*Lucia*
“Wow, this is more beautiful than I expected it to be,” I said. Bruno held my hands in his as we stood outside for a while to enjoy the lovely view of the restaurant. My smile widened, and I turned to look at him, “Just how many surprises do you have for me?” I asked.
“I knew you would like it,” he beamed with joy. A couple walked past us and I could hear the lady who wore a black sleeveless gown speaking about how beautiful the place was. “As for the surprise, I haven’t even started,” he said. He tightened his hold on my hand.
“I hope the food tastes as beautiful as the exterior looks,” I said. I wore a light pink gown, which stopped on my thighs. I held a black purse close to me. Bruno wore a black suit, but that didn’t prevent his broad shoulders from being visible. He looked as handsome as always, his sharp jaws and those lips. He looked charming, handsome, and beautiful, dangerously beautiful. I was glad he was by my side.
“I promise you won’t be disappointed,” he said, and we stepped into the restaurant. As if I hadn’t gotten enough of the outer view, the side view blew me away- completely. I couldn’t help but stare around like some idiot. A chandelier hung in the ceiling in the middle. The tables were round, with four seats each.
Warm light spilled onto the cobblestone pavement.
A waiter walked up to us, he wore a black top with the logo of the restaurant, and a small chef holding a plate of pizza drawn on the chest. “Welcome,” he said and led us into the restaurant without another word. Delicious smell filled the air. I controlled myself from taking long sharp smells. There was happy chatter and small soft clinking of knives and forks on the plate.
“I love, love, love this place,” I squeed beside Bruno. I had my hands wrapped around his pushing myself closer into his body. He rubbed my hand on his elbow and I saw a small smile on his face. He was satisfied and happy that I loved this place.
Our table was by the side. A secluded place, and I could barely hear the chattering of the crowd. I sat in front of Bruno. But from where I sat, I could see a part of the restaurant. My eyes fell on the empty chair and the waiter who was taking away the plates that had been used to eat by whoever had sat there some moments ago.
“How did you find this place?” I asked Bruno.
“It opened a while ago, and well, I heard someone talking about it and checked it out myself. When I saw the warm light sipping out of the window, I thought, ‘Why not take my sweet girl here?'” I nodded. I wondered who had spoken about the place. It was not the men who stood like a rock in front of his door and not from Rave. But that was the least of my concerns right now. What matters is that I was the one he thought of when he came here; I was in his mind when he first saw this restaurant.
I beamed with joy.
“The chef here is the best pastry chef in the country, so relax, pretty girl, you are in for a big treat,” he said. He knew how much I loved pastries. I smiled nodding and looked forward to having my first bite of whatever pastry was to be served first. “I thought we came here because of food?” I asked. That was what I thought before, but it seemed I was wrong.
“Whatever you want,” he said.
At that moment, a waiter walked in. It was a young girl who I guessed must be in her early twenties. She had a small smile on her face and while she showed us the menu, she was polite, the smile never leaving her face. I guess their Staff are also the best.
Bruno asked me what I would like to eat, but I couldn’t decide, so I just allowed him to choose both of us. The food was soon served. It smelled so nice, I couldn’t wait to dig in and once the waiter left, I wasted no time in digging into the food. It wasn’t much.
I paused.
I felt Bruno’s eyes on me. I felt my cheeks warm. It has been months since we started dating and have also made love numerous times, but I just couldn’t stop that feeling of shyness whenever he looked at me for too long. I raised my head slowly, “aren’t you going to eat?” I asked him.
He leaned into his chair without answering. He tilted his head to the side and held his head with his hands, not saying a word. I blushed harder; he knew he had so much effect on me. He pinned me with his eyes, not moving it away for a moment. “Aren’t you hungry?” I asked.
He bit his lower lips slowly, “I am, but for a different type of food,” he said.
“If you keep looking at me suggestively, I may choke on my food,” I said.
He lets out a laugh, “you are as red as tomatoes,” he said. He knew exactly what he was doing. “I’m not red, even if I am then it’s as a result of the spices… no, the food is too hot,” I said, taking another bite of the streak.
“and she never agrees. There is no need to be shy around me, love,” he said, moving closer to me.
“I hate you,” I said. When will he ever stop teasing me? He moved back, grabbing his knife and fork. “And I love you more.” one side of his lips pulled to the side. I watched as he cut the steak before raising it and putting it in his mouth. “aren’t you going to keep eating or do you want to spend the remaining time staring at me?” He asked.
I brought my eyes to my plate as fast as I could-this jerk. I’ll pay him back.
I am happy things have gone back to the way it once was. After that night’s event, I haven’t heard from Jason. He seemed to have fully given up and that made me happy, though that didn’t stop me from wondering if he had fully recovered. I wished I could reach him or maybe I could but I kept reminding myself that it wasn’t the best thing to do. Bruno is a very possessive man and he definitely won’t be pleased if he was to find out.
Sigh.
I didn’t want to give Jason false hope; he saw my care as an opportunity to come back into my life.
I had gone back to my daily routine too. I also did training with Rave now and then. I smiled feeling full, not from good but from the feeling of joy flowing through me.
The pastry was soon brought in. We started with chicken pizza. It had to be the best I had tasted, and I kept eating, one bite after the other. I just couldn’t get enough. It was followed by chocolate cake, my favorite.
I took a greedy bite wanting to digest everything at once. “Calm down, the cake isn’t running,” Bruno said but I couldn’t hear him. I ate more than he did and I guess he was fine just watching me eat. I wiped my mouth, I asked for some to take home. I was filled, not just with the food and cake I felt satisfied.
We spent the rest of the time chatting and more of me being teased. I felt someone’s eyes on me. I moved my eyes, and I froze.
How?
What?
No, why is he here?
Why was Jason here? I thought he had given up. His eyes were pinned on me. I quickly looked away. The last thing I wanted was for Bruno to see him.
I suddenly felt uncomfortable; his gaze wasn’t leaving me, and my gaze wasn’t leaving Bruno. He shouldn’t get an idea. But I kept watching Jason from the corner of my eyes. I thought this restaurant was one for just couples who wanted to enjoy their romantic times together, then what the hell was Jason doing sitting alone and no one was doing anything to him, or showing him his way out?
My palms suddenly became sweaty. I could still remember the anger on Bruno’s face when he saw him the other day. I could still hear the sound of gunshots and the low, painful groan of Jason. That memory still haunts me sometimes, but here he was, trying to relive that moment.
“Is anything wrong?” Bruno asked me. He was too smart for his own good. Or should I say he knows me too much? I smiled, “I’m fine, maybe I ate too much,” I told the lamest excuse I could think of. He nodded.
“I’ll go use the restroom,” I excused myself walking away. Bruno watched me walk away. I asked for directions to the restroom from a waiter by the side. She pointed it out. I passed two other ladies who were all dolled up. They were probably coming from the restroom. My eyes swiped around the restaurant as I stepped into the hallway that led to the restroom.
A couple at the side was kissing, another one sat curled up together. I envied them, not because they were in love, but because they didn’t seem worried, no one was looking around or acting self-conscious.
I stood in front of the door that had the inscription, “Women” and a small drawing of a woman. I pushed the door open. I don’t remember seeing Jason in his seat while I walked down. I just wished he had gone back to wherever he came from.
I walked into one of the cubicles.
It didn’t take long before I walked out. I stared at my reflection while washing my hands. I looked beautiful. I tried to smile, pushing my worries to the back of my mind. The restroom was empty.
I wished I had taken my purse. I wanted to add some lipstick. It was beginning to fade from the many eating and licking. I closed my eyes. My emotions have been put in place. Bruno was smart, and if I didn’t want a fight breaking out here and ruining the peace in this place, I had to look normal.
Or maybe we should leave. We’ve spent enough time here already.
I wiped my hands with a disposable handkerchief and turned to walk out when the door knob slanted and the door opened, and I watched as Jason stepped in.
Into the women’s restroom.
“I don’t care if I’m seen as a pervert, Lucia,” he said before I could say anything. “Just hear me out,”
“No. I’m not hearing you out. What if someone comes in? What if Bru… what the hell are you doing here?” I whisper yell. “You didn’t follow me here? I thought you’d gone back?” He was driving me crazy.
He took one step forward, and I stepped back, “don’t come closer,” I yelled.
“Lucia, I love you. Even if you don’t love me anymore, I can’t leave you here with this monster,” he said. He was about to continue, but I beat him to it.
“He is not a monster. He is my boyfriend. The man I love and you will only address him as such.” I yelled, warning him. I cared about him didn’t mean I’d listen as he insulted Bruno.
“I never said our relationship ended. You can’t date anyone without ending our relationship first,” he said. I scoffed.
“You don’t get to tell me what to do,” I said, standing firm and looking him straight into his eyes.
He closed the part between us and before I could stop him, he wrapped his hands around me pulling me closer, “What are you…?”
The door flung open before I could complete my sentence. And Bruno stood by the door.