Into deception

"At first.."

📚

Me and B- well me and Nicholas got into the car pretty normally considering what had happened only mere moments ago. I tried making sure not to get too close when we sat near one another and my eyes were practically held by chains making sure they were everywhere but on him. So I think it's pretty clear to say that I'm panicking just a little.

"FYI Ray will have visual on the restaurant from above, you two just watch yourselves inside but if anything-"

"Nothing is going to go wrong"

I look over to Max who appears to be already looking at me. I nod telling him Ba- Nicholas, is right. Nothing will go wrong. Nicholas steps out and waits for me to do so too before taking my hand in his.

"We did this all the time, it would be weird if we didn't now"

I stand still for a moment letting the feeling of him render me lost.

"Yeah, I know that"

"Okay, good"

We walk in together, just like we did all those years ago. The warmth of the restaurant very quickly soothes down the goosebumps just like it did before, I love this place. Nicholas takes of his jacket hanging it onto a rack before taking mine off smoothly and putting it right next to his. Everything with him has just been so close that it feels like the air I'm breathing is running away and I honestly cannot catch up to it.

"Non posso credere ai miei occhi!"
(I can't believe my eyes!)

A very familiar voice says. We both turn to it and my face warps into a smile so fast I don't even know what's happening.

"Mio Dio, è passata un'eternità da quando vi ho visti entrambi"
(My god, It's been forever since I've seen you both)

Aldo doesn't waste a single second longer as he jumps for a hug. I hug him right back missing the man more than I thought I ever would, but it's true, I've missed him and his restaurant so so much.

"come stai, stai benissimo Aldo"
(how are you, you look great Aldo) I gleam. He shuffles slightly back as he looks at me wide eyed.

"You disappear and come back speaking Italian? You're going to give me a heart attack Amore" he laughs making me chuckle right with him.

"You know, if we're going to sell our love to the world you might wanna keep me updated on your surprises" Nicholas whispers into my ear as he sets his chin on my bare shoulder. His arms come up from behind me as he sets them on my stomach, pulling me into his chest as if it were normal, as if the torment of being next to him isn't enough he just has to add more. Play along Mia, play along.

"Bene devo tenerti all'erta in qualche modo io no"
(I have to keep you on your toes somehow don't I"

I can feel him smile against my shoulder "lo fai semplicemente esistendo amore mio"
(you do that by simply existing my love)

This time I smile the best fake smile I can. If Max is right and this is a trap to see if me and Nicholas are still together then you best believe I'll bat my eyelashes and giggle at every word he mutters.

"Come love birds this way, your table is ready"

He ushers us up some little steps before sitting us down right at the middle. It seems he has redone everything and put it back to how it was before, I like it. Something broke apart entirely but he picked up all the pieces and put back together what once was, never changing a single thing about it.

"I'll be back with a special something in just a moment"

"Thank you Aldo"

"Non c'è bisogno di ringraziarmi Bane"
(no need to thank me Bane) he laughs waving his hand at him. Once he leaves it all falls quite, this is what I didn't want but of course it does. Leave it up to the guy that made the reservation in the first place to be late.