Status Quo | ✓

*-15-

After taking a shower, I spent some time with makeup and went towards the wardrobe. I pondered for a long while, combing through all the dresses I owned before settling on a simple white dress. My hand reached for a coat and draped it across my shoulder before grabbing my clutch and made my way to the entryway, slipping into a pair of nude heels and left my apartment.

I waited for the lift and when the doors slid open, Leon was already waiting for me in the lobby. Good heavens, this man looked great in a suit.

The dark suit fitted perfectly on him and the oversized black coat that draped across his broad shoulders flared out an air of confidence in him. Leon leaned against the wall while tapping away on his phone. Yet, at the sound of my heels against the tiled flooring, he looked up and met my eyes instantly. A little taken aback by his piercing gaze, I smiled and asked, "How do I look?"

"Perfect," Leon grinned, pushing himself off the wall and pulling me towards him by the waist as he guided me out of the lobby and in the direction of his car. He was all gentlemanly when he opened the door for me and settled me into the passenger seat before he hopped into the driver's seat himself.

Looking towards me, a broad smile revealed itself in his expression and the joy also glimmered in his eyes when he asked, "Ready, sweetheart?"

"Always ready for food," I chuckled.

A faint, rumbling laugh bubbled off him as he leaned close towards me and reached for the seatbelt on the side, buckling me to the seat when he reminded me, "Seatbelt."

The car engine hummed to life when he turned the key in the ignition and steered off the parking lot, driving us in the direction downtown. Eventually, Leon pulled the car over by the sidewalk and I caught a glimpse of the restaurant that we were planning to dine in. The excitement within me was surfacing as I had read many great reviews about the food there. For a glutton like me, Leon totally scored it when he suggested the first date to be a dinner date. Thrilled, I unbuckled the seatbelt in a hurry and reached for the door. However, Leon reached his hand out and held me back.

"Hmm?" I hummed questioningly while looking towards him.

"You've got to let me do that, little squirrel," he laughed.

Slightly taken aback, I dropped my hands back on my lap and waited. Leon pushed opened the door on his side and got out of the car before walking over to open the door for me. Holding out his hand, he gestured for me to step out. It was a simple gesture, but I already felt all the fluttery feelings in my heart. It definitely didn't strike me that dating him would feel this exciting and new because after all, we had known each other for almost our whole life and I had expected us to act like how we had always been.

Leon went ahead to confirm the reservation and a waiter guided us to our seats. The menu was decided beforehand and the dishes were served in no time. I carefully cut into the steak and popped a small piece into my mouth, savouring the rich flavour and tender texture of it.