Chapter 218 Chapter 218

Chapter 218 Chapter 218
Violet

Maybe I should have said no but then the prospect of sitting in my room and starting to sketch that motif impulsively scared me. I didn’t want to meet Cassie either for she would remind me of her brother.

So I just let myself fall back onto the bed when my phone beeped again. I recognized it vaguely as one of the upscale places downtown, the kind that required reservations weeks in advance.

Then another message popped up. Hope to see you at 8.

I glanced at the clock. That gave me more than two hours to shower, get ready, and drive across the city.

By the time I stepped out of the shower, mom entered my room with sandwiches and a cup of tea.

She saw me opening the section of wardrobe that contained formal wear and asked.

“Are you going somewhere?”

I nodded. “Just a restaurant. Dane wanted to meet.”

The mention of Dane suddenly made my mom’s voice turn excited.

“Oh that is wonderful. Where are you guys meeting?”

I absentmindedly chose a simple dress for the meeting as I told her the venue details but Mom let out a gasp.

“You aren’t wearing that!” She said and took that dress away from me while making me sit on the bed.

“What are you doing?” I asked as she looked through all the dresses and picked a shimmery night blue gown.

“You should wear this” she beamed at me but I shook my head.

“Mom, it's just some work stuff.”

However, mom wasn’t listening. She laid out the dress for me and pulled out the hair dryer.

“Its been ages since I helped you get ready. I feel like tonight is the day.”

“Mom!”

“Shush. I refuse to let you step in there looking like a zombie”

I didn’t want to spend energy arguing with her so I just sat in front of the mirror, watching her do my makeup and hair styling to quiet my racing thoughts. 

“There you go” she said when she was finally done.

I looked…decent.

“Have fun” Mom chirped as I grabbed my purse, got in the heels mom insisted looked spectacular with the dress and finally got in the car.

“I am going there to talk about work, not have fun” I reminded her but she still stared at me giddily and I shook my head.

“Bye mom”

The drive downtown was easier than expected, traffic lighter than usual for a weekday evening. I found parking near the restaurant and sat in my car for a few minutes, gathering my courage.

This was dinner, just a casual meal with a colleague. Nothing to be nervous about.

I tried to organize my thoughts well to let him know I had not backstabbed him in any way.

But when I walked into the restaurant, the entire place was empty. 

Not a single other customer was in sight, just staff members positioned at strategic intervals, all of whom turned to look at me the moment I entered.

"Good evening, Miss Violet," the host said with a warm smile. "Mr. Dane is expecting you. Please, right this way."

I followed him through the empty dining room, my heels clicking on the polished floor, aware of every staff member watching my progress. 

The atmosphere looked surreal, like I'd stepped into some fairytale with soft lights and flowers everywhere.

The host led me to a table in the center of the room, decorated with an elaborate floral arrangement and lit candles. 

A server appeared immediately, pulling out my chair with a polite smile. I sat, feeling increasingly uncertain about what was happening.

Another server materialized to pour wine into the crystal glass in front of me. A third adjusted the napkin in my lap and the cutlery on the table.

"Um," I started, looking around at the excessive grandeur. "Is the restaurant closed tonight?"

"For everyone except you," a voice said behind me, and I turned to see the chef himself approaching, wearing pristine whites and a warm smile. 

"Mr. Dane arranged for a private dining experience. We're honored to create whatever your heart desires this evening. Please, tell me what you'd like to have and I'll prepare it personally."

I fumbled for words, completely out of words. 

"Oh, I... anything is fine, really. Whatever you recommend."

"Come on, Violet. You're ruining my grand surprise."

A familiar voice called out from the far right and I turned my head in that direction to see Dane standing behind a wall made of flowers and lights forming the words ‘Congratulations, Violet’

He was dressed in a tuxedo that fit him perfectly, his hair styled with care, and that charming, easygoing smile on his lips.

“What is all this?” I asked as he walked toward me with confident strides.

I waited until he reached my chair, ready to launch into an elaborate explanation but then he stopped directly in front of me.

Before I could ask what he was doing, he went down on one knee.

My breath caught as he took my hand and brought it to his lips that brushed against my skin, pressing a soft kiss to my knuckles.

“Gods, I missed you,” he sighed and added, “You look exceptionally gorgeous tonight.”

“I…”

"Ask for whatever your heart desires," he said, his eyes warm as they met mine. "Tonight is about celebrating you."

"Dane, I..." I stammered, pulling my hand back gently. "I don't understand. What is all this?"

He stood gracefully and moved to take the seat across from me. The chef was still waiting so Dane ordered something on my behalf, not that I really minded.

When the chef left, I opened my mouth again.

"I thought you'd be upset with me," I said quickly, needing to address the elephant in the room. 

"I left the company when you were dealing with your grandfather's emergency. I abandoned the team right when you needed everyone to be"

"Not at all," Dane interrupted, shaking his head with that same warm smile. "In fact, I'm happy that you're my insider now."

I furrowed my brows, confusion deepening. "Your insider?"