LUNCH AT ONYX RESTAURANT

They arrived at 'Onyx Restaurant,' much to Raelle's surprise.

She had only heard of the restaurant; a seven-star establishment reserved for the high and mighty. Only the movers and shakers of the nation could afford the luxury of the place.

Even though her father was not poor, they had never been afforded the opportunity to visit because he could not bear the cost of it. So, she had only passed by it each time she was going to the supermarket.

The front doors were adorned with golden decor and elegant marble statues. Raelle suddenly felt like she was underdressed for the place. Her simple blue sarong skirt and flounce top were not suitable for such a wealthy establishment.

Raelle kept tugging at the sides of her skirt as they made their way inside. She only sighed in relief when she realized that everyone in the place was minding their own business and not staring at them.

A waiter, dressed in an immaculate white polo and black pants, approached them with a soft smile.

"Good afternoon, madam, sir," he greeted them, his voice as welcoming as possible. "Would you like a table here or somewhere private?"

"Somewhere private, please," Liam replied curtly. "My wife is not comfortable here," he added with a glance towards Raelle. He had noticed her pulling on her skirt from the corners of his eyes.

The waiter nodded. He led them through a long room full of people chattering and smiling over lunch before stopping in front of a small French door.

"Here you go, sir." The waiter smiled, opening the door for them. "From here, you have a clear view of the small pond behind the restaurant; a beautiful scene if you ask me."

"Thank you," Raelle said, entering first.

The ambiance was nothing short of enchanting. The table was neatly arranged with golden cutlery, fine china, and crystal glassware that twinkled under the soft candlelight from the scented candles in the room.

Raelle and Liam sat at the table, facing the glass window, overlooking the small pond; true to the waiter's words, it was a beautiful scene.

The waiter took their orders, leaving them alone. Raelle turned to Liam and said, "It's beautiful."

Liam nodded. "Hmm."

"I suddenly feel underdressed for this," Raelle continued, casting one more glance at her skirt. There was a tinge of hopelessness in her voice. "Is this lunch or a date?"

Liam turned to her, brows raised and a hint of a smile on his lips. He tilted his head to the side and asked, "What do you think, wife?"

"A date," Raelle answered, catching onto his plan. "Why didn't you tell me? I would have worn something better." She frowned.

"Why?" Liam questioned. "You look okay to me." He shrugged.

"What's wrong with your dress?" He asked again, seeing Raelle shake her head. "What?"

"Forget it. You won't understand; you're not a female." She frowned and returned her gaze to the window. "Why are there candles - it's daytime?"

She could not understand why there were candles in the room when the sun was starting to shine. The rain had stopped even before they left the company, so it wasn't that cold anymore.

"They're scented candles; lavender, lilies, and roses. Although, I can't smell a thing," Liam commented, finishing with a frown. "Do you smell it?"

*Sniff sniff*

Raelle sniffed a few times, trying to smell the air, but only the strong smell of tangerine kept tugging at her senses. She shook her head honestly and said, "Just tangerine."

"I thought so too," Liam hissed.

Just then, the waiter arrived, pushing in a tray with their orders on it. He placed them humbly on the table and disappeared as quickly as he came.

Raelle thought all the food they had ordered was pleasing to the eyes. They even smelled so beautiful, making her mouth water; she was sure that they would taste even better.

"You like it?" Liam thought she did not like it, seeing that she did not start eating immediately. He did not mind calling the waiter so that she could order something she wanted.

"Are you kidding?" Raelle sneered, looking at her plate of food greedily. "This looks delicious! I could already taste it."

She quickly picked up her spoon and started to eat under Liam's gaze. The man smiled and said nothing but started to eat too.

****

"Did you enjoy the food?" Liam asked.

They had already returned to the company after having lunch at the restaurant. They were in the elevator heading to the office.

Raelle nodded vigorously.

"Mmn! I loved them all. I feel too full; it was hard walking from the room to the car," she joked but Liam took it seriously and frowned.

"Does your stomach hurt? Where?" He asked with a worried expression on his face. "Do you want me to carry you?"

Raelle: "…" "Dude! That was a joke," she said helplessly.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. *Sigh* You really get worried easily, don't you?" She rubbed her head with her palm. "I'm fine."

'Worried?' Liam frowned. 'Was he worried about her?'

"Is it a bad thing to be worried?" He asked cluelessly.

"No! It's not, but I-I was only pulling your leg." Raelle tried to explain. She simply smiled and said in defeat, "I am fine. Trust me."

"Hmm," Liam nodded like a robot as the elevator opened. "I trust you."

Raelle: "Huh?"

"You trust me?"

"Yeah, I do." Liam turned to her. "Let's go."

"Strange," Raelle whispered and made her way to the office behind him. She kept raising her eyes to stare at his tall figure, walking majestically before her.

He walked like some kind of royalty. Maybe it was because he had grown up in a rich home she thought to herself. He even had an undisputable air of magnificence around him. She had sensed it from the day they first met at the bureau front but she had thought it was just a misconception. Looking at him now, it was clear that there was no misconception; this man was literally just perfect.

Maybe... Just maybe, she was lucky...

****

As soon as they opened the office door, a loud voice boomed within the room, saying:

"Finally! Here he is!"