Chapter 27 ~A dinner to remember~
Fiona's POV
I watched curiously as Xander fumbled with his car keys.
“Where are we going?” I asked, a small smile playing on my lips.
“A restaurant,” Xander snapped.
I drew my lips into a thin line. “I'm sorry.” I didn't even know what I was apologising for. “Are you mad at me?”
His gaze softened. “Of course not. I didn't even want to be there. I would rather spend time with you.”
I internally screamed. My insides felt like mush. “So cute.”
He drove us to some posh restaurant. I looked around at the marble floors, the soft music and crystal glasses that glistened under the chandelier light.
He pulled out a chair for me. I sat gingerly. I could see people glancing at us. It was probably the fact that we were dressed up like characters from Bridgerton.
“I should've changed.” I whisper-yelled to Xander.
“You're not overdressed, they're underdressed.” He arched an eyebrow.
And there he goes… knowing the perfect thing to say, always.
The server walked in. “Welcome sir, ma'am. What can I offer you?”
Xander gestured at me to order first.
I coughed awkwardly. What the fuck did rich people eat, and, no, don't even tell me to check the menu, it'll make me look like I'm new? “Steak.”
The look on their faces told me I shoulda just checked the menu.
“What kind of steak, ma'am?” The server asked, surprisingly still polite.
“We'll have creamy truffle pasta with lamb chops,” Xander answered on our behalf. “Any cheesecake as dessert?”
“Okay, just a minute.” The server walked off.
I breathed. “Xander, do you know that this is our first date?”
“Yes, that's actually true.” Realisation was clear on his face. “And it'll be our best.”
The server returned with the food. “Enjoy your meal.”
As we were eating with the 12 or something pieces of cutlery, I eyed Xander. “So, is this where you rich people go to eat?”
Xander shrugged. “You're kind of a ‘rich people’ now, so…”
I laughed. “Okay, I'll try to act appropriately.”
Someone walked in from the doors. Xander was backing the entrance. I was the one facing the door.
She was all limbs and cool beauty, her bangs framed her perfect face. I gestured discreetly at Xander, laughing. “No, I'm not ‘rich people’, not when they look like that. Hell no, I do-”
I noticed Xander wasn't even laughing; he was just looking at the lady like he was in a trance or something.
Damn, did I just shoot myself in the leg? “Xander… are you listening to me?”
He wasn't even paying attention to me. The lady must have noticed he was staring because she began walking in our direction.
I made a mental note to apologize to her for Xander's gawking, but as she walked closer, I saw she had a smile on her face, well… a half smile but a smile nonetheless.
“Xander,” she called out.
Oh, they knew themselves.
Xander stood up. “Dakota?”
Then, my heart sank to my stomach as I watched them hug themselves, but it wasn't like an ordinary hug. It was an 'I love you, I miss you' kinda hug.
Was I crazy… Am I tripping? I just looked on like a moron, my eyebrows twitching, my mouth slightly agape.
I was watching… other people were throwing curious glances.
Xander finally broke the hug. “H-hey, I wasn't expecting to see you here? Are you with someone?”
“No, actually. I just wanted some alone time and a shit ton of alcohol.” She played with her hair.
She was like the ultimate seductress… How did one compete with that?
“You can join us here.” Xander offered.
What! This is a private date.
“No, it's fine.” She shook her head.
“Well, I insist. Remember, we said we had a lot to catch up on… come on.” Xander playfully tugged her arms. “Join us.”
She finally agreed, reluctantly. “Okay. But I'll be here for only a few minutes. I still have stuff to do, with daddy's business.”
“I understand.” He nodded.
And that was the beginning of the worst date of my life.
She looked at me, her features changing instantly. “Your secretary?”
Um, hello ma'am… a secretary would not sit in on a romantic dinner with her boss, well, except if she was a hoe.
“No, no, this is Fiona,” He gave an awkward chuckle.
She raised a brow like, ‘Fiona who?’
“She's my mate.” Xander added, and they both finally sat down.
The server came and took her order, a food I couldn't even pronounce, and before you ask, no… she didn't look at the menu.
“So, Fiona, what do you do?” She began after we exchanged pleasantries.
“I go to school at Northvale.” I added simply.
“Oh.” She deadpanned and turned to Xander. “So, the merger, I spoke with daddy about it and he said we should finalize the deal as soon as possible.”
“Really? That's great news.” Xander's look lightened up.
“Yeah, he said I should go to Singapore to find other potential partners for the project.”
“Wow.”
“That's why I told you I needed to leave on time. I have an early flight tomorrow.”
“How can I ever thank your father?” Xander looked so invested in the conversation.
“My father?” She spoke dryly. “What happened to me?”
“Well, you too, of course.”
Xander's complete demeanor and tone changed around her than when it was just us earlier. They acted like I didn't even exist.
“I saw Silvia yesterday at the spa and we got talking. She insisted I visit y'all at the packhouse too.”
“You know how my mom gets.”
“Yeah, I was like… 'won't that be weird?’ I mean, judging from our history.” She shot a brief glance at me. "Especially now that you have a… mate.”
I coughed uncomfortably and got up.
Xander turned, as if only noticing that I was there. “Fiona, where're you going?”
“Bathroom.”
“Okay, it's just around the left cor-”
“I know.” I snapped, walking towards the bathroom. Was I stupid too?
As I got there, I just stood staring at myself from the mirror. And then I began to cry.
But I didn't even know why I was crying. The sobs were raspy and rough. I don't know how long I cried, but I stopped when I saw an elderly lady pass by and she threw me an apologetic look.
“Are you okay, honey?" She asked, softly.
Somehow, that made me even more teary. “Yeah..yeah, I'm just…”
She nodded in understanding and walked off.
I was alone once again. I had to go back in so that this won't look more weird than it already is.
When I got back, Dakota was already standing up to leave. “You're back from the ladies.”
I nodded, settling in my seat.
Then she faced Xander who was already up again like a programmed zombie.
“It was lovely spending time with you, Alexander.” She hugged him, her hands brushing over his back. “We should do this again sometime, no?”
“Yes, I would love that. Have a safe trip to Singapore,” He smiled warmly. “And please, visit the packhouse anytime. I'm sure father would love to see you. Every one, actually.”
She looked straight into my eyes when Xander said this.
I wasn't tripping after all.
Then she left without even acknowledging me.
“I think I want to go back home.” I said to Xander after I saw her drive off in a Porsche through the glass walls.
“Why? I thou-”
“Xander, please.” I wasn't even yelling or mad, I was just pleading. “I don't feel so well.”
This Dakota wasn't going through family problems too, was she? Were her parents going through a divorce?
He stood up. “Fine then, let's leave.”
As we walked to the car, I paused. “Actually, I'll just take a cab.”
He turned to me, a puzzled look on his face, and then, "What is wrong with you?”
I kept my voice from cracking when I spoke next. “Classic Xander. We were having a good time, and you just had to ruin it.”