Maître d'

"We're here," Maya declared as she pulled up in front of the restaurant. "Now get out."

Maya pointed at the door, she didn't want to spend more time than necessary with Nate. She also didn't want to risk being seen by someone she knew with Nate.

"A moment," Nate said as he gave her a smile and opened the door to wave a waiting valet over.

"Sir?" The valet asked as he looked at what seemed to be a couple going on a lunch date.

"We have a reservation under the name Nathaniel, please park her car," Nate said as he slipped the man a crisp bill.

'Nathaniel? Maybe that's his full name?' Maya thought to herself as the valet jogged over to the driver's side of the car.

"Ah, what, wait—" Maya began to say as the valet waited outside her door.

"You gave me a ride, let me repay you," Nate said as he gave her an innocent look. It was as if he hadn't planned this from the start.

"Nate…" Maya groaned as Nate got out of the car and quickly walked over to her side.

He pulled the door open and offered her his hand.

"Please," Nate said pleadingly, making Maya frown.

Fortunately for Nate, Maya spotted a familiar car tailing them.

'Why is Oliver still following us?' Maya thought as she looked at the black car that had just pulled up to the restaurant driveway behind them.

"It's just lunch," Nate said as he tried to justify his plans.

Maya sighed, it's not like she had a choice.

She didn't think that Oliver would go to such lengths just to confirm that she was actually on a date with Nate Rue.

"Fine," Maya said as she grabbed her bag and took Nate's hand.

She knew that it might send the wrong message to Nate, but it wasn't like he was innocent in all of this. He was the cause of her pain, so he deserved to suffer as well.

Nate on the other hand found it very suspicious that Maya had so easily agreed to go to lunch with him.

Despite his suspicions, Nate didn't utter a word. He knew that an opportunity like this wouldn't present itself again in the future.

"For Mr. Nathaniel?" the maître d' asked.

"Yes," Nate responded.

The man smiled and lead them through the dining area which was quite lavish.

The tables were clearly made of solid wood, and the walls were lined with popular artwork. It was simple and yet it screamed sophistication.

Maya knew that getting a reservation at Narra was quite difficult. Oliver had tried many times since it opened and he was constantly rejected.

She couldn't help but wonder how Nate got a reservation for them when he didn't even know they would bump into each other today.

"Where is he taking us?" Maya whispered to Nate as they continued to follow the maître d' to the back of the dining area.

"Through here sir, ma'am," the man said as he pushed open a hidden door and let Maya and Nate into a private hidden room.

Maya gasped as she looked around the room.

She had only heard of this place in rumors, some of Oliver's more prominent friends mentioned that Narra had a secret VIP room that only the true elites of society were allowed to book.

"Please serve the food," Nate told the waiter as he pulled Maya into the room and closed the door behind him.

Nate wrapped his arm around Maya's waist and pulled her close to him.

He grinned when she didn't immediately react, it looked like he was about to lean in to kiss her on the lips when she processed what was happening.

She raised her hand and slapped him on the cheek.

"Asshole," she scoffed as he released her.

"I—I'm sorry," Nate stuttered as his eyes were wide with shock. "I don't know what came over me. Maya, I'm sorry." Nate pleaded.

Maya just stared at him, taking deep breaths as she gathered her thoughts.

She didn't realize that she had slapped him in reaction to his attempt at intimacy. It seemed that her instinct had saved her from making a big mistake.

'Why do I even feel bad about slapping him?' Maya asked herself. 'He's an asshole and deserves it.'

"Maya, please, say something," Nate begged as he walked over and reached for her hand.

Maya didn't pull her hand away, she let him hold it until she recovered from what had happened.

"Why don't we sit down, I'll ask for refreshments," Nate said as he guided Maya to her seat before leaving to call on the maître d' once more.

While Nate was out, Maya's phone began to ring. She looked at who the caller was and frowned when she saw that it was Oliver.

"What do you want, Oliver?" She asked as she picked up the call.

It also just so happened that Nate returned to the room with the maître d' and other waiters carrying their food and drinks.

"Where are you, Maya?" it was clear from Oliver's tone that he was worried about her. She sighed and replied.

"You should know where I am, Oliver. I saw your car following us, I'm at Narra having lunch with Nate," Maya said with her voice slightly raised.

Oliver was getting on her nerves today, she no longer cared that her temper would leave a bad impression on Nate.

"I'm in Narra, Maya," Oliver said in a much calmer and soothing voice. "I can't see you, did that bastard kidnap you or something?"

Maya froze as she realized that Oliver was worried about her. He had been pulling so much stupid engagement shit recently that Maya forgot they were, at the core, friends and right now he was worried about her.

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

"Leave us," she heard Nate tell the waiters in a stern tone.

The waiters left silently as Maya continued her conversation with Oliver.

"I'm fine, I'm safe, Nate and I are in the VIP room," she calmly explained. "Please, Oliver, just—"

Maya wasn't even able to finish her sentence when Oliver began to laugh.

"Are you seriously telling me that Nate Rue, a man who probably doesn't even know that the maître d' is the head waiter, is treating you to lunch in Narra's VIP room?"