MISSING YOU ALREADY, PART 2.

ORION.

As I approached the reserved table, Athena's mother, Iris, rose from her seat, her eyes sparkling with warmth. "Orion, darling! It's lovely of you to join us tonight. It's been far too long," she exclaimed, her voice warm and inviting. I wrapped my arms around her, returning her hug with a genuine smile.

"It's lovely to see you too, Iris," I replied, my lips brushing against her cheeks as I kissed her. "Thanks for inviting me to dinner. You look as stunning and elegant as always." I stepped back, taking in her refined features and the way her silver hair cascaded down her back like a river of moonlight.

Iris laughed, a melodious sound that filled the air, and her eyes twinkled with amusement. "Oh, Orion, you're as charming as ever," she said, her voice dripping with playful sarcasm. "Remember, flattery will get you everywhere," she added, winking at me with a sly smile.

I chuckled, feeling a warmth spread through my chest, as Athena laughed and muttered something under her breath, shaking her head at her mother's antics. I turned to Athena's father, extending my hand in a firm handshake. "Good evening, sir," I said, meeting his polite smile with one of my own.

Finally, I turned to Athena, and we shared a warm hug. "Hey, beautiful," I whispered, kissing my best friend's cheeks. "How's it going?" I asked, pulling back to study her face, searching for any signs of stress or fatigue. I know how crazy it gets when she's preparing to unveil a new product.

"Hi, Riri," she replied, her voice sweet and familiar. "I'm good, how was your flight?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with concern as she pulled back to study my face. I smiled, reaching out to gently remove a stray strand of hair that had escaped her sleek updo.

As I did, I caught her mother's eye, and I could sense the unspoken question hovering in the air - when would Athena and I take our relationship to the next level? Iris, Athena's mother, was beaming at us, her eyes shining with a warm, maternal affection. I knew that looked all too well; it was the same look my own mother used to give us as teenagers, a look that said, "These two are meant to be."

But Athena and I knew the truth - we were just friends, bound together by a lifelong connection that went beyond romance. Iris was my godmother, a close friend of my late mother's, and Athena was more like a sister to me. We'd grown up together, our families intertwined by a deep and abiding friendship.

We chatted about life and work as we made our orders, the cozy atmosphere of the restaurant wrapping around us like a warm blanket. The rich aromas from the kitchen mingled with the sound of clinking glasses, creating a backdrop of comfort. But just as we settled into easy conversation, the topic of marriage slipped into the air, bugged by the casual tone of Athena's mother.

"Here we go!" I thought, feeling a flush of heat rise in my cheeks. I exchanged a quick glance with Athena, and she mirrored my apprehension with a knowing smile. Swift as the wind, we maneuvered the conversation back to tomorrow's product launch, expertly dodging the awkwardness that would inevitably follow.

"Right! You've been dying to tell me about how things are going with the preparations!" I said, my voice lifting with forced enthusiasm. We both laughed, grateful for the smooth transition as dinner continued without any hitches.

As we exited the restaurant, the cool evening air greeted us like a sigh of relief. Athena's parents had insisted we leave together, their playful nudges and sly winks filling the space with a sense of lighthearted mischief. "Young people in relationships need to spend more time together," they had said, as her mom giggled like a carefree schoolgirl. It struck me as a truly amusing concept; after all, Athena and I were merely pretending to date. There was no way we could disclose that to her parents, not when they were so vested in our little charade.

"Have fun!" her dad called after us, a broad grin lighting up his face. Athena rolled her eyes, a bright smile dancing on her lips. "Like they don't know what they're doing," she muttered under her breath, and I couldn't help but chuckle at her playful frustration.

After dropping me off at the hotel, Athena gave me a quick peck on the cheek. "Send my love to Harro when he calls, okay?" she said, glancing at her phone as it buzzed with incoming call.

"Of course!" I replied, my heart skipping a beat at the prospect of hearing Harro's rich, velvety voice. As the driver sped away, whisking Athena into the night, I stepped into my suite, the door closing behind me with a soft click. The familiar surroundings enveloped me, a warm hug from a dear friend. The soft glow of the lamp cast a comforting light, illuminating the room and chasing away the lingering fatigue of the day.

I slipped into the shower, letting the steaming water cascade over me, washing away the remnants of the evening. As I dressed up, I reached for my phone and dialed Harro's number, my fingers moving with a sense of anticipation. The sound of his voice, when he answered, was like a soothing balm, melting away any lingering stress and tension.

"Hey baby! How was dinner?" Harro asked, his voice filled with warmth and affection. The sound of his voice was like coming home, a sense of comfort and security that wrapped itself around my heart. I felt my shoulders relax, my breath slow, as I settled into the hotel mattress.

"It was good!" I said, a chuckle rumbling deep within my chest as I recalled the evening's events. "Just the usual with Athena's parents—lots of laughs, and of course, that awkward moment when they brought up marriage." I confessed, shaking my head in amusement.

Harro's warm laughter echoed through the phone, a comforting sound that wrapped itself around my heart. "Ah, the classic parental maneuver," he teased. "Did you manage to steer clear?"

"Expertly!" I replied, a grin spreading across my face like a sunrise. "You would've been proud." I could almost hear Harro's smile, his pride and admiration radiating through the phone like a gentle warmth.

As we wrapped up our call, exhaustion began to weave its way into my thoughts, like a gentle tide pulling me under. "Goodnight, love." I yawned, the day's fatigue finally caught up to me. "We'll talk in the morning before you leave for the groundbreaking ceremony, okay?"

"Sweet dreams, my love. I'll see you in my dreams" Harro replied softly, his voice a soothing balm that calmed my mind and heart. I could almost feel the warmth of his gaze through the screen, a gentle caress that lulled me into a peaceful slumber.

I got comfortable on the bed, as I surrendered to the embrace of sleep, my body sinking into the mattress like a gentle sigh. Thoughts of our lives together, the vulnerability of our shared moments, and the sweetness of fleeting glances tangled with my consciousness as I drifted off, like the soft, golden threads of beautiful dreams.