Chapter 65 My Husband

Chapter 65 My Husband
Zeno stared at her; a few seconds went by in silence. He was not judging; he was actually seeing through it- her expression.

“Who?” he pressed, because they never once talked about ‘him’ in person, like sober and acknowledged it. In the first few days of their marriage, Lyla couldn’t forget about him; she was still holding onto the hope that her boyfriend then could rescue. She was pretty dead-set on going back with him.

“My ex, Matthew,” she said, more annoyed than being careful now.

“You wanted him, love, remember?” Zeno teased her, touching her cheek, caressing it. He smirked when Lyla grabbed his hand and held it in front of her lips.

“I don’t,” she murmured against it.

“Are you sure?” Zeno raised his eyebrow. She hummed while looking at him coquettishly. “Then, you just have to trust me, okay?” She didn’t answer right away, but kept looking at him, contemplating.

“Okay,” she replied quietly.

Then, Zeno grabbed her hand and brought her into the restaurant. She stayed close by his side until they made it to their table. Lyla didn’t take her eyes off him, their hands entwined, and Zeno made sure his wife felt protected around him, especially by his side.

Zeno opened the chair for her to sit and helped her take off her coat before that. He handed the coat to the waiter and sat himself across from her. A waitress came, handing menus to them.

“Is there anything you guys would like to add? Mr. Leo is preparing your main dish,” she said in a professional manner. The waitress didn’t try to intervene; she just waited for them to order, and she didn’t leave because they were special guests of the boss.

“How about mushroom soup, love?” Zeno suggested as his eyes kept reading the menu to find something to his liking.

“Sure.” Lyla nodded stiffly. The menu in her hand was just decorative. Meanwhile, her focus was all over the place even though she tried to only focus on him. She couldn’t help feeling guarded, as if someone would walk up to her and take her away again.

“There’s ice cream brownie,” he said again, eyes still stuck on the menu, but he kept listing food recommendations. “We can get that for dessert,” he continued. He looked up when he didn’t hear her answer. “You want something else?”

“No.” She shook her head.        

“We’ll add that two.” He folded the menu and handed it back towards the waitress, and Lyla did the same. “Why so uptight, Lyla? We’re on honeymoon. Do you not like it?” he asked, asking for her hand on top of the table.

“I don’t like it because you brought me here,” she grumbled, still looking uncomfortable.

“I just wanted to make sure our products arrived safely, cicci. We’ll explore more later as much as you want, okay?” Zeno squeezed her hand, assuring her that the trip would not be boring and flat, or even work related.

“You can’t lie,” she said, warning him.

“I won’t. We can try the living room first when we get back home, if you want.” Zeno winked temptingly.

“Stop.” Lyla blushed out of annoyance and embarrassment. He always brought it up whenever he could, teasing her, even in public. She took her hand back quickly, and at the same time Leo came to their table along with the waitress.

“I hope we don’t hold you guys for long. These are our specialties; please enjoy them. Should I bring you some collection of our wine to enjoy with the food?” Leo offered; he was looking at Zeno but also glancing at Lyla now and then. An appropriate glance that would go unnoticed by normal people, but not to Zeno Alaister Valentini; he noticed everything to the tiniest detail.

“That’s alright. My wife said she wants to explore the city a little bit more and sober,” Zeno replied, looking at Leo pointedly.

“Alright. If you need anything, just ask my employees. Everything is in the house,” he said one last time before leaving. He also told his employees to take care of his special guests.

“Eat, love. Nobody’s watching.” Zeno slid almost every plate towards her. He just wanted her to eat first and chose whatever she wanted.

“What’s that?” She pointed to one of the dishes. When she saw crumbles on top, she felt tingles already.

“Nuts, I see,” Zeno spoke nonchalantly, just looking at the food with no intention to do anything. But when he saw his wife huffing and puffing, her cheeks puffed out, he remembered then that she was allergic. “Let me see it.”

“Thank you.”                        

Zeno took the plate and inspected it, scooping a little bit of the crumbs and tasting it himself. He munched very slowly and carefully. He didn’t want to mistakenly decide and risk her life; he’d had enough of that lately.

“It’s pecan. You’re okay, love,” Zeno nodded in approval, stating it was safe for her to eat.

And now, their teamwork had gotten better. He could compromise with her, and she followed him obediently.

“The food's okay, cicci?” he asked while they walked on the sidewalk overlooking the endless ocean. As they walked, Lyla was holding onto his arm, clinging to him comfortably.

“It was okay,” she replied lightly.

“Planning to come back again?” Lyla instantly shook her head; she was firm about it. Zeno chuckled, “Then I’ll find a new restaurant for us to try. Sounds good?”

“Sounds perfect,” she mumbled.

“Enjoying the view, baby?”

Footsteps stopped; her body stiffened. The grip on his arm tightened, and Zeno could tell she was writhing. But Zeno didn’t even flinch when looking at his enemy. Oh, how he loved to confront his biggest rival, right in front of his wife.

“She’s very much enjoying the view with her husband. Don’t you think you’re interrupting something, Mr. Archer?”

“I would not if you’re not the one actually interrupting someone’s relationship.” Matthew’s confrontation was bold and open.

“Oh yeah? I actually saved her from your toxic trait in a relationship, Mr. Archer. She’s safe with me now,” Zeno said as he held her firmly by his side.

“Safe?” Matthew looked at Lyla, who stuck with Zeno and barely looked at him. The only woman he cared about turned on him.

“Yes, I am safe with my husband.” Hearing the confession straight from her was like a punch in the gut. Matthew was losing his grip on her and their trust.