Love Me Again

Chapter 7

"Through friends are never apart, maybe in distance but never in heart".

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"Where are you taking me?" Anastasia asked, her voice tinged with a mix of excitement and trepidation as she sat blindfolded in the passenger seat. 

Today was her birthday, and I had managed to keep the destination a secret from everyone except Chelsea, who was in on the plan. The guys were all buckled up, their seatbelts tightly fastened as if they were preparing for a wild ride.

We had borrowed Lorenzo's family car, a spacious vehicle that could fit our entire crew. And it was only fitting, since Lorenzo owed Anastasia for disappearing on her birthday last year. I had technically reminded him of his debt, and now he was making it up to her in a big way.

As I drove, the blindfolded Anastasia fidgeted with anticipation, her hands fluttering like birds in a cage. I couldn't help but smile, knowing that the surprise ahead would be worth all the secrecy and suspense. Chelsea caught my eye in the rearview mirror, a conspiratorial glint in her eye. We were both in on the plan, and we knew that Anastasia was in for a treat.

We pulled into the parking lot of Luxe Bistro, and Lorenzo's eyes widened with excitement like a kid on Christmas morning. I swiftly gave him a stern signal to keep his mouth shut. The sheer opulence of the scene before us was daunting - sleek luxury cars, designer clothing, and an air of refinement that seemed to whisper, "you don't belong here."

As we stepped out of the car, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of anxiety. Were we underdressed? Would we stick out like sore thumbs among the billionaires and socialites? But then I glanced over at Lorenzo's car, a sleek and polished vehicle that seemed to blend in seamlessly with the other high-end cars surrounding us. Maybe, just maybe, we could pull this off.

I gave a discreet nod to the group, signaling that it was time to reveal the surprise to Anastasia. We had already drawn enough attention to ourselves, and I didn't want to risk sticking out even more by bringing a blindfolded person into the upscale bistro. Chelsea and Lorenzo exchanged a knowing glance, and then Chelsea gently removed the blindfold from Anastasia's eyes.

As the fabric fell away, Anastasia blinked rapidly, her eyes adjusting to the bright lights and opulent decor of the restaurant. Her gaze darted around the room, taking in the elegant atmosphere and the stylishly dressed patrons. Then, her eyes landed on the sign above the restaurant and her face lit up with a mixture of surprise and delight.

Anastasia's eyes widened in awe as she gazed up at the elegant sign reading "Luxe Bistro". Her voice was barely audible over the hum of conversation and the soft clinking of glasses as she breathed, "Luxe Bistro?" Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she turned to us, her face alight with wonder.

And then, in a burst of enthusiasm, she let out a squeal of delight, her voice rising above the noise of the restaurant. "No, you didn't! We're actually going in there, right?" She turned to us, her eyes shining with anticipation, her face flushed with excitement.

I smiled, feeling a sense of pride and satisfaction at having pulled off the surprise. I shook my head, my ponytail bobbing behind me, as I reassured her, "No prank, I promise."

But Anastasia's mind was already racing ahead, her eyes darting to Lorenzo, the wealthy one in our group. "Did Lorenzo get us in?" she asked, her voice tinged with a hint of doubt.

I felt a tiny twinge of hurt at the assumption, but I knew it was natural. After all, Lorenzo's family was known for their connections and influence. But I had done something that even Lorenzo couldn't do, something that required more than just wealth and influence. And I was determined to take credit for it.