Nobles

Ch. 21: Don't play with me

They did not say anything to each other during the thirty-minute drive into Florin. She did not touch the stereo or do anything but look out the window while calming herself. Octavia did not know why Reki was so different and harsh with her, he was there and she was ready to put up with a lot for a possibility to convince him that he should give her a chance.

The sun had almost set when he parked the car not far from the central square in Florin. Reki helped her out of the car and made sure the security people, he had called while she got ready, were in place.

He offered her his arm and led her to the central square.

People were looking at them, he knew it would happen, so far none of them had taken any pictures of them, they simply looked at the princess. Reki made a stop at a florist who was packing up her shop and bought a single white rose.

Octavia had not said a word.

Not even when he kissed the rose and gave it to her did she say anything. She just took the rose and smelled it where he had kissed it and held it against her chest.

"Relax, Octavia. You look absolutely gorgeous." He tried with a small smile but gained nothing from his effort. Reki mentally slapped himself for having scared her into that version of herself, he would make it up to her. "Enjoy the evening. But know this, I will kiss you before the night is over."

The butterflies in her stomach went from fluttering to full on whirlwind when he said that. Octavia wanted to scream at him to do it immediately, she wanted him to kiss her, hold her. She would give it her all.

When they arrived at Stomare, one of the best restaurants in Florin, they got shown to a table that was private but not hidden, like he had discreetly asked the waiter. If she wanted to date him, she had to learn that it meant people seeing them together. She had to be ok with people seeing him with her. Had to accept that he was not one of her usual boytoys.

"What do you fancy eating, Octavia?" Reki asked in a conversational tone.

"I've not been here before, anything you can recommend?" Keeping her head down and her nose buried in the menu, Octavia tried to compose herself.

"If you still like mushrooms they have a champagne and truffle risotto starter that I think you'll like."

"What are you having?" She tried not to think about who he had been there with to know the menu that well. Jealousy was not a pretty trait in a woman, she was jealous though. Only redeeming factor to keep the green-eyed monster at bay was that she was there with Reki, not that other woman.

Her!

"I think the lobster starter, flame grilled steak, and maybe the chocolate mousse."

"I don't know, Reki, it all looks delicious."

"Pick whatever you want, you can always come back and try the rest some other time."

The waiter came to their table, he bowed lightly for Octavia and then addressed Reki after having placed a small basket of different breads and two aperitifs on the table. "May I take your order?"

"Champagne or wine, Octavia?"

"Champagne and a house lemonade, please."

"Champagne and ice water for me," Reki said and looked at Octavia. She was more relaxed but still studying the menu like it was her last meal she was choosing. "Have you decided yet or do you want more time?"

"I'll have the risotto, the cream steak, and the barre au chocolat with mango sorbet, please."

Reki placed his order and waited for the waiter to leave. Octavia was still quiet and fiddled with the piece of bread she had taken from the basket. "This is a date. I think we're supposed to talk with each other," he gently tried opening the conversation.