Word count: 2323

Unedited.

Adrian's POV

*

"Where are we going?" I eyed Diego in his black slacks and white tee. His hair was tousled over his hair, unlike the usually combed backwards style that gave him an air of exuberance. But this style suited him too, because he looked more relaxed with it.

"You'll know when we get there." He told me as he drove out into the road.

"Oh. We're doing it the cliche way then?" I wrinkled my nose.

"Yep."

"You're so cheesy." I pouted playfully, earning a chuckle from him.

"But you love this cheesy man."

"Till death." I placed a palm on his thigh and left it there, afraid I would arouse him. I wasn't about to allow us get into an accident on the express.

"That reminds me, when are we seeing the therapist? You didn't mention it again after contacting the doctor." Diego spared me a glance as I was applying my lipgloss before concentrating on the road once more.

"Yes, I was supposed to update you at home but I got distracted. My doctor spoke with him and he sent me a mail yesterday afternoon. His name is Dr. Derrick Slokav. Our timetable has been set but our first meeting doesn't begin till next month."

"Next month? Why? Isn't that date too far? We're nearing December already and we'll both be busy with functions by the end of the year." He pointed out with furrowed brows.

"Well, we could maybe make adjustments. I haven't really read the mail, I only glanced at it and that was what I deduced from the whole content."

"When we get home, we'll check it together."

"Sure."

"Hey, what do you say to us getting cats?" He suddenly asked, still looking ahead of him as he spoke. His words had my face stretching into a face splitting smile.

"Really? I would love that. I've always wanted to have a pet but with my unstable life and all, I couldn't exactly do that."

"I know how much you love them, judging by the cats posts and the pictures on your phone. Maybe during the weekend, we'll go over to the pet store and get one."

I gave him a peck close to his lips, so I wouldn't distract him while driving. "That would be great. Thank you for the efforts, baby. I love you."

His eyes brightened at my declaration and a smile lighted up his face. "And I love you too."

We chatted for a bit more as I looked around at the places we drove past. The market, the city's buildings, etcetera.

Finally, Diego drove into a park in front of a storey building a d he turned off the engine.

"We're here. Wait till I come to your side to open the door." He told me, his eyes dropping to my lips for a nanosecond before he stole a peck.

He alighted and went over to the other side, opening the door for me.

"Come closer." I told him in a soft tone that had him parting his lips as he knew I only used that exact tone whenever I wanted to kiss him or ride him into ecstasy.

He moved closer, ducking so his head could come into the car. I pulled his head closer to me and pressed our lips together to give him a slow, sensual kiss that made him let out a low groan. When I separated from him, I gave him one last peck and wiped the lipgloss off his lips, winking.

"We're good to go." I told him.

I held his outstretched hand and he grasped my hand after I'd alighted, holding it as we walked toward the restaurant. I looked around immediately we stepped in, the side of my lips tipping a little as I realized where we were.

"Exploring some of your Italian heritage?" I asked as the unmistakable scent of garlic and tomatoes wafted from where I could only guess was the kitchen, caressing my nostrils.

"My mum is Italian, after all. And I've spent a few years here, I love the food." He told me in a slightly cocky tone that made me wrinkle my nose.

"Well, since you have a knack for surprising me, I'll really like to know this." I turned around to face him so I could see his reaction." Have you learnt to speak much Italian?"

He shook his head. "I can only teach you a few swear words, and some other bits and pieces."

"So sad. I would've loved for you to fuck me while telling me how I make you feel in Italiano. Or bend me over and smack my butt while telling me what you want to do to me in your language." I whispered in his face, loving the way his hold tightened on my hand and the slight widening of his eyes. He totally hadn't seen that coming.

A blonde haired man who looked like he was in his late thirties approached us, cutting off whatever Diego had been about to say. I roughly guessed he would be the manager here.

"Mr. Matthews, Mrs Matthews, welcome. I am Frankie, the manager of this restaurant." He greeted with an extended hand which Diego shook. "Please, follow me to your table. Unless you'd rather have a private room to yourselves. We have a large wine selection which you would love in the VIP section, plus a few truly remarkable scotches and brandies." The man stated, looking at Diego who was the same height with him.

Why did he look like he was talking to a very important public figure? I shook my head. Diego was indeed now a public figure and an important businessman who currently ran a company.

But to me, he was Diego Matthews, the love of my life.

Diego shook his head at the man's question. "Thanks, but the table would be fine."

Diego's words seemed to relax him a little as he nodded too. "Right this way."

Diego's palm instantly rested on my lower back as we followed the man. I gulped when his fingertips rested casually on the curve of my ass, feeling my body tingle at the possessive but sweet act.

Guiding us through the halfway full dining room, the manager stopped at a more secluded table directly in front of a
window. I stared at the already buzzing street.

"Is this alright with you?" Diego asked me."

"This table is perfect, thank you." I told him while the manager nodded.

"Great. Finn will be your waiter. Do you have any allergies we should know of?"

"No allergies." I told the manager while Diego just stared at me, pulling back the chair for me to step in. Which I did.

"Same." He told the manager.

"Alright. Finn will be with you shortly. Have a lovely evening."

"Thank you." We said simultaneously.

He walked away and I have Diego a look as he sat, making sure his chair wasn't opposite mine but close to me instead. "So you're a big shot and already well known. He almost couldn't look you in the eyes."

"I can't avoid some things. It comes naturally with my position. And my assistant was the one that made the reservation."

"Oh. That explains things." He was here as a CEO, obviously they would be prepared to be at his service.

"Yep. You look gorgeous." He gave me a smile that made my insides tingle.

"Thanks. It was a good thing I finally went for the gown." I gave him a look that made him know he should've been more detailed when telling me the dress code fitting for our outing. "You look amazing as well."

"Thanks baby. Do you like this place? Don't worry about the meals, because their food is good. Believe me."

"I love good food. And I love a man who has a great taste too." I gave him a wink that had him chuckling before we were interrupted by the arrival of a waiter.

"Hi, I'm Finn." The waiter said, holding a tray that contained two wine bottles. A bottle of red wine and another one containing white wine. "We're serving special treats tonight and the chef and owner, Mr Centerlake sends his regards from the kitchen. I'm supposed to come along with a bottle of wine but I wasn't sure which you would prefer." He faced Diego all the while, going into details about the wine bottles in the tray and their age.

"I don't exactly know much about wine. Diego, what to you think?" I asked.

"The Citrus diamond. It has a unique taste." Diego murmured and I gave the waiter a glance to see he was still staring at Diego.

No, he was checking him out. Diego noticed my stare at the waiter and his brows furrowed.

"That would be it." Diego told the waiter who nodded. Then he uncorked the white wine, still glancing occasionally at Diego as he filled our cups.

I bit my lower lip at this but said nothing. If I thought seeing Diego with a woman was upsetting, then it was even more annoying to see a man checking him out.

The waiter, Finn had dark hair and a stud on one ear. His jaw was chiseled and I noticed the way he clenched them after a few seconds. He stared at Diego as he bent to pick the tray containing the other wine.

"Would you like to have appetizers first?" He asked Diego, as if I wasn't in the room.

"That would be great." I stated with a forced smile, making him spare me a glance before moving his focus back to Diego.

"Oh." The waiter murmured like my response was the most boring thing he's ever heard.

"No, actually. We'll have our full course meals instead." Diego suddenly spoke and checked the menu. "I'll have Il tartufo and Gnocchi. What about you, my love?"

I shrugged at his words, deciding to skip the appetizers while going through the menu as well.

"Uh, I'll have what he's having, with Fiorentina. Oh, and add Insalata Caprese, on the side." Natalia usually made the Gnocchi.m and Fiorentina.

The Insalata Caprese on the other hand looked appetizing, so I was curious to taste it. According to the details on the menu, Insalata Caprese is a perfect combination of mozzarella cheese and tomatoes. The basil leaves, olive oil, and vinegar will bring a new breath of fresh air to the dish.

Immediately the waiter went to being our orders, Diego stared intently at me.

"You look really beautiful." He reached for my left hand and pecked the back of it.

"Thank you. And you look equally amazing." The waiter was totally checking you out. I almost contemplated stabbing his thigh with a fork.

We made small talks till our orders were brought in and Diego dismissed the waiter.

I enjoyed the Fiorentina. It was delicious. Natalia's own tasted almost exactly this way, meaning this was the original taste. I moaned a little as I ate, telling myself to come here some other time because they had good food.

Diego's stare on me was penetrating as he watched me eat halfway through his meal. Like, he literally stopped eating, had a glass of his wine and spent the next eighteen or so minutes watching me eat.

I didn't mind though. I savored every bite, loving the way their tastes melted on my tongue. Even as he took pictures on his phone, I didn't mind at all and just ate heartily. I even posed for some of the pictures.

Immediately I dropped my fork and took a song sip of my wine, Diego suddenly got up. Like he'd been waiting for me to finish eating for ages.

I placed my wine glass down and looked up at him. "Do we have to leave immediately?"

His gaze on me was intense. It turned my stomach into mush as I wondered what he was up to. He'd been quiet throughout the meal and now he abruptly got up. Was something wrong?

"I have somewhere to show you." He stated, easing my confusion a little.

"Oh. But I haven't drank even half of the wine."

"It'll be packed up if you want." He stated dismissively, waiting for me to get up.

"Don't say it like I'm begging for it. I just don't want us to waste money." I frowned at how impatient he was being.

He heaved a sigh. "I get it. What I want to show you is far more important than a bottle of wine baby, so I don't feel apologetic that we're leaving it this way." He rolled his eyes but still called a waiter that happened to be passing by. It just so happened to be none other than Finn, who obviously had a crush on MY BOYFRIEND.

"Would you help us pack this? We'll be back for it." He told the waiter who was too busy staring at my man like he wanted to do wicked things to him.

I narrowed my eyes at him warningly, looking down to eye the glass of wine as the irrational part of me wondered if it would cause 'that' much of a damage if I mistakenly smashed the glass cup on his head.

Before I could think of seriously considering it though, Diego grabbed my hand and led me through the dining and down a wide hallway. When we stopped at an elevator, he opened it and we got in.

How did he even know this place so well? He'd obviously frequented it.

Anticipation drummed inside me as I wondered what he wanted to show me and why it couldn't wait at all.

It would definitely be worth it. That much was certain.

*

This chapter was divided into two. It was too long so I'm only posting the first part. I'll post the second one tomorrow ♥️