Chapter 62: Tenor and Bralle

Paige waited for Simon to help her out of the car. She had no intention of rushing nor stressing herself. Not when she is wearing such a gorgeous dress. Simon's hand went round her waist as his arm rested lightly on her hip and he led her up to the tiny steps to the restaurant. Though his touch was impersonal, yet Paige found it somewhat protective. Yes, she felt protected in his arms. He once told her that if she was his woman, she would never need another man and she knew he was saying nothing but the whole damn truth. If she were to allow herself to finally fall in love with Simon, no other man would ever stand a chance against him. Simon was everything in one. He is sexy, caring, understanding, selfless, kind, smart, sexually appealing and much more. She tried comparing him to Stefan and suddenly developed a sharp headache. Definitely, she can't compare such a man to Stefan. Not Stefan, maybe Franklin.

Mouth watering aroma wafted through the minute opening of either the windows or maybe the doors of the restaurant as they came closer to it's walls. The automated door opened up allowing them passage. As they stepped into the restaurant, Paige almost dropped her jaw in awe if not for Simon's hand  that was placed on her waist. The place was magnificent that Paige called it a Queen's castle. The falling style chandeliers gave the room a cozy yet warm feeling. It felt like they stepped into another world all together. The windows from inside were tinted blocking the sun and daylight from piercing into the restaurant. The ivory steel doors, ancient paintings and gracefully furnished tables gave the whole place a royal feel. "This place is heavenly." Paige whispered to Simon's hearing. 

"I do not doubt that." Simon replied as a young man probably in his late thirtees came to meet them.

"Kentley!" He exclaimed. "It's about time you showed up. I was worried you wouldn't. Had to keep one parking space open for you." The man whose name was Tenor, Simon's best friend said as both men hugged each other.

"You know I always keep to my words T." Simon replied with a smile.

"I was wond......" Tenor's voice trailed off as he finally caught sight of Paige. "Welcome......

"Paige Patterson," Paige told him fixing up the blank.

"Welcome Miss. Patterson. I am Tenor Daxton, your host." He looked at Simon, Paige and back to Simon but the kentley boy acted ignorant like he didn't know the meaning of Tenor's look. The duo have been friends from way back in England when Tenor was giving his parents hell as a teenager and they had to send him to his grandmother to learn manners according to them. Simon's friendship with Tenor is the longest friendship he's ever had. "I'll take you to your table now." Tenor said and led them to a secluded table at the far end of the room. Slightly shielded from others with the long flower vase and semi cubicle. Paige took a seat comfortably with a smile. "Welcome to Tenor and Bralle. I hope you'll love our food and we have the band over there. They're getting ready for today's performance. If you need anything, just let me know. I'll be back in a bit. You can please go through the menu." Tenor said to Paige in particular before leaving. Simon gave him a cold glare that would have been intimidating to others. But unfortunately, the glare was directed at Tenor who doesn't give a fuck.

Simon shifted closer to Paige with his thigh pressing slightly against hers. "Apart from juice, coffee, milk and soda, do you take anything stronger?" Simon asked Paige and received a saccharine smile.

"Wine." She replied.

"Great." He said and ordered a bottle of Gout de Diamants without going through the menu. Paige knew that this was probably a wine he had ordered many times before now. She picked the menu from the table and saw an inscription of 'The Kentleys' on the exact spot the menu was lying. She immediately checked the table properly and noticed about four similar inscriptions on various angles of the table. 

"Is this table reserved for your family alone?" Paige asked in surprise.

"I'm afraid so." Simon replied in a carefree voice. Just then the live band started their performance with the song 'can't help falling in love with you' by Elvis Presley. This shifted Paige's attention to the mini stage as she stared dreamingly at the performers. "You like the music?" Simon asked her. 

She nodded. "It's subtle, soothing and nice. Don't you like it? She asked.

"I actually do. I think It's great." He replied.

"Better than Afrobeats?" She asked smiling.

Simon knew she was teasing him so he smiled back at her. "No." He replied.

"Maybe, I'll play more of my favorite playlist each time I'm with you. Who knows, I might get to change your mind about Jazz." She told him.

"I wouldn't mind that, though it's never going to change my mind about afrobeats." He replied. To him if listening to slow and annoying jazz music was going to allow them time together, then he was willing to listen to a whole selection of it.

Paige flipped through the meal menu with her soft slender fingers. Once she got to the page that had her attention, she placed her hand on the table while she went through the menu holding it in position with her other hand. Simon covered her hand with his own and applied a gentle pressure when she attempted pulling hers away. "I am going to change your mind about so many things Sunflower. I definitely will." He said in a confident voice.

Paige looked up from the menu dropping it low on the table. She stared straight at him with her cheekbones high and sharp. "I doubt that Simon." She replied.