Dinner

Upon returning to his place, a sense of surprise overcame her as she discovered a woman scurrying around the living room before vanishing into the kitchen. Her eyes followed the woman, perplexed by the situation.

Remo whispered, "I thought you might be hungry, so I asked them to prepare a meal for us and to celebrate our marriage. Well, more like a sampler. I had no idea what foods you liked, so she pulled together finger-sized samples of several different dishes."

"Oh," she breathed out as she ventured deeper into the room. Before her, a low table lay adorned with fine china, crystal goblets, and an abundance of candles. The table rested close to the ground, surrounded by cushions, presenting an intriguing blend of casual seating and formal dining arrangement. "It's beautiful," she murmured, finding herself naturally drawn toward it.

Realizing that she hadn't eaten in many hours, a wave of ravenous hunger washed over her.

She comfortably settled onto a plush cushion, and soon after, Remo joined her.

Without delay, the woman emerged from the kitchen, laying out a variety of dishes on the expansive table.

Abby beamed at the varieties of food, "Wow—so much food! Smells so good!"

Remo grinned and then cast his gaze down at her outfit. She wondered what he was searching for, and desperately hoped there wasn't some sort of wardrobe malfunction happening. That would be just her luck.

She watched him with confusion as he shifted around the table to position himself beside her. He reached out and said, "You can't be comfortable sitting on the floor in those heels. Here, let me see them."

She stared at him with wide eyes as his fingers located the strap. He unbuckled it slowly, carefully extracting the heels from her feet. Then he reached for the second one. His eyes met hers, and he held her gaze as he removed the heels.

A mix of emotions swirled within her. Her heart raced, the touch of his hands sending shivers up her spine. She couldn't deny the chemistry between them, the unspoken tension that lingered in the air.

The room's ambiance, illuminated by the soft glow of countless candles, added to the intimate atmosphere.

With her heels removed, she now sat at a level closer to his, their closeness more pronounced.

Remo's gaze remained steady, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes as he finished removing her heels. With a gentle smile, he spoke, "There, much better."

She felt a blush creeping onto her cheeks, a combination of self-consciousness and a growing awareness of the closeness between them. The absence of her heels brought her closer to the floor, accentuating the coziness of the setup around the low table.

As he set the heels aside, he maintained his gaze on her, his expression a combination of affection and something deeper. The room seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them in this shared moment.

Abby averted her gaze quickly, her cheeks tinged with a rosy hue. The intensity of their connection and the growing intimacy of the situation left her slightly flustered.

In an effort to regain her composure, she reached for the glass of water on the table, her trembling fingers wrapping around the cool surface.

Remo's gaze remained gentle, his understanding evident as he observed her reaction. He shifted slightly, allowing her space and time to collect herself. The ambiance of the room, bathed in the soft radiance of candles, created an almost surreal backdrop to their unfolding interaction.

Taking a sip of water, Abby felt a sense of relief wash over her. The simple act of drinking helped to ground her, tempering the whirlwind of emotions that had momentarily overtaken her. She found herself stealing glances at Remo, his presence reassuring amidst the sea of feelings that surged within her.

Their unspoken connection held a weight of its own, an uncharted territory that they seemed to navigate with a mix of uncertainty and anticipation. The fragrant aroma of the meticulously prepared food permeated the air, adding to the sensory tapestry of the moment.

Abby's gaze eventually met Remo's once more, and a subtle smile played at the corners of his lips. It was as if he knew the storm of emotions that had raged within her, and yet, he remained patient, giving her the space she needed.

As the woman from the kitchen continued her preparations, carefully arranging the dishes with a practiced grace, Abby found herself drawn to the sumptuous spread of finger-sized samples. The diverse colors, textures, and aromas captivated her senses.

The absence of her heels brought a newfound sense of comfort, aligning her more closely with the casual elegance of the setting. She shifted slightly on the cushion, feeling a growing sense of ease settle over her.

Remo's hand gently brushed against hers, his touch feather-light yet it got her pulse racing. God help her, because how was she going to survive this for a whole year without losing her heart to him?