bella said softly, her voice tinged with warmth as she returned my smile. With a graceful movement, she slipped into the passenger seat, settling herself comfortably inside the vehicle.
Closing the door behind her, I circled around to the driver’s side, my heart light with affection for the woman beside me. As I slid into the driver’s seat and started the engine, I glanced over at Bella, feeling a surge of gratitude for her presence in my life.
With smiles on our faces, we set off towards Bella’s hostel. The night was calm, and the city streets were quiet as we drove along.
During the ride, I glanced at Bella beside me, noticing the peace on her face. There was a sense of contentment between us as we enjoyed the quiet journey.
Navigating the familiar streets, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of reluctance at the thought of saying goodbye to Bella. Our evening together had been filled with laughter and shared moments, and the prospect of parting ways left me longing for more time in her company.
Even though it hadn’t been up to two weeks since we met, it felt like we’ve known each other for a long time. And even though the only thing I wanted from her was sex, I couldn’t help but feel more connected to her.
As we approached Bella’s hostel, I slowed the car to a stop, the glow of the streetlights casting long shadows across the pavement. Turning to face her, I offered her a warm smile, my heart heavy with the weight of impending farewells.
“Well, here we are,” I said softly, my voice tinged with regret.
Bella nodded, her gaze meeting mine with a mixture of fondness and reluctance. “Thank you for tonight. I really appreciate it,” she said, her words echoing the sentiment I felt in my own heart.
“It was my pleasure,” I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. With a gentle sigh, I reached over to squeeze her hand, conveying my gratitude and affection in the simple gesture.
As Bella gathered her belongings and prepared to exit the car, I watched her with a sense of longing, knowing that our evening together had come to an end.
With a final farewell, Bella stepped out into the night, her figure fading into the shadows of the hostel entrance. As I drove away, I hoped that I would be able to fulfill my plan for Bella at my party tomorrow.