Chapter Six

Liam

I adjust my tie and lean against my jacket which I have placed on the chair I am sitting on. I look around the building and all I see is simplicity. I followed the address on the document which Hector did his research on Ariana. So she works here: Taste's Home. The name of the Restaurant doesn't give out a lot

After a long week of work, I have decided to come over here and see Aria again. She has been on my mind all week. I wonder if she got herself in some more trouble during this time. What happened last time must have been a glitch in her system because she looks to be more responsible than that. She has herself a job and she told me she wanted to find herself a full-time job after graduation. This tells me that she is a very determined girl who has a lot of plans for her future. 

She walks to my table with determined confidence. I saw her disappear into thin air when I entered this restaurant. That was a funny move, I found myself grinning like a fool. Doesn't she want to see me or is she afraid of me seeing her? I came as all this this way to see her. At least she should make an effort to show me that she is happy to see me.

"Welcome to Taste's Home. How can I serve you?" she says with a small smile. So we are acting strangers now. I will play along, then. I know she is trying really hard to act professional and I don't want to make this difficult for her. My presence is already making her nervous, judging by the way she keeps tucking back the loose strands from her bun. I gaze at her, trying to stiffle a smile.

"I would like to be served the best that you have here at Taste's Home," I respond with a nonchalant look, my eyes never leaving hers.

"Okay. Make yourself comfortable. I will bring you the menu," she responds with a nod and then walks away. I am left looking around the place, trying to find something to interest me, other than the waitress that seems to want to ignore me. Maybe I should have asked Hector to go join me in here. The place is so quiet and empty. The lady with the child stands up and walks out after paying the bill. I am left in with three other customers. I guess it is almost closing time.

Ariana comes back with the menu and hands it to me. I open it and scan it twice without making up my mind up about what I want to eat.

"Have you had dinner yet?" I ask her. I think my question caught her off guard because her eyes go wide and then she frowns at me. She looks around us, but I guess there is nothing to see.

"No, sir," she responds, more of a question than a response. 

"Good," I respond while placing the menu on the table.

"Why would you ask?" she asks me with narrowed eyes.

"Miss. Manroe, I would like to treat you out for dinner somewhere else," I say, selecting my words carefully so that I don't establish any misunderstandings.

"I am fine, sir. Just go ahead and chose what you would like to have and we would prepare it for you as quickly as we can," she tells. 

"Miss Manroe, I am sure you know my name and I prefer you address me by it. I insist on the dinner because I believe you owe me a favour," I tell her.

She takes in a deep breath.

"Mr. Carter it is against our policies to give customers personal favours like this. I am still on duty," she responds. I chuckle at her response and then cock my head to study her safe. That face that has been haunting my thoughts since last week.

"I believe that it is already closing time," I say while checking my watch. Yes, according to what the manager told me.

"I could wait until you are ready to go," I tell her, proving my point that I am not taking no for an answer. 

"Mr. Carter, I have other things to take care of within the restaurant after closing time," she responds.

"I have already talked to Mr. Hendricks, and you are free to go," I tell her and she gasps. Yes, I have everything taken care of. I am not going to let her go easily tonight. I give her a burning smirk and she quickly recovers her composure.

Aria throws on her coat and walks infront of me as we head out of the restaurant. I managed to get her out of there, despite the fact that I had to break a lot of rules. Mr. Hendricks wouldn't have dared to stop her after all that I talked to him about.

Hector is standing beside the car waiting. Aria suddenly turns and looks me in the eyes. That look! It is a warning that a bomb of questions is about to explode on me.

"How did you know that I work here?" she asks me.

"I asked around," I respond and she laughs at my response. Well, at least that made her serious face disappear. 

"You can't be serious about asking around. I know you didn't. Are you stalking me?" she inquires from me.

"I wouldn't put it like that. It is just happen to know where you work. That doesn't qualify it as stalking, doesn't it?" I ask her. She pockets her hands in her jacket and looks back at Hector. Oh, she met him. He is the one who took her home.

"Where are you taking me?" she asks me, avoiding my question.

"I know a place," I respond. 

"So you are not telling?" she asks me.

"Nope, but so you may know, there is no liquor involved," I respond and she grins at me. Yes, I wouldn't let her drink on my watch.

"It's not everyday that I get dunk and end up in men's hotel rooms," she says, and I mentally roll my eyes. I wouldn't imagine it any other way.

"Still, I don't approve of it. Now, come on. Let's get going," I tell her while getting hold of her hand. I walk her to the car and open the door for her. She gets in and sits. She looks up at me, big brown eyes seeking mine. I try not to get captivated and close the door. I walk to the other side of the car and Hector has already opened the door for me. I get in and sit beside Aria. 

The car drives off into the road and I turn my attention back to the girl sitting quietly beside me. 

"Why are you doing this?" she asks me.

"What?" I ask, trying to understand her question.

"Why are you taking me out for dinner? I mean, I don't see why you have to do this. You probably have a lot of work to do other than this," she replies.

"Look, I am doing this because I want to. It doesn't matter if I have a lot of work to do. It's a Friday night and the weekend is up. I don't have to work myself to death. I have capable staff that can handle the work. Besides, it is just tonight," I tell her. I wish it was more than tonight. I didn't want to spend the weekend at my hotel. If Aria could accept to go with me home, to my house for the weekend, then everything would be great. I have a lot of things in my mind that I would love to do with her even though she is trying to be very reserved and distant. I don't know why but I would love to see her behave freely with me. 

We arrive at the hotel and we get out of the car. I leave it to Hector to deal with the parking while I walk Aria inside. He eyes room around the place while we enter. The amazed face she is wearing right now makes me want to give myself a high five for choosing this place.

"The service here is the best. You will love the food here," I tell her while pulling out a chair for her from the table I have chosen. She looks at me, her amazed face long gone. What's the matter?

"Why didn't you give me a hint that we were going to such a place? I could have passed by my apartment and fixed myself up," she asks me.

" What's wrong? Don't you like the place?" I ask her.

"No, it's not that. Look at me, what I am wearing! It is so out of this place," she tells me that I purse my lips to stifle a smile.

"What's wrong with your clothes? I think you look great," I tell her. She takes in a deep breath and taps her fingers on her purse.

"If this place makes you uncomfortable, you can tell me. We can try else where. I don't want you to stay here and pretend to be okay when you are totally uncomfortable," I tell her, searching her eyes for sincerity.

"It's fine. I am fine. It's just, you know, I could have dressed better than this," she says.

"Don't mind that. I like your jeans. I think they are Cool," I tell her and she grins at me. She immediately pulls her lip between her teeth to cover the grin. That leaves lip... I would like to pull it between my teeth too...

Control! I have to keep control of myself. I don't want to scare Aria away when I just got the chance to be with her. I hope this goes well. I hope this night goes as planned.