Lunch Date

Lunch Date
Alexander's Point of View:

I became restless as I waited for Riley to arrive. The waitress kept making seducing signs at me, she even wrote her number on a piece of paper and thrust it into the menu booklet.

“Fucking great!” I winced in frustration. “These people have the worst customer service,” I muttered to myself as I squeezed the piece of paper and threw it on the floor.

This restaurant wasn't my idea, I suggested an expensive eatery, but Riley argued that we would be too exposed in such a place. According to her, this restaurant was the only place where no one would pay attention or notice us.

“That's so true. No one is bothering me,” I said with a sarcastic voice, looking at the time through my wristwatch. It's been over thirty minutes, but Riley is still nowhere to be found. I contemplated leaving at first, but I knew Riley was the type of person who kept strictly to time. So why in the name of the devil isn't she here yet?!

After waiting for another twenty minutes, and the waitress didn't back down in frustrating me, I angrily stood up. Just as I was about to give up and leave, my phone buzzed with an incoming text from Riley. I sighed in relief as I read the message.

"Hey, I'm so sorry I'm late. Something unexpected came up. I'll be there in about five minutes."

I typed out a quick response, trying to keep my frustration in check.

"Okay, see you soon. And please hurry up, I'm getting harassed by the waiter." I smiled wryly to myself as I sent the message. I knew Riley would surely laugh at my comment.

As I waited, I couldn't help but think about how much my life had changed since I met Riley. We attended the same college, but neither of us personally knew each other. We were like strangers, who passed the same bus stop daily without greeting each other.

I was still getting used to the idea of being in a relationship, but I just wish Riley would be the one by my side….. “Oops! What did I just say?”

“I am married, and Riley definitely has no feelings for me, we are both faking it,” I tried assuring myself, but I knew it was a lie. I wasn't sure if Riley felt the same way I did, but I was starting to imagine how chaotic my life would be without her. Before, I had no one to talk to. All my friends were my business partners. They didn't care about my private life, as long as our company shares kept coming in.

Just then, I saw Riley walk in, looking stunning in a simple white dress. Her hair was tied up in a ponytail, and her eyes sparkled as she scanned the room for me.

I waved at her, feeling a surge of excitement as she made her way towards me. The waiter, who had been hovering around me, finally got the hint and backed off as Riley approached.

"Hey, sorry again for being late," Riley said, leaning in to kiss me on the cheek.

I smiled, feeling my frustration melt away. "It's okay, I know you're worth the wait."

Riley smiled back, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "You're such a charmer. Quinoa is so lucky to have you." She said playfully.

I chuckled, feeling happy to be with her. "Hey, someone's got to keep you entertained. Also, can we please not talk about my worst nightmare."

We both laughed at my words. My eyes landed on her new hairstyle and I arched my brows.

“You braided your hair? I thought you said your hair has some dandruff issues?” I asked with genuine interest.

Riley looked surprised by my question, but she smiled in relief. “Argh, about that. I visited the hospital today regarding my hair, and I was told that it was because my hair scalp was weak. I was also given cream and drugs to use, luckily they work really fast. That's why I came late. I was listening to the doctor's sermon,” she looked really happy, and it calmed me because she had been acting strange for a while.

“That's great news, Riley!” I celebrated with her, and she giggled.

Her eyes went to the meal menu, and she picked it up. She silently went through it, and I looked at her closely, observing her movement.

Riley's eyes dropped after looking at it for a while, and she turned to face me. “They don't have vegetables, it seems this restaurant is for Hypercarnivore.”

“Well, you picked the perfect spot,” I said playfully, trying to lighten the tense atmosphere. But Riley didn't laugh, instead, she looked at me with furrowed brows.

“Right, I guess I'm not funny,” I murmured and awkwardly scratched my head.

Riley's expression softened, and she reached out to touch my hand. Although she did it on a platonic scale level, I couldn't help but imagine it romantically. "Yes, you are not funny. Also…I'm not feeling too well, I think I need to go to the restroom." She stood up, her face pale, and I immediately rose from my seat, concern etched on my face.

"Riley, are you okay? Do you need me to come with you?" I asked, feeling a surge of worry.

Riley shook her head, forcing a weak smile. "I'll be fine, just give me a minute." She turned and quickly walked away, leaving me feeling helpless and anxious.

I sat down back, my eyes fixed on the restroom door, willing Riley to come out soon. The waitress, sensing my distraction, approached me again, but I immediately waved her off, my mind preoccupied with Riley's sudden illness.

What was going on with her? She had been acting strange lately, and now this. I felt a pang of guilt for not being more supportive, for not noticing that something was wrong sooner.

Just as I was starting to get worried, Riley emerged from the restroom, looking a bit more composed. She smiled weakly at me, and I immediately stood up, relief washing over me.

"Hey, are you okay? What happened?" I asked, my voice laced with concern.

Riley took a deep breath before answering. "I'm fine, just a little...lightheaded. I think I need to eat something." She glanced at the menu again, her eyes scanning the options.

I nodded, feeling a sense of relief. "Okay, let's order something. What do you want?”

She smiled, “Anything with a touch of vegetables?” she replied.

“Hmm, okay,” I agreed, and another waitress immediately came to take our orders.

I looked at Riley, she looked pale, and her lips were purple. “Riley, are you sure you are alright? Or do we need to visit a hospital?”

Riley offered me a warm smile and waved her fingers. “There is no need. I just returned from the hospital, and the doctor confirmed that there's nothing wrong with me.” She tried assuring me, but I didn't believe her. I had the feeling that she hiding something from me. I didn't want to sound like a bother, so I allowed the matter to die down.

“God, I feel so selfish! We came here to talk about Quinoa and how to handle her, yet, I somehow managed to make it about me,” She winced with a remorseful voice when the meal was served.

I shrugged my shoulders. “Well, I don't see it that way. If at all anyone should take the blame, then it should be me for bothering you with the waitress's advances,” I replied and looked at the waitress who was still waving her fingers at me.

Riley laughed, a soft, melodious sound that made my heart skip a beat. "You're not bothering me, Alexander. I'm just glad we're finally talking about this. I feel hopeful." She confessed, and I noticed that she sounded excited. The last time we saw each other, she looked depressed and worried. It felt nice to see this side of her.

I smiled, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. "Me too. By the way, do you mind filling me in on the reason you are happy?” I asked with arched brows.

“Do I have to? Can't a woman just be happy for no reason?” She replied with a grin and took a bite from the meat on her plate.

I watched as she gracefully chewed the meat, and then swallowed it. My staring must have been obvious because Riley cleared her throat, feeling uncomfortable.

“Is something on my face,” She asked with raised brows, and gently touched her face.

I faked a smile, feeling nervous, and quickly looked away. “No, nothing is on,” replied.

“Good! By the way, what are we going to do about Quinoa? Even if you manage to take down the news about our engagement, there is a five percent possibility that one of her friends will inform her,” Riley began the discussion on a light note. I knew she was right, and I nodded in agreement.

“You are right. If she asks about us, I will tell her that it's just a rumor and that we are both good friends. Also, since she is aware of your engagement, everything may work out,” I replied with a serious face.

Riley hummed softly. “But what about us? I mean, should we come out and dispute the rumors, or should we ignore them? If we dispute it, our fan base will die, but if we don't, it will keep growing, and a lot of people will be misled.”

I leaned back in my chair, steepling my fingers together as I considered our options. "I think we should ignore it for now," I said finally, not because I cared about the repercussions, but because I enjoyed this pretentious lifestyle. For once, I’m starting to like a girl, and I'm able to be her fiance, even though we are not real.

"If we dispute it, it will only fuel the rumors and give people more ammunition to use against us," I replied, although it was true.

Riley nodded thoughtfully. "I agree. But we need to be careful. If Quinoa finds out that we're really engaged, she'll stop at nothing to destroy me. She might spare you, but she sure wouldn't show me mercy. You remember cheerleader's day right?"

I smiled wryly. "Yes, I do. And I perfectly understand. But I'm willing to take that risk if it means we can keep our fake engagement going for a little while longer."

Riley's eyes met mine, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of something more than friendship in her gaze. But then she looked away, and I was left wondering if I had just imagined it.

We finished our meal in silence, each of us lost in our own thoughts. As we walked out of the restaurant, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. We were playing with fire, and I knew that eventually, we were going to get burned.

But for now, I was willing to take that risk. Because being with Riley, even if it was just a fake engagement, felt more real than anything I had experienced in a long time.

As we walked to the car, Riley suddenly stopped and looked around nervously. “Alex, do you think dying alone without the knowledge of your abusive family is a legendary move?”

I was surprised at her sudden question. Why in the world is she talking about dying? Also, what toxic family?