Touch Of Solicitude

VEINTIDÓS

"Our class reunion is coming up soon," I was the first one to speak at the quiet drove, I had no idea where we were headed, "I can't miss it out once again, I skipped out the last three years, my classmates are bugging me to show up," I took a deep breath and sighed, leaning my head at the window, observing the scenarios that we passed by.

"Why, is something wrong? Did you perhaps had a fight with one of your classmates?" My eyes turned back at him, glaring, "No! Of course not! Why would you think that? You know me, Luigi, I am not that kind of person," He then chuckled, looking at me and back to the front.

"Then why?" He questioned; I could not bring myself to answer the question, "Well..." I took a deep breath and lowered my head.

"Every reunion, everyone would brag about their wealth, how stable their lives are, most importantly, their partner in life," I suddenly remembered what I did in the last reunion, "I boasted about marrying Manuel in front of others, in the end, I am the only one left, if I knew that he would left me, I should have done it first, I do not want to be a laughing stock at the reunion," The man then laughed out.

"Why-" I was at my wit's ends, almost on the verge of crying as he continued to laugh; even Luigi is making fun of me; how can I show up at the reunion? I do not even have a face to show, "What's wrong with that?" He asked.

I sat there dumbfounded, "Do you not understand what I am saying? My classmates with laugh at me-" He parked the car at the side of the road, making a screeching sound, "Listen,"

He gently held my hands, "I'm with you this year," He kissed the back of my palm, "I don't want to disappoint you and everyone, it would be a waste not showing up when you are now a big shot in the industry," He smiled, pulling away, still holding my hand.

"Even so-" He soon released me and started the car, driving off, "Do you know where they will hold the reunion?" I looked at my phone, looking at the message.

"At Vista Hotel," He nodded his head, "You should attend it with me. I know the owner of that place," My forehead creased.

"Who?" I asked, "My uncle, Father's friend. I bet the host of this year's reunion took their time convincing him, he doesn't accept such events unless he knows the person or he was forced to accept" I nodded my head.

"Vista Hotel..." Even the name sounded familiar, "Oh, know I remember!" We planned to advertise that hotel, but due to the owner, we had to change our plans because he did not allow us to enter the hotel.

They used traditional architecture to inspire the hotel's avant-garde but exquisite design. Excellent cuisine, exceptional service, and an unrivaled atmosphere of calm and tranquility create an exclusive and opulent experience.

"Everything about the Vista Hotel is well proportioned: high ceilings, big rooms, and lovely decor." He stated, "I stayed there at my first week, however, I soon checked out and asked Maximillian to spare me a house near my company,"

I arranged my thoughts, "Why would I go there with you?" I returned, questioning him, "You said you're afraid of being a laughing stock because of what you did. Why don't you think about what their reaction would be when you show up with me," He retorted, with a cheeky smile plastered on his face.

"I am a famed financier who just returned to Ylury, I am not trying to brag, but I am known to the women in Ylury, in terms of visual there's nothing to complain about me," No, you are entirely bragging, "Even now, I can imagine their shook faces. You became the Editor in Chief of the Bulletin, which is Ylury's leading business and finance publication," I gave into my thoughts.

Maybe I should consider, it will not be bad appearing with Luigi, right; I glanced at him, only to find that he was also staring at me, which made me feel embarrassed, immediately, I averted my gaze, "Why are you looking at me like that?" He shook his head and scoffed, "Nothing, now sit tight, we're almost there,"

He speeds up, arriving at a restaurant; they guided us inside, appeared a fascinating look inside. The restaurant had an intimate atmosphere and, more significantly, maintained sustainability by keeping it small. It only had 20 diners per sitting.

"I reserved a meal for us, they don't accept walk-ins," Looking at the surrounding, you could see how well dressed the people were, "It's a seven course meal," Waiting for the Appetizers, I continued observing the place. It was the perfect place to admire the stunning view and appreciate how well-groomed the place was.

They presented the dish; the cuisine complemented the surrounding scenery and its dramatic seasonal changes. The menu consisted of seven courses, including a succession of tasting plates. They used Wild herbs to enhance seafood, local lamb and venison, and seasonal ingredients.

With no one talking, I opened up a topic, "I told Lina about my relationship with you," He stopped eating, slowly raising his head, "What did she say?" He curiously questioned.

"She told me that she did not expect that our target guest turned out to be my childhood friend, when she saw us at your house, when she picked me up at our house, she became convienced," I took a deep breath, "She is not only my secretary, she's also my friend."

"That explains why she was protective of you when she knew that we live together now," He went back to eating, "We talked privately and told me to stop you from meeting handsome men because it always brings you trouble," I laughed out, Lina surely knows how to intimidate someone.