Chapter 2 Awkward Silence

• Chapter Two
• "MOM," I peek through the door of the room.
• "I'm coming. I'm putting on perfume," I hear her voice from afar and sigh resignedly.
• She's far away, very far from me.
• Although, looking on the bright side, when she has her private things, I won't hear her screams nearby.
• I hear her heels resonating, I attentively watch the door until she appears, allowing me to see her in a loose blue dress that falls to her knees and black high"heeled shoes. Her makeup is subtle and seductive, and her loose hair falls in waves over her shoulders.
• She looks elegant, indeed.
• "But look how beautiful you are, Sara," she positions herself behind me, I turn my head slightly and she plants a kiss on my cheek. "A real lady. My baby is growing up."
• "Mom, I've already grown up, haven't I?" I shake my head disapprovingly.
• That's how mothers are.
• "Let's go downstairs, he won't be long now," she takes my hand and pulls me with her. My stomach growls and I quickly remember the spaghetti from a few hours ago.
• "Mom."
• "Tell me, sweetheart," she observes me from the corner of her eye.
• "What did you cook? Just out of curiosity, not that I'm hungry, well, maybe I am, but you know how I am and pu..."
• She interrupts me. "We'll have potato stew for dinner, or as I would say, baeckeoffe," she raises her hand dramatically and gracefully settles on the sofa. I copy her movement and take a seat.
• Every passing minute feels like an eternity for me. No one has arrived, no one has knocked, and my lack of conversation has become quite desperate for my mother, and I don't blame her. If I were in her place, I wouldn't be able to stand it either.
• "Mom, when will we..."
• "We'll have dinner when he arrives, that's why I invited him, right? Besides, you said you wanted to thank him," and now I regret it. I roll my eyes and cross my arms.
• "Yes, but he's taking his time," my voice fades when I hear the doorbell ring. I turn to look at her and I quickly catch a mischievous glance from her, telling me "I told you so."
• "Let's go, I have to open the door and introduce you to Wade," she gets up from the armchair and heads towards the grand door with extravagant designs.
• My gaze goes straight to the glass that separates us, and I can already tell that he is tall. I position myself next to Elizabeth with a certain distance, and she opens both doors. My eyes quickly connect with his in perfect synchrony. I look away and scan him in less than a minute.
• Deep green eyes, light brown hair, square cheekbones, a well"defined nose, a light beard that gives him a sexy and charming touch. He comes in a black suit and a white shirt that accentuates his muscles, a black tie, and black shoes.
• "Welcome, how are you, Wade? I didn't know you were bringing company, I would have cooked more," I raise my eyebrows and direct my gaze behind him.
• The other guy is handsome. A bit shorter, but charming. He has brown eyes, almost black brown hair, a well"defined nose, and freckles all over his face.
• I wonder if he has freckles all over his body too.
• He comes in a blue suit, his jacket rolled up on his forearms, also wearing a white shirt, a blue tie with black dots, and finally brown shoes.
• Elizabeth passes her hand in front of my face and I snap out of it. Her eyes narrow slightly, and she quickly composes herself.
• "This is Sara," my mother gives me a little push towards the imposing man, and I lower my gaze.
• I extend my arm and feel his hand take mine. A small electric shock runs through my body, and I shiver. "Nice to meet you, Sara. I'm Wade Dhall, but you must already know that because of your mother." God! I swear I got lost when he said, "Nice to meet you." He has a deep, husky, and sensual voice.
• I stop looking at him and pull my hand away from his.
• He points to the guy behind him. "This is Mate, my best friend." I extend my hand for a handshake, and it feels completely natural.
• But why not with him?
• "Nice to meet you, I hope we get along well "he gives me a passing smile and stands in front of my mother to greet her "Elizabeth "she extends her hand and her cheeks turn pink.
• She likes him.
• I smile and shake my head "How about we go eat? "I suggest when I see that these two have remained motionless.
• I receive all the looks, including his, and my face turns a deep shade of red that I can't stop. Elizabeth glares at me and opens her mouth, deciding to break the ice.
• "Look, Wade, I'll be honest with you, we just arrived today and I don't think what I did will be enough "Elizabeth lowers her gaze "I thought you didn't bring anyone.
• "Don't worry. Let's go eat outside, my treat "I roll my eyes.
• More delay for eating.
• "Perfect, Sara "I raise my eyebrows "do you want to go or stay? "I bite my lip.
• If I stay, I can eat everything she made, if I go, I'll have to wait. I definitely stay, I stare at her intently and she signals me with her eyes from head to toe.
• Why is life so unfair to me?
• I sigh "Yes, I'll go "I play with my hands.
• "Since we both arrived in our cars, we won't go separately.
• Wait, what? I turn to look at him and there's a charming sly smile on his face. My heart beats fast and my hands start to sweat. I hope he doesn't suggest that I go with him, because I'll have a heart attack.
• I look at my mother with a worried expression and she just smiles "Well, I'll go with Mate.
• Harpy, bad mother, don't expect me to do your laundry, a nursing home awaits you, don't expect anything on Mother's Day.
• "Sara, will you come with me? "he extends his left arm and I touch it with all the fear in the world.
• This man gives me goosebumps.
• "Well, let's go "he smiles at me.
• I'm grateful that he doesn't ask for my hand, I have to admit that they're sweating like you wouldn't believe.
• How disgusting.
• We walk behind the lovebirds, Wade locks the door as we leave and his hand quickly and confidently takes mine. I turn my head towards him, he looks so intimidating, possessive, strong.
• Can he carry me?
• Well, of course he can carry you.
• I would be lying if I said he's ugly.
• He leads me towards a black truck. He's a complete Adonis and surely hundreds of women want to have him like I have him now. He stops in front of the passenger seat and opens the door for me, I glance sideways and a Mercedes"Benz passes right next to us.
• Did they leave so quickly or were we walking slowly?
• "Get in, please. Mate must be far away by now "I obey my companion and get into the car. He walks around the huge truck and quickly gets in.
• "Where are we going? "I say without hesitation. It's the first thing that comes to mind.
• "To one of the best restaurants around here "he inserts the key and starts the engine.
• Damn.
• I squeeze my legs together and place my hands on them. Being here feels like being a fucking god and it makes my body tremble. I buckle my seatbelt and we leave the beautiful streets of my neighborhood. The silence in the car is overwhelming, there's tension every moment and his eyes don't stop scanning me.
• "How much longer until we arrive? "I decide to break the ice.
• "A little while, but if you want, I can drive faster "he turns to look at me and then focuses on the road again.
• "I prefer safety "I say "Not that I like safety very much, but I want to be cautious, and besides, I don't have anything to talk about and we're in a completely uncomfortable silence.
• Gods, help me, don't let me die with him.
• "What if I ask you questions or bring up topics? "I nod frantically.
• "What did you think I was like? Usually, everyone thinks I'm a forty"year"old magnate with two kids and a beautiful wife, but no, it's not like that.
• And boy, it's not like that, he's a real handsome gentleman.
• "I'll be honest, I thought you were an old pervert who had money to spare "I glance at his amused expression.
• "And I thought you were younger "I narrow my eyes.
• "Hey! I'm all grown up "I hit his shoulder.
• "Ouch! That hurt "I open my mouth to reproach, but something illuminates the inside of the car.
• The city lights stand out within us, it's so beautiful, signs and billboards illuminated everywhere, young and old people strolling and exploring the streets.
• "This is... Simply beautiful.
• "It is, but I have another viewpoint not far from here where you can see the whole city "he turns towards me and I notice a dark look in his eyes "If you want, I can take you there one day "he says with a powerful and authoritative voice.
• I nod in response. He turns a couple of streets and right in front of us is a dazzling place with red tables outside and white ones inside, its windows are half polarized and next to that delicate door is the name La Antorcha.
• What a name for a place.
• "I know it's not more luxurious than others you may have visited, but it's the best here "he points to the place.
• "What? But what are you saying, Mr. Wade, I have never visited such restaurants, this is the first one "I bite my lip.
• He sighs "Don't call me Mr. Wade, it makes me feel old and I'm not "he raises his eyebrows.
• "Alright, then, what should I call you? "I ask.
• "Just Wade or give me a nickname if you want "he shrugs.
• "Well, Ricky Rich wouldn't be a bad one "I smile.
• I'm sure he won't like it.
• He smiles sideways "I thought you would come up with something like Grey "he runs a hand through his hair.
• "You're far from being like him "I quickly speak under my breath.
• "We'll see about that "he whispers.
• What?
• "What did you say? "I raise my eyebrows in surprise.
• "Nothing "he pulls the handle to open the door and in a matter of seconds, he's opening mine, I take his extended hand, he closes the door behind me and locks the well"parked car.
• In the distance, I spot Mate' Mercedes"Benz and I smirk ironically.
• Wow, that was fast.
• I imagine my mother is waiting for us with a good talk, I roll my eyes. We arrive at the entrance and the blonde receptionist gives Wade a wide smile, she looks at him flirtatiously without hesitation. I sigh, it's not that I care about the old man, it's just that he should show some respect since he's with company.
• "Mr. Wade, how nice to see you. The usual table? "she takes a strand of hair from her high ponytail to the side.
• "No, I want the table with a view of the city on the balcony "his voice sounds remotely cold and powerful.
• The girl opens her mouth and closes it again, she looks at me behind him and furrows her eyebrows "Of course, follow me, Mr. Wade "she leaves her small cubicle and walks ahead with her head down.
• I look at the refined wooden place and all the decorations, I think the name doesn't do justice to the place.
• We arrive at a door with dark glass and go up the small hallway, the energy"saving lights and ivory"colored walls give it an old and cozy atmosphere, a certain classical melody can be heard as we go up higher, we reach the end of the door and stop.
• "Mr. Wade, from here another service will assist you "the redhead keeps her gaze on the ground and goes down the hallway.
• "Sara, let's go in "he extends his hand and I quickly take it. Not that I want to show off, but I don't want people to look at me badly again.
• He opens the door and all the diners turn to look at us with expectant eyes.
• As if we were a satanic cult.
• He looks at everyone with an air of grandeur and I could say that his size has increased, people start eating again calmly and I let out the air from my lungs.
• I didn't even know I was holding my breath.
• "Mr. Wade, Natalia informed me that you want the balcony table "a plump girl stands in front of us with a smile.
• "Yes, that's right.
• "Please, follow me "she guides us through the dining room and in a corner, I spot my mother talking animatedly with Mate.
• She's in love "Wade, why don't we have dinner with Elizabeth and Mate? "I whisper.
• "Because all the tables here are for two people "he turns to look at me "this is more personal and intimate "he points to the door in front of us. The girl takes a set of keys from her apron and in a minute, the doors are opened wide.
• My body doesn't move, my breathing becomes erratic, and my mouth can't close.
• This is impressive.
• The view of the city, the streetlights on one side of the window, the perfectly set table with a white tablecloth and large wooden chairs fit for a king and queen.
• God, I swear, I want to cry.
• ...