Chapter 72
This was Ava's first time being led by him to a public place, and she felt uncomfortable all over. Maybe it was because he was too eye-catching, always the center of attention wherever he went.
The two of them just stood at the entrance, and they'd already attracted countless stares.
The largest private room upstairs was empty, and a server had already brought tea.
"Ava, look at the menu and see if there's anything you want to eat?"
Ava casually flipped through a few pages. She was in a good mood now, and her appetite was good too.
"I think I want to eat everything."
Her answer surprised William. At home, she was extremely picky about food, wouldn't eat this, wouldn't eat that, which really worried the servants who cooked.
Today was really rare - she wanted to eat everything.
"Then let's get one of everything except the sour dishes."
William handed the menu back to the server.
Ava was shocked. That menu had at least dozens of dishes. How could the two of them finish all that? Even if you had money, you shouldn't waste it like this, right?
Besides, she used to not like sour food, but now that she was pregnant, her tastes had changed - she only wanted to eat sour things.
"Let's just order a few dishes. Getting one of everything is way too much; we won't be able to finish it all, and it'll just go to waste."
William raised his eyebrows, indicating he didn't care. This little bit of money was just pocket change to him. "You order then, whatever you want."
Ava took back the menu and picked a few things she wanted to eat. Somehow, she had the strange feeling that she was out on a date with him, like they were in a relationship.
After ordering, she remembered the trending topic and quickly took out her phone to check. Sure enough, just as he said, that trending topic had been taken down.
At this moment, she felt no burden in her heart.
After a short wait, the server started bringing out the dishes.
William left his seat to take a work call, and Ava didn't touch her utensils, sitting and waiting for him.
She rarely took photos when eating out, but right now she wanted to commemorate this moment.
When all the dishes were served, she opened her phone camera and took a picture of the table full of food, and happened to capture his back while he was on the phone. She zoomed in and out of the photo, looking at it countless times.
For the first time, she had the urge to post it on Facebook.
That's what she thought, and that's what she did.
It was just a back view - people who didn't know him wouldn't recognize him at all.
After posting it, she looked it over repeatedly with satisfaction, completely unaware that William had finished his call and had been standing behind her, watching her for quite a while.
"Taking secret photos of me?"
He asked.
Ava felt a bit guilty. After all, she'd posted him on Facebook without his permission. She wasn't sure if he'd get angry.
"It's just a back view, you can't tell it's you."
She explained weakly, her eyes incredibly gentle.
William suddenly laughed out loud.
"Why that expression, like I'm going to eat you or something? If you want to take photos, take proper ones. What's the point of just a back view? Is your man not presentable enough?"
Ava's heart fluttered at his words.
"No, that's not it. You don't want to go public, do you?"
The two had been secretly married for three years, and she'd never dared to cross that line. Taking a back-view photo was already extravagant for her, and she'd gotten used to this hidden relationship.
Thinking about it now, the secret marriage wasn't so bad - it saved her a lot of trouble. He was naturally controversial, and if they announced their marriage, she'd become the enemy of every woman in Emerald City.
That would be too scary.
"Still taking photos?"
He asked, looking ready to cooperate with her.
Ava shook her head.
"Let's eat, the food's getting cold."
Only then did they sit down and start eating. Ava was already starving.
"I told you to eat first. Why wait for me?"
Ava quickly chewed the food in her mouth and swallowed before speaking.
"I wanted to be with you."
William's lips curved into a very satisfied smile.
"If you want to be with me so much, why were you being so stubborn before?"
In her rush, Ava blurted out what was on her mind.
"Well, I thought you had an illegitimate child out there."
William was quite speechless.
"Can you use your brain a little?"
Ava laughed awkwardly and continued eating heartily.
"If I had an illegitimate child, would you leave me?"
Ava's chopsticks paused mid-air. She almost blurted out that she had a baby in her belly.
The atmosphere became awkward for a moment. William suddenly felt he shouldn't have asked that question. It was basically a loaded question - how was she supposed to answer?
But her reaction made him realize how much that matter bothered her.
That was her bottom line.
Halfway through the meal, Daniel pushed the door open. Seeing Ava, his steps faltered, showing some discomfort.
He now felt very awkward in front of this married couple.
"You two enjoy your meal. I still have things to do."
He turned to leave.
William and he were childhood friends. Daniel's little thoughts were crystal clear to him.
"Come back. Ava won't go around talking."
He said bluntly. Daniel rubbed the back of his neck and sat down.
Ava called the server to bring a new set of utensils. The dinner for two became three.
Daniel wasn't hungry at all and ate randomly.
"Ava, what does that friend of yours do?"
Ava took a moment to realize he was asking about Lucas.
Before she could speak, William spoke first.
"Didn't you look down on him? Why are you asking now?"
Daniel choked. "None of your damn business?"
'What's wrong with just asking?' They'd already had a one-night stand; couldn't he even ask?
Ava took out her phone and asked Daniel's opinion. "Should I call him over, and we can all eat together?"
Daniel panicked and put down his utensils, wanting to escape again.
"Ava, give me a break, don't call him."
Too awkward.
Seeing his strong resistance, Ava put her phone away. After that incident, she still hadn't talked to Lucas about what he thought. She didn't dare play matchmaker randomly either. After all, Lucas was also very picky.
"His name is Lucas. He's a fashion designer, does haute couture. If your company has any orders, you can go to his studio."
Daniel listened silently without speaking. Ava went into more detail.
"Lucas, twenty-eight years old, 6 feet 3 inches tall, 166 pounds, graduated from Emerald City Academy of Fine Arts, lives at MoonLake Gardens, building 6, unit 1201, phone number 386..."
"Stop, stop, stop..."
Daniel couldn't listen anymore. She sounded like she was reciting dating profile information. People who didn't know better would think she was introducing him to a blind date.
"Ava, stop."
Ava felt the atmosphere was a bit off. She looked up to see William staring at her with unfriendly eyes. She wondered if she'd just said something wrong.
"Ava, do you know how tall I am and how much I weigh?"
Ava's heart sank, as if she could smell a strong scent of jealousy.
"You're 6 feet 2 inches tall, and you weigh..."
William raised an eyebrow. "How much?"
Ava guiltily hooked her finger. She only knew he had a standard male model figure. If you asked about his abs, she knew, but his weight, she really wasn't clear about.
"You've lost some weight recently, so I don't know anymore."
Her brain worked quickly to find an excuse.
William wasn't the type who could be brushed off.
"Ava, come with me for a moment!"
Ava looked at his serious face and sat in place, not daring to move.