The Cannon Event 2

Tris drove his fancy Aventador to the five-star hotel and restaurant. As he parked, he stepped out, he couldn't help but feel confident with the crowd admiring his stylish outfit and ride.

He wasn't one to show off, but he had a reputation for his impeccable style. He hoped April would match his level of elegance, perhaps arriving in a fancy car too.

Inside the restaurant, he was greeted by a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The place exuded opulence, with a serene ambiance that made it the perfect spot for a romantic evening. He smiled and acknowledged his mother's impeccable taste.

The chandelier above sparkled like a thousand stars, and the glass roof let the night sky in. The furniture, the music from the orchestra – it was all setting the mood for a night to remember.

Tris was escorted to their reserved table, Table 34, positioned nicely in the middle of the room. He sat there, patiently waiting for his date.

A waiter approached a woman at a nearby table, and she requested the violinist to play some melodious tunes once the girl arrived.

Meanwhile, April arrived in a cab and paid her fare. She turned her phone on and saw her mother's numerous calls and texts, checking she placed it in her handbag.

After appraising the building, she made her way inside, where friendly ushers welcomed her. The interior was beyond her expectations, radiating luxury and fragrant scents.

The usher directed her to Table 34, and she followed the pointing finger with a nervous smile, occasionally fixing her hair.

Tris realized his date had arrived and discreetly stashed his phone away, not wanting April to catch him reading up on how to be a gentleman on a date.

The violinist immediately played some soft and romantic music with his crew, everyone was amazed and started applauding.

As he approached her to pull her chair, she softly thanked him. Tris, a bit on edge, returned to his seat, and the waiter handed them menus, while the observant woman from earlier continued to monitor their every move, making sure everything fell into place.

Both of them struggled to find anything appetizing on the menu, and just when they were about to despair, another waiter arrived with plates of food not listed on the menu, labeling it a "Special Treat."

Tris and April were taken by surprise as they accepted the unexpected dishes. The waiter left them with a cheerful "Bon Appétit!"

Their conversation was stuck in a rut. Desperate for a topic, Tris broke the silence, asking how she liked the place. April, with a shy smile, shared her admiration for the environment. Their introduction was short and sweet, names exchanged, but they soon found themselves without much else to talk about, silently studying each other.

Then, something appeared to be bothering April. She excused herself to the restroom, leaving Tris pondering over a glass of water.

The bag was on the table, with her phone slightly peeking at an opening. Her phone rang, revealing her mother's call. Tris hesitated, deciding not to invade her privacy.

He could see the words upside down, "Mom" he read. He reached out for it and the call ended. The messages popped up on the lock screen and he could notice an odd moment. [Pills?] He thought.

A waiter bumped into the table and the bag fell, two pills in a cute container sprung out and lay beside it. The waiter apologized and placed them on the table. Tris looked at the pills and checked the message again.

He knew something wasn't right, he felt the urgency in her mother's texts. He quickly picked the pills up and rushed to the restroom. Some ladies were returning from there as he stopped and with an obvious smile. Luckily, April was in the general hallway about to enter the restroom.

He walked over and pulled her back.

Her face was flushed, and her hands trembled with reddish veins creeping up. He offered it to her and went back for a glass of water. As she took the pill, the redness in her veins began to recede.

April's gratitude was evident in her eyes as she was on the brink of tears. She tried walking past him and he held her wrist. "I've got nothing against you. We all have our weaknesses." He assured.

April appeared to lose her balance, and her veins started to redden again. In a swift move, he held her before she could fall. He managed to take his coat off and covered her arms with it.

He left the pathway with April in his arms, taking a discreet route to avoid drawing attention.

His mother, who had been observing from a distance, knew something was wrong. She settled the bill and generously tipped the waiter. "That's so nice of you," the waiter commented.

As Tris hurriedly left with April, it was clear that they were bound for the hospital. He avoided all attention as he quickly sped up, headed for any nearby hospital.

_Till I See You Again_

Next: A stitch in time.