Chapter 45: Dinner

Not long after, the car I was riding in stopped in front of a large, towering building. Kevan immediately got out, ran around the car, and opened the door for me.

“Please,” he said briefly.

I smiled faintly as I stepped out of the car. “Thank you.”

Kevan looked at me for a moment, as if making sure I was alright, before closing the car door and walking beside me toward the entrance.

As soon as we entered the restaurant, almost all the men’s eyes were directed at me. Those gazes made my steps slow. Panic immediately crept in.

“Why are they looking this way?” I murmured softly.

Kevan turned to me. “What’s wrong?”

I touched my own face. “Is there something on my face?”

“No,” he answered quickly.

I lowered my hand, and suddenly a thought crossed my mind. Reflexively, I pulled the hem of my dress downward.

But Kevan immediately stopped my hand. He shook his head lightly and gestured for me to stay calm.

“But.…” I looked at him doubtfully.

“There’s nothing wrong.”

I still looked uneasy. “I feel like I’m being stared at.”

Kevan looked straight at me. “Because you do attract attention.”

I fell silent.

“You’re beautiful.”

That simple sentence instantly made my face flush, uncontrollably. Even more so when Kevan’s gaze fixed directly on me, so serious and intense.

My heart pounded irregularly. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself.

“You don’t need to feel uncomfortable,” he said again. “Just focus on me.”

I nodded slowly. “Alright.”

Kevan then took my hand and guided me to a table that had already been reserved. He pulled out the chair for me.

My feelings suddenly felt light, filled with little flowers blooming everywhere. I never imagined Kevan could treat me with such tenderness.

“You look tense,” he said after he sat down across from me.

“A little,” I answered honestly. “This place … it’s too beautiful.”

He smiled faintly. “I’m glad you think so.”

A few seconds later, he asked, “What would you like to order?”

I looked at the menu, then placed it back on the table. “I’ll just go with your choice.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes,” I replied quickly. “I trust your taste.”

Kevan smiled gently. “The signature dish here is salmon steak. Want to try it?”

I nodded enthusiastically. “I want to.”

He chuckled softly. “Your reactions are always honest.”

“Is that a bad thing?” I asked reflexively.

“No,” he answered firmly. “I actually like it.”

I fell silent, then lowered my gaze slightly.

Kevan called the waiter and ordered food and drinks for both of us. While waiting for the orders to arrive, I let my eyes wander around the restaurant.

This place was incredible. Not only did the interior delight the eyes, but the view of the night sky and the distant glow of the city was mesmerizing. The lights looked like scattered stars, alive and shimmering.

Now I knew exactly where we were. A rooftop restaurant on the sixteenth floor of an apartment building, high enough to offer a dazzling view of the city below. The atmosphere felt so romantic, almost unreal.

“How is it?” Kevan looked at me with a calm gaze. “Do you like this place?”

“I really like it,” I answered honestly, though my voice sounded slightly nervous. “Do you come here often?”

“Not really,” he said casually. “Maybe around five times.”

I chuckled softly. In my opinion, that could already be considered often.

“With whom?” I asked spontaneously. Only afterward did I realize why I was suddenly so curious. I hoped Kevan didn’t notice.

The waiter arrived with our orders. Kevan helped place the dishes on the table, and I helped arrange the plate and glass in front of me.

“Family,” he answered then, “sometimes with Ari and Alvin.”

I nodded slowly. My gaze drifted around the room. Several couples sat at other tables, enjoying their evening. But unintentionally, I caught something that made my chest burn.

A few women were secretly glancing at Kevan, their looks shamelessly obvious, as if they did not care about the men sitting across from them. I clicked my tongue softly and returned their stares with a sharp look when they realized they had been caught.

“What’s wrong?” Kevan asked, following my line of sight. Unfortunately, the women had already lowered their heads and pretended to be busy chatting. I snorted in annoyance.

“It’s nothing,” I said quickly. “Thank you for tonight.” I smiled at him sincerely.

Kevan returned it with a warm, faint smile. “You’re welcome.”

We began to enjoy our food. The moment the first bite entered my mouth, I nearly froze. It was unbelievably good. The doneness was perfect, the meat tender, and the sauce complemented it so well it exploded with flavor on my tongue.

“It’s so good,” I said honestly.

Kevan smiled as he continued eating, though his pace slowed.

Unlike me. I gave up pretending to eat gracefully. The sweet, composed act disappeared entirely. A few minutes later, the steak on my plate was completely gone, not a single bite left.

Kevan burst out laughing when he saw my empty plate. His laughter grew louder when my stomach let out a very clear sound between us.

Oh no.

I winced and rubbed my temple. This was embarrassing.

Ever since I knew tonight was a date, I had guessed there would be dinner involved. Obviously, right? There was no way a first date at night would suddenly involve Kevan inviting me to go deep-sea diving. That would be impossible.

So I had emptied my stomach at home. I also had no idea the menu would be like this. I mean, without rice. I could never really feel full without rice, especially when the salmon steak here was absolutely insane. Way too good.

Kevan tried to stop laughing, then cleared his throat. “Sorry, I shouldn’t laugh at you. If you’re still hungry, you can order more.”

My eyes immediately lit up. “Really?”

He nodded, still holding back a smile.

I looked straight at him. “If you want to laugh, just laugh. You don’t have to hold it in. I’m fine.”

Hearing that, Kevan laughed freely. Completely freely.

I smiled along. “That’s better. You look even more handsome.”

The moment those words slipped out, I immediately covered my mouth.

Kevan fell silent, scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, then looked away before calling the waiter to order more food for me.

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