Chapter 81: Chapter Eighty one:Date night
I shook my head. "It still gives
a headache if I look too long. Is sothing going on at the company?"
"No," Alexander replied, lowering his gaze for a fraction of a second before looking back at . "Just rest for a few more days."
I looked around the restaurant. "This place has a nice atmosphere. The pianist plays beautifully... though I can’t tell what piece it is."
"It’s Kiss the Rain by Yiruma," he said.
I looked at him in surprise. "You know this?"
"I’ve heard it played before and rembered it."
The waiter brought over the desserts, steak, foie gras, and red wine, carefully pouring a glass for both of us. I had asked for sothing non-intoxicating because of the baby—I think Alexander assud it was for my stomach, and didn’t comnt.
Alexander picked up his glass, and I noticed his fingers brushing mine for the briefest mont as he handed it to . My heart fluttered, though he didn’t et my eyes.
I raised my glass to clink with his, took a small sip, and placed it back. I noticed his brow furrow slightly, just for a mont, as if he were thinking about sothing else.
"Why don’t you take a little more?" he asked softly.
"I’m scared it might upset my stomach again."
"Shouldn’t we talk to a specialist about it?"
"No, the doctor already prescribed another dicine, and I’m taking it."
Alexander’s gaze lingered on
for a mont longer than usual. I felt a flicker of unease, but he simply nodded and shifted his attention back to his plate.
He moved the steak in front of
to his side, cut it into pieces, then placed it back. His hand brushed mine again, subtly, as if checking I was steady.
"Thank you."
"You’re welco," he said softly, his gaze warm as it t mine, which shimred like clear autumn waters.
After dinner, we walked out of the restaurant hand in hand.
The cool breeze brushed against my face, carrying away the tension I hadn’t realized I was holding. Alexander subtly positioned himself on the outside of the sidewalk as we walked, shielding
from the throng of people. I smiled, thinking it was instinctive, but the faint glint in his eyes suggested he was more aware than he let on.
"Shall we head ho?" he asked.
"Let’s walk around nearby. It’ll help with digestion," I suggested, a playful glint in my eyes.
"Alright."
We strolled down the street, hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder. This was the bustling part of the city, full of people and noise—but it suddenly felt as if we weren’t the couple who had been on the brink of divorce just a few days ago.
We moved through the crowd quietly, blending in like any other couple, laughing and chatting.
In the middle of the throng, I felt a strange sense of peace.
How I wished we could walk like this forever—hand in hand.
As we walked, I spotted a musical theater across the street. "Alexander, can we check it out?" I asked.
"Sure," he said, his Adam’s apple shifting as he smiled.
We entered the theater.
The hall was filled with relaxing music, and couples danced the waltz across the floor. Small booths were scattered around, where people sat together, chatting and sipping drinks.
Noticing
watching the dancers, Alexander’s lips curved into a faint smile. "Would you like to dance?"
I pressed my lips together, hesitant. "I... don’t know how."
"I can teach you."
My eyes lit up.
Alexander bowed slightly before , extending his hand. I placed my hand gently in his.
With a charming smile, he led
to the dance floor. "Place your hand on my shoulder, and follow my steps slowly."
As the soothing music played, we began to dance, moving slowly, our steps deliberate and restrained. Alexander leaned in slightly, counting the beats softly in my ear. His breath brushed against my skin, and I instinctively pulled back a little.
I stumbled, struggling to keep up, and accidentally stepped on his leather shoe, leaving a small imprint.
"I’m sorry," I murmured, looking up at him, embarrassnt flashing in my eyes.
Alexander smiled and whispered, "It’s okay."
For a mont, I froze.
The lights on the dance floor flickered, reflecting off his strong features—sculpted like an ancient Greek statue, sharp and defined. His lips curled into the slightest smile, and his eyes, sparkling like jewels, locked onto mine, pulling
in completely.
"What? Are you srized?" he teased.
"What—" I quickly lowered my head, almost tripping over my own feet.
Alexander chuckled softly. My ears flushed bright red.
After a mont, I gathered my confidence. The hem of my dress swirled as I moved, light and graceful, like a gentle breeze.
Alexander placed his hand lightly on my waist, allowing
to dance freely.
"Got the hang of it?" he asked softly.
"Mm."
Suddenly, soone bumped into . I lost my balance and stumbled into Alexander’s chest.
Without hesitation, he wrapped his arm around my waist. "Are you alright?"
"I’m fine."
"I’m sorry, I didn’t an to bump into you," the person apologized sheepishly.
"It’s okay," I said with a faint smile.
"Let’s sit for a while," Alexander suggested, noticing the beads of sweat on my forehead. He guided
off the dance floor.
We found a booth and sat down. Alexander excused himself to the restroom.
A man with honey-colored hair approached our booth, holding a glass of wine. He tried to sound casual. "Miss, would you do
the honor of dancing?"
I shook my head. "Sorry, I’m a bit tired."
But he sat down across from
anyway, signaling the waiter and taking a glass of wine from the tray. He placed it in front of . "How about a drink?"
"I don’t drink," I said firmly.
He leaned back, smirking. "I noticed you’re sitting alone. How about I keep you company for a bit? Let
introduce myself. I am Daniel Caldwell, heir to Echelon Industries. And you are—" He raised an eyebrow, clearly expecting a reaction.
I could tell exactly what he was doing—acting like he owned the room. The title was bait; won often flocked to it.
"I’m..."
"Daniel Caldwell"
Daniel looked pleased, but before I could finish my sentence, soone tapped him on the shoulder from behind.
He turned, his confident attitude shifting instantly. He stood up quickly. "CEO Blackwood, you’re here too?"
"What’s going on here?" Alexander asked, his tone calm and indifferent.
"Oh, nothing," Daniel stamred. "Just introducing myself to this lovely lady."
Alexander sat beside . "Let
introduce you. This is my sister, Alicia Sinclair."
Daniel’s smile faltered just slightly as he turned to , offering a sheepish grin. "Ah, Miss Alicia, my apologies."
"Let’s go. It’s ti to head back," Alexander said, taking my hand.
"Okay." I stood with him. "It’s nice eting you," I added with a smile.
"The sa here, Miss Alicia," Daniel replied, his tone careful now.
Hand in hand, we exited the ballroom. As we stepped outside, Alexander’s voice dropped to a low warning. "That Daniel Caldwell isn’t soone to trust. Keep your distance."
I chuckled softly and glanced at him. "He seed like a nice guy, though. Why don’t you like him?"
Alexander’s expression darkened. "You can never tell what soone’s really like just by looking at them. A bad person doesn’t wear a label on their face. You’ve t him once—how much do you really know about him?"
"I understand," I murmured, lowering my gaze, not daring to argue.
We walked to the parking lot in front of the restaurant.
Alexander opened the passenger door for , waiting patiently as I slid in. When I struggled with the seatbelt, I felt his hands gently guide it for .
I froze the mont I realized how close he was. Our gazes t, and I felt a jolt I couldn’t na. His eyes drifted slowly from mine to my lips, and I noticed the subtle movent of his Adam’s apple as he swallowed.
Then his gaze returned to mine. Slowly, deliberately, he leaned in. My breath caught, and I couldn’t move, my heartbeat racing.
His warm breath brushed against my face. I closed my eyes instinctively, the world narrowing to him—just him—so close I could feel the faintest heat from his skin.
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