Chapter 6 : First Date

*Lila’s POV*

When I arrived to work Monday morning, there was a bouquet of flowers sitting on my desk.

I didn’t come into the office expecting it and wasn’t quite sure if I should be pleasantly surprised or not.

It was… not something that had ever happened before, and I didn’t know quite what to do because of it. I mean sure, I got the typical graduation bouquets and what not, but this was a little bit more than that.

Cala lilies, pink carnations, blush-colored roses and white baby’s breath; all beautiful and in full bloom with a crystal vase. There was a little card embossed with gold tucked into the vibrant green leaves, and I could feel the gazes of my coworkers staring out from their offices and cubicles to see my reaction.

We were all, unfortunately, nosey little shits. It came with the territory. We liked hearing the details and getting the story, and it was certainly a juicy one, once I read who the sender was.

‘Dear Lila,

I’d like to apologize as something has come up this afternoon and I will be unable to make it to our interview. To make it up to you, I’d like to reschedule for the evening and take you out to dinner tonight. I’ve left my private number on the card and look forward to your reply.

Sincerely,

Rafe Silvius.’

“…Mia! Can I talk to you for a minute?!” I called out, withholding my panic.

I needed a second opinion ASAP. This was a code red as in ‘romance’ and I was not ready. Maybe I was just trying to see things that weren’t there.

Thankfully, Mia was fast, bounding over and into my office looking extremely excited. As soon as she was inside, I quickly closed the door.

“So, who’s it from?”she asked with a big smirk, before changing her tone into something colder. “Don’t tell me it’s from Max.”

“No—no, I would’ve burned them if they were,” I reassured her.

“Good, then who sent it?”

I silently handed over the letter and Mia squealed. I tried my best to shush her. I did not need to be the company gossip for the next month.

“Don’t you shush me, Lila!” she cried before fanning her face and taking a few deep breaths. This was probably Mia’s dream scenario, something right out of a book. “What are you going to do?”

“I don’t know! You know there was like, a zero percent chance of this happening!”

“Well, obviously not zero,” Mia teased, waving the little card in my face.

I groaned.

“Are we sure this isn’t just like an apology dinner for the interview and nothing more? You know, rich people stuff? Sorry for the inconvenience, here’s a $20,000 necklace?”

“Yeah, but this isn’t a $20,000 dollar necklace. This is a dinner date with the richest man in the world. Time is money and all that—and he’s spending that time on you. You’re just in denial.”

I sighed. “I’m trying not to get my hopes up. Do you know how many stories there are of people who have made that same mistake, assuming he was flirting when it was anything but?”

Mia nodded along, not looking convinced at all. She even stared at me judgmentally and I will admit, I was starting to feel a bit stupid.

“Alright, but here’s my counter argument. First, all those people who thought he was flirting with them were idiots and gold diggers. They definitely wanted something out of him and I know you aren’t like that. Second, the man gave you his private number. There are more people with the president’s number then Rafe Silvius’ number. Finally, you are going to dinner for that interview, not because you want to fuck him, even though you definitely do.”

My mouth fell open. “Mia!”

“But because you’re a professional, so you’re going to say yes and get that story because you are a GOOD journalist and Rafe knows it as well.”

I sighed. “You’re right.” I felt much better after a pep talk from Mia. “I’m a journalist, and I don’t assume anything. If it happens, I’ll go for it and if nothing comes of it, I’m still a good journalist.”

“That’s the spirit! Now text him back. Where is he taking you anyways?”

It didn’t take long for my phone to buzz with an incoming text, almost as if Rafe was waiting for my reply.

“He’s—oh.” My eyes widened. “He’s taking me to Bleu.”

“The five-star restaurant in the five-star hotel you can only get into if you know someone?!” I nodded silently and Mia hummed. “Well, you can’t not fuck him now.”

“Oh my god, Mia!”

Despite Mia having a laugh at my expense, I was thankful for her helping me get my head on straight. I found Rafe attractive, there was no getting around that. There was just something about him that made my heart flutter.

However, I wasn’t going to make the first move. No sir, I was a bona fide journalist with the integrity to match. Rafe called this an interview, so an interview was what it was going to be.

Now, for the real problem at hand.

“What the hell am I supposed to wear to a five-star restaurant?”

“Mhm, you’re on your own for that one.”

“Thanks,” I deadpanned, rolling my eyes before hugging my friend. “But really, thanks. I feel a lot better about this now.”

“Of course, it’s like watching a telenovela,” she smiled. “Wear something cute, something sexy.”

“I’m trying to be professional—and I thought I was on my own for this?” I laughed.

“Oh, you are, but I can tell you right now to go all out.”

“Yeah,” I sighed. “I’m gonna need it.”

I was surprised I got any work done when I knew what was waiting for me later in the evening. Since it was a late dinner at eight, I had just enough time to run back to my apartment and change before catching the train to the restaurant.

There weren’t many things in my closet that would fit in at a high scale restaurant like Bleu, but I managed to put something together that would hopefully not look out of place. I had a deep, emerald green dress that went down to my knees and an off the shoulder neckline and strappy black heels that I really should not be taking the train in, but did so anyways.

All in all, I felt accomplished that I managed to get myself together in such a short amount of time.

It didn’t prepare me for anything that was to come, though.

The restaurant was… spiffy. There was a better word for it, but my nerves were getting to me at the moment.

I hadn't been to a one-star restaurant let alone a five-star one. I had thought the concierge was going to stop me at the door but as soon as they checked my ID, they sent me up.

Luxury to me was usually a weekend in my softest pair of pajamas with some type of take out and a really good cup of tea. This was something else entirely.

Riding up in the glass elevator didn't help prepare me and it felt something similar to what I believed being beamed up into space would feel like.

It was just… a whole different world.

There was a sea theme that the restaurant had with charming sea glass artwork surrounded by deep blue glass that mimicked waves. The low light left everything bathed in a soft glow.

I was the only person in the room. There was only one table in the entire building.

Did… did Rafe reserve the entire restaurant?

Forget the necklace Mia and I were joking about, how much money did he spend to do this?!

I should be off put by the wild show of wealth, maybe even uncomfortable about the lengths Rafe was going to with this little apology of his, but there was a pleasant thrum inside of me and the part of me that was attracted to Rafe, was both embarrassed and happy at the care and attention.

"Lila, I'm glad you could make it," he smiled.

And there was Rafe. His usual two-piece suit and tie was replaced with an even fancier three-piece suit and whatever cologne he was wearing was making me feel light headed, but in a good way.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world," I beamed back.

"Shall we?" He offered his hand and I laid mine in his, almost dazed as he led me to the table. It felt a bit like a dream as he pulled out my seat for me.

A waiter came over and poured us wine before bringing out the first course without any preamble.

"Bleu has a set menu with 12 courses for the night. While we eat, why don't we start the interview?" he offered.

"It won't bother you? Most people don't like bringing work to the dinner table."

He smiled. "I like listening to you talk, Lila. You always ask interesting questions, the kind I want to answer."

Well then. I wasn't even a sip in and I felt a bit drunk on the praise. I took great pride in my writing and my work, and I'd put in a lot of effort to make these interviews with him go well.

That he noticed… I was at a severe disadvantage if he was going to have this effect on me all night.

"Well then, I've always wondered, Rafe, what do you love most about your job? I know you inherited it from your father, but you've worked hard to grow the company and it shows."

He smiled, his gaze softening, and I quickly turned to my plate before I could lose myself in that look. The little dish of some small, shaved beet salad with some type of balsamic reduction was delicious.

We talked for hours and slowly, it became less of an interview and more of a discussion. Less about business and more about us.

Dish after dish and sip after sip as I relaxed and loosened up, my professionalism was starting to become non-existent.

Rafe was just—charming. I had never met someone else like him who had my attention so thoroughly. It was almost scary how well we worked together, how quickly we got along.

I was fighting a losing battle I had no idea I was already in. I liked Rafe.

I really, really liked Rafe. He was just… he made me feel special, like he cared about what I said and thought, and it made everything harder.

“I’ve never eaten at a place like this before, what made you choose this place to make it up to me?” I asked. “Though I’m still of the opinion there was nothing for me to forgive. You’re a busy man, Rafe, I don’t need an apology when I understand that.”

"I'll admit I did have an ulterior motive when I asked you to join me for dinner tonight, Lila," Rafe stated softly.

"Did you?” I questioned, raising my eyebrow. “I mean, I suspected, this does seem a bit much for a journalist."

"But you're not just any journalist," he smiled. "You're intelligent, quick witted, and I've enjoyed your company far more than I've enjoyed anyone else's in quite a while. I've come to really like you, Lila. That's why I'd like to ask you out for a date, a real one."

I blinked, pinching my thigh. But no, I wasn’t dreaming and I had not nearly had enough wine to put me out of commission. He actually said that.

Rafe Silvius asked me out.

The richest, possibly most powerful man in the world was asking ME out and had set up this dinner to do it. He was a gentleman. He treated me kindly and none of this had ever felt overbearing or controlling since I was always able to say no.

Unbidden, I remembered Mia's words and blushed. 'Well, you can't not fuck him.'

That was a bit drastic though. A bit too fast considering everything even though the attraction was apparently mutual. Instead, I decided to do what I was doing with all of his offers so far.

"I think I'd like that, Rafe."

There was no hesitation in my words. I was sure of my response, and the way his smile lit up, only confirmed I had answered correctly.