Black Silk

CHAPTER 7 Dinner with Consequences

NADIA'S POV

The doors of Nando's slid open, and a rush of warm, familiar smells hit me—grilled chicken, spice, the faint salt of fries. Normally, it would've been comforting. Tonight, it just made my stomach twist.

I reached for the door handle, but it didn't budge.

"Raheem, unlock the door. What are you waiting for?" I snapped.

He sighed, slow and deliberate, before finally pressing the button. The click of the locks was louder than it needed to be.

I shot him a glare, then got out and headed toward the restaurant without another word. He followed quietly behind me—his steps calm, mine sharp.

Inside, we were led to a booth tucked away in the far corner. It was private, almost too private, like he'd planned it that way. I sat first, keeping my eyes on the table. He slid into the opposite seat, stretching out comfortably like he owned the place.

"What would you like today?" the waitress asked, smiling politely. She was pretty—long ginger hair, soft brown eyes, the kind of effortlessly radiant.

I glanced at Raheem just in time to catch him staring at her a second too long. My jaw clenched.

I cleared my throat pointedly.

"Oh, right," he said, looking at me. "Rose, order whatever you like. I'll have the same."

"I was going to do that anyway," I muttered, flipping through the menu. Then, just to be petty, I started ordering half the menu.

The waitress's eyes widened slightly as I listed item after item, but she didn't question it.

Raheem just leaned back, smirking. "Never mind me," he added. "We'll share."

"Sure we will," I said under my breath.

When she walked away, he leaned forward slightly. "So, ro—"

"Don't talk to me right now," I cut in flatly. "I'm honestly not in the mood."

"Nadia," he warned, voice low and smooth, "cut the attitude and just talk to me."

"What do you want me to say?" I snapped. "Oh, I know—let's talk about how you were just flirting with the first woman you saw."

"I wasn't flirting," he said, calm but firm. "We were just talking. I didn't know you were the jealous type."

"I can't even with you, Raheem."

He leaned back, letting out a quiet chuckle. "You're cute when you're mad, you know that?"

I glared. "You're infuriating when you breathe, you know that?"

For a few moments, silence filled the air again. Then, in a low voice, he said, "Fine. I'm sorry, Rose. If it makes you feel better, I won't talk to another woman for the rest of the month. Except you."

I raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, right. Don't make promises you can't keep. But... apology accepted."

"I can keep it," he said simply, eyes locked on me.

I looked away, pretending to study the napkin dispenser as heat crept up my neck.

"Now that you're talking again," he continued, "are you going to accept the promotion?"

I sighed. "I'm still not happy with you, but... fine. I'll do it. But after this month, I want my old job back."

"Okay, great." His smirk returned. "You can start tomorrow. But, Rose—by the end of the month, you won't want it back."