10. Italian restaurant

Dean's POV:

Both of us let out a heavy breath once stepping off the elevator on the ground floor.

We walk in awkward silence to the restaurant, which is only five minutes away, but five minutes can stretch awfully long if things feel so awkward. Reaching the restaurant, I don't need to mention my name. We are being directly guided to the booked table.

"How's your father, Dean?" Mrs Russo inquiries with a soft smile while handing us the menu.

"He's fine, busy as always," although I don't smile sincerely very often, I give her one of those smiles back. We've been coming here for years. She basicly knows our whole family story and has always been ever so kind. She's one of the few people I have never bossed around.

As Kiara eyes me with a questioning look on her face, I introduce them quickly. "Mrs Russo, this is my new creative director, Ms Summers. Ms Summers, this is Mrs Russo, an old family friend."

"Pleased to meet you, Mrs Russo. Nice restaurant you have here," Kiara chimes while l