The One Who Changed It All (Rewritten)

25. The Dinner Date

I took a deep breath as we reached the 'Riveria '. I used to visit this restaurant often as a little child with my parents. Although the restaurant had been renovated multiple times over the years, a particular thing that I loved the most had remained the same. There was a small fountain at the entrance with goldfishes in it. I remember as a child, I used to rush towards the fountain as soon as I got out of the car.

"What are you thinking, love?" Cole asked.

I beamed looking at the fountain.

"I was just reminiscing about how happy the tiny goldfishes in the fountain used to make me when I was a kid."

"I have a fountain with goldfishes in it in Lille," Cole said.

"Wow, that's amazing!" I exclaimed.

"Would you like to come with me to Lille during the winter break?"

Is Cole inviting me to spend Christmas with his family? I hesitated for a moment.

"Sure, would your family be there as well?"

"Yes, my family goes back to our home at Lille every winter to spend the holidays together,"

An attendant dressed in a blue uniform welcomed us. Cole showed him the reservation details on his phone as the attendant nodded.

"Please follow me, sir," The attendant requested and started walking ahead of us.

We accompanied him to the elevator. The elevator door opened, the attendant walked in. Cole put his hand on my waist as we stepped inside the elevator. The attendant pressed the 4th-floor button. He turned and smiled at us. Cole squeezed my waist. I looked at him in surprise. His hazel eyes looked darker as he gazed straight into my eyes. I raised an eyebrow. He eyed me from head to toe and bit his lower lip. I looked at his soft pink lips. I so desired that it could be my teeth biting his lower lip instead of his right now, only if the attendant wasn't here. Cole stroked my cheek. I am sure I must be looking so flushed, my breath was hardly normal.

"Have I mentioned how sexy you are looking in this dress?" he whispered in my ears.

I gulped nervously as I felt my legs weaken.' Come on Angel, get yourself together!' I mentally told myself.

"Please come," the attendant requested as the lift reached the 4th floor.

I mustered up the courage to whisper, "You don't need to tell me, I know it, by the way, you're ogling at me,"

I planted a soft peck on his jaw before proceeding to walk. Cole looked stunned. I smirked at him.

The floor had dim lights. The tables were arranged far away from each other. The floor was filled with the aroma of scented candles. There was soft music playing in the background. The attendant showed us our table. He pulled out the chairs for us and we settled in.

"Can you please get us a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc?" Cole requested.

"So tell me what is your favourite dish from the restaurant? You reasonably know this place a whole lot better than me" he smiled.

"The steak is good. Salads and sushi are excellent too," I answered.

The attendant reappeared with the bottle of wine and wrote down the order.

"I want to know more about you," I said.

"Sure, ask away,"

"Where were you brought up?"

"Hmm... I stayed in Lille till I was three, then I relocated to Paris with my family as my father decided to move his company headquarter. I stayed there until highschool. I again went back to Lille for my university and now here I am in Maple Hills."

"Why did you choose to shift university and countries in your last semester of university?"

"Well, I just needed to leave a few things behind and start anew," Cole said softly.

" Heartbreak? " I asked curiously.

"No... although one of them was about running away from an annoying girl that my mother was pestering me to be with for business interests, "

I laughed.

"Your mother seems to be a woman of ambition," I chuckled.

"Oh, you don't know the lengths my dear mama can go for her 'ambitions',"

"Ah, come on, parents are a blessing. Cherish your mother while you can,"

"I know, I love them," Cole said.

I touched his cheek and leaned in to kiss him.

" Ahem, sir, " someone said.

We stopped and noticed the attendant with our food and wine. He placed the food on the table, popped open the wine bottle and filled our glasses.

I muttered a polite 'thank you' as he left.

We proceeded to converse about our early childhood, high school life and families as we devoured our dinner. I was astonished as I judged from our conversation that we were very much 'alike'. I never imagined I would ever think that about Cole and me. A few times in our talk, I did sense that Cole wasn't wholly being open about everything, however, it could just be that I am overthinking about minor pieces as usual. 

As we finished dining, the attendant wiped our table and placed the bill. I stopped Cole as he reached his pocket for his wallet.

"Please let me pay," I demanded.

"No...," I planted a soft kiss on his lips to startle him as I stretched out for my purse to pay.

"Angel, just allow me,"

"No, I am staying at your place since the past some days and you have hired bodyguards for me, just let me pay for our first dinner together. It will make me feel happy."

Cole rolled his eyes as I placed the cash.

My phone buzzed. I was shocked to see a call from Mike. I hurriedly picked up the call.

"Hello, Mike?"

"Angel... Can you please meet me immediately?" he asked in a tensed tone.

"Why... Is everything alright? Are you okay?"

"I-I'm fine but Xavier hasn't been home since day before yesterday, his phone is not reachable too."

I shuddered. In my gut, I knew it. Something was horribly wrong.

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Lots of love,
Serene