Accidentally Married

35. First date

Nai stared across the candlelit table at his husband, who was beaming with excitement. 

The two of them sat in an opulent outdoor restaurant, bathed in the soft glow of hanging lanterns, their table adorned with delicate floral arrangements. 

As per the advice of their friends, they had agreed to go on dates—opportunities to get to know each other better and clear the growing distance between them. 

But this, Nai thought as he looked around, was far from the simple dinner he had imagined.

When Zo had volunteered to plan the evening, Nai hadn't expected anything extravagant. But as soon as they arrived, it was clear that Zo had gone all out. They were the only diners in the restaurant—Zo had booked the entire place for just the two of them. 

The restaurant was known for its luxurious and private ambiance, and Nai knew it was no small feat to secure a reservation here. Rumor had it that the waiting list spanned nearly a year.

Nai couldn't help but think about the cost. Zo had obviously spent a fortune on the evening, and as much as he appreciated the effort, it wasn't really what he had in mind for a date. 

Nai had hoped for something more intimate, more casual, but Zo's grand gesture spoke volumes about their differences. 

Zo had always been about opulence, about making statements. Meanwhile, Nai preferred quiet, meaningful moments that didn't require grandeur.

The first course arrived with impeccable timing—a trio of appetizers laid out in small porcelain bowls. Nai glanced at the delicate presentation: a seared scallop with a tangy mango salsa, a spoonful of caviar nestled on a crisp blini, and a small cube of foie gras with a sweet wine reduction.

"The scallop is incredible, right?" Zo asked, already savoring his first bite.

Nai nodded, though the richness of the foie gras wasn't exactly to his taste. Still, he forced a smile. "Yes, it's delicious."

Zo's enthusiasm never wavered, and it was hard for Nai not to feel charmed by it. He appreciated Zo's energy, even if this wasn't the kind of date Nai had envisioned. 

As the second course arrived—a velvety, roasted butternut squash soup topped with crème fraîche and crispy pancetta—Nai found himself relaxing slightly. The soup was warm and comforting, the flavors balanced with a touch of sweetness.

"I think this might be my favorite soup ever," Zo commented, grinning as he wiped his mouth delicately with his napkin.

Nai smiled back, sipping his own soup. It was undeniably good, comforting even. For a brief moment, the tension in his shoulders eased, and he let himself enjoy the food, if not the extravagance of the evening.

As the next courses continued to arrive, Nai found himself struggling to keep up with the endless stream of dishes.

 A perfectly seared fillet of branzino served on a bed of herb-infused quinoa, with a zesty lemon-butter sauce, followed the soup. The fish was light and delicate, and while Nai enjoyed the simplicity of the dish, he couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the excess.

"I thought the fish would be perfect for a night like this," Zo said, his eyes sparkling as he watched Nai.

Nai nodded, appreciating the thought behind Zo's choices. He understood that Zo had put so much effort into creating this evening for them, and he didn't want to dampen his husband's mood. 

Between courses, a pair of musicians played soft, melodic pieces on violins, adding to the elegant ambiance. The music was beautiful, but Nai felt a growing disconnect between himself and the evening. It all felt too formal, too grand for what he had hoped would be a chance to talk and understand each other better.

The palette cleanser arrived next—a tangy sorbet made from green apple and mint, served in an elegant glass. 

Nai took a spoonful, the sharpness of the sorbet cutting through the richness of the previous courses, but the sensation of being in a setting that wasn't quite him lingered.

Zo, on the other hand, looked radiant. He seemed to be in his element, chatting happily with the waitstaff and nodding along to the music. 

When the main course was presented—a perfectly cooked beef Wellington encased in golden puff pastry, served with roasted baby carrots, potatoes, and a rich red wine jus—Zo's eyes lit up.

"I read that this is their signature dish," Zo said, cutting into the tender beef, the pastry flaking beautifully with each slice.

Nai couldn't deny that the food was extraordinary. The beef was succulent, cooked to perfection, and the pastry crisp and buttery. The rich sauce added depth, and the roasted vegetables were a comforting accompaniment. 

But the meal only served to highlight how different he and Zo were. Zo's idea of romance was wrapped in luxury, in elaborate displays. Nai had hoped for something simpler, something that would allow them to talk and connect.

Still, Nai kept his smile in place, not wanting to ruin the mood. Zo had gone to great lengths to plan this evening, and Nai appreciated it, even if it wasn't exactly what he had wanted. 

He had made up his mind to make the marriage work, and this was just another step in understanding his husband.

As the evening drew on, an intermezzo was served—a delicate consommé, light and refreshing, signaling the transition from the heavier courses to dessert. Zo sipped his and smiled at Nai, his eyes bright with happiness. 

Nai matched his smile, though his mind wandered.

Finally, dessert arrived: a beautifully plated chocolate soufflé dusted with powdered sugar, served alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. The soufflé was light and airy, with a molten center that oozed rich, dark chocolate with each spoonful.

"Perfect ending to the night, right?" Zo asked, his eyes twinkling.

Nai took a bite of the soufflé, savoring the balance between the warm, gooey chocolate and the cold, creamy ice cream. "It's really good," he said, meaning it.

As the final course—a cheese board with a selection of artisanal cheeses—was served, Zo ordered a round of liqueur for them to finish the evening. 

Nai took a sip of his, the sweet, smooth warmth of the liqueur easing the tension he hadn't even realized he was still holding.

When the meal concluded, the chef came to greet them personally. Zo spoke animatedly with him, thanking him for the incredible meal and praising each dish with enthusiasm. Nai also thanked the chef, echoing Zo's praise, though his thoughts were elsewhere.

Zo's driver was already waiting by the time they left the restaurant, having arranged for them to be picked up since they'd both consumed alcohol. 

As they stepped into the car, Zo squeezed Nai's hand, smiling at him. "Did you enjoy the night?" He asked softly, his voice warm and hopeful.

Nai hesitated for a split second before nodding. "I did," he said. And it wasn't entirely a lie. The food had been exquisite, the setting beautiful. But it wasn't the kind of date he had wanted. Still, seeing Zo's happiness made it worth it.

As they drove home, Nai glanced at Zo, who was leaning back with a contented smile on his face. Despite their differences, Nai knew he was committed to making this work. They just had to find a balance between Zo's world of extravagance and his desire for simplicity.

And maybe, he thought, as he watched the city lights blur past the window, they would figure it out—one date at a time.