Chapter 89 You Mean Differently

Chapter 89 You Mean Differently

Isabella's POV

"Then leave it to me. You just cover your ears or pretend to go to the bathroom."

I teased him. "Right now you look exactly like a mysterious spy from some espionage novel. Or a bodyguard whose job is to make people disappear."

Terrence tugged at the corner of his mouth—the barest hint of a smile.

"Let's go," he said, not arguing.

We pushed open the glass door of the barbecue restaurant. The rich smell of grilled meat fat mixed with garlic, kimchi, and sweet chili sauce hit us immediately.

The place was packed. Exhaust fans hummed loudly over the sound of customers clinking glasses and chatting.

This kind of place, with all its hustle and bustle, made you relax without even thinking about it.

The aisle was narrow. Terrence didn't hesitate. He turned, took my wrist with his rough, callused hand, then slid down and wrapped my hand tightly in his palm.

My heart skipped a beat.

He held my hand, using his tall frame to clear a path, leading me through the crowded room.

I followed behind him, staring at his broad shoulders and black leather jacket. We reached a corner booth at the very back, where a man and a woman were already sitting.

The man stood up. He was very tall, built like a bear, wearing a tight gray T-shirt that strained over his muscles. A prominent scar ran down his left cheek, and just as Terrence had said, part of his left ear was missing. This was Reveille.

The woman next to him stood up too. She was beautiful, with long golden waves, wearing a deep red silk blouse. Her makeup was flawless, her lips a striking red, and she exuded complete confidence.

"Shadow!" Reveille laughed loudly and walked over, opening his arms to bump shoulders with Terrence, both of them slapping each other's backs.

"Reveille." Terrence's voice carried a rare note of ease.

"This must be Isabella, right?" Reveille turned, his gaze landing on me.

Terrence let go of my hand and stood beside me.

"This is Isabella Taylor," he said.

He didn't add any label. He didn't say "this is my brother Maurice's girlfriend."

Reveille stepped forward and gave me a massive bear hug that almost cracked my ribs.

"My God, you're even more beautiful than Shadow said!" Reveille's booming voice made my ears ring.

"Seth, you're going to squeeze her to death," the blonde woman next to him said, rolling her eyes and pulling Reveille away.

She walked over and gave me a natural hug that smelled of expensive perfume. "Don't mind him. He's been in the military too long. Total caveman." She released me and winked. "I'm Anna. So nice to meet you, honey."

"I'm really happy to meet you both too." I gave an awkward smile.

The four of us sat in the booth. Terrence and I on one side, Reveille and Anna on the other.

The server brought charcoal and several plates of raw meat. I reached for the tongs, but Terrence's hand got there first.

"I'll do it," he said quietly.

He laid the pork belly on the grill. The fat immediately sizzled against the hot iron plate. He flipped and grilled it skillfully, then picked up scissors and cut the golden, crispy meat into small pieces.

Without asking, he put the perfectly grilled first batch onto the empty plate in front of me.

Then he grilled some garlic and mushrooms and placed them next to the meat.

Reveille protested loudly from across the table. "Hey! Shadow! I'm hungry too! You can't just feed the one next to you!"

"Grill your own," Terrence said flatly, without even looking up.

Anna kicked Reveille under the table, then looked at Terrence and me with a knowing smile. My face burned. I quickly lowered my head and ate the meat.

The meat was delicious, but I could barely taste it because under the table, Terrence's leg pressed against my knee—accidentally, or not.

"Anna, Terrence said you're a veterinarian?" I looked for conversation, trying to ease my nerves.

"Yeah. I run a pet clinic in the west district." Anna took a sip of beer and smiled. "Dealing with yapping cats and dogs every day is easier than dealing with this idiot." She gestured to Reveille beside her.

"Have you two been together long?" I asked.

"Six years." Anna sighed, though her eyes were gentle. "We've been together since high school. Then one day this damn fool barged in and said he was joining up. Going to the desert to fight."

Reveille chuckled and stuffed a large piece of meat into his mouth.

"I was so mad." Anna poked Reveille's solid arm with her finger. "I beat him up. I told him if he dared come back missing any limbs, I'd break whatever legs he had left."

"What happened then?" I was completely drawn in.

"Then he went anyway." Anna shrugged. "So I waited for him for three years, watching the news every day, scared out of my mind, until he came back injured."

Reveille put his arm around Anna's shoulder and planted a loud kiss on her cheek.

"I promised you I'd come back alive, babe," Reveille said.

Watching them, my eyes suddenly stung. This was what love should look like. Arguments, worry—but also steady waiting and absolute loyalty.

And Maurice? He couldn't even stay with me at a party for two hours. Couldn't even tell when I was wearing another man's clothes.

"Hey, Shadow said you got the principal solo spot at some music gala?" Reveille raised his glass, interrupting my thoughts.

"Yes." I smiled shyly. "I just finished the first ensemble rehearsal today."

"That's amazing! Cheers!" Reveille shouted.

"Cheers to our principal violinist," Anna added, raising her glass.

Everyone clinked. Terrence sat next to me, raising his glass of ice water. The rim of his glass touched mine very lightly, making a soft ping.

I turned my head and met those blue eyes.

"Cheers."

The word felt like it was meant only for me.

Halfway through the meal, Reveille got a phone call and stepped outside the restaurant to smoke. Terrence glanced at me and stood up.

"I'm going to the bathroom," he said.

Only Anna and I were left in the booth.

Anna watched Terrence disappear around the corner, then suddenly leaned close and lowered her voice.

"Shadow was famous in the military for being cold-blooded and untouchable. Reveille said he didn't even flinch when getting stitches. But just now, the way he was cutting that grilled meat for you? He looked exactly like the male lead in some romance novel."

She paused, her eyes bright and sparkling with obvious teasing.

"Seriously, Isabella. Don't you think the way he cares about you is a little... special?"