chapter 9

Alexis shifted uncomfortably and her movement seemed to have attracted the man's attention. ''Who is this lovely specimen?'' He asked, grabbing her hand to place a kiss on it. Alexis gave him a strained smile.

''This is my wife, Alexis.'' Haven introduced.

The man looked taken aback. ''You're married?''

''Yes, we met three months ago. Isn't that right, sweetheart?'' Haven called out to her so softly, it took her a second to realize he was talking to her.

''Yes dear.'' She smiled, playing along and making her voice as sweet as possible. She internally cringed.

''Oh, but I thought you were in a relationship with that Catherine lady?'' The man looked completely lost, Alexis almost felt for him.

''Is that what the rumors say?'' Haven asked, sounding innocent. ''We were never together.'' Although he sounded like he was calm, there was something about his voice that made Alexis look up to him. When she did, she almost didn't recognize him. His stern and cold expression made him look different. She guessed that the name Catherine was a taboo to his ears.

The man must have caught up to it as well and he immediately changed the topic. As they were discussing business, Alexis turned her attention to the building. The inside was really beautiful, and the designs were sleek, clean, and of good quality. She had no doubt that even the marble floor underneath their feet was going to be squeaking clean if she touched them.

She was about to react to her intrusive thoughts when Haven suddenly called out to her. She halted, her hands inches from touching the marble floor. Haven and the man stared at her, blinking. She straightened up, laughing lightly, her cheeks red from embarrassment. ''I thought I saw something on the floor.'' She lied.

''Let's go.'' Haven reached out to take her hand. She grabbed it without hesitation and he guided them both to a far corner of the lobby.

''You don't like that man?'' The question was out of her mouth before she knew it. She remembered his rigid self and how he had looked hot when he was angry.

''I don't like a lot of people.'' Haven answered.

They reached an elevator and Haven pushed down the elevator button.

''Where are we heading?''

''There's a restaurant upstairs. I recall you haven't eaten.''

The moment he said those words, her stomach grumbled a bit. Haven didn't say anything but a small smile was evident on his lips. He was laughing at her. Alexis scrowled, letting go of his hand fiercely. She shifted away from him, crossing her arms as she leaned against the elevator wall. The silence between them was almost unbearable until the elevator door opened.

She breathed out in relief and moved to step out when Haven reached out his hand again.

''What?'' she frowned. ''There's no one here.''

His eyes shifted upwards and she followed his gaze, almost scoffing at the process.

Damned CCTVs!

Reluctantly, for the third time today, she took his hand. As much as she wanted to smack him, it was her job. They walked down the empty, red carpeted hallway. Soft music blared from one of the doors that automatically opened when they stepped closer to it. Immediately the door opened, her ears were filled with laughter and music. Unlike those downstairs, who chatted their lives away, the people up here were more composed, laughing and talking so softly as if scared the building would collapse if they talked a bit louder than normal.

A gust of cold air brushed her skin and she shivered lightly. Noticing, Haven took off his jacket and wrapped it around her shoulder. She would have found it sweet if he wasn't pretending for the eyes in here to see.

''Let's head to our table, and remember, act normal.'' He patted her shoulder and led her to their seat.

They passed by well dressed men and women eating and clinking their glasses together. A few eyes followed them, low voices muttering amongst themselves. Alexis gulped, hoping at least one of them didn't recognize her. She almost stumbled forward but quickly regained herself as they approached their table.

Just as they sat down, one of the bartenders in the room approached them. He was neatly dressed and smelled of elegance. A total contrast to how she and Jake were at the cafe. The bartender raised a brow at her when he saw her and Alexis noted how handsome he looked.

"You should have told me you were coming with a girl." He groaned. "I would have dressed up nicely."

Alexis gave a quick blink. Was he talking to Haven? She turned to him, wanting to be certain.

Haven flipped through their menu without bothering to look at the bartender. ''So you could steal her away?''

The bartender laughed. ''Come on now, I'm not that bad.''

These two appeared to be friendly.

"Hi there," the bartender said, extending his hand. ''My name is Roshua. And you are?'' He swiped a foxy smile.

''My name is Alexis.'' She reached out for his hand. ''I'm-''

''She's my wife,'' Haven quipped in without any slight hesitation.

Roshua's brows raised even higher. ''Wife?'' He looked at Alexis. ''Wife?'' He repeated.

Alexis smiled widely. ''Yeah.''

''Are you sure?'' He blinked. ''Wow, who would have thought you'd finally get hitched.'' Forgetting that he was working, he took a seat and leaned forward quite eagerly. ''Tell me, how did you guys meet?'' He raised a hand. ''Wait, don't tell me. Let me guess.'' He paused, seeming to guess. ''A club? No wait, a business meeting?''

''Um-'' Alexis started to say.

''Roshua,'' Haven bit out, sounding uncomfortable.

''Fine, fine.'' Roshua sighed, standing up from the seat dejectedly. ''What would you like to order? It's on me because you're so beautiful.'' He flashed her another smile.

Alexis almost laughed. Was he flirting with her?

''I'll take wine,'' Haven said. ''She will also.'' He glared at Roshua. ''Make it the finest wine this restaurant has since it's on you.''

Roshua laughed saying, ''I smell vinegar on you.'' before walking away.

They sat in silence. Alexis drummed her fingers on the table, staring at the vast window that showed the outside. The lights from the city and from cars twinkled like stars. It was a pretty sight. Taking her eyes away from the window, she glanced at Haven. He was on his phone, typing away only he knew what. Alexis guessed it was business work.

Even now, he was still working.

Roshua was back a minute later with a bottle of wine and two glass cups. He placed them on the table. ''Our restaurant's finest."

He popped it open and filled up the glass. He handed a cup to Alexis. She frowned her face after taking a sip. It was slightly bitter and sweet at the same time.

''You don't like it?'' Roshua asked.

She had a feeling he would be sad if she said no. ''It's a new taste,'' She told him with a smile.

Haven reached for his own cup, drinking it without any reaction. Rich drink for rich people, Alexis guessed.

After Roshua took their orders, he went away.

''You could have just told him you don't like it.''

She could have, but still. ''I don't hate it either.'' To prove her point, she reached for the glass again, and downed it in one gulp.

''You're not supposed to rush wine.''

''I know that!'' Alexis snapped, dropping the glass on the table.

They were silent again. Alexis wasn't a big fan of silence. She loved to talk but she figured out Haven wasn't much of a speaker himself. She thought of a conversation they could have that wouldn't make it too awkward.

''Do you like sports?'' She asked.

''I'm working now.''