The restaurant that Zavien had picked was in a lovely building and the decorations were classical and chic. White walls with small round tables with a huge clear vase holding brightly colored flowers, huge windows and also potted plants along the walls.

Once the waitress sees Zavien, she leads us over to a table. Zavien pulled out my seat for me and once I was seated, he walked over and gracefully sat in the chair, across from me.

"This is fancy." I said, still looking around. There were only a few empty tables and other nicely dressed people were sitting far away from us.

"It is. It's one of my favorite places to eat." Zavien said as he gestured towards the menu card laying on the table. "They have a six course meal and a ten course meal as well as an assortment of other dishes." he said. He really did like coming here, it was like he already memorized the menu or something.

"What is in a ten course meal?" I asked as I flipped open the menu.

"It comes with different dishes. Would you like to try it?"

Any other day and I would be bursting to try it but I would much rather eat something else. If I overeat, I tend to get constipated and the last thing I need for this date is me farting every couple of minutes.

"Can we try something the six course meal instead?" I asked Zavien.

"Of course, darling," he replied. "What would you like to start with?" he asked as he raised his hand, signaling for a waiter.

The waitress arrived while I kept looking at the options provided and then I decided on the third option. Zavien gets the same as me but swapped his soup with another and once she had written it down as well as the wine Zavien had requested for, she left.

It's been a really long time since I have been on a date and I don't really know what to say? What if he eventually finds me boring? What if I say something that offends Zavien and he just walks away?

"You look like you're overthinking." Zavien said, his voice pulling me out of my thoughts.

I blinked at him. "Huh?"

"What were you thinking about?" Zavien asked.

"I was thinking. . . that it's been a really long time since I've been on a date." I said. The waitress appears with our starter, placing it on the table and disappearing. It was sea chips with white bean dip.

"When was the last time you went on one?" Zavien asked as I picked up a chip, pushing the edge of it into the white bin dip.

"I tried going on a date after the whole. . . ex thing. But he never let me get a word in, ordered for me and slyly told me to keep eating salads or I won't be able to fit into my jeans anymore." I said before raising the chips to my lips and taking a bite. My tongue exploded with the flavor and I let out a pleased hum.

When I looked back at Zavien, he looked like he was trying to calm himself down. "He said that? To you?"

I shrugged, grabbing another chip and dipping it. "Yeah. But after he said those words, I told him I wanted to use the bathroom and instead stopped at the counter, I ordered a lot of food and dessert, when it was brought to the table, I grabbed the bags, flipped him off and walked out."

Zavien laughed. "Now, that I can imagine you doing."

"He was rude and two can always play that game." I responded. "What about you? Surely, you have had one rude date."

"One time, my cousin tried to set me up with a sub." Zavien starts. "The sub complained about everything, the food, how the chef had just two Michelin stars, how the waiter kept looking at me and then when we were done, I paid for the food but I slipped the card into my pocket."

I stared at him, pushing more and more chips into my mouth. It tasted amazing.

"Normally, I'd put my card in my wallet but I was in such a hurry to leave that I just slid it into my pocket. The sub asked to be dropped off at a bus stop rather than his home, he asked for a hug and by the time I got home, I realized my card was gone."

I nearly spat out my chips. "He stole from you?"

Zavien nodded. "It was really funny to me. I didn't have his address or phone number. My cousin had the sub's number but the little thief had switched off his phone. It took two days but by then the sub had spent over 200k."

What in the fu-

People never cease to amaze me. Just when you think you've met the worst of the worst, you meet or hear about someone that just leaves you stymied.

"What did you do to him?"

"I let Rowan handle it and didn't ask questions." Zavien replied, finally reaching for his chips. "She did tell me he was still alive and able-bodied."

Of all three people Zavien kept close to him, Rowan was the one who scared me the most. Dresses how she wants, always had a weapon with her, her stoic expression was almost up to par with Zavien's and I saw her lift a man that was twice her size.

"Rowan is kind of terrifying."

"Don't tell her that. Her head will get so big!" Zavien said and I laughed. I pushed the last of my chips into my mouth, letting out another pleased hum.

"How long have you known each other?" I asked, trying my best not to eye Zavien's plate of chips and dip.

"We all grew up together. Madan is almost like a brother and the girls are like my sisters. I am protective of them and they're ten times more protective of me." Zavien replied. He didn't tell me much and my interest remained piqued because I do want to know how they met. Maybe I'll just ask them personally. Since Zavien did not want to tell, that means there are stories there and he's respecting their privacy.

The waitress arrives with a huge tray and places the second set of meals on the table, takes the empty plates and disappears. It was medium sized bowls of smoky bacon, sweetcorn and potato soup. The smell immediately drew me in and before I could stop myself, I reached for the spoon and raised it to my mouth. I let out a pleased hum as I took another spoon.

"I take it you like the soup." Zavien chuckled

"It's so delicious."

I looked away from the soup and stared at Zavien's. He had ordered Broccoli soup and it came in a round bow and it was green and smooth with a little leaf on it. I wondered what it would taste like? If it would be sweet like mine or tangy or bitter.

"Want to try some of mine?" Zavien asked. He must have noticed me staring at his soup

"Yes, please."

Zavien dipped his spoon into the soup, scooped and then raised it up. I stared at the spoon and at Zavien, my eyes widening just a bit as he moved closer, leaning over the table. I part my lips and take the spoon in. My eyes widened even more at the taste. It was savory and soft, very flavorful.

"It's nice."

"But?"

"How do you know there's a but?" I asked as I settled back into my seat.

"With you. . . there's definitely a but." Zavien said, chuckling afterwards. He dipped his spoon into his soup and I watched.

"It's nice but I prefer my soup." I said with a huff, resisting the urge to pout at Zavien. "You can taste it." I said, dipping my spoon in my soup and raising it to Zavien. He leaned forward and parted his lips. He let out a pleased sound as he chewed.

"You're right, it is delicious." Zavien said and I smiled, dancing a little in my seat. "You're always dancing."

"Sometimes I do it absentmindedly."

"What about other times?" Zavien asked.

"It makes me happy." I replied. "What about you? What do you like to do?"

"I like playing golf."

I stuck out my tongue and scrunched up my nose. "That's like old people's sport." I said and Zavien laughed.

"Emily said the same thing too."

"I knew she was a smart woman." I said, grinning at Zavien. "But do you really enjoy golf?"

"Yes, I do."

"Maybe you can take me with you the next time you're going. You can show me how you do it." I said, smiling at Zavien. He paused for a quick second and then replied. He looked like he had not been expecting me to say that. The way he plays his golf might be different from how it's shown on tv. So I would just have to wait to see.

"You looked surprised."

"You are interested in going golfing with me." Zavien said, reaching for the glass of wine that was on the table and taking a sip.

"Yes."

Zavien smiled then and I was happy, my heart racing at the sight. His normally stoic face now housed a soft expression that he was directing at me.

"What about your parents? Or family? You have never mentioned anything about them."

"I'm surprised you didn't do a background check on me."

"I had Madan do one on you a couple weeks ago because you kept popping up where my family's business was being conducted."

"I've always been told that I attract trouble."

"I can see how that can be true." Zavien said with a playful laugh.

"Hey. . ." I whined, lips pulling into a pout.

"It's alright, darling. If you get into any more trouble, I will always save you." he said and I smiled softly at him. He reached out and placed his hand on mine, squeezing just a little bit.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome." Zavien said.

"You asked about my parents." I started and Zavien nodded. "My mum left my dad after I was born. My dad never liked me and barely raised me till I was eighteen and then he just left too."

"I'm so sorry you had to go through that."

"It's alright. You can't miss what you never had." I said with a shrug. Zavien squeezed my hand again and I tried to smile at him. I hardly ever thought about them but it just sucks. "What about you?"

"My parents are dead."

"I'm so sorry for your loss."

"Thank you." Zavien said. "Dad died of cancer, my mum suffered from the broken heart syndrome and died not long after."

I turned my hand over, holding on to Zavien's and squeezed it a little. "She must have loved your dad so much."

"She did. They both loved each other."

The waitress walked over and swapped the plates. We kept talking until we got our main dish and once that was cleared away and dessert placed in front of us, we were back on safe topics. Not the gut wrenching, heart wrenching ones.

For dessert I got the golden sundae and Zavien got a dark chocolate brownie delight. I stared at my dessert with wide eyes and parted. It was ice cream in a glass goblet with chocolate truffles, chocolate bars in it and it was sprinkled in edible gold.

"Try it. . ."

I picked my spoon and took a small scoop. Once it melted on my tongue, I let out a low moan. It was smooth, soft, it tasted sweeter than any other ice cream I had tasted. I poured the little syrup over the ice cream and happily took another spoonful.

"You definitely like this one."

"It's delightful. This is the best ice cream I have ever had." I said. "Would you like to try it?"

Zavien shakes his head. "No, thank you. It's a bit too sweet for me."

Once dessert was done and the empty cups were carted away by the waitress, I let out a long sigh and pat my tummy. I had a food baby. I honestly don't remember the last time I ate this much.

"That last time I ate this much was when I was trying to see if I could finish three large pizzas." the words tumble out of my mouth before I could stop them. Zavien let out a surprised noise, his eyes widening just a little bit.

"What in the fresh hell."

I let out a loud laugh as I stared at his astonished face. "True story." I said, pulling out my phone for the first time this evening. I opened my photos app and typed in the date. The pictures popped up and I flipped the phone over so Zavien could see the pictures.

"How many were you able to eat?"

"Almost all three boxes. There was only one slice left." I said and Zavien let out a surprised laugh. "I couldn't eat it. I felt like I would have thrown up if I ate the last piece."

"You ate twenty nine slices of pizza." Zavien said, raising his brow at me.

"It was not my brightest moment."

"How. . .

"I was binge watching some netflix shows and didn't really notice." I said. "I had one heck of a food baby and I was constipated for days."

My cheeks went flaming hot when I realized what I said but I got distracted by the snort that had come out of Zavien. He was laughing so hard and uncontrollably. I was very certain people were looking our way but I could not even be bothered about them. I just could not stop staring at this gorgeous man. What a sight to behold.

Thankfully, I had my phone in my hand and was able to sneak a picture of him.

"It wasn't funny back then."

"But it is funny to me right now." he said and I shook my head at him. The silly goose.

"I will stand up and walk away if you keep laughing at me."

"What if I said I was laughing with you?" Zavien asked and this time it was my turn to laugh. He shakes his head at me, lifting his hands to signal the waitress again. She walked over with our bill with a little card reader and Zavien pulled out his card.

The food was done and there was nothing left to do. I didn't want to go home yet but what else could I do?

"Darling, how about we go for a little walk. It would help with your food baby." Zavien said as he stood up. He walks over to my seat and holds his hand out to me. I slid my hand onto his, smiling as he pulled me up.

We walked out of the restaurant but rather than make our way to the car, Zavien and I just decided to go left and kept walking. The night was a little warm and the moon looked so bright. There were less people on the streets.

"How has this date been for you, Nuri?" Zavien asked.

"Better than I imagined." I replied, turning my head so I could grin at him. "What about you? If you could rate this date over a hundred, what score would you give it?"

"A ninety-nine." Zavien said and I stopped walking, staring at him with my mouth opened in shock. I closed it when Zavien began chuckling. "Are you kidding? Why don't I get a hundred? What did I d-" the words dissipate when Zavien pulls me in with our locked hand. He wrapped an arm around my waist and bent his head, pressing his lips to mine.

"Okay. Now it's two hundred." he said and I blinked at him, trying to get myself together. I smacked his chest and frowned at.

"You are mean." I said and Zavien chuckled. He pressed his lips against mine, just the soft press of lips and the tingles that came along with it. "Stop distracting me with your kisses."

"I would never do such a thing." Zavien said, trying his best to act innocent. I narrowed my eyes at him and shook my head.

"You are ridiculous."

"And you are a brat." he replied immediately.

"Excuse you! I'm an angel." I said, glaring at the man still holding me. How dare he tell me the truth? How dare he say it to my face?

"Now who's being ridiculous?" Zavien asked and I huffed. I wiggled out of his hold and began to walk away. Just when I think he's such a nice man, he goes ahead and be mean to me. The audacity!

"Nuri. . ." Zavien called out. I turned over to stare at him, my arms crossed. I stuck my tongue out at him and walked away. "Nuri. . ." Zavien called again but I didn't answer. It's silent for a second and then I hear the sound of footsteps. It was fast. . .

Almost like he was running.

I turn to check and let out a surprised sound when I see Zavien running to me. Before I could take a couple steps, he wrapped his arms around my waist, lifting me up and spinning us around. I let out a loud laugh as he kept spinning us around.

After a couple of spins, Zavien gently places me on the ground, his hands on my waist, grounding me. It took a couple of seconds for everything to stop spinning but once it did, I wrapped my arms around his neck, pushing to my tiptoe and bumping my nose against his.

"Best date ever."

"Nothing else would ever compare."

I tilt my head a bit to the side as I closed the distance between us, kissing Zavien like it was the one thing I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

—

I want to go on a date too 🥹

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