UNDER HIS INFLUENCE

Chapter 5

Kayla
  I have been to many places,but something about this one struck me.
Everything was just so beautiful.

There was a lot of marble and it really complimented the view. Beautiful chandeliers hung from the roof and filled the whole place with light.

Everything just had luxury written over it,even the workers here looked like luxury. Waiters were dressed in maroon tux and white shirts underneath and so were the waitresses,only difference was that they were dressed in maroon knee length skirts and white button down shirts. They all seemed to have  uniform hairstyles which was rare.

"Good evening Mr.Stevens,glad to have you here today. Your usual table has been prepared and ready for you."

"Thank you." He said and led the way without letting go of my hand.

"I take it that you normally dine here. This is a beautiful place."
I said.

He only hummed.

Guess that is a yes.
The table was in the furthest corner of the restaurant.The lights were dim and fragrance candles were lit to emit a nice jasmine scent. A white and red satin cloth covered the table  and silver cutlery were laid on the table.

I knew what was going on in his mind,so I beat him to it.I could not allow this to seem like a date.We were clearly sworn enemies for all I cared.
I pulled out my own chair before he had a chance to. My boss was no gentleman.I knew it was a stupid move and this was evident by the waiters' look.

"You know,you don't really have to make it that obvious!!"He finally said having sat down.He had waited for the waiter to leave.
I gave him a confused look yet I knew exactly what he was going on about.

"I know you don't like me, and the feeling is mutual. But you can atleast control yourself in a public place. More so,a place like this one."  Mr.Rossi said and if I didn't know better,I could have sworn I heard a bit of hurt in his voice. Something in me moved and I began to feel a bit uneasy with what I had done, but I pushed the thought away.

Thank goodness,the waiter came and we made our order. The silence between us as we waited for our meal was really deafening and disturbing.I couldn't say anything so I sat there and welcomed the awkwardness of our situation.

"Caralho!!(darn it!!)" He finally said.
I didn't understand what he said but he looked pissed so ,I guess it was most probably a cuss.

"Are you going to sit there quietly and pretend like am not here?" He said and I was compelled to look up at him.

"Well,If you are going to do the exact same thing,then why shouldn't I do the same? I said and I saw as his eyes darkened with fury.

"Atleast,say something.You don't have to make it any more awkward than it already is."

"Well you made it awkward yourself by making me come here. Besides, what do you want me to say?"

He was going to say something, when our meal was served. I had ordered a simple meal because everything else looked complicated and out of my budget.

So here I was eating french fries and steak with some salad at the side.

I really don't know what Mr.Rossi was eating but it seemed like a french dish with a hard name that I could not get. He had ordered a bottle of red wine that tasted much better than any other wine I had had before.

Right across our table was a beautiful couple that seemed so smitten with one another. They were really cute together.

"They seem so in love,it is beautiful!"
I was talking more to myself but he still replied.

"Yes, it is." He didn't look at them but rather to me while he talked.
It could not mean anything, could it?

"So have  you ever been in love,Mr.Rossi?"
I knew he didn't want me calling him that but if we were being sincere,he looked more like a Rossi than a Stevens. Everything about him was clearly Italian and calling him Stevens,seemed like an insult.

"You won't stop calling me that name will you?" I was surprised he was smiling and his smile was so beautiful and contagious,I could not look away,and neither could I stop my self from smiling.

"To tell the truth,no. Mr.Rossi is more you than Mr.Stevens is. You look much more Italian,that calling you Mr.Stevens seems like an insult."

"Hmm!!I think I could bare with that. And to answer your question,No.I have never been in love. What about you,Kayla, have you ever been in love with someone?"

"No,never in my life.I guess it is better seen with others or in movies and read in books,but I don't think it exists for me."

"Why is that?" He asked and it seemed like he sincerely wanted to know.

"I guess it is because am afraid,or careful. Men are clearly not creatures you could easily trust."

I wonder why I was telling him this.It seemed like out of the blue I was comfortable enough to tell him all this.

"Hmmm."That is all he said,and just like that the silence was back and this time,it felt like something was being pulled out from my chest but I couldn't explain it.

I wanted to talk to him more but it seemed like a barrier was drawn between us and that is how it remained until we both finished our dinner.

He paid for the bill and gracefully walked out of the restaurant with me silently beside him.