Maxwell had been there before and the homey ambience of the steakhouse was one reason why he had brought her there.
He just had a feeling that she would like it, and he didn't have to guess for long when he saw the appreciative look on her face as she looked around and took in the Spanish-themed decor of the steakhouse.
Maxwell had already called the manager to reserve a table for him and the man was waiting for their arrival.
He led them to their seat himself and assigned two waitresses to serve them as the VIPs they were.
The manager had barely left their table when the waitress came back with a bread basket, the steakhouse's specially made butter and pickled veggies.
Reyona thanked them and commented on the crispiness of the fresh oven bread even before she started eating it.
Maxwell signalled to the waitress to strike out seafoods before the latter listed out their specials for the day.
Eventually, Reyona settled for their Châteaubriand steak with some tartare, patatas bravas, wedge salad and cocktail.
They listed out the dessert they had too and though he could see that she would like to have some, she was reluctant about it.
So he made a joke about people who blew up overnight from eating dessert, then dared her to prove him wrong that she was not one.
Of course, he was certain that a woman like her wouldn't back down from a direct dare like that, but then she had flipped it right back on him as she said he had to have the dessert too.
Maxwell quickly used that chance to say "Well, that isn't a problem at all. On one condition, though."
"What kind of logic is that? What condition?" she asked while trying to hold in her smile.
"You will unblock me, right here and right now. And promised never to block me again."
He had thought she wouldn't take him up on it. Even though he wished so badly she would accept it, he didn't show it.
He even managed to look nonchalant as she glared at him and the waitress was pretending so hard not to hear a thing.
Then finally she said, "Fine. After you eat it."
Maxwell almost jumped out of his seat in ecstasy though he merely nodded coolly and said "I always keep my promise."
The Spanish chef came out with the waitresses to serve them their meals, and it didn't surprise Maxwell much to see that she could speak Spanish fluently.
He was enjoying the animated look on her face until the chef had smoothly lifted the back of her hand to his lips and kissed it while saying, "Es un honor para mí que comas una comida que preparo. eres hermoso"
It is my honour to have you eat a meal I make. You are beautiful.
Maxwell was sure his fist might have honoured the affable man's face if her hand had lingered in his for a moment longer, but luckily for him, the chef returned to his cooking immediately.
The evening had proceeded wonderfully since then, and it reminded Maxwell of the rare moment he had once had with her at the club.
How he wished things could be this simple between them.
While he still had the chance, he asked while she was taking the last bite of her crème brûlée. "Now, it is time for you to fulfil your promise."
She rolled her eyes and looked at his half-eaten dessert. "You are still on it."
"And I promise to finish it but pardon me if I say I am not so confident that you will keep your end of the bargain. What if you decide to back out after I finish all these loads of calories?" he goaded her.
Instead of responding with her customary retort, she simply lifted her phone, pressed a button and turned it towards him.
"Good," he thought.
Then he said "Thank you, though I would have preferred that you changed that to Maxwell or Max instead of Mr. Rohan, you know."
"Don't push your luck," she said lazily as she leaned back in her chair.
"I wouldn't dare," he said.
Then he went right ahead to say what he had not even dared to think much about.
"I know I made the rule that we shouldn't discuss it, but since we are technically done eating, I guess it doesn't matter," he said.
Reyona rolled her eyes and said, "Of course, you will make a rule just to break it."
Maxwell couldn't even smile because of the sudden apprehension he was feeling about what he was about to say to her.
"I think I know what else we can do to solve the issue about these kids," he said.
The satisfied look on Reyona's face vanished as she leaned forward and said "What? Something apart from getting their parents back?"
Without missing a beat, Maxwell looked straight at her and said "Yes. Marry me."
Reyona was certain if she was still eating, she sure would have choked on whatever was in her mouth.
Surely he must be joking, right?
Who would have thought that a man like him had such a sense of humour?
While she stared at him, he raised a half-spoonful of his crème brûlée towards his mouth. Then halfway to his mouth, he placed it back in the bowl and asked straight-faced. "So what do you think?"
"You…you are serious."
"Oh, I am. You see, we can…"
"You are mad. Very. I didn't realise it before, but I can see it now." Reyona said as it became clear to her beyond doubt that he was not joking.
Not even a hint of his roguish smile was on his face at that moment.
She was already reaching for her bag when he said with urgency, "Listen. Please, listen to me for a moment, okay?"
Already half-standing, Reyona sat back so as not to attract attention.
Keeping her temper on a tight leash, she said through gritted teeth. "You have a minute to explain, and it starts now."