Chapter 40: Isabelle

As we pulled up to the quaint French bistro, my heart began to race. I had never been so unprepared for an outing, and the thought of being seen in public without my usual meticulous appearance sent a wave of anxiety through me. The darkness whispered its doubts in my ear, reminding me of the consequences of not meeting Alessandro's standards. But Liam's reassuring presence beside me offered a glimmer of hope. He turned to me with a comforting smile, reading the apprehension plainly written on my face.

"You look beautiful, Isabelle. Remember, this is just between you and me. No one else matters." he said as he intertwined our hands.

His words, though simple, carried a weight of sincerity that calmed my trembling spirit. I took a deep breath, determined to enjoy this unexpected outing and trust in Liam's promise of safety. As we stepped out of the car, the warm sun caressed my skin, and the scent of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, inviting me to relax and indulge in the present moment. The restaurant was charming, with its quaint decor and soft jazz melodies creating an ambiance that soothed my frayed nerves. Liam led me to a cozy table by the window, and as we sat down, I couldn't help but notice the curious glances directed our way. I felt self-conscious, aware of my simple attire amidst the finely dressed patrons.

Liam looks at me, a small smile playing on his lips. "Everything's fine. We're just two people sharing a meal together, that's all." He can read me so well.

I relax a little, letting out a deep breath. But as we sat here, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off.

"The have great food here. Lots to chose from they even have a full Irish breakfast. Honestly its one of the few places that does it just like back in Ireland."

"Whats an Irish breakfast?" I ask him.

"I'm sure your grandparents made it at least once, but I guess they would have just called it breakfast. " he laughs to himself. " It's made up of bacon, sausages, baked beans, eggs, mushrooms, grilled tomatoes, and they also use cooked leftover potatoes made into a hash."

"Oh, yes they made it all the time." i tell him with a real smile on my face." That sound good I think i want that."

The waiter approached us, and Liam ordered for both of us with a confidence that made me feel cared for. As we waited for our food, Liam engaged me in light conversation.

Liam asked me about my grandparents. I knew I couldn't avoid the topic forever, and I had already told him about my parents being drug addicts. But talking about my grandparents brought up a whole different set of emotions.

"They were the only ones who truly loved me," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Liam's eyes softened, and he reached out to hold my hand. "Tell me about them," he said gently.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, trying to push back the tears that threatened to spill. "They were my safe space," I began. "I was safe and clean and never went hungry while I was with them."

I could feel Liam's eyes on me, but I didn't dare open mine. I didn't want to see any pity or sympathy in them.

"What's the best memory you have with them?" Liam asked, his voice full of curiosity.

I took a minute to go through my mind, trying to find a happy memory. I had tried to push them all away, not wanting to remember the pain of losing them.

"I remember when we went to Coney Island," I said, a small smile forming on my face. "Papa took me on all the rides, and I ate so much junk food that I thought I would burst."

Liam chuckled, and I could hear the genuine happiness in his voice. "What happened?"

"Well, after the sixth time on the tea cups, Papa got sick," I said with a giggle. "But then he won me this cheap stuffed animal at one of the games, and I loved it more than anything."

"Sounds like a fun day," Liam said, his hand squeezing mine reassuringly.

"It was," I replied, my smile growing wider. "It was one of the few times I felt like a normal kid, just having fun with my grandparents."

Liam nodded, understanding the significance of that memory. "I'm glad you have that memory to hold on to," he said softly.

"Me too," I said, feeling a sense of peace wash over me. I hadn't talked about my grandparents in a long time, and it was a relief to finally let it out.

"Thank you for sharing that with me," Liam said, giving my hand another squeeze.

"Thank you for listening," I said, my voice filled with gratitude. I knew I could trust Liam with my past, and that meant everything to me.

But soon, our conversation is interrupted by the waiter's arrival.

He comes to our table carrying several plates, each one filled to the brim with delicious-looking food. My eyes widen in surprise at the amount of food in front of us. Liam lets out a soft chuckle, knowing exactly what I'm thinking.

"You did tell me everything it comes with, but I didn't expect the portions to be this big," I say, shaking my head in disbelief.

Liam laughs. I can't help feeling overwhelmed by the amount of food in front of me. I've never been a big eater, and my stomach is still getting used to eating three times a day.

As the waiter leaves, I turn to Liam and confess, "I don't think I can eat all of this."

He smiles and reassures me, "That's okay, just enjoy what you can. We can always take the rest home for later."

I nod, feeling grateful for his understanding. We start digging into our food, and I can't help but be amazed by the explosion of flavors in my mouth. Each dish is better than the last, and I find myself eating more than I thought I could.

The best part is this is the first time i have eaten anywhere and didnt feel the need to be perfect the entire time. I turn to my friend Liam and ask him about his time living in Ireland. He pauses for a moment, his fork halfway to his mouth, and I can see the wheels turning in his head as he considers what to share.

I can't help but wonder if I said something wrong by the look on his face, but then he gives me a small smile and begins to speak. "Well, when I lived in Ireland, Declan and I would always make it a point to go down to Galway for their festivals. They have a whopping total of one hundred and twenty two festivals a year, so we made sure to attend as many as we possibly could."

I lean in, intrigued by the thought of so many festivals in one place. "What kind of festivals did you go to? Were they all the same or different?"

Liam takes a sip of his beer before answering. "Oh, they were all different. There was the Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival, the Galway Arts Festival, and even the Galway Races. Each one had its own unique vibe and traditions."

I can't help but imagine the lively atmosphere and all the delicious food that must have been present at these festivals. "Which one was your favorite?"

Liam chuckles and shakes his head. "That's a tough one. They were all so amazing in their own way. But I think the Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival was always a standout for us. We would indulge in all the seafood we could eat and then try and steal few pints of Guinness to wash it down with."

I can almost taste the fresh oysters and smell the salty sea air as Liam speaks. "That sounds incredible. Did you ever miss any of the festivals?"

Liam nods, his expression turning a bit wistful. "Unfortunately, we did miss a few because of work or other commitments. But we always made up for it by attending the next one. Those festivals were a big part of our lives in Ireland, and we didn't want to miss out on any of the fun."

As our plates are cleared and we finish up our drinks, I can't help but feel a twinge of jealousy towards Liam's experience living in Ireland and being able to attend so many amazing festivals. But I also feel grateful for being able to hear about his adventures and learn more about Irish culture.

But like so many things in my life nothing ends on a positive note because when the waiter brings the check, he is white as a sheet. with the check he hands Liam a note. And just like that the wonder time i was having is gone replaced with the since of doom.