The Affair

Chapter 7.1 - Making Plans

Thursday, June 2, 2022, 11:50am

As the lunch hour approaches, William guides Fallon from their work building through the tunnels of downtown and towards Mango Leaf, a popular Thai restaurant. Given the hour, the tunnels were becoming increasingly denser with workers as they funnel in from their office buildings in search of food. Their route had become more familiar, and Fallon was somewhat sure of her direction, but she still follows closely behind William's tall stature as the strangers around her aggressively pass by. Feeling just a touch overwhelmed, she timidly reaches for William's hand.

The touch of her dainty hand is warm and soft, and his fingers reflexively interlock with hers as he leads her down the final hallway. His eyes actively scan the area around them, looking out for familiar faces from his office that would most certainly have questions about their hand holding. He was just a grateful attorney taking his hard-working assistant out for lunch. It was not his fault that she just happens to be beautiful. But to hold her hand? That was crossing boundaries, and the last thing he needed was anyone from his office to start asking questions.

They reach a small corridor of food stalls sectioned around a number of tables with people dining and ride a tall escalator up into a random hotel lobby that was adjacent to their restaurant. Passing through the double doors, William releases Fallon's hand and instead places it on her hip to guide her in front of him. A kind hostess greets them and sits them at a corner table by the window, giving them a view of the downtown street outside. There was no one William recognized in the restaurant, and he breathes a sigh of relief.

The restaurant is a popular choice for many of the downtown workers and was thus bustling with patrons and wait staff. A handsome waiter visits their table and receives their drink orders before swiftly bouncing to the next group that had just been seated in his area. Taking the time before his return, William and Fallon browse the menu.

"Know what you want?" he asks, his craving for Thai curry setting in.

Fallon eagerly nods her head. "Yes! I'm totally getting the same thing as last time. I can't help it!" she says with a cute giggle.

He purses his lips and returns his focus to the menu. "No shame in that. I, however, will be changing it up and..." he suggests, trailing off.

His silence lingers as his indecision to order a new dish or to go with his tried-and-true favorite staggers his thinking. From the menu, he shoots a quick glance to Fallon, who was eying him with sparkling eyes and a big goofy grin.

"And?" she presses, her stare growing more intense and comical.

William sighs, placing his menu back onto the table. "I'll get the same thing..." he says with a playful smirk.

"Ha, I knew it!" she cheers as if she had won a game they were playing, "I know what you like, Mr. Reiner..."

Softly, he chuckles. "You know some things," he says, interlocking his hands on the table. "Hey, so, I haven't heard you complain about Amy lately. Have you two worked things out?"

Fallon's posture straightens in her chair and a triumphant smile pulls on her lips. "I guess you could say that. She's been keeping to herself these past couple of days. She must be extra busy this week. I'm certainly not complaining," she explains, happy that she had found Amy's weakness.

"Well, whatever the case I'm glad y'all are getting along. Beverly and I were worried about you girls for a bit."

"No need to worry now, sir," she replies with a wink.

In the next moment, their waiter returns with their beverages. Carefully, he places a large glass of unsweetened iced tea in front of William and a glass bottle of orange soda in front of Fallon, popping the cap for her with his opener. He then pulls out his note pad and readies himself.