CHAPTER 13: DINNER

CHAPTER 13: DINNER
"And what did you tell him?" Ana asks as she stuffs a handful of popcorn into her mouth.

"Nothing, I was stunned, didn't know what to say or do. Harry went back to the table, I did the same, and we had breakfast in silence. He had his typical stone face, and didn't even look at me," I say as I gaze at the ceiling in Ana's room.

"That face must be terrifying, but I guess it's also like seeing a sculpture made by the gods themselves, just a little angry," I look at Ana with amusement and roll my eyes.

"Camila is very much in love with Harry."

"Oh no! That bitch is obsessed with your husband," Ana says, getting on her knees on the bed.

"Ana, there are so many things I don't know about Harry, and on the one hand, I wish I knew more, but on the other hand, it scares me a bit."

"If all his secrets are as crazy as Camila, then I would be scared too," I look at Ana and hide my face in my hands. "But I think you should get more involved in his present. With time, he will open up and involve you in his past."

"You're right, but I don't know how to do it," I say, and Ana takes my hands off my face.

"Invite him to dinner, cook for him, make it a dinner for two."

"A romantic dinner?" I raise an eyebrow in question.

"What you two have is not a romance. It would be a friendly dinner to smooth things over and get to know each other better," I look at her and start biting my nails.

"Will you help me?" I pout.

"I think we could make a handmade invitation. You know I love calligraphy, and you could personally deliver it to his company."

"Go to his company?"

"Yes, that would be a nice touch," she winks at me and gets up excitedly. "What do you want the invitation to say?"

"Um, I don't know," I get up and sit in front of one of the windows in Ana's room. "Dear Mr. McBride, it is an honor to invite you tonight to a dinner for two in our beautiful and cozy apartment. Sincerely, your wife."

"Oh my god, I love it," I turn to look at her, and she has a huge smile. "I'll start writing it."

"By the way, can I borrow some clothes? I don't think it's a good idea to go in this sporty outfit."

"Yes, you can take whatever you want, little one," she responds without taking her eyes off the paper.

I start searching through Ana's clothes until my phone rings, indicating a message has arrived.

"Unknown number:

Hi, it's Imanol. I know you're wondering where I got your number from, I can explain that over lunch."

"At lunch?" I say aloud and cover my mouth, hoping Ana didn't hear me.

"What?" Ana questions, poking her head out of the dressing room.

"Oh, nothing," I say, and she rolls her eyes as she returns to her previous position.

"Me:
Hello. Can it be another day?

"Imanol:
My flight leaves tonight, I wanted to say goodbye to you before I go.

"Me:
You're leaving? Where to?

"Imanol:
Hahaha, you're so curious, Ali.

"Me:
No, sorry. Can we meet somewhere near your family's company?

"Imanol:
Near the company? Are you going to work with my brother?

"Me:
No, umm, can you do 2:30?

"Imanol:
Sure, I'll send you the restaurant's location here. See you.

"Me:
Yes, see you.

I peek to see Ana, and she's focused on making the invitation.

After messaging with Imanol, I continued searching for the right outfit. Ana finished the invitation, we watched a couple of movies, and then I got ready to go to the company. I tried to tell Ana about the lunch, but I couldn't. I knew she would scold me for accepting Imanol's invitation.

So I just left her house straight for the company. Right now, I'm at the entrance, and my legs are trembling. The building is bigger than my father's, and it's quite imposing.

I enter the building and approach the reception. I try to walk as my mother taught me, raising my head, straightening my posture, moderating the movement of my arms, and, most importantly, maintaining balance in these huge heels.

"Good afternoon, miss. How can I assist you?" asks a woman who looks barely twenty-five, wearing the company's uniform, and she's the receptionist.

"Good afternoon. I need to speak with Mr. McBride," I say, trying to sound friendly.

"I'm sorry, Mr. McBride is with his wife at the moment." I look at the woman and start laughing. She looks confused, so I decided to explain.

"Oh no, I'm sorry. I didn't explain myself properly. I'm looking for Harrison McBride."

"You mean the young McBride?" She looks at me, and I nod. "Do you have an appointment?"

"Um, no," I look at her confused, and she smiles at me.

"I'm sorry, the vice president doesn't accept visitors without a prior appointment. You know, he has a tight schedule. But if you'd like to leave him a message, I'll gladly pass it on."

"Not even from his wife?" I whisper, and the receptionist tries to hear me, but apparently she can't.

"I'm sorry. What?" she questions, and I shake my head.

"Nothing, just tell him that his wife came," I say and immediately turn around to leave.

"Wait, wait!" I hear the receptionist's shouts and turn to look at her. "You should have told me earlier that you were his wife. The vice president gave orders to let you in even when he's not here."

I look at her with confusion and furrow my brow. I don't know if Harry really likes to keep up appearances or if he's taking this marriage seriously.

"Follow me, Mrs. McBride," she says, and I feel uncomfortable hearing her.

We walk until we reach the elevator, go up to the fourteenth floor, and walk down a long hallway until we reach a large door. In front of it, a desk and a young woman are sitting behind it.

"Good afternoon, Rebecca. This is Mrs. McBride, and she's here to see Mr. McBride."

"Good afternoon. So, you're Mrs. McBride? You're even more beautiful in person," she says excitedly, and I just smile.

"Rebecca, please take Mrs. McBride to the vice president." Rebecca nods and takes me by the arm. She starts knocking on the door until Harry's voice can be heard in the distance.

"Come in, Rebecca." How does he know it's Rebecca? Do they have a secret knock sound?

"Mr. McBride, your wife is looking for you," Rebecca says as she peeks her head into the office.

"Please, have her come in." I see Rebecca nod, and I decide to enter.

Upon entering, I find a huge and beautiful office, with a view of the surrounding buildings and the sea.

"Hello, what brings you here?" Harry asks, and I notice that Rebecca is watching us from the door. "Rebecca, please close the door."

Harry requests, and she does. I turn my gaze to Harry, and he quickly adjusts his hair, which makes me laugh a little, and he notices.

"Did you come here to laugh at me?" he asks, and I shake my head, stopping myself from laughing.

"I came to give you this," I say, taking the invitation out of my purse and handing it to Harry.

"What is it?" He takes the invitation, and our fingers brush as he does.

"Open it." Harry does, and he starts reading.

"A dinner for two?"

"Yes," I say, smiling, and he smiles too. "You'll have the privilege of tasting the exquisite food prepared by your beloved wife."

Harry smiles and approaches me.

"Do you want me to bring something to drink?" he asks, getting closer to me.

"Red wine, it will go well with the dinner." Harry looks at me and licks his lips.

"I'm hungry. Do you want to go out to eat?" I look at him with wide eyes.

"I'd love to, but I'm going to buy the things for the dinner I'll make for my husband." Harry laughs and puts his right hand on my face.

"You're beautiful, Ali." I furrow my brow, and I feel my heart racing.

"I have to go," I say clumsily and immediately leave.

What the hell was that? Harry was drunk or something. He behaved very differently from his usual self, and, I just saw his beautiful eyes.