Snow Lands on Top (book 2)

Chapter 11: Dates and Designs pt.3

Coriolanus stepped forward, opening the large black marble doors. He smiled charmingly at Lucy Gray and gestured for her to enter first, "Ladies First." Lucy Gray smiled politely and walked into the restaurant, albeit strained. He followed after her, letting the heavy doors thump shut behind them. Coriolanus had made sure to make reservations at the fanciest and most expensive restaurant in the entire Capital. After all, He was president, no price was too much nor too little for him. He was also secretly hoping he could get Lucy to spill the reason she has gotten too friendly with Mauvais and make it up to her simultaneously. Genius...well at least that's what Coriolanus thought of his "brilliant" plan.

"Come on, I booked a nice table on the patio with the best view of the city!" Coriolanus said excitably and gently reached out to take her hand. "The best huh? Well, I guess I should thank ya then," Lucy Gray said, slightly sarcastically. Coriolanus grinned and gave her hand a small affectionate squeeze, "Of course sweetheart, anything for you." Lucy Gray nodded politely, which was a bit stiffer than normal. And very concerning to Coriolanus...maybe his half-assed apology from earlier wasn't good enough after all...

Coriolanus quickly shakes his head and puts on a mask of a smile when the waiter suddenly walks over. He didn't want to think about the drama and shock of the public if it got out that he and his fiancée weren't the perfect couple. It was already bad enough that everyone knew Lucy Gray wasn't even from the capital, and ten times worse than that when paired with the fact that she was his tribute years and years ago. He was getting enough backlash as it is...no need to add more right?

The evening pasted quickly, but it seemed more like a snail's pace to Coriolanus. It was probably the most awkward conversation the pair had ever had. Coriolanus would ask a dumb question or try and make conversation only to be met with cold, one-word replies. He wasn't sure what to do anymore. Yes, that's right. Coriolanus, one of the best at manipulating and taking control of situations was stuck at a roadblock.