my professor, my obsession || cillian murphy

chapter thirty two

As we pulled up to the restaurant, my excitement bubbled over. Every nerve in my body tingled with anticipation. Stepping out of the car, we approached the entrance. I was intimidated by its elegance. The exterior hinted at a refined atmosphere, which caught me off guard, yet pleasantly so. I silently hoped that Cillian wouldn't be disheartened by the likely higher prices, though I suspected he hardly gave it a second thought.

Entering the restaurant, my eyes widened in admiration. The interior had a soft ambient lighting that casted a warm glow over the tastefully decorated space. Plush seating and gleaming table settings adorned the area, adding to the allure of the surroundings. We made our way inside and were welcomed by the young hostess seated in the front. Or at least Cillian was welcomed, because she didn't even give me a second glance.

"Hello!" Her voice chimed as she directed her attention to him, her smile radiant with hospitality. "How many?" she asked. He held up the number two with his fingers before glancing at me.

A flicker of disappointment crossed her face as her smile faltered, casting a shadow of self-consciousness over me. Hastily, she retrieved two menus and guided us through the busy restaurant to a modest table nestled in the crowd. Grateful, I began to lower myself into the seat, only to feel Cillian's gentle grasp on my arm, stopping me.

"Perhaps somewhere more...private?" He suggested, his voice carrying a hint of discretion.

Her gaze darted between us, and I couldn't help but offer a sheepish smile in return. Yet, her attention remained fixed on Cillian, nodding in agreement without a second thought. Not once had I seen anyone reject a table before.

"Very well, then," she said, leading us to a secluded booth. "Is this okay?" she asked, her focus still only on Cillian. I couldn't help but find her disregard for my presence rude, but in the end, it hardly mattered. After all, I was the one here with him, not here.

"This is perfect," Cillian responded with a grin that seemed effortless, yet carried a magnetic charm capable of captivating anyone within its reach. His smile was dangerous. With a graceful motion, she set the menus on the table, lingering until we were both comfortably seated.

"Feel free to call me if you need anything else," she said to him before leaving. Turning my gaze back to Cillian, his expression remained unchanged, his attention seemingly unfazed by the encounter.

"Are you ashamed to be seen with me?" The question escaped my lips before I could fully process it, and a wave of regret washed over me almost immediately. I hadn't intended to imply any shame, but the words hung in the air nonetheless. In truth, I liked the privacy. But I hoped to Cillian there wasn't a deeper meaning behind it.

Cillian's brows furrowed in genuine confusion. "Ashamed?" he echoed, his tone laced with bewilderment. "Now, why on earth would I feel ashamed?" he continued.

I chuckled nervously, feeling the heat rising to my cheeks. "Sorry," I mumbled, my laughter tinged with embarrassment. "I don't know why I said that..."

Cillian's laughter joined mine, his eyes warm with understanding. "No need to apologize," he reassured me gently. "I just prefer having our own space together. It's easier to focus on you without any distractions."

His words sent a flutter through my chest, a mixture of flattery and embarrassment swirling within me. It seemed that Cillian had a knack for both charming and embarrassing me in equal measure.

"You're so cute," he muttered, picking up the menu. I looked down at it as well, noticing the prices. Damn. This place was definitely not cheap.

"Wow, everything is really expen–"