FIFTY-FOUR

Yalda was glad she hadn’t disregarded Alexander’s remark about it being cold outside. She was glad she had opted for a soft sweater, a pair of fitting jeans, and some boots. Going out to have dinner with Alexander wasn’t something regular, in truth, it hardly ever happened at all. Yes, they spent a lot of time together, but those times could never really compare to having going out for dinner.

Of course, they couldn’t go to a fancy and famous restaurant because they could so easily be sighted. She could almost imagine what the headlines would look like:

‘Famous billionaire, Alexander Monroe, sighted having dinner with his secretary, Yalda Harris.’

Everyone might as well know about their relationship then.

Nothing had been said throughout the drive. She had simply sat there staring ahead as Alexander veered the car through the busy streets leading to the small but spirited restaurant downtown where he visited from time to time, he had taken her there once and she had asked why a person like him would choose to dine in a place like that. Yes, the food tasted heavenly and all, but surely, something must have made him go there in the first place.

‘I know the owner.’ He had simply told her.

The owner had been a woman with the warmest of smiles and the kindest of eyes, Linda. She had been very welcoming towards them, not just that, she had very extremely happy to see Alexander, and perhaps he had been just as happy to see her, but of course, he was never one to outrightly display such emotions.

On getting to the restaurant, he led her through the backdoor like he had done the last time, and once again Linda had been there to welcome them.

“Alexander, it’s so good to see you again.” She said as she stepped forward to hug him. “I got so excited when you called.”

Yalda stood beside him as she awkwardly watched the exchange which was rather warm, they obviously went way back and she felt a little out of place, she felt like a third wheel. The fact that Alexander actually hugged Linda back was what confirmed that he cared about her and even missed her.

“It’s good to see you too.” He said while still being wrapped in her embrace. “Have you been well?”

“I have been just fine, thank you.” Linda replied. She released him and backed away from him slightly to look at his face. “And you? How have you been?”

He nodded.

“I have.” He replied.

And it was only then that Linda’s gaze flickered to Yalda’s, her smile became warmer as her eyes lit with recognition. Her gaze flickered from hers to Alexander’s, and then back to hers, and the look in her eyes hinted at what she was thinking.

“You didn’t tell me you’d be bringing Yalda along.” She grinned.

Alexander shook his head.

“Don’t grin like that; it’s not what you’re thinking.” He told her.

Lina chuckled.

“If you say so.” She said.

All the while, Yalda stood there with her cheeks heating up with every passing second. Did Linda actually think she was Alexander’s girlfriend? She pulled on a warm smile as she stepped closer to her to give her a hug of her own.

“Yalda, it’s good to see you again.” She said to her. “So very good indeed.”

“Likewise, Linda.” She replied.

Linda smelt of sweets and spices; she brought with her that homey feeling that had nostalgic tears welling up in her eyes. She blinked quickly to clear the tears as Linda backed away from her to offer her yet another smile.

“Come have a seat; I’ll have the table set immediately.” She said to them and Yalda nodded thankfully. She may not have been hungry earlier, but being here suddenly brought an almost ravenous appetite which was carving a pit in her stomach.

Linda led them to the private dinning area and ensured they were settled before heading out. The dull orange light from the bulb was the only source of light here and it almost seemed like a candle had been lit, it almost seemed like a date. Yalda cleared her throat quietly as she sat there staring at Alexander who was staring back at her with those entrancing eyes of his.

It was awkward just sitting there, and it surprised her that after everything that had happened between them, she still felt awkward around him.

“What are you thinking?” He asked her as he leaned back into his seat.

She shook her head. She most definitely couldn’t tell him that she had been thinking that the setting of their dinner seemed like a date.

“I’m just….hungry.” She replied. It wasn’t entirely a lie.

“Linda will be here soon.” He told her.

She nodded. Speaking of Linda…

“How do you know her?”

“Linda?” He asked and she nodded once more. She hoped she wasn’t prying; Alexander was literally the most reclusive person she knew.

“She used to be our cook when I was younger.” He replied.

Her lips formed and ‘o’ as she digested the information. It was no wonder Linda was always so happy to see him, and it was no wonder that he dined in this shabby restaurant from time to time.

“The warmth between the both of you is unmissable.” She told him. “You must have been very close.”

He nodded slowly, as though he was thinking things through, and his eyes suddenly seemed distant as he reminisced his past. And she watched him quietly, she watched him knowing his reverie would probably end with a painful memory and it ached her; he had been through so much yet he looked nothing like it.

She watched his eyes darken as the slightest of frowns etched his face. He cleared his throat quietly before he spoke again;

“We quite were.” He said.

And it was at that moment that Linda returned with a waiter who helped set their table quickly.

“Enjoy.” She said to them as she once again left them alone.

Five full minutes passed in which nothing was said; they didn’t touch their food and neither did they attempt to till spoke.

“I thought you were hungry.” He said.

She nodded.

“I am.” She replied. There was just a lot of awkward tension going around.

“Well, the food’s getting cold.” He pointed out.

And it was only then Yalda reached for her spoon, she dug in, and as the food made contact with her tongue, she was reminded of just how perfect the food here was. She went for another dig with more zeal now, and it was only after having a couple more that she realized she was the only one eating.

“Aren’t you going to eat?” She asked him.

He shook his head.

“I’m not hungry.” He replied. “Don’t worry about me, eat your food.”

And her mouth suddenly tasted like ashes. His mood and appetite were ruined because she had asked him about Linda, she wished she had kept her mouth shut.

“Please eat.” She said quietly. “You wanted to have dinner that’s why you drove all the way here.”

He shook his head once more.

“I drove all the way here because you needed some fresh air.” He said.

She set her spoon down as her appetite also went down the drain.

“Eat your food, Yalda.” He said but she shook her head.

“Not until you eat.” She replied. “And if you don’t, we’ll both wait for Linda to return and find the food uneaten.”

If he truly cared about Linda as much as she thought he did, he would do anything to avoid hurting her feeling like that. He stared back at her with penetrating eyes for a moment before he nodded.

“You’d be a great business woman.” He said as he reached for his spoon. “Have your dinner.”