Dinner, Definitely Not a Date

When Ben and Selene arrived at Ben's car in the underground parking garage, Selene took one look at the black SUV with tinted windows, and the driver (in a black suit of course!) that was waiting for them, and mumbled, "Of course you would have your own car and driver."

With an amused laugh, Ben responded, "I heard that, you know."

Ben introduced Selene to his driver, Marco, who opened the backseat door for them to enter. Ben helped Selene into the car as it was a little high up from the ground and she was only 5 feet 6 inches tall. She reluctantly let him as she didn't want him to see her struggle.

As she was being helped in, she looked back at him and said, "I didn't mean for you *not* to hear it." Then she settled herself in the seat and buckled herself in.

Before Ben got in himself, he whispered something to the driver, who only nodded. Selene wondered what the secret was. Once they were both in, she noticed the partition between the front and the back was up. Selene looked the partition and then at Ben with one eyebrow raised, but he only replied, "This is how we always drive with guests," as if she should have already known that.

She said, "Of course."

As the car pulled away, Selene couldn't contain her curiosity about the other man in the car she had noticed when she climbed into the car, the one who was sitting in the passenger seat. She turned to Ben, and when he looked at her, she made a quick motion with her head pointing it toward the man. She asked, "Who is he and is he coming to dinner with us?"

Ben replied, "Oh, uh, that's Johnny. He's my bodyguard. Don't mind him. He'll sort-of come with us but he won't be joining us."

Selene's eyes widened and she said, "Why do you need a bodyguard?" Then she caught herself and said, "Sorry, it's none of my business. This is a professional dinner."

Ben smiled and said, "It's ok." Then he said, "Um, I don't need Johnny. He just sort-of came with the car."

Selene squinted her eyes and said, "Ha. Ha. Very funny" in a sarcastic voice.

This exchange was followed by a brief awkward silence as they both stared ahead, their body language clearly indicating how uncomfortable they both felt. Selene began to feel sad, thinking about how they used to just sit or lay in each other's arms silently for long periods of time feeling nothing but love and contentment. And now here they were, like this.

The silence was broken when Ben politely said, "Would you like some water?"

Selene turned her head to look at him, staring for a few seconds, and then responded just as politely with, "No, thank you." She then turned her head the other way to stare out the window. She suppressed a sigh as she thought, "It's like it doesn't even bother him. He can just sit here and calmly and ask if I want water, like nothing ever happened."

To her surprise, Selene felt tears welling up. She thought she was all done with that given the years that had gone by. She straightened up and tried to look inconspicuous, while lifting one hand to wipe the corners of her eyes before the tears fell. "Think about programming. Programming. Programming," she thought. She turned her mind to something she could focus on that would tear her away from thinking about Ben and their past.

Selene wasn't as careful as she thought because Ben did notice her hand moving to her eyes, even if it didn't look like he did. The only indication was that he looked down and then rubbed the bridge of his nose for a couple seconds with his thumb and index finger. "Maybe this was a bad idea," he thought. "Should I have just kept leaving her alone?" Then he straightened up and resumed his calm posture. "No, this plan will work, even if the schedule needs to be moved up a little."

The rest of the car ride was spent in silence, but it only took about 10 minutes as the restaurant was not that far away. Both UniTech and Paru Ristorante were in the city's downtown district. When Selene saw the sign for the restaurant, she looked sideways at Ben, then said, "*This* is the 'little' restaurant you wanted to bring me to?"

The restaurant was currently at the top of every list in the city for its unique Greek and Italian fusion cuisine. Having opened only a couple months ago, the Chef was famous for being young and innovative, with a flair for new flavors. In fact, celebrities flocked there, as did a few dignitaries. Getting a reservation was difficult, so Selene wondered how on Earth Ben had managed to get one on such short notice?

The car pulled up to the front of the restaurant, where the Valet was standing in readiness to open the door. Ben exited the car and then lent his hand to Selene, who didn't want to take it, but who also didn't want to trip and fall in front of everyone standing there. The Valet closed the door behind them, and the driver pulled away into the valet area himself, behind the restaurant. Selene was confused and then thought about how it was even difficult finding parking on her own campus. "I guess this is how the rich park. Must be nice," her thoughts continued.

Ben wanted to lend his arm for Selene to take into the restaurant, but she didn't take it, and instead just followed him in. Johnny followed behind them.

The hostess greeted them, and they were immediately taken to a private room. The table was already set and waiting for them, along with the server. As soon as they were seated, the server offered them their menus and asked them to take their time. He said that he would be just outside and that they could ring the bell that was on the table once they were ready.

It was difficult for Selene not to show the shock and embarrassment that she was feeling, but then she started to get a little annoyed. She said, "You know I don't feel comfortable in places like this, Ben. Why are we here? A private room? Really?"

Ben replied, "I know. I'm not trying to show off, I promise. I knew you wouldn't feel comfortable out there, and that's why I requested a private room. I just wanted to bring you here because I know how much you love both Greek food and Italian food. So, I thought this would be perfect." The look on his face looked earnest. Selene couldn't see any deception or ulterior motives and that calmed her down somewhat.

She said, "Ok, let's say I believe you. I still don't like this place. It's just too…fancy shmancy."

"I think you'll love the food though," he responded, with a glint in his eye and a smile on his face.

They both looked at their menus in silence. To Selene's surprise, there were no prices listed. She didn't know what to do. She had intended on selecting the cheapest item, given that that was probably all that she could afford in a place like this. She started to get antsy and started playing with her locket, moving it around the chain, putting it in her mouth slightly, and then taking it back out.

After a few moments, Ben said, "By the way, I've paid for dinner, so order whatever you want." He had noticed her fidgeting with her locket and he remembered how that was a tell-tale sign that she was anxious. He knew what she was nervous about when he saw her looking over the menu and he felt stupid for not saying something before they opened the menus.

"Oh, no worries, you don't have to do that," Selene responded, waving her hand up and down once as if it was no big deal. She hadn't heard exactly what he had said.

Thinking it would ease her mind, Ben took a cool air and said, "Sorry, I don't think you heard what I said. I've already paid, so you don't have to worry. It's a done deal."

That was the wrong attitude to take.

"Are you saying I can't afford a meal here?," Selene said angrily, as she got up.

Ben sighed in frustration and replied, "No dammit, why does everything have to be about that?" Then he took a deep breath to calm himself, realizing his mistake. He said, "What I meant was, I was the one who asked you to go to dinner and you didn't even want to go. When I asked my driver, to make the reservation before we left, I already knew that we had to pay for everything in order to get the private room. I just didn't tell you because, well, uh, that would be weird and awkward."

"Oh," said Selene, feeling a little stupid. "Sorry," she said quietly, and then sat back down.

"It's ok," he said. "Now, what would you like to eat?"

Selene thought, "That's so like him. He can always change the subject and move on. No holding on to the past. I wish I could be the same." She looked down at the menu and felt a queasy feeling in her stomach. Selene still felt uncomfortable because she didn't want to order anything expensive. She always ordered the cheapest item when other people were paying as she thought that was the right thing to do. But now, she didn't know what to do. She looked up from her menu and said, "I guess since you know this restaurant better than me, why don't you pick something you think I'd like."

Ben smiled and rang the bell.

After he had ordered their dishes and wine, and the server and left, Ben said, "I know you prefer beer with your food but trust me this wine will go much better with what we ordered."

"I know," said Selene wistfully, turning her head to the side. "You always had good taste in food and wine."

Ben reached his hand over to turn her head back to look at him in the eyes. They both stared at each other for a few moments and just when Ben was about to say something, suddenly, Selene squared her shoulders, slapped both of her hands on the table, and said, "Ok, let's talk more about the prototype."

Ben was a little startled and said, "Huh? Umm. Ok, but…"

Selene looked at him with a slight tilt of her head and said, "Well, isn't that what we came here for?"

Ben said, "Yes. True. The prototype."

They spent the time before the meal arrived discussing Selene's design further. Although Ben was paying close attention to Selene's every word, asking questions along the way, his eyes swept all over Selene as if he was trying to memorize her every detail. He even noticed her jewelry. His gaze did not go unnoticed, but it somehow didn't make Selene feel uncomfortable. Maybe it was the way he was looking at her. It wasn't like he was devouring her. It mostly felt like a gentle caress, like he wanted to comfort her or protect her.

When the meal arrived, their conversation ended, but it was at a natural stopping point anyway. Selene remarked at how good her food looked and that Ben had made a good choice. Ben said he hoped she liked it. After she took one spoonful and swallowed it, Selene said, "Ok, I take it back. This is amazing."

Ben smiled and said, "I'm glad you like it."

After they ate for a little while in silence, Selene said, "So I have to ask. When I first got into the conference room, I had some difficulty breathing because you know how I'm afraid of heights and well, you know, that whole floor to ceiling glass window thing you got going on there doesn't help with that. But then almost immediately the glass windows and wall became shaded. And I also happen to notice that tiny, little camera you all had in the ceiling at the corner. So I'm just going to ask. Was that you? Did you do that for me?"

Ben looked surprised when she first started talking but then the look turned into something akin to pride. He responded, "I should have known. You notice everything. Ok, yes. I admit I was watching. And yes, I did have them do that because I know you're afraid of heights."

Selene raised her eyebrows in surprise even though she had pretty much guessed it. "Thank you," she said.

They started eating again, but after a few moments, Ben started playing with his food. Selene noticed but didn't say anything. In a quiet voice, he said, "Speaking of noticing things, I, uh, noticed you're wearing the ring today of all days."

Selene stopped all movement and looked at her simple ring, which was made up of a single gold band with a princess cut sapphire stone. "I'm not sure I understand what you mean," she said and continued eating.

Ben said, "You know what I mean. I know it's your birthday today."

Selene stopped eating and looked up suddenly with a surprised look on her face. "You remember it's my birthday today?," she asked.

"Of course, I remember. Why wouldn't I remember?," Ben said gently.

Selene was silent.

"I've remembered every year," he said. "And I gave that ring to you on your birthday our first year together."