A Date.

“Get in,” he said, his tone firm. I raised an eyebrow, caught off guard by his abruptness.

“Excuse me,” I shot back at him.

“I said get in,” he repeated, his tone unyielding.

“Why do you have to be arrogant about—?” I couldn't even finish my statement when he drove off, just like he had the first time. What the hell is wrong with him?

It wasn’t long before he reversed the car, pulling back toward me.

“It’s late; let me drop you off,” he said, rolling his eyes as if my presence was a disturbance to him. Even though I didn't ask him for a ride.

But despite the stunt he had just pulled —and the one he had pulled weeks ago—I found myself slipping into the passenger seat. He turned the car around and drove off.

While in the car, he said nothing, his focus on the road. I tried to speak, but my tongue felt heavy. What should I possibly say?

“Uhmm, you didn’t respond to my question the other day at my house,” I finally said, breaking the silence.

“What question?” he asked, his brows drawn together.

I hesitated, my gaze drifting out the window as i watched the passing streetlights. It felt wrong to bring up the past, especially the painful memories of my divorce. I didn’t want to revisit that hurt.

“Never mind,” I mumbled, still looking out the window. He said nothing, he just kept driving, as if he wasn’t even bothered. I mean, he wasn’t supposed to be. Right?

“This isn’t the way to my house,” I said, noticing he was taking a different route.

“I’m hungry. Let’s grab dinner,” he replied nonchalantly. I rolled my eyes, muttering under my breath, “At least you could have asked first.”

A few minutes later, he pulled up in front of an elegant restaurant, glowing with lights. The gate guards bowed their heads respectfully as they recognized him. They opened the gate carefully as we drove in.

Once we drove inside, Jake parked in front of the entrance. Waiting right in front of the car was a valet.

Jake and I stepped out as I watched him hand his key over to the valet.

“Good day, sir,” the valet greeted, bowing his head slightly.

“Good day,” Jake responded, turning to me. “Shall we?” he asked, gesturing toward the entrance.

“Sure,” I nodded, walking in as he followed behind me.

As we entered the restaurant, a woman holding a pen and a notepad, who appeared to be the manager, greeted us.

“Good day, sir. Good day, ma’am. You made a reservation, right?” she asked.

While she spoke, my attention drifted to a couple seated at one of the nearby tables. The familiar sight jolted me as I immediately recognized them: Ethan and Natasha.

Just then, Ethan turned to glance in my direction, his face filled with shock when his eyes landed on me. Valerie, who had been facing away, turned to see the reason for his expression and looked at me, bewildered.

I quickly looked away, focusing back on the woman who was speaking to Jake. I grabbed Jake's hand as I listened to her speak.

Surprisingly, Jake didn’t even take his hand off mine.

“Alright, we reserved a table for you both in the VVIP section, on the top floor. Can you please come with me?” the manager said as we both followed her.

I didn't turn back to look at those two. But from what I saw, I could already sense the regret seeping in.

---

JAKE'S POV

As I led her up the stairs, I couldn't shake the feeling I had when she held my hand. Why did she hold my hand?

It's strange how I left an important meeting just so I could come pick her up from work. What is wrong with me?

We followed the manager, who directed us to an elevator.

“This will lead you to the top floor. Right there, a table for two is reserved for you both. Please enjoy your meal,” the manager said with a warm smile.

“Thank you,” I nodded, pressing the elevator button.

Alice let go of my hand as she stepped into the elevator, but for some strange reason, I didn’t want her to let go. Damn.

---

ALICE'S POV

We reached the top floor, where our table was. My mouth fell open in awe as I glanced down at the city lights. I had never seen the city of Los Angeles this stunning before.

As we both took our seats, a waitress approached us. Giving us our menu while she waited to take our orders.

———

Moments Later, we both finished our meal, I felt a strange mixture of satisfaction and confusion.

Jake had been mostly quiet throughout dinner, his focus on the food rather than me. I appreciated the silence, but it left me wondering about what was going on in his head. Why had he brought me here? Was this a date? The thought made my heart race, but I quickly pushed it aside.

After he paid the bill, we went back downstairs but Ethan and Natasha were no longer there.

We headed out, straight to the car. Where the Valet handed the car key back to Jake. Jake tipped the Valet with a hundred dollar before getting into the car and driving out of the restaurant.

While he drove, I couldn’t help but steal glances at him. His jaw line was so defined, making him charming as hell. Not to talk of his lips. I could only imagine if I got to kiss his lips like I want to right now. No! That came out wrong.

Once we reached my home. I stepped out of the car, turning to him.

“Thanks for tonight,” I said, trying to sound casual.

He nodded, his gaze steady but unreadable. There was something compelling about his silence, and it made me wonder why he said less words. Is he normally this quiet? Or did he feel the need to be quiet around me?

As I walked towards my entrance door, I glanced back at him. He was still watching me, which felt weird but I kept going until I got inside my house.

The moment I closed the door behind me, I let out a heavy breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

What just happened? My mind raced as I leaned against the door. Why did he take me to dinner? Was this his way of making amends for the incident that had occured? I shook my head, trying to process the evening.

I made my way to my bedroom, taking off my clothes. I needed a cool shower. I needed to calm myself down.

I stepped into the shower, letting the cold water run down my head to toe.

“Ughhhh,” I groaned, suddenly feeling relaxed.

Once I finished, I wrapped a towel around myself. I walked back to my bedroom.

“Buzz! Buzz!“

I could hear my phone ringing. I reached for my phone on the bed, picking it up as i glanced at the screen.

To my suprise, Ethan was calling. Why the hell was he calling me?