~Chapter 58~
I looked out the window as the car pilled out the crib, watching as the streets and buildings gave way to new sights and sounds.
The silence between us was comfortable, but as the minutes ticked by, I began to feel a twinge of curiosity.
"Where are we going?" I asked, breaking the silence. I had said I loved the peace and quiet, but not this much - I wanted to know what Michael had planned.
Michael’s eyes flicked away from the road, eting mine for a brief mont. He smiled turned into a sly smirk. "It’s a secret," he said. "But it’s not too far away."
I clicked my tongue, shaking my head with a smile. Michael’s secrecy was intriguing, and I was getting all excited about where were we going?
A secret, just hope the secret isn’t sothing that puts in danger. I thought to myself, the thought weaving its way through my mind.
I had only one hour to spare before heading to my next job. Before I could worry any further, Michael announced, "We’re here."
He killed the car engine, and I watched as he hastily exited the vehicle, his long legs eating up the way between the driver’s side and my door.
He arrived at my side before I could even finish removing my seatbelt, a charming smile spreading across his face.
"Mi’lady," he said, executing a ridiculous bow as he opened the door for like a princess. I couldn’t help this ti but giggle at his silly gesture.
"Thank you," I said, taking his outstretched hand as I swung my legs out of the car. Michael’s hand intertwined with mine and he helped out of the car, closing the door behind .
As I stood up straight, my eyes traveled up to the huge building in front of us. Even from the outside, the building exuded an aura of wealth and power and in seconds the building quickly intimidated .
I pulled on Michael’s sleeve as he took a step forward. He turned to , a questioning look on his face, as a man in a crisp black suit approached us.
"Here, let take that for you, sir," the man said, bringing Michael’s focus out from .
Michael handed his car keys over, and the man hopped into the car, starting the engine and glided away, leaving us standing alone in front of this imposing building.
Michael turned to again, his eyes soft with concern. "Is there a problem, Katya?" I hesitated, cursing my illiterate self.
I didn’t want to embarrass him, but I needed to know where we were. I leaned in close, my voice barely above a whisper.
"What’s the na written up?" I asked, my eyes darting up to the sign above the building entrance.
The letters danced across the sign But one letter in particular caught my eye - a bold, cursive Z that leaped off the sign.
Michael looked taken aback by my question. I couldn’t bla him - who doesn’t know how to read at my age? But he was quick to compose himself, and his expression smoothed out into a polite mask.
"Zephyr’s," he paused, his small smile coming back to his full lips "It’s a restaurant. One of the best in the city."
I repeated the na, trying to commit it to mory. Zephyr’s. It sounded elegant, sophisticated. And more than a little intimidating.
A big smile spread across my lips, feeling a sense of accomplishnt at having learned sothing new.
From now on, whenever I saw that sign, I’d know exactly how to pronounce.
Michael’s eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled back at . "Do you want to go in and eat?" he asked, his confident voice now tinged with a hint of uncertainty.
I could tell he was getting a little insecure that I wouldn’t want to be here, about him bringing to such a fancy restaurant.
But I smiled at him, to reassure him. "Yes, I’m a little bit hungry, and I’ll need food before my next work shift starts."
Michael’s face relaxed, "Great. Let’s go in, then." He offered his arm, and I took it.
We both passed through the doorway, and a woman standing at the side greeted us warmly.
She was a vision of elegance, her crisp white suit was perfectly pressed. Her eyes, sharp and beautiful, locked onto Michael’s, and I watched as she devoured him with her gaze.
"Good day, sir...ma’am," she greeting us."Do you have a reservation?" Her eyes never left Michael’s face, and a flirtatious smile made its way into her face.
Michael could see it too, and he subtly but firmly held up my arm. The gesture sent butterflies fluttering in my stomach.
Jesus Christ! what’s happening to .
"Yes, it’s under the na Michael Giovanni," he replied, with his full na that I was hearing for tye very first ti.
The woman’s eyes flickered to , and then back to Michael, a hint of surprise and curiosity in her expression.
She looked down at her screen, tapping on it for a few seconds before smiling back up at us. "Right this way, sir," she said, pointing over to a door. "Your table will be shown to you."
We walked further into the room ans a waiter appeared at our side in seconds, his white shirt and black trousers was clearly different than my own disheveled appearance.
"Right this way, please," We wove through the space. The restaurant was even more elegant than I had initially thought.
I felt out of place. My white shirt was stained and worn from countless hours of work at the cafe, my black slacks wrinkled and faded.
And my hair - oh god, my hair was a ss, tangled and dirty from a long day of work.
Why didn’t he tell we were not just eating food but going to a fashion show. Didn’t he notice how out of place I looked?
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