Chapter 52 A New Day

• Things had changed, but I had also allowed them to change. So suddenly I found myself in a day-to-day routine where I received messages from Brandon, tentative ones, with that step-by-step he had mentioned, a firm little by little. I hadn't distanced myself or run away. He hadn't withdrawn either. He had told me that we couldn't start over in our story, but perhaps we could start as we should have. Therefore, I usually found him in the office as if we were two people trying to get to know each other, he asked about my day, about the projects, about what I was going to do over the weekend and what I liked.
• One day Brandon insisted on going out as if it were our first date. Half in secret, we left the office when everyone had already gone. When we arrived at the place, it was quite simple but very pleasant. And the first thing I noticed was that the main door was closed with a sign that definitely said they were not open to the public. When I gestured to him about what the sign said, he simply took my hand and indicated that we should walk to a side door, which he knocked on, and immediately one of the waiters opened it for us. I have no doubt that they obviously knew him, and they let us in very kindly. Then, we went up a staircase that led us to the first floor.
• The restaurant is dark, except for one table near a small balcony. From what little I could see, it seemed like a familiar place, but quite exclusive, with homely decorations and slight Italian touches.