Click.
"Damn..." Lorenzo blinked before grinning
"That was perfect!" he announced like he had just captured a shot worthy of a magazine cover. "It was absolutely perfect." He silently celebrated.
On the other hand, Gray sat motionless. His cheek tingled from the. Slowly, he turned his head to Chloe, his eyes wide.
"You—uh—what was that?" he stammered.
Chloe looked completely unbothered, still smiling as she reached for her wine.
"What? It's good for the promo. It sells the whole 'date night' vibe, right?" she said playfully, echoing Lorenzo's earlier words.
"Exactly!" Lorenzo added, already backing away as he flicked through the pictures. "Romance, pasta, and perfectly lit ambience. I should've charged for this shoot, be thankful that it's free."
"I see then," he mumbled in a low voice. Gray sighed and shook his head in disbelief.
Gray watched as Lorenzo disappeared toward the counter again, a satisfied grin on his face. It was obvious how the man was enjoying it.
Soon after, Lorenzo returned to them, now carrying two elegant glasses filled with red wine.
"This is the wine as promised," he said with a wink as he set the glasses down. "Enjoy. You two deserve it."
Gray muttered a quiet thanks, then picked up his fork. Chloe did the same. They resumed eating, but the air had shifted slightly to a little awkward.
Gray ate in silence, but his thoughts were miles away. The kiss lingered on his mind. The kiss wasn't even dramatic or intense. It was just a small, soft kiss on the cheek but it had thrown him off more than he cared to admit.
He wasn't new to that affection. He had some experience in that area, but it had been a while.
Since his parents' death, he'd buried himself in work and responsibility. He felt that having fun was a luxury he couldn't afford, or didn't deserve.
Chloe, on the other hand, was thinking about the same thing.
She didn't really know why she kissed him.
It just... happened.
In that moment, with the cozy lighting and the warmth between them—it felt right. Her thoughts had taken over her. Her instincts, too.
But was it wrong?
She was single. She knew Gray was single, too. So, she felt that it was fine.
And honestly, she was interested in Gray.
At first, her interest was purely surface level. It started when they first saw Gray as he paid for his food using a card from a private bank known for only giving accounts to the wealthy or exceptionally elite.
That surely caught her attention.
She thought that it would soon fade, but then it stayed.
And now, watching him quietly eat across from her, she could admit it:
Maybe it wasn't just interest... maybe she was starting to like him.
The two continued their meal quietly, the occasional clink of cutlery the only sound. Eventually, Chloe leaned back with a soft sigh. "That food was really good," she said.
"Yeah," Gray nodded, putting his utensils down. "It always is here."
"Should we get something sweet?" Chloe scanned the dessert menu briefly.
"Up to you," Gray said.
"Then let's share something. I'll pick," she said with a grin.
Gray only smirked and nodded. Chloe ordered a tiramisu and soon after, excused herself. "
I'll go to the bathroom real quick."
"Sure," Gray replied. "I'll wait here."
As Chloe walked away, Gray leaned back slightly on the chair, the moment finally giving him some breathing space.
Then, as if waiting for the opportunity since earlier, Lorenzo quickly appeared on his side. The man was grinning like a smug devil.
"What was that, huh?" Gray said flatly, eyeing him from the side.
"I'm helping you, bro," Lorenzo said, plopping into the empty seat across from him for a moment.
"Helping me do what, exactly?" Gray rolled his eyes.
"Come on, man. I see the way she looks at you. And don't even lie, you were blushing like a high school kid when she kissed you."
"I wasn't—" Gray began, then groaned, dragging a hand down his face.
Lorenzo leaned back, more serious now. "I'm just giving you a nudge. I've known you for years, Gray. You've buried yourself in work ever since—well, you know."
Gray's gaze dropped at that.
"You worked here four years ago," Lorenzo continued. "You came in fresh, quiet, and a little angry at life. But you were solid, Man. Best co-worker I ever had."
"I only worked for a year," Gray murmured.
"Yeah. Because you got a better offer. And I was proud of you then, too." Lorenzo smiled. "But you can't just keep grinding forever, man. People need more than work. Get laid and do some amazing things. You deserve a little something else."
Gray didn't respond right away. He just stared down at the nearly empty table, swirling the wine in his glass.
"I don't even know if she sees me that way."
"She kissed you, dude."
"On the cheek."
"With intent."
"You're insufferable." Gray finally cracked a small laugh.
"I'm your friend."
"You're not."
They both chuckled. For a moment, it was just like old times.
"Alright. I'll get your dessert ready. And don't screw this up." Then Lorenzo stood and stretched.
As he walked away, Gray stared in the direction Chloe had gone.
Chloe returned moments later, her makeup lightly retouched now. She eased back into her seat just as Lorenzo returned with the dessert in his hand.
"For the happy couple."
Gray shot him a look, but Lorenzo had already vanished back to the kitchen.
The tiramisu sat between them, its layers of mascarpone and espresso-soaked sponge tempting even in the dim lighting.
"This looks good," Chloe said with a grin, as she picked up her spoon.
"They do," Gray chuckled under his breath as they shared bites of the dessert.
The awkwardness that had lingered earlier was now mostly dissolved. Like earlier, they both continued to talk, laughing and sharing life stories.
Eventually, the tiramisu disappeared, and with it, the last drop of their wine.
Gray called for the bill before quietly slipping his card to pay.
"Hey—" she started.
"Don't," he said, not unkindly. "Let me since I invited you to one."
She narrowed her eyes at him in playful suspicion.
"If you insist, then."
Gray quickly paid for their food.
[$359 has been deducted from your balance.]
[$17.95 has been refunded.]
The two quickly left the restaurant afterward. Gray also gave Lorenzo a huge tip that the man happily accepted. He even had the courage to say good luck while stepping out the door.
Outside, the evening had already cooled down. The air was cold, and the soft glow from the restaurant windows cast gentle shadows on the pavement.
Chloe's car and driver was already waiting on the side.
"I can go home by myself now, Chloe. It's also getting late, and we still have a session tomorrow."
Instead of answering, Chloe faced Gray, instead. Her expression was more open than it had been all evening.
"I had a good time tonight," she said before smiling widely.
"Me too." Gray met her eyes.
There was a moment of quietness between them. However, after a few seconds, Chloe's lips curled into a small, deliberate smile.
"I know this is too soon but..." Chloe pressed her lips together and stared at Gray's eyes. Her heart was beating out loud.
"Do you want to stay with me tonight?"
=====
A/N: Hello everyone! I would just like to inform you that I will be setting this story to premium on Friday. I hope you continue to support it!
Also, thanks to those who dropped some Golden Tickets into the novel.
Mark_4727, greenfightin, Nickjr321, Solarc18, Daoist3CzBZf.
I appreciate it, guys.