Bittersweet Life
Chapter 3
The morning came and found staring wide-eyed at the cealing with hugging her while sleeping soundly. How did get to her bed and at want time she did not know; all she knew was that she didn’t sleep much last night.
She tried to unhook off her and then got up to have a shower. She was tired. All she wanted to do was stay in bed and do nothing.
Coming out of the bathroom she saw awake. “Good morning,” she said as she walked in her room towel-drying her hair. “Please tell me, how on earth you ended up in my bed… Again!” she laughed. “What was it yesterday? Another alien came to abduct you?”
“Laugh all you want but my night-light went off. You know I can’t sleep without a night-light. At least if I sleep with someone else it’s different.” She pouted.
“It’s ok. I am just teasing you,” hugged her. It was true that was scared of the dark and she always had a night-light on in her room and in the hall.
“Well, I have to go ,” said and got of the bed picking up her pillow.
Oh yeah... another of ’s unusual habits; thought amused rolling her eyes, she always takes that pillow where ever she goes; that girl is full of quirky habits.
“Where are you going?” she inquired.
“Oh… I am working today!” said boringly. “I have to help my editor. I’ll go get dressed now,” she said and left the room.
“Great,” said happily and plopped on the bed. She wasn’t happy that had to work, but at the same time she was happy because she was going to stay at home and relax.
After a couple of hours she decided to get online and chat with who ever was on in her list. She turned on the computer and entered to her email address to see if there was something important, but there was nothing. She connected to her messenger and waited to see who was on. Unfortunately no one was online, so she searched for someone to chat through the net.
After surfing through the net, forums and chat-rooms finding only a couple of decent people to chat, closed her computer and went to the kitchen to cook something to eat for lunch. She decided to make Risotto since her choices were limited. We definitely have to go to the grocery… again!
--------------------
“How come you asked me to meet with you on a Sunday?” Yagyuu asked sipping on his wine. “You usually stay indoors and sleep on Sunday!”
Niou laughed while he was playing with his fork. “We met some girls yesterday,” he looked at Yagyuu half serious.
“Oh! You have met girls before but you never called me out on a Sunday to tell me that,” Yagyuu said nonchalantly.
“That’s… true! But it seems that these girls are special,” Niou said with a smile.
“Special huh?” Yagyuu asked him thoughtfully “Why so?”
“Well, for starters, have you ever seen Sanada Genichirou flustered over a woman?”
Yagyuu said nothing just sat back into his chair looking at Niou straight in the eyes.
“We both know the answer is no. But you should have seen him yesterday. He was blushing and smiling all night long… and he made light conversations with her on the way back.” Niou sipped on his wine. “Don’t look so surprised. He still was as thick as a wall, but she completely fell for that, or so it seems.” He sunk back into his chair to be more comfortable.
Yagyuu looked at Niou mildly surprised. “I guess I would like to have seen Sanada blush and smile while in the company of a woman. He hardly does that around us. I guess Renji would like to hear about this,” he said laughing lightly. “And how did he meet this woman?”
“She sang at the club we went to. I must admit that she has an incredible voice. She is also very beautiful.”
“Beautiful?? Your taste in women is very peculiar. For you to say she is beautiful, she must look awesome,” Yagyuu pointed out.
“Well… on the outside, she is the type of woman I like. Although she has a fiery personality under that innocent look she portrays, she didn’t catch my eye at first glimpse… However, my partner was rather rooted in the entrance looking at her sing as if he was struck by a lightning.” Niou laughed, remembering the scene. “You should have seen him.”
“Oh! I am sure he wouldn’t appreciate you talking about him like that,” Yagyuu said nibbling on his food. “So, she got his interest. Well I hope it turns out alright.”
“I hope so too. He has been sulking for far too long by burying himself into work. He almost returned to how he was in Junior High,” Niou said dryly.
“Tell me about your woman.”
“My woman… she is best friend to Sanada’s girl. She is sexy. And wild,” Niou replied with a smirk. “I tested her out last night.”
“Masaharu, why do you tend to lead people on? You have a bad boy complex,” Yagyuu said with a sigh. “You seriously need to stop that. You have a tendency of being crude to people, for no reason at all. Are you so scared of getting emotionally involved with someone?” Yagyuu sighed again. “Honestly, you are like Sanada. He tends to withdraw himself from conversations as much as possible and doesn’t like to interact with people, for the same reasons you act crude towards them.”
Niou just looked at Yagyuu. Yagyuu Hiroshi was the only person that could see through Niou and had the courage to voice out his thoughts about him. Whatever Yagyuu was saying was true. He and Sanada were very much alike; no wonder they got along in living and working together. It was as if they completed each other on different levels. Sanada could never be crude towards people and Niou could never be antisocial.
“You are right Hiroshi. It’s a way of defense for me to be like that. If the woman is no good than no harm’s done.”
“Please do not talk like that about women,” Yagyuu said seriously.
“I am sorry,” Niou said bowing his head lightly. “Anyway… she is very smart and a player, but I am sure it’s a defensive way to keep her from getting hurt.”
“How did you understand that? I am sure she didn’t tell you that in words while you were acting like a complete jerk.”
“How do you know I was acting like a Jerk?” he complained with fake hurt expression.
Yagyuu sighed for the ninth time that day. “I know you Masaharu!”
“She didn’t tell me in my face. We chatted over the net,” Niou said emptying his glass of wine and refilling it. “Though she didn’t know she was talking to me.”
“I see… and what did she say?” Yagyuu took off his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose.
“That she met a jerk yesterday, but she would give him another chance,” Niou replied meekly. He left his glass on the table and stretched his hands behind his head.
“That’s good. At least she didn’t turn you down.” Niou eyed Yagyuu in return for his comment. “You should behave the next time you meet. Show her the guy you truly are.”
“I will,” was all that Niou said.
--------------------
A few hours later at the girls’ apartment
“I am hooome!” called from the entrance of the apartment where she took off her shoes and jacket.
“Welcome back,” came the cheerful response of as she bounced her way to meet .
eyed her carefully. “What’s with the cheery attitude?” she asked smiling.
“Close your eyes and come see.” took ’s hand and led her to the living room. “Open your eyes,” said excitedly.
“…” was speechless for a few seconds. She blinked several times and then squealed. “Wow… this is huge. We can’t afford something like this,” she said starting to feel her friend’s excitement. Before her eyes stood a two meter Christmas tree full of garments and small Christmas balls and toys. All the presents they had bought for their friends and family were beneath the big tree. The tree looked so odd in their small room but it was so beautiful. Both girls were very happy and excited.
“, turn off the lights and look,” said from behind the tree and turned the switch on as turned the lights off.
Suddenly the room was filled with hundred colors coming from the lights on the tree. Both girls just looked at it hypnotized.
“Wow… this is magical,” whispered still looking at the tree. “We cannot afford something like this. Where did you get it from?” she questioned.
“My parents sent me 150,0001 Yen as a birthday gift. So I decided to do a little bit of spending,” smiled at her friend.
“Your birthday?” looked at shocked. “That was in July.”
“Yeah. Well they are known for the love they show towards their only daughter,” she laughed. “I don’t care anymore .”
They both jumped on the couch and gazed towards the tree. popped a CD in the CD-player and the room was filled with Christmas carols, she turned the volume down a bit so she could talk to .
“I am glad that you liked the tree. It took me most of the morning and afternoon to finish it.”
“It’s great. It’s really very beautiful. I can’t wait to see the look on Kaede’s face!” said giggling, referring to Oshitari Yuushi’s daughter.
“How was work?” asked playing with a small pillow.
“Boring! I had to help my editor go through tomorrow’s articles. I don’t understand why I became a journalist in the first place, I hate this job!” said grumpily. “I am hungry. What did you make?”
“Risotto.”
“You spend money on all of this and yet we are stuck with risotto?” whined “You are unbelievable!” she pouted.
laughed at ’s antics. It was true; she had forgotten to stop at the grocery to buy something else for to eat while she was shopping.
“Come on Pooh, don’t pout. It makes you look ugly,” said still smiling patting ’s hair.
“You know… Niou-san, said the same thing to me last night,” told sheepishly.
“Really?” asked surprised, her hand stopping on ’s head. “How come?”
“Umm… I don’t remember what we were talking about but he told me that and pinched my nose,” replied thoughtfully.
“Oh! Sounds like a different Niou. Are you sure?”
“Yes… he also called me baka!” replied nodding. “It’s true he was different with me than with you.”
BEEP
“I think that’s my phone,” said and got of the couch to fetch her phone.
(Niou’s number)
I hope I am not
disturbing.
I was thinking
maybe you would
like to go out with
me for dinner?
“Niou is asking me out to dinner. What should I answer?” asked looking at the message again as she sat next to .
“It all depends if you want to go out with him or not,” responded and replaced the CD on the player. had been playing Christmas songs all week and she had more than enough of the Christmas spirit. She popped Sheryl Crow’s new album on.
“Spoil-sport!” complained jokingly. “I don’t know if I want to go out with him so soon. I do want to give him another chance because I am afraid that he will behave like a jerk again.” She leaned her head backwards and rested it on the back of the couch.
“Well, he wasn’t too much of a jerk when we were together,” muttered with her finger on her chin. “Go out with him.”
nodded and typed her respond.
Hey… I don’t think
that going out with
you for dinner would
kill me. So, ok.
Where do you want
to meet? XD
“Let’s go eat,” told as she got up from the couch and went to the kitchen. followed her and took her phone with her. She was hoping that Sanada would text her at some point and ask her out.
BEEP
BEEP
“You have a message too. Probably ‘prince charming’ will ask you out.” giggled.
“Will stop calling him that.” frowned.
~You shouldn’t frown like that. It makes you look ugly~ rang in 's ears as she saw ’s face frown. She blushed. didn’t notice anything as she was grumbling about the food while getting the table ready for them. Why would she blush over a comment made by a man who clearly didn’t like her very much? She shook her head and read the text message she received.
(Niou’s number)
How about 8 pm
tonight, we meet at
the Tokyo station,
north exit. I will pick
you up with my car.
(’s number)
Sounds great.
“Well, I am meeting him at 8 tonight. At the Tokyo station,” said a little bit excited.
“Great!” exclaimed. “Let’s see who sent me a message,” she said and checked her phone.
(Sanada’s number)
Good afternoon… I was
wondering if you wanted
to go out with me tonight?
That’s if you have no other
plans.
(’s number)
Of course. I’d love to!
What do u have in mind?
(Sanada’s number)
Love to?
How about a movie and
then something to eat?
(’s number)
Hehe… Sounds great.
Where do you want to
meet?
(Sanada’s number)
At the Asakusa Toho
Gekijo movie theater
8 pm.
(’s number)
Ok :-P
“Well it seems we both got dates for tonight,” said with a wink.
“Great. I hope they turn out to be nice guys!” said munching on her risotto.
“Yep...” agreed .
--------------------
At the boys apartment
“Well, I guess we both have dates for tonight,” Niou grinned.
“Yeah,” Sanada answered absent-mindedly looking at the messages he exchanged with “Weird,” he muttered.
“What?”
“I said ‘weird’. -san’s response was weird,” Sanada said closing his phone. For some reason he had a funny feeling about his date tonight.
“To be honest, was somewhat cheerful,” Niou said, lying on the couch.
“Cheerful?” Sanada asked surprised. That’s odd, he thought trying to remember ’s behavior last night.
“Yes… she was chatty and said she’d love to go out with me. Somehow that doesn’t sound like her,” Niou said closing his eyes and putting his hands behind his head.
“We don’t know them yet Masaharu. Maybe they’re different from what we imagine,” Sanada said and went to the kitchen to get him and Niou a cup of hot tea.
“Thanks,” Niou said as he pulled himself up from the couch and drunk his tea.
“Well, I think we should get ready.”
“You are right. I wouldn’t want to be late,” Niou said playfully.
“You are hopeless!” Sanada sighed and went to his room to have a shower and change. He got in the shower and let the hot water wash away his worries. He felt weird after his message exchange with . Well, he thought, I don’t know her yet.
--------------------
“Are you ready ?” shouted from the hall to be heard by her friend.
“I am coming, I am coming,” said hastily. She came running out of her room; she took her time getting dressed and was late. She stood in front of with a happy smile on her face. “Damn woman! You look… sexy!” giggled.
was wearing a black long dress that covered her whole body. The upper part of the dress was of beautiful Lilac Kashmir and was strapless. That dress was a gift from ’s mom when they graduated from University. Because refused to buy clothes or more accurately dresses, ’s mom bought it for . She had pulled her hair up in a ponytail and had curled the ends. She put small garments to adorn the start of the ponytail. Last she was wearing a beautiful pair of heels purple in color to match the dress’s top.
“Thanks. He said we where going out to dinner. So I thought maybe it would be a fancy restaurant,” winked putting on her black coat. “I think he wants to impress me. So I should impress him too.” She smiled mischievously. “I see you are wearing jeans again.”
“Well, we are going for a movie and maybe eat something later. So I dressed casually,” said wearing her winter jacket on and her woolen cap and scarf “Ok. Let’s go. I will come with you till the station because I have to take the train to Asakusa for the theater.”
“Great.” replied cheerfully. I wonder why I am so excited, she thought exiting the apartment behind .
They were both walking and chatting happily. They didn’t notice the odd looks they got from the people walking past by them. They did make an odd pair. One was extravagant and the other was average. But they didn’t care. At that moment they were happy.
“Well, here you are. Good luck and have fun,” said gingerly and hugged . She then left to take the train to her destination.
It was ten minutes before eight. was feeling nervous. It’s ridiculous to feel this way, when I have only met him once, she thought, and he managed to annoy her to no end with his antics. She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned around…
--------------------
was in the train and was looking out at the scenery of Christmas illuminations decorating the houses. They looked so beautiful. Christmas was one of her favorite holidays. arrived at the Asakusa Toho Gekijo movie theater two minutes past eight; thankfully the theater was close to the station.
She looked around a bit to see if he was there, waiting when suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder and turned around…
--------------------
Niou was driving slowly towards his destination; he wasn’t in a hurry. Actually he had left a little bit early. He wasn’t feeling nervous about this date. He chuckled to himself at the thought and looked at the cars watch to see the time. It was twenty minutes before eight. He decided to park his car and walk his way to the meeting point. As he strolled down the Avenue leading to the station he looked over some shops. I have to do a lot of Christmas shopping, he thought. As he came closer to the station and to the meeting point with his date, he looked at his watch to see the time again. Five minutes before eight. He sat at a bench near by and kept his eyes on the people to spot his lady. After a few minutes he spotted a single figure looking around as if she was looking for someone. ~Bingo!~ he thought, and got of the bench and approached the figured. He tapped her shoulder and she turned to look at him…
--------------------
Sanada was in his car, swearing under his breath. He took his time to dress up and now was late. He drove as fast as he could, not wanting to get fined or anything. He hated being late for dates; he hated being late when meeting with clients too. He looked at the car’s watch; two minutes before eight, he kicked himself mentally. I have to hurry. After a couple of minutes he reached the parking area of the station. He got out of his car and rushed to his meeting point with . As he reached closer to his destination he kept looking around to find his lady. He looked at his watch, five minutes after eight. He swore again, loudly this time and as he turned around, his gaze fell on the back of a lone figure standing by the trees near the sidewalk. He rushed towards the figure and tapped on her shoulder as he reached her. She then turned around to look at him in surprise…
--------------------
In all different places
“You?” said wide-eyed.
“You!!!!!!!” exclaimed surprised.
“You!!!!!!” Sanada said not believing his eyes.
“I thought it was you!” Niou chuckled.
--------------------
“I am sorry! But there must be some kind of mistake,” said once she gained her posture. “Is this some kind of sick joke?” she exclaimed angrily.
“I am sorry. But I… could you please tell me your number?” Sanada sighed disappointed.
“My number? Why? I got a message from Niou to meet him at the north exit entrance at 8 pm,” responded annoyed, crossing her arms.
Sanada sighed heavily. “I send that message to -san, but for some reason you got it instead.”
“You are joking, right? Oh...” stopped as if she remembered something important “Oh my gosh! No… did we?” she muttered to herself.
“What?”
“Me and have the same phone and the only difference is the color. But I guess in the dark it wouldn’t have much difference. We gave you the wrong numbers,” she sighed and put her hand over her eyes.
“So it seems,” Sanada said dryly. “Well, since you are all dressed up I guess we should go to the restaurant I have booked,” he said gesturing for to follow him.
“I guess we could have a quiet dinner,” moved towards Sanada feeling a bit disappointed. Apparently I was nervous for no reason. She was stuck with Sanada for the rest of the night. She sighed again.
Sanada’s thoughts were pretty much on the same wavelength as ’s. He felt very disappointed to be stuck with and miss the chance to go out with . Well, he could try relaxing with and see if he could open up a little, so he wouldn’t be as stiff, when he did go out with . He really disliked the fact that he had to do this with .
They got in the car and drove to the restaurant that Sanada had booked.
--------------------
“What are you doing here?” pointed her finger at Niou surprised.
“I told you not to point your finger at me,” he said and bit lightly her fingertip laughing.
“Hey...” slapped his shoulder playfully when she registered what he had done.
“You girls gave us the wrong numbers,” Niou said putting his hands in his pocket.
“That’s not poss… Oh... No…” said as she realized how true Niou’s words were “Sorry!” she said putting her tongue out and scratching the back of her head. “You see, me and have the same phones, the only difference is the color. I guess that we didn’t notice yesterday,” laughed at the incident. “How come you figured out it was me here?”
“I’d love to’ I don’t think would have said that to me so freely. She is perky but she would be a bit stiff around me. You on the other hand, are both serious and carefree at the same time. How do you manage that?” He said smiling.
“I don’t know… it’s the way I am I guess.” smiled sweetly.
“Hmmm… I guess,” Niou said thoughtfully eyeing carefully. “What movie should we see?”
“Umm… What would you say if we saw ‘Die Hard 4’?” said cheerfully. She felt a little disappointed not seeing Sanada waiting for her, but she didn’t want to spoil a nice evening, so she just brushed her disappointment off and smiled at her companion.
“Good choice. I never would have thought that you might want to see that sort of movie,” Niou said meekly. He wasn’t very disappointed at how things had turned out; he had a vague idea of the misunderstanding that occurred with the exchange of phone numbers. He didn’t tell Sanada about it because he thought that maybe he could relax with and maybe she would help him with . He never asked help from anyone except Yagyuu and Sanada. But this was different.
“Of course,” said cheerfully. “Me and have watched all 3 movies together! She wanted to see part 4 too,” she pulled her tongue out again.
“Hmm. I might bring her then, next time!” Niou said laughing. She is very sweet, he thought.
And they made their way towards the queue to get their tickets for the show.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
was feeling very weird being in a car alone with Sanada. She never thought her date would turn out to be this way. How did they give the wrong numbers to the guys, was beyond her. She looked to her right and saw Sanada driving thoughtfully. She wondered what he could be thinking.
“May I ask what are you thinking?” looked at him and smiled sheepishly.
Sanada looked at her. “Nothing really,” he said sternly and returned his focus on the road.
“I am sorry,” whispered and turned her face to the window on her side.
Sanada looked at her once again and sighed. He had reserved the restaurant for tonight from the morning. He wasn’t sure if would go out with him but he wanted to be sure to have a reservation at the best restaurant in Tokyo. He was never a person that would go through wild expenses or eating at fancy restaurants, but for some reason, this seemed right. Now, he was going on his date with another woman, who disliked him. He turned his car at the end of the road and into a parking area.
“We are here,” he said and got out of the car.
“Great. I get to eat with grumpy!” muttered as she got of the car too, but before she followed Sanada into the hotel where the restaurant was she thought of something. “Wait a minute…” She took her phone out of her bag and dialed ’s number.
“Hello?”
“You… You… I hate you Pooh!!!... This is your entire fault… You gave the wrong phones… You owe me BIG time for this…!” yelled over the phone.
pulled the phone away from her ear. “I am sorry … I didn’t do it on purpose… Do you think that I like not being with Sanada-san?” pleaded over the phone.
“What am I going to do? The man is a freaking iceberg!!” she looked over at Sanada and she saw him look at her intensely. “Oh my gosh he heard me,” she whispered.
“Of course he heard you, idiot! The whole block heard you! Pass him the phone, please,” walked over to Sanada and handed him her phone “It’s .”
He took the phone from “Hello?” he said meekly.
“Ah, hello Sanada-san, I am very sorry! It’s my fault for giving you the wrong number. I hope you won’t be mad at me,” said a bit embarrassed.
“It’s alright. I am just a little disappointed,” Sanada said as softly as he could.
“Me too Sanada-san. We could go out tomorrow if you would like?” said sweetly.
Sanada turned away from . “Yes, of course. I’ll call you tomorrow morning,” he replied gazing towards the hotel entrance.
“Great!” said excitedly.
“Have a nice time,” he whispered softly.
“Thank you Sanada-san. Have a good time too. is a great person. If you talk to her I am sure that you will like her,” said sweetly. “May I speak with her again?”
“Sure,” Was his reply and handed the phone back to .
“, behave. Please try and relax. Find out about him and I will find out about Niou-san. Okay?”
“Okay!” pouted. “By the way, where is he?” she asked walking slowly towards the hotel.
“He is buying tickets for a movie. Now, have fun!” said and closed the phone.
--------------------
“Who was on the phone?” Niou asked walking up to .
“Umm... It was . She is not very happy about what happened,” tried to be serious but burst out laughing when she remembered ’s outburst.
“Care to let me in on the joke,” Niou said smiling happily.
“Yeah... was yelling about Sanada-san being thick as a brick wall and apparently he heard her,” she said still laughing. “I am sad that I won’t be spending this evening with Sanada-san. I was most looking forward to going out with him,” she added with a sadden expression. “But I am happy to be with you too,” she smiled cheerfully.
“You know, you are the only person I know with those mood-swings. How do you even manage is beyond me,” he said and walked towards the pop corn booth.
“Hehe... That’s what always says,” followed him. “I can change from happy to sad to happy again in no time.” she giggled. “Popcorn?”
“It’s alright. I’ll get them. What would you like to drink?” Niou asked while they were waiting in the queue.
“No. I will get the popcorn and drinks plus I owe you the money for the ti…” she stopped when she saw Niou glaring at her.
“Do not insult me. I may not be a gentleman 100%, but I do have manners,” he said and ordered their popcorn & drinks.
was blushing slightly because of what Niou said. She didn’t want to embarrass him. She looked at him and smiled sheepishly. It seemed to that tonight he was more himself than he was yesterday. She looked at him carefully and noticed that he was smiling. He has a sweet smile.
--------------------
sighed and followed Sanada to the restaurant at the rooftop of the hotel. The hotel was luxurious, she didn’t notice the name of it, but it looked like a 5 star hotel.
They walked out of the elevator and into a big luxurious restaurant, with ancient Greek columns adorning the interior. It had royal colors of red and gold everywhere. looked around stunned by the beauty and the luxury. No one had ever taken her to such a place.
“May I help you sir,” a man dressed in a black suite asked Sanada as they approached the reception of the restaurant.
“We have a reservation by the name Sanada. For two people,” Sanada said and put his hand at ’s back and pushed her softly to take a step forward. He rested his hand at the back of her waist as light as possible, like a true gentleman.
“Mr. and Mrs. Sanada right?” the man asked checking the reservation list on the pod in front of him.
Sanada and both blushed. He then took his hand away. “Would you please show us to our table,” he coughed.
They both sat at their reserved table. took another look around the luxurious rooftop restaurant. She was speechless. She looked at Sanada and wondered about this man. He confused her to no end.
“Why did we come?” asked softly.
Sanada looked at her. “They would have charged me for the booking anyway,” he said shifting uncomfortably in his chair. “Besides you have dressed up so beautifully, it would be a shame if we didn’t come.” He coughed and looked away with a tinge of pink coloring his cheeks.
“Oh! Thank you!” she said and blushed furiously. She never expected so much honestly from him. “ would have loved this place. Although we would have trouble to get her to wear an evening dress,” she laughed to break the awkwardness; he was different from all the other guys she had ever met, she thought looking at him going through the menu.
Well, he is very handsome, she thought and she flipped through the menu, in a very serious way; this place some expensive, she took a quick glance at him. He seemed more relaxed since they met at the station. She could feel that he was trying his best to look social and polite. She looked at him one last time before she averted her eyes to take a serious look at the menu she was holding in her hands.
“What will you have?” he asked suddenly.
jumped a little; she wasn’t used to hearing such a strong voice.
“Well, everything looks delicious. I think…” She put her finger on her lips. “...I will have fried calamari with potato salad and green salad. Is that okay?” she asked sweetly closing her menu.
“It’s alright. You can have whatever you want,” Sanada said closing his own menu and signaled to the waiter.
“Yes, sir. How may I help?” the waiter bowed politely.
“We would like to start with some shrimp appetizers and green salad. As main dish fried calamari and potato salad for my lady…” He stopped abruptly. He blushed furiously, coughed, picked up his menu and opened it to hide his face. “For me, I’d like grilled salmon and a tuna salad,” he continued when he found his voice; he lowered the menu and looked at . “Would you like some wine?”
was stunned. No, stunned didn’t describe how she felt at that moment. She thought she had heard wrong when he gave her order, but the blush on his face showed otherwise. She felt her knees weaken; she would have fallen to the ground if she wasn’t sitting on her chair. No one had ever said something like that about her before. My lady, my lady, my lady… kept ringing in her ears. She loved the sound of those two single words. She came back to reality when she heard him addressing her.
“Oh... oh! Wine? No thank you, I don’t drink. Water would be just fine,” she said sheepishly.
“Alright, then bring us water and a glass of red wine for me. As for dessert, I will have some vanilla ice cream with strawberries. What would you like?” Sanada asked softly.