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The moon casts a mesmerizing reflection on the water. I pick up the menu, but my mind is preoccupied with Emma's lateness for our dinner, and I can't blame her. Perhaps my clumsy question about going out for dinner didn't come across the way I intended. With a sigh, I set the menu back on the table and gaze at the entrance, hoping to spot her.
My cellphone vibrates, and I see Aurelie's name on the screen. Deciding to ignore the call, I turn off the device and slide it into the pocket of my dress pants. What I have with Aurelie is purely for fun, a way to blow off steam. It's just a physical connection, nothing more. She knows how to please me in bed, but beyond that, there's nothing deeper or meaningful between us.
I bite my lip as I grab the menu, questioning whether it's appropriate to bring Emma Turner, one of my employees, to a restaurant by the water. However, I couldn't resist the chance to spend time with her—the attraction between us is undeniable.
I signal a server over and say, "A glass of red wine, please," but then I change my mind. "Just bring a bottle. My company will be here soon."
The server nods, but his skeptical gaze makes it clear he doesn't fully believe me. Emma has kept me waiting for half an hour, and I can imagine the staff thinking she stood me up. I can't even blame them for that assumption.
On second thought, there's nothing wrong with getting to know a woman better. Emma may be my employee, but I'm confident in maintaining a clear boundary between our personal and professional lives. It's worked well with Aurelie, or at least from my perspective. Feeling a bit bored, I take out my mobile phone from my pocket and power it back on. To my surprise, I find four missed calls and eleven messages from Aurelie. It seems she doesn't quite grasp the message I intended to convey. Without hesitation, I block her contact; I want to enjoy this evening with no distractions.
I glance back at the entrance, but Emma is still nowhere to be seen. Did she stand me up in this crowded restaurant? I push away those thoughts, reminding myself that the servers do not know who I am. There's no need to worry about ending up in tomorrow's newspaper with a headline about being a distraught and abandoned date.
Just as I'm lost in my thoughts, Emma finally arrives. She quickly gathers her tousled hair into a neat tie before approaching me with a slightly nervous glance around. I stand up, offering her a warm smile, and signal for her to join me. She returns the smile, walking over to me gracefully. As she takes her seat, I slide the chair under her, making her comfortable.
"I'm sorry," she apologizes. "The subway was running late. There was a cat on the tracks."
I chuckle, trying to put her at ease. "No problem at all. I've already ordered a bottle of red wine. Fortunately, I won't have to drink it alone."
Emma gives me a brief nod, and I lean back in my chair, running my hands through my hair. Tonight, she seems less talkative than usual, and an awkward silence hangs in the air between us. I pick up my glass of red wine and take a sip, noticing a bitter aftertaste that lingers in my mouth. I'm not sure if it's the wine or Emma's distant demeanor that's causing this feeling.
