Chapter 6

THE 20-minute drive to Le Calandre seemed to just fly by as Natasha and Jeremy found themselves lost in conversation. The city lights blurred into streaks of color outside the car windows as they drove through the bustling streets. Now quite at ease, they began sharing stories and discovering new things about each other. Natasha talked about her love for hiking and how it gave her a sense of peace and adventure whenever she was out in the wild. She described the feeling of reaching the summit after a long climb, the breathtaking views, and the deep satisfaction that came from pushing her limits.

"There's this trail up in the White Mountains," Natasha said. "It's a tough climb, but once you reach the top, the view is absolutely worth it. It feels like you're on top of the world."

Jeremy smiled, clearly enjoying her enthusiasm. He, in turn, mentioned his passion for sailing, describing the freeness he felt out on the open water. He spoke of his childhood summers spent on his family's sailboat, the thrill of catching the wind just right, and the serene beauty of the sea stretching out endlessly around him.

"I enjoy sailing," Jeremy had said. "There's something incredibly freeing about being out on the water, away from everything."

"I've always wanted to try sailing," Natasha had replied, looking earnestly at Jeremy. "They way you say it, it sounds pretty liberating."

"Maybe I could take you out sometime," Jeremy suggested with a smile, the idea already taking root in his mind. He looked right at Natasha, his eyes reflecting the sincerity of his offer. The thought of sharing something so personal with her filled him with a surprising sense of anticipation.

"Maybe," she said, looking into his eyes. It felt as if Jeremy could see into her mind, and read everything she felt about him. She lowered her eyes for a moment, then turned her head towards the road, afraid she might give too much away.

As they approached the restaurant, Natasha glanced out the window, taking in the elegant facade of the restaurant. The building was beautifully lit, its warm glow spilling out onto the street, inviting and sophisticated. The valet opened her door, and Jeremy circled the car to join her, his hand lightly touching her back as they stepped out into the cool evening air and began walking inside.

Le Calandre was an elegant building with tasteful decor and soft, ambient lighting. The gentle hum of conversation, and the rich aroma of Italian cuisine created an intimate atmosphere.

"Good evening, Mr. Walton," the restaurant manager greeted Jeremy with a nod of respect. "Good evening, miss," he turned to Natasha and greeted her as well.

"Good evening," Natasha smiled and replied.

"Good evening, Marco," Jeremy replied with a warm smile. "How have you been?"

"I've been well, thank you, Mr. Walton," Marco replied. "It's always a pleasure to see you here."

"Likewise, Marco. How's the family?" Jeremy asked.

"They're doing great, thank you for asking. And how's everything with you?" Marco said.

"Work's been keeping me busy, as usual, but I wouldn't have it any other way," Jeremy responded with a content smile. He looked at Natasha and continued, "Looking forward to another wonderful meal here. You know how much I love your chef's special."

"Of course, Mr. Walton. We can have your usual preferences served if you want," Marco said with a knowing smile. "Would you and your guest like to be seated now?"

"Yes, please," Jeremy replied courteously.

"Right this way," Marco said, leading them to their table. Jeremy offered his arm to Natasha and she took it. They began following Marco towards their reserved spot.

As they walked through the restaurant, Natasha noticed an outdoor seating area where glass igloos were lit up by fairy lights. Each igloo was a transparent dome, providing an intimate and cozy dining experience while allowing guests to enjoy the night sky. Inside, tables were elegantly set with crisp white linens, sparkling crystal glasses, and flickering candlelight. The surrounding garden was lush with greenery, and the gentle sound of a nearby fountain added to the romantic ambiance. The fairy lights seemed to have cast a magical glow over the entire area, making it feel like a scene from a fairy tale.

Natasha pointed to them and asked Marco, "Those igloos are beautiful. What are they for?"

The manager smiled. "Those are our private dining igloos, reserved for special dates and events. They offer a unique and intimate dining experience."

Natasha looked at Jeremy with a curious smile but followed the manager to their table in the middle of the restaurant. It was a quieter spot, allowing for a more intimate setting despite being among other diners.

"Here is your table," Marco said, gesturing with a flourish. He attempted to pull Natasha's chair out for her, but Jeremy stepped forward with a polite smile. "Thank you, Marco, I'll take it from here."

Marco bowed slightly and stepped away. Jeremy held the chair, waited for Natasha to sit, and then pushed her chair in gently before sitting down opposite her.

After he sat down, he saw Natasha looking at him with an unreadable expression on her face. "Is this seating okay for you?" he asked her, his face attentive.

Natasha nodded, then said with a playful tone, "I have to admit, I thought you might book one of those igloos."

Jeremy chuckled, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "I do like them, and I thought of doing just that. But, I feel I can't impress you with grandeur without reason. I wanted tonight to be about getting to know each other, and not just a grand setting."

Natasha smiled, appreciating his thoughtful approach. "That's a good point. I prefer meaningful moments over lavish gestures. It's the quality of time spent together that truly matters to me."

"I'm glad I got that right then," Jeremy said with a teasing tone. Just then a server came to their table and placed a menu card each in front of them. "Ah, perfect! Shall we order?" Jeremy asked Natasha.

Natasha nodded in agreement and began browsing through the menu. She did love Italian food, and Le Calandre's menu had many tempting options. Meanwhile, Jeremy turned to the waiter. "What are the house wine options tonight?" he inquired.

"We have several excellent choices," the waiter smiled and replied. "For sparkling, we have a lovely Prosecco and a fine Champagne. In white, I recommend the Pinot Grigio or the Chardonnay. For reds, our house favorites are the Chianti, a full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon, and the Le Macchiole Merlot."

Jeremy didn't miss a beat. "We'll have the Le Macchiole Merlot, please," he decided, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

Natasha, still perusing the menu, paused and smiled subtly, her cheeks tinged with a slight blush. To know that Jeremy remembered that wine from the night they first met made her feel a warm sensation in the middle of her chest.

"Wonderful. And are you ready to order?" the server asked politely, his voice a gentle interruption to the quiet, unsaid moment between Natasha and Jeremy.

Jeremy looked at Natasha, prompting her with a soft smile. "Have you decided on what you'd like?" he said, his eyes soft.

"Yes, I'll have the lamb ravioli in the special rosemary sauce," Natasha said as she handed back her menu.

"And for you, sir?" the server turned to Jeremy.

"I'll have the pollo alla parmigiana," Jeremy replied with a decisive nod.

"Excellent choices," the server said, collecting their menus. "Your wine will be out shortly."

As the server walked away, a comfortable silence settled between Jeremy and Natasha. Their eyes met, and they smiled at each other meaningfully, an unspoken understanding passing between them. Jeremy reached across the table, gently touching Natasha's hand, his thumb lightly brushing her skin. They didn't need to speak to communicate; their connection was deepening with every passing second.

"Where did you grow up?" Jeremy asked, his voice soft, wanting to know more about her.

Natasha looked thoughtful for a moment. It was as if she was instructing her inner self to lower her guard just a little. "I was born in Plainville," she started, "about an hour away from Boston. My father still lives there."

"Just your father?" Jeremy prodded, genuinely curious to know Natasha and her life better. 

"Yeah, I don't have any siblings. My mother passed away when I was twelve, so it was just me, my dad, and my grandma for a long time." She paused, her eyes reflecting a mixture of fond memories and sadness. "My grandma passed away recently. She was like a second mother to me."

Jeremy squeezed her hand gently, his eyes full of empathy. "I'm sorry for your loss. It sounds like you were very close."

Natasha nodded, her smile laced with melancholy. "We were. She taught me so much and was always there for me. Losing her was hard, but I carry her love and wisdom with me every day."

Jeremy's expression softened, and he fully enveloped her hand with his. "Thank you for sharing that with me, Natasha. It means a lot to hear about your life."

Natasha's eyes met his, a connection forming that felt both profound and comforting. "What about you, Jeremy? What was your family like growing up?" she asked.

Jeremy's gaze shifted slightly, his expression turning more reflective. "I wasn't very close with my parents. They were both always working when I was little, so they didn't have much time for me." He paused, his voice tracing a hint of nostalgia. "I grew up in a modest household in Philadelphia."

Natasha listened intently, her eyes encouraging him to continue.

"The neighborhood I grew up in was somewhat hostile," Jeremy continued. "There weren't many good families around, and the kids were always getting into trouble, you know." He looked at Natasha to see if he was boring her, going into details that not many knew about him. But the sight of Natasha's beautiful face looking at him with an earnest expression removed all doubt from his mind.

"Anyway, I once rescued my best friend Ethan from the local goons who were picking up a wasteful fight with him, and then eventually both of us got into the habit of defending people who got targeted this way for no fault of theirs. In fact, that's how he and I both got inspired to do something concrete to protect the vulnerable. We both decided to come to Boston to study, and eventually, we established SSC here."

Natasha's admiration for Jeremy deepened, seeing the drive and passion behind his success. "That's incredible, Jeremy. It must have taken a lot of courage and determination to build what you have now."

Jeremy nodded, a faint smile touching his lips. "It wasn't easy, but having a purpose made all the difference. And having Ethan by my side through it all helped too."

"I'm glad you had him," Natasha said, feeling truly pleased for him. "When I heard your early speeches at universities and forums, I somewhere realized that Sentinel Systems isn't just a business entity to you. The way you talk about what your company does goes beyond the simple purposes of profit and loss. I now know how much SSC really means to you."

Jeremy looked at her with an emotion he had not felt before. Natasha had done nothing but somehow he had felt compelled to break his walls and bare a part of him to her that only Ethan was familiar with. He couldn't understand it. Every minute in Natasha's presence was drawing him closer and closer to her.

Natasha herself seemed to somehow understand Jeremy's turmoil. It was as if she could read his mind. It was the strangest thing—this connection that was developing between them. Their hands still gently intertwined, Natasha felt the urge to assure Jeremy that his vulnerability was safe with her.

She gave his hand a light squeeze, looking straight into his eyes, an expression of affection on her face. Jeremy felt himself relax, not knowing that his body had become tense in the first place. They were both feeling a bond that was becoming stronger with every word spoken, and unspoken.