The Date
RENEE
“I appreciate the change, ma’am.” As I stepped out of the cab, the driver expressed his gratitude, and I smiled at him.
My heeled feet were on the ground, and I straightened my hair sideways, brushing a speck of invisible dust off my shoulders.
The taxi sped away, leaving me alone, and I began to take in my surroundings, staring at the grandiose restaurant Robert invited me to.
Looking around, I noticed the grand, quiet street, with everything looking like it belonged in some magazine.
The buildings surrounding the restaurant were tall and imposing, and although it was a business area, it appeared to be anything but.
This place was serene and lovely, and all I could think was-this place belonged to the elite.
I’d googled the restaurant before coming here, and the second Robert had sent me the address, I’d been blown away by the review I’d read and the added knowledge that it was a 5-star restaurant and the best of its kind in the city.
As usual, Nicole was astounded and tempted to look up their food and drink menu, but I talked her out of it.
There was no way I could bear it if I heard the prices. A shiver ran down my spine just thinking about it.
I knew Robert was ridiculously wealthy, but I hadn’t gotten used to that fact yet.
I took a shaky step, then another, until I was walking toward the gates of the posh building, and as soon as I told the security guard who I was here to meet, he opened the large steel door barricade for me.
Walking past arrays of sleek, expensive-as-fuck cars, I tried to guess which one belonged to Robert, but I failed woefully.
I was standing in front of the swanky building’s sizeable transparent glass doors now, and my shoulders dropped significantly.
I clutched my small purse tightly as my nerves began to fray a bit.
With my face downcast, I went over my dress again, assuring myself that I looked good, and that Robert would like the outfit.
I was dressed in a strapless, floor-length red gown with a slit that reached up to my right thigh. The dress was designed with lace patches etched at the rims and edges of the clothing. Even though it was made of plain material, some intricate flower designs were on some parts of the body-con gown.
I wore black high heels with silver sparkles that matched my earrings and necklace.
My makeup was bold and flirty, and the bright red lipstick on my lips added to my sexiness. My hair was curled into waves and fell across my bare neck and collarbones.
I dragged my face up and smiled shakily, knowing I looked beautiful-all thanks to Nicole-but I was shy and practically trembling inside.
After all these days, I was finally seeing him.
After all of my confusion and mental battles, I was finally doing this and it felt like I was about to meet a stranger.
‘Renee, get a grip on yourself.’ Internally, I warned myself, my frightening thoughts clouding my judgment.
A cool breeze blew across me, and I shivered, rubbing my neatly manicured red-painted fingers across my body. I began to search through my small purse, intending to call Robert.
As I reached for my phone, a text appeared on my screen, and as I clicked away, a small smile appeared as I saw that the message was from Robert.
Robert: Someone informed me of your arrival, and one of the restaurant staff would be there in a minute to pick you up. I could have come on my own, but I wouldn’t have been able to control myself when I saw you, so this is preferable.
I started typing, intent on replying to him, a blush rising on my cheeks at his words, already knowing what he meant.
“Hello, ma’am.” A voice interrupted my thoughts.
It was the restaurant staff. A young man dressed smartly in a tailor-made white and black uniform.
I’d been engrossed with my phone and had no idea when he’d stepped out of the glass doors. But that didn’t matter.
The warm smile on his face made me feel at ease, and I nodded back.
“Miss Renee, right?”
“Yes.”
“Welcome to The Palms restaurant, ma’am.”
“Thank you.” I replied sharply, stepping toward him. He extended his right hand, which he’d clasped behind him, that I hadn’t noticed.
He was holding a single red rose and a black notecard. Handing me both, I took them, my mouth open, ready to question him.
“Please accept this. Mr. Clarke, your date, instructed me to give them to you.”
“Oh…” I trailed off, glancing at the card while inhaling the fresh rose. It smelled so lovely and fresh. “Mmmm…” I sniffed, my eyes reading the note but my confusion was compounded when I noticed that the gold-inscribed sentence on the card was in French or was it Spanish?
“What exactly is…” I began to speak, but the young man was already leading me inside the restaurant.
“Let’s go in, ma’am.” He said gently, his hand on one side of my back.
We walked silently, my hands fiddling with my clutch and the lone rose flower, and when we got inside the main restaurant, I was blown away by what I saw.
This was my first visit to such an expensive establishment, and oh damn!
The place was enchanting. That was the perfect word to describe the room. The decor was exquisite, with gleaming chandeliers lighting the structure and soothing piano music filling the air.
I could see couples eating and dining at their respective tables, and they were clearly having a good time.
Why wouldn’t they? I thought to myself.
Everything about this place screamed elegance and wealth. Everyone clearly having the time of their lives.
My eyes scanned the tables as I looked for Robert, but I couldn’t find him anywhere and I was beginning to become nervous.
“Hey, where are you taking me? Where is Mr. Clarke?” I asked, nervous.
The young man said, “We’re going to the VIP section, miss. There…” He pointed and added, “Mr. Clarke is already waiting for you.”
I followed his pointed hands, which stretched toward the farther end of the building… a place with dark-themed undertones, with a stationed metal barricade. My eyes looked over the area, and that’s when I saw him.
He stood waiting for me with a warm smile, and my breath stopped for a minute.
Fuck! This man was handsome.
He stood in a black dinner suit with dark hair styled perfectly. Our gazes met, and his gorgeous blue eyes made my heart race.
The way he looked at me made me want to melt into a puddle of goo, and my thighs watered, but I kept my cool.
How could I have thought I’d ever forget this man? What made me think I could just let him go like that? Why on Earth had I even pushed him away?
This man. My Daddy. The epitome of male masculinity and ethereal gorgeousness.
Even for someone his age, he took my breath away and made my chest tighten unexpectedly.
“My beautiful Renee…”
As I approached the reserved table, his smooth, low, and sexy voice cut through my thoughts, and I blinked twice.
“Hello, Robert.” I smiled shyly, my trembling nerves subsiding, a blush rising on my cheeks. The makeup would undoubtedly do an excellent job of covering the pink patches on my face, but then…
“You look stunning.” He complimented, and taking my free hand in his, he slowly lifted it to his lips, kissing my knuckles. “Fuck!” He closed his eyes. His nose scrunched briefly as if inhaling my scent.
“Fuck formality. Renee, I’ve missed you. Every fucking inch of you…” He said it abruptly, and before I could respond, he tugged my hand, causing me to stumble.
“Robert!” I gasped, but he was already steadying me and pulling me into a much-needed hug, sending waves of pleasure and warmth through me.
We embraced for a few minutes before he finally pulled away, and his eyes wandered to my dress. I saw his gaze darken before he wiped the look off his face and then he looked behind me.
“I appreciate you bringing my woman.” Robert said, handing the young man several folded bills of high denomination.
My woman. His woman.
I grinned like a fool as he handed the young man a small bundle of 50-dollar bills, and even though I was tempted to say something about the considerable tip, I remained silent.
Robert had the cash, and damned if the young man wasn’t lucky tonight.
I worked at a top-notch restaurant, and though not quite as expensive as this, no customer had ever given me a tip over 100 dollars.
“Thank you, sir, and I hope you have a pleasant evening. The designated waitress will be with you shortly.” The young man said, and he began to walk away from our table, leaving only Robert and me.
“So, baby girl, what do you want first tonight?” He asked, his hand sliding down my waist and gripping as he led me to the seat opposite his. He leaned closer from behind.
When his lips brushed against my bare skin, my breath seized, and I closed my eyes, waiting in anticipation.
“Please take a seat, Renee.” He said, his hand leaving my waist and gently caressing my pendant jewelry as he reached my neck. “The necklace looks so much more exquisite on you than I’d imagined.”
“Thank you… Thank you…” I stammered as I sat down embarrassingly, and his light chuckle filled the room.NôvelDrama.Org owns this.
“We’re taking things slow, right?”
“Yes, just like I want.” I responded curtly, watching him take his seat and smirking. He winked and said, “Then we’ll start with appetizers, or should we just skip to dessert?” He asked, and I flushed.
Instinctively I remembered the first dessert I’d had on his yacht and coughing, I smirked back, “Sure. Mr. Robert Clarke, whatever you say. You’re the one in charge here.”
“Huh? Very formal indeed.” He laughed and reached across the table to grab my hand.
He kissed my soft skin and held my hand, he then added, “We will start with appetizers, and note that I am in charge here and everywhere. Is that understood?”
“Yes, Daddy. It is.” I replied. We smiled warmly at each other.
He turned to call a waitperson, as the designated server hadn’t arrived, and I continued looking around.
Oh well… This enchanting night was just getting started.