Chapter 30: Dinner with Julia

I noticed Samuel's interest in the drone that had been shot down by someone. He recorded the drone's data and its owner's data. When we left the workshop, I turned to him.

"Do you think this drone was used in that place?" I asked him.

"I'm more assuming than thinking," said Samuel.

"Then we're going to him?" he asked.

"No, it's almost 6 o'clock. I think you should change for dinner," said Samuel.

"Change clothes?" I asked.

"You have dinner with Julia, don't you?" said Samuel.

While we were talking with Trevor, I forgot about many things. I was too deeply immersed in thoughts about incidents with these drones.

"Yes, thank you for reminding me, but still. I think we should use the time with maximum benefit, which means we should drive to at least one of them," I said.

"I would agree if we didn't have the opportunity to study the recordings using AI. Then yes, it would be more effective to talk than to watch all the recordings," said Samuel.

"So?" I asked.

"I think you won't mind if I stay at your house," asked Samuel.

"Of course, you can stay," I replied to him.

"Then let's go to your place. I'll stay and study the records that have already been coming in, as well as coordinate the search for data with my team. And you can go for dinner," he said.

"Then let's hurry," I said.

We drove to my place, although we should have looked for the owners of the drones and talked to them. The chance of catching him was high, but the chance of scaring him away was just as great. That's why I partly agreed with him.

During the whole ride, I thought more about the evening than about the investigation. What to wear, whether to buy flowers, and many other moments related to this. I felt like I was back in my youth, when I used to chase after girls. Although I couldn't say that I was already old, I hadn't even turned 40 yet, so I was relatively young.

With these thoughts, I quickly arrived home and headed to the shower. After taking a quick shower, I got dressed. I put on an evening suit. Of course, it wasn't new, but it wasn't old either, since I had only worn it a couple of times. Apparently, it was hanging in the closet waiting for its star moment.

Making sure there were no problems, I said goodbye to Samuel and headed to meet Julia. On the way, I decided to stop by a flower shop. There, I picked up a subtle gift, a bouquet in a pot.

When I arrived at the meeting place, I saw an Italian restaurant. Walking in, I quickly spotted her. She was already sitting at a table, holding the menu and saying something to the waitress.

I approached her. When there was only one step left to the table, she looked at me. Seeing me, she smiled and said, "Here you are, James. You even dressed up," she said with a smile.

"I thought it would be worth dressing up a bit, especially when you're invited to dinner," I said, placing a decorative flowerpot in front of her.

"Oh, this is for me," she said. "But it wasn't necessary, I don't like it when flowers go to waste after just a few days," she said.

"I didn't know, I'm sorry," I said.

"Don't apologize. I wouldn't mind getting flowers from you on our next meeting," she said brightly.

"Then I'll definitely buy a bouquet next time that you'll like," I said.

"Oh, by the way," she said, pointing to the waiter who had been standing next to our table all this time.

"I've almost finished ordering. To be honest, I've already ordered for you too, but if you want, you can order something else," she said, handing me the menu.

Although I took the menu, I didn't dare to change her order. I thought it was better to try what she had ordered. I looked at the waitress and refused to change the order, after which the waitress hurried to the kitchen.

"You're surprisingly compliant," said Julia.

"Huh?" I said, looking at her questioningly.

"I thought you'd change the order," she said, looking me in the eye.

I looked into her eyes and saw the mischievousness that was burning in them.

"I decided to trust your taste, especially since I don't eat seafood only. It's strange, but I love fish itself, although it falls under the category of seafood," I said.

"Then you're in luck. I ordered a fish steak. I thought you should nourish your brain, as fish is rich in vitamins that help with cognitive function. And with your job, you always need to keep your mind sharp," she said.

"So, it seems like I'm a triple lucky guy today," I said.

"Triple?" she asked.

"My first stroke of luck was meeting you today, the second was you inviting me to dinner, and the third is that I get to eat fish tonight, which I love," I said.

"Then indeed, you are lucky three times over today," she said, smiling even wider than before.

"I'm glad you agree with me," I said with a smile.

"Of course, I will agree. Not everyone can have dinner with me, especially in such a good restaurant," she said, smiling.

The more I looked at her, the more I forgot about everything that had tormented me before our meeting. I forgot about Kate, about work, and even about Samuel, who stayed at home. I fully devoted myself to the conversation with her. Deciding that I needed to know more about her, I asked, "How long have you been living here?"

"For how long? Hmm. I think about a year, maybe a little more," she said.

"And how do you like our city? Don't you want to stay here forever?" I asked her.

"The city is quiet, maybe even too quiet. And as for staying here, I need a reason for that, and for now, I'm still looking for one," she said, squinting her eyes.

I was as if tied to her eyes, not letting go of the food they brought. And so we continued our conversation, in which I was constantly captivated by her with my gaze.

We had a wonderful evening, discussing various life situations and just having a great dinner. However, at the end, I said to her...