LUNCH

Lorraine Lebedeva

I took a deep breath. "There's something I have to tell you."

Father's smile faded when he noticed I wasn't smiling. "What is it sweetheart?" he asked.

I placed my hands on the table, Father wrapped his hands around mine giving it a comforting squeeze.

His eyes met mine and I looked away.

I don't have the heart to look him in the eye. I chew the inside of my cheek.

My palms are starting to get sweaty. I'm nervous, I have no idea how he will react to this.

Before I could speak, fathers phone vibrated on the table. He read the ID caller then shifted his attention back to me.

"It's important," he spoke with guilt. I sighed letting go of his hands. I put on my best smile, nodding my head up and down as I tugged a few strands of my hair behind my ear.

"This will only take a minute."

He picked up his phone hence stood up then he walked out of the restaurant. He mouthed sorry.

I sighed.

Should I tell him?

Not sure, half of me wants to inform father about this but the other half wants me to continue this 'thing'.

Raphael has this thing that always wants me to go back. When I'm around him it's like he has control over me even if he hasn't said anything nor touched me. All he has to do is look at me and I'll simply become weak in the knees.

I play with the fork in front of me and look around the restaurant.

Everything seems normal just people eating and talking but it's like I'm being watched.

I always have this feeling that I'm being watched whenever I'm out. Either it's true or I'm just being paranoid.

My phone pings notifying me that I have a new message. I pick my phone up and read the text message.

It's from Haletta, she saw the restaurant guys today and asked them out for dinner. They agreed but they want me to come as well.

Why would they want me?

I answered back saying that I'll call her once I reach my room. She replied okay.

A couple of minutes have passed since I was just me waiting for my father.

A male worker approached me with the menu. "Bonjour mademoiselle êtes-vous prête à prendre votre commande?" The waiter questioned politely. { French translation: Hello miss, are you ready to take your order? }

He handed me the menu and my mouth watered as I read it. Everything sounded tasty.

After a minute of me deciding on what I should get, I finally made up my mind. "J'aurai les croissants au beurre français avec des fruits s'il vous plaît et une limonade à la fraise." Smiling politely, I handed him back the menu. { French translation: I'll have the French butter croissants with fruits please and a strawberry lemonade. }

"Oh, et il y aura une autre personne à commander, il est juste à l'extérieur en train de prendre un appel." I informed the waiter he replied with a genuine smile and walked away. { French translation: Oh, and there'll be another person to order, he's just outside taking a call. }

I unlocked my phone and began to scroll through pictures as I waited for father and my food.

Seven minutes have passed.

I lifted my head when I saw the waiter bringing my food. My stomach growled when I saw the food approach.

The waiter gently placed the hot plate on the table with my lemonade. Father walked in and he looked upset.

He sat down and the waiter handed him the menu.

My mouth watered instantly.

The food looks too good to eat. The croissants were fresh and hot as the steam-filled my nose. and the fruits were freshly cut as its juices were slowly oozing down the hot croissant. It's drizzled with honey and a bit of sugar powder.

I was so busy admiring the food that I didn't notice that my father was talking to me. I looked up, pressing my lips together as I raised my brows.

He chuckled deeply. "I was asking what you were going to tell me before we were interrupted." He asked with his deep voice.

Picking different fruits with the fork I shoved them into my mouth and chewed. Trying to avoid the question.

He waited for me to finish chewing.

I awkwardly cleared my throat. "Uhm...we-we should do this more often. I like hanging out with you." I mumbled.

He cutely pouted. "I love spending time with you sweetheart but you know I'm-"

"-Always busy." I mocked him, rolling my eyes.

He chuckled as he removed his jacket and his right arm tattoos were exposed. "Father." I warned.

Father isn't allowed to show off his tattoos while we're on vacation/business trips there could be someone watching us soon they will notice his tattoos and that will lead to chaos. "Relax princess."

I ate a couple of fruits and a bite of my croissant.

This food was amazing.

"How are the girls?" Father raised a question. I brought my lips to the rim of the glass and slowly drank the refreshing liquid.

"They are good, when will you visit them?" I questioned placing the glass back down.

Father sighed then smiled awkwardly showing off his perfectly straight white teeth. "Not sure," he replied honestly.

Moments of silence and the waiter from earlier finally brought father's order.

He ordered bouillabaisse and red wine, mother's favorite dish.

It's just lunch, he doesn't have to be fancy. I thought to myself.

He scooped a spoon full of the stew and slowly blew it then ate it.

"Hmm, just like how she makes it," he mumbled to himself. "But your mother makes it better."

I smiled and continued