Chapter 4: Intentions

*Sienna*

He spends the first few minutes of our drive on the phone, his hand brushing mine, and I feel like I am in a dream. I lower the window slightly and close my eyes as the wind blows against my face. I sigh as I try to relax.

When I realize the long silence, I tilt my head and find him looking at me. “Hey, cutie…”

Of course, I blush, and I chuckle. “Ro…” is all I can say.

His phone rings again and I force myself to look at the window. He gets back on the phone and I see the cars moving towards a very highly concentrated area. We park right in front, where there is a group waiting to get in, and he draws my attention. “We are going to have something to eat here first, then I want you to come with me to another place, is that ok?”

I am not sure if that is ok or not, but I say what comes to my mind and heart in unison. “Yes.”

His suited guard opens the door for him and people look at Ro in surprise, as if they know him. He takes a quick look all around, then looks back inside and extends his hand to me. I move closer to the door and take his hand to come out, his arm almost around me as he leads me in. Everyone lowers their heads and makes room for us to walk in. They must be werewolves as well.

Inside, in a very decadent style, the restaurant offers a soft jazz music atmosphere, and a booth was prepared for us. We are welcomed by two servers who lead the way. More people are quiet and lowering their heads. Ro doesn’t give them a glance. I frown a bit at this gesture; maybe power has changed him some. The Roharu I knew would always greet people and be polite.

Our booth is spacious, and there is room for several more, but he sits a few inches from me, giving me room to look at him better. We are both quiet as they give us the menus. I am sure this is a restaurant that caters to his kind as he is given a different menu than mine. I chuckle and he looks at me.

“Are you going to eat anything special today?” I ask him with a tease.

His eyes spark and he grins. “Maybe someone, later…”

I laugh nervously but he sees me blushing as always. Someone? I bury my eyes in the menu and try to find something to eat. I see many exquisite dishes, some I have tried before, some I only heard of, and some that are a complete mystery.

“I recommend you to try today’s special,” the server smiles at me. I look up at him and smile back.

“Which is?” I ask.

“Pork chops garnished with some fine herbs, with either a vegetable purée or a garden salad,” He says with enthusiasm.

I grin and nod. “Thank you, I would like that please,” I reply.

“Something to drink?” He asks me and I look at Ro as I answer.

“Oh, just some coke,” I smile.

He bows and quickly moves away, and I perk a brow. “He didn’t ask for your order…” I say to him and he smirks.

“He has, and I already ordered,” he states. So the waiter is a werewolf as well.

I am surprised at how many are around us, and how blended they are with society.

We look at each other smiling, and I blush again. He is here, in front of me, after so many years. I want to ask him so many questions, but I am afraid that if I do ask a question, the illusion might end and he will be gone. He perks a brow.

“What are you thinking of?” He asks me and I turn my head to avoid his gaze.

“Just curious about this place and the people here.” I focus my eyes on the rest of the people. “Are they all werewolves?” I ask when I finally take the courage to look back at him.

He doesn’t look at them, again. “Most are, but some are human. There were always a small group of humans near us, helping us in many ways. You and those similar to you are the reason why we are able to blend so well.”

I nod and smile back at the waiter who brings me a coke. He pours it in a glass and then lays it in front of me. To the side, he places a small dish of lemon slices for me to choose from. I grin and look at Ro. He made the waiter bring it because he knew I would forget to ask.

“I almost forgot what it was to be surrounded by your kin,” I honestly say.

He grins. “Did you miss it?”

I know I am blushing a bit, but I answer with honesty. “I missed you.”

His grin transforms into a softer smile; my real Ro. I take a sip of my drink as he looks at me waiting quietly. He always enjoyed doing that; looking without talking. It used to drive me crazy at first, but it grew on me.

Two suited guys start walking towards us. I am sure they want to talk to Ro, but his guards stopped them. His eyes never leave me. I find it a bit odd, but honestly, I am not sure I can take so many emotions. My heart has not recovered completely yet.

“Have you seen the country much? Did you find it has changed from the last time you were here?” I ask in order to fill the silence.

“I arrived two hours ago, I have many places to visit and people to meet. But I wanted to be here for your birthday first. You haven’t changed much, you know?” He shoots straight to the distraction.

I chuckle. “Well, you are the vivid image of a ghost from the past, there is little of you that has changed…”

He grins and tilts his head as the waiter brings our food, and the rest of the time we really just talk about random things and make silly remarks. It is nice to hear him laugh, and it is even better to have him in again. We finish with some ice cream made by the restaurant, and it is really a delight to taste it. They do know how to cook everything well.

We probably spent over three hours together as I saw people come and go, to the point where we were the last people in the restaurant as the staff cleaned for the night service. I sigh, because my dreamy day is about to end, but I do have to go back to my apartment.

“You really made this day special, Ro… thank you,” I say as I put my napkin on the table.

He perks a brow and looks at me. “Are you wanting to leave already?”

I chuckle. “Well, I have other things to do,” I lie. The truth is, I have no other plans. I am just scared that I am feeling so many emotions again for him, and I don’t even know how long he is staying. I need to guard my heart, I am not sure I can live as if nothing happened again after he is gone.

He looks at me pondering. “I did say I wanted to go to a place and have you accompany me there…”

I chuckle this time and shake my head; he always gets away with everything. I sigh as I know I agreed to it already. “Then let us go.”