FIRST DATE

“Move to the next phase.”

Those words echoed in my head long after Sylas ended the call.

I stared at him with furrowed brows, my heart still racing from everything I had seen on screen.

“Next phase?” I repeated his words slowly,

Sylas did not answer immediately. Instead, he glanced at me with a calm expression, too calm for someone who had just declared what sounded like war to my ears.

Then, almost as if considering, he exhaled lightly and shrugged.

“What is the next phase?” I asked again, but this time, my tone was harsher.

For a second, I thought he would actually explain. He didn’t. Instead, he stepped closer and his presence grounded me in a way I didn’t quite understand.

“You don’t need to worry about that,” he said smoothly, “I’ll handle it.”

I stared at him, just like that? Did he think that was the answer I was looking for?

“That’s it?” I asked, my voice filled with disbelief, “That’s all you are going to tell me? That you are going to handle it?”

“Yes,” he replied without hesitating, “That news piece was a mistake, and I am going to make sure it is corrected. You don’t need to trouble yourself thinking about it.”

I searched his face, and looked for even a trace of doubt within it. I couldn’t find any. And that made it hard to argue against him.

So, I let out a sigh and dragged a hand through my hair.

“Okay,” I muttered under my breath. It was more to myself than it was to him.

I had known there were going to be news pieces about me, I just hadn’t expected them to be so...wrong.

Besides, this was his world, and his battlefield. Whether I liked it or not, he knew how to fight them better than I did.

A few seconds passed in silence before I glanced up at him,

“So,” I asked, already dreading his answer, “Are we done?”

His gaze softened, and his eyes grew lighter. “Not yet.” he replied, “We do have something else, something easy.”

I raised a brow, “Easy?”

“Yes,” he said, smiling, “Lunch.”

***

The restaurant was breathtaking. Everything around Sylas always seemed to be.

We were currently seated by a wide window that overlooked the city. Around us, sunlight poured in and cast everything on the top floor of the restaurant in a soft, golden glow.

The table was simple, yet elegant. It also had fresh flowers and crystal glasses.

For the first time since I woke up this morning, things felt normal.

Or at least, as close to normal as my new life possibly could be. I let out a small breath as I settled on my seat.

“This is nice,” I admitted as I finished ordering my meal,

Sylas watched my reaction for a moment before nodding, “Yes, it is.”

The food came quickly, and it was incredible. Every bite tasted like something I couldn’t even afford just weeks ago. I caught myself smiling, and for a while, I forgot everything.

From Sarah, to the headlines, to even Ella.

Just as I was taking a bite from my plate, Sylas smiled, and that made me pause.

“What?” I asked with raised brows,

“You are glowing now,” he whispered,

I glanced up at him and looked down, “Am I?”

“Yes,” he replied simply, his gaze steady on mine, “And you’re smiling too. I guess you are less likely to run now.”

I chuckled,

“Give me some credit here,” I said as I leaned back in my seat, “Today might not have been what I expected, but I don’t run.”

“No,” he agreed, “You don’t,”

Something flickered in his eyes, and this time, I knew what it was; approval.

Minutes passed, and I found myself loosening up to him. We did not talk about Sarah or the media. No, we talked about little things. Like how I liked my meals, what my favorite songs and artists were, and funnily enough, why he liked a specific hockey team.

And somehow, the moment felt surreal and unique.

By the time we were done with our meal, which was supposed to be lunch, the sun had already begun to dip lower in the sky, and it was bathing everything in a warmer glow.

I had not realized how much I needed a break. In just two days, I had had a very hectic life. That pause or moment to do nothing else but breathe.

I exhaled softly as I took the last bite of my meal.

“Thank you, Sylas,” I said, almost looking down at my fingers instead of at him.

Sylas tilted his head slightly, “For what?” he asked, “Taking my wife out on a lunch date?”

I actually blushed as I gestured around us, “For this,” I answered, “For making me smile,”

He did not respond immediately, instead, he reached across the table and took my hand.

My breath caught when I felt his touch. He was firm, but not overwhelming. It was just enough, and I froze for a second as my pulse suddenly picked up speed for an entirely different reason.

“You are welcome,” he said quietly,

My cheeks warmed in response. And before I could stop myself, I looked down, already knowing that my cheeks were red hurt.

Blushing? I was actually blushing?

I hated how easily he could still do that, and for the first time since I had walked into Lyra’s surprise party, I felt something else.

Something softer, but dangerous. And as his thumb brushed lightly against my hand, I realized something that made my heart skip.

I was beginning to fall for him.

And that right there, was probably the most terrifying thought to ever cross my mind.