Don 3: Heart's Desire

Chapter 29

Don ordered for both of them dishes that sounded alien to Roma. He later on explained what she was about to eat pointing out that most of it was aphrodisiac and Roma gave him a sarcastic look which made him grin.

'This is delicious' Roma really had to stop herself from eating too rapidly, given that it was such a fancy michelin star restaurant. She glanced over at Don and noticed he had hardly touched his food 'Is something wrong?' she hesitated and checked herself in the mirror-like surface of her clean knife.

Don gave her a dimpled smile 'Truth is I feel satiated just looking at you enjoy your food'

She blushed 'I'm sorry. But this is really yummy' she bit her lower lip and let out a laugh as she saw him grin

'I'm sure the chef will find the way you think his intricate dish is yummy, adorable' he chuckled

She carefully looked around before sticking her tongue out at him for a split second then added 'Your oysters are getting cold'

Don then started laughing, throwing his head back slightly, causing a few people to look his way

Roma smiled 'You don't laugh much, why is that?'

Don lowered his gaze to his plate focusing his attention on his oysters and shrugged 'I haven't noticed'

Roma didn't buy it 'And I don't mean your Don laughter, the I'm the king of the world laughter. But this genuine laughter'

'I guess there's not much to laugh about in life, wholeheartedly, is there?' he looked up at her, his eyes wide and sincere

She blinked a few times then smiled 'Is that why you watch Tom and Jerry?'

He looked at her rather gravely 'I don't find Tom and Jerry particularly funny. I enjoy the rawness of it, the chase and the cunning... I find it very primal and intuitive'

She furrowed her brows 'So why does it make you laugh?'

'I can't explain it. It contents me'

If Roma had forgotten for a few moments about Don's mysterious ways she was surely reminded of them now. This man is such an enigma, she thought.

'I'd ask you what you'd like for dessert but I have another setting planned for that'

She furrowed her brows 'Well I couldn't eat another bite anyway'

He grinned and lit a cigarette.

'Are you allowed to smoke in here?' she whispered

He laughed slowly 'I'm the king of the world, remember?'

Roma giggled 'You shouldn't smoke, it's bad for you' she added sweetly

He exhaled 'I rarely smoke'

'I noticed. I thought it was just that I hadn't been around when you smoked'

'No, it's actually very seldom that I smoke. I'm not addicted to nicotine. I can go on for days, weeks, without smoking if I don't feel like it'

'That's odd. Don't you go into nicotine withdrawal?'

He nodded in denial followed by a dental click 'Tsk. I've only one addiction, and it's not tobacco'

Her blood froze thinking of all the various drugs he was dealing. Indirectly, but still... he had unrestrained access to them.

'It's not drugs if that's what's going through your pretty little mind' he smiled sweetly

She felt relieved 'Is it alcohol?

'Nothing of the sort'

After a rather long pause she asked 'So why are you smoking now?'

'Because now I feel like it'

She sighed and nodded.

'What's the matter?' he leaned forward

'Nothing, it's just I can never get over the fact that you can be so cold and distant'

'Cold,... distant?' he furrowed his brows 'Cold and distant is not what I intend to be' he reached and gently held her hand over the table

'Forgive me' he squeezed her hand

'Then tell me something about yourself'

He frowned smilingly 'Like what?'

'I don't know, random things, like your favorite color... or your age!'

He laughed again but tried to keep quiet as he pressed his lips to her knuckles 'My age?' he finally looked at her, amused

She grinned 'Yes, I've been wondering since forever how old you were'

'Does it really make a difference?' She sighed but he continued 'I'm older'

'No kidding' she arched her brow

He smiled 'I'm 39'

Roma opened her mouth in surprise '39?!'

'I'll be turning 40 soon, actually'

She blinked at him 'Liar!'

He chuckled 'Why, how old did you think I was?'

'33... 35, tops'

He raised his eyebrows in surprise 'Is that right?'

'When is your birthday?'

He was silent for too long 'I never told anybody about it'

She was surprised and tried to hold back a smile but couldn't 'Tell me?' she almost whispered

'Hmm... depends on what you'll gift me' he grinned

She realized that it was the most she had seen Don smile since she'd known him 'I can't spoil the surprise, can I?'

He flashed a bright smile at her, and she felt like hugging him tight. It was such a heartfelt smile 'I can't wait then. I'm tempted to tell you it's tomorrow. But it's on the 20th of August'

'Oh, you're a Leo. How convenient' she giggled

'And you're a Virgo. I can't tell you how convenient that is'

'How did you know?' she frowned trying not to blush, not sure what he was referring to exactly

'About what, exactly?' he chuckled, narrowing his eyes

She gasped, feeling her cheeks catch on fire, withdrew her hand from his and looked away.

'I can't wait to celebrate your 26th birthday on the 4th of September with you, sweetheart' he said as he poured themselves some more Dom Perignon

She took a large sip of her champagne then she looked at him and decided to drink some more. In fact, she drank the whole glass down, all that while Don was still holding the bottle

'Some more?' he asked sarcastically but she quickly nodded and he complied, pouring some more 'Is something the matter?'

'You know everything about me, and I know nothing about you'

'That's not true. You know my age and birthday now, which is much more than anybody else knows about me, for instance. And I don't know everything about you. I wish I did, though' he smiled 'If you'd let me. I'd like to discover all your secrets, like a rose, blossoming in my hands' he gestured, opening his palm, spreading his fingers

'There's nothing to know about me. My life is very tedious outside of work, unlike yours' she sighed, sipping on her champagne

He gave her a dimpled smile 'Liar' he retorted using her own word then stood up 'I believe you owe me a dance' he gestured for her to place her hand in his. She contemplated for a while then did as he asked her, and as she stood up he brought her hand to his lips, then led her to the dancefloor of the luxurious restaurant, amongst other couples.