Chapter 16
16 LUNCH DATE
SEB
While we’re holding hands, I can’t help but caress her knuckles because it feels good. Now that we are officially a married couple, and she’s officially mine for three years, whether she likes it or not, that’s the fact. The moment I heard that I could now kiss my bride, I grin like an idiot, and Abby was amused.
If only just the two of us, I’ll continue kissing her until we’re both panting and end up naked in my bed. Instead, I look at her while I’m still holding her hands, lean closer until her breath sends warm to my face, and I can also see her anticipation.
When her lashes flutter close, I close my eyes and part my lips to press them against hers. She tightens the hold on my hands, and I do the same.
The moment our lips meet, everything and everyone around us disappear in my vision, and I relish this short time I have with her that even every cell in my body ignites like wildfire as if it anticipates this moment. Abby’s lips are so soft and warm than I imagine them to be, and my heart beats frantically in my chest, and I want to taste her, to slide my tongue into her mouth, but I can wait until that time comes.
A few seconds with her feels like forever.
I pull my lips back, and her eyes are still closed. I kiss her on her forehead, and that’s when everyone around appears in my sight. I release her hands and pull her into my arms, and Abby is hugging me back.
“Can I say thank you now?” She looks at me.
God, I want to cry because I know after this she’s going to fucking leave me alone, and I am sure she’s going to take my heart with her.
“Yeah, I guess. Thank you forum being my wife, for the trust, Mrs. Hughes.” I kiss her lips again. After signing the documents, everyone leaves except us. For the first time, I don’t know what to do after this. I am used to having someone who took care of my schedule and told me where to go and what to do. Right now, I don’t even have a plan since we don’t have a honeymoon to catch. And I thought she’s going back with her dad after the ceremony.
“I guess just the two of us now. Mind coming with me?”
“Sure. What do you have in mind?”
“Lunch date and a wine to celebrate?”
“Sounds like a plan to me.”
I hold her hand, and it just fits perfectly and feels as if we used to do this.
The ride to the French- Italian restaurant I co-owned is quiet. I choose the same spot every time I came here to have my dinner or lunch. The staff notices us with a surprised look on their faces, especially when they see the woman beside me with our hands intertwined. Instead of letting her hand go, I squeeze it with assurance, and Abby looks up at me. I wink, and she smiles.
I guide her to sit. I want to memorize her beautiful face before she flies back tomorrow. God, it hurts like hell, and I can feel the hollow in my chest. I’ve only known her for a few days, and I never imagined falling for her so fast that I can’t control them anymore.
I don’t know if I can take it without stealing glances at her even from afar. I might go and see her and break our deal.
The waiter approaches us and gives us the menu. She looks at the menu from top to bottom, and I can’t help but smile.
“This is not your first time to be here, Seb.”
“Nope. I co-owned this place.”
“What do you not own?”
With amusement, I look at her. God, woman. You own me, and that’s what I want you to know.
“Did you ask your dad too? What he doesn’t own?”
She chuckles. “Funny. You both own restaurants. And thank God, I don’t feel rivalry between you two.”
“Baby, you’re not my wife right now if we’re rivals. I’m the only greedy one and not your dad.”
“You’re right, I guess. Not on the greedy part.” She winks at me, and my heart just drops to the floor. I’m so crazy in love with her.
“I owe your dad a lot. I was my dad and Mike’s protege when I was just starting.”
“Is that the reason why you didn’t refuse the marriage? Because you owe him?” Her face falls.
“Certainly not, baby. Why did you think like that? Your parents never forced me to get involved in this. I did this on my free will, believe me.” I take a deep breath and clench my jaw. I don’t want to scare her if I plan on telling her what I feel, and it’s early to make a move even if she’s already my wife. Jesus, it’s getting complicated than I had predicted.
“I’m sorry. Did I ruin this celebratory lunch?”
“Never, Abby.” I give her a reassuring smile.
She goes back to scanning the menu. I know every menu in here so I don’t bother. When I look up at the waiter, he’s busy ogling Abby as if she’s fucking naked. My blood boils, and I want to punch his eyes until they pop out of his head.
“What’s your name? You know me, don’t you?” I look up at him to give him a clue who I am, and what’s my position at this restaurant. I know he works hard here otherwise he’d be long gone if he’s not equipped with expertise.
“Y-yes Mr. Hughes. I know who you are. You co-owned this restaurant, and I’m glad to be a part of the staff.” He blanches, and I feel bad but he just drools over my wife.
It’s not that I can blame him. Everyone gave me privacy whenever I came over, and no one would ever approach me or talk to me other than the waiter or the manager when he was aware of my arrival.
“Do you like your job? Do you like working here?” I’m still looking at him, and he drops his gaze.
“Yes sir. I like my job, and I love working here.”
My wife gets our attention. She’s looking at me and confused about what’s going on. She smiles, and God, this smile that I’m gonna miss, and this stupid waiter just ruined the moment. I want to strangle him. This overprotectiveness is not doing any good for me, and I don’t want her to freak out.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” I focus back on her.
“What can you suggest on the menu?”
“I’ll order for us, baby. I just want to teach someone a lesson by not ogling at his customer,” I reply while I’m looking at the waiter then back at her.
“I see. Is he ogling at you, bad boy? Well, who won’t when you’re looking good sitting over there.”
Is she flirting with me? Shit. I want to grab her, let her sit on my lap right now, and kiss her until we’re both breathless.
“Yeah, baby. The problem is, he’s not ogling at me. he’s ogling at you, and he might think of you naked. I’m a man, and I know what we think most of the time.”
“C’mon. Leave the waiter alone, and I’m famished. And what exactly you’re thinking most of the time?”
“You don’t wanna know. I’m still pissed.”
“Can you give us time alone, please?” She talks to the perv waiter and the waiter leaves.
“We just get married less than an hour ago, and you’re acting like a jealous husband.”
“Well, if someone is looking at you like he wants to eat you for lunch while I’m sitting right next to you, of course, I need to take action, and I have the right. You’re now my wife, and nobody will disrespect me in front of my wife and my fucking restaurant.” It feels good to say it in front of her. Her mom trusted her daughter to me and I will never be going to disappoint her.
I continue, “You’re the one who said that I have an overprotective tendency. As long as we’re together, no one will ever look at you the way he did a while ago.”
She takes my hand and squeezes it, and she still looks calm despite my sudden outburst. “I’m sorry I ruined our lunch. The next time we go out, I’ll wear a hood or dress like a nun so that I won’t get you into trouble.” She thinks of going out with me again, and I like the idea.
“Even if you would dress a rug or a sack, you would still look beautiful, so don’t bother. I just, I don’t know. I feel like I want to keep you for myself, and I feel like I’m so possessive of you. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. If I’m in your position, I might do the same. I don’t want someone drooling at you either while I’m around or not. Let’s forget about this, and have lunch, shall we?”
“Well, like it or not, you’re my wife now, so it’s your duty to keep your husband safe from other women. I’ll order for our lunch. Sorry about earlier.” I kiss her hand, and I let the waiter take our order. I order a bottle of wine—a 1941 Cabernet. And we both toast for our celebration and enjoy our lunch date.
“I love them, or I’m just famished. You really have good taste in food and wine too.”
