Chapter 2. Dinner Interrupted

* Isabella *

I look at my reflection in the mirror, with my hair done in soft curls from the salon. To change my usual straight hair I went to get it done, especially for this evening. Excitement and joy filled my lungs as I thought of the five-star restaurant in the City. It's been a while since I had dined there, without my father. The dress I'm wearing is a sleeveless V-neck midi dress in a vintage blue color. The stylish and flattering neckline shows a bit of my cleavage and skin in the middle of my breast.

My shoes are of the same color and I brought with me a blue silk scarf in case the cold gets into me. Even in summertime, the North has a low temperature, which some enjoy but there are also a few who want to have the heat of the sun during summer.

"Miss Bannister?"

A soft voice coming from Martha made me turn away from the full-length body mirror of my room. "Yes Martha, did Bernard come?"

She smiled looking at me from top to bottom. "You are so beautiful tonight Miss Bannister. And yes, Mister Shaw is waiting downstairs."

"Thank you, Martha. Please tell him that I am going down in a sec."

Martha retreated and got back to the hallway. He came earlier than the agreed time, it was five minutes to seven. My father should be in the video room watching the news or his favorite TV program. I look at my small blue velvet pouch above my bedside table and check the things inside.

My phone, lipstick, and face powder are present. But above everything I had my small pocket-size semi-automatic handgun which is loaded with silver bullets. It isn't necessary to carry on this one because I am with Bernard who is capable of defending me however, I am sure that he does not carry guns with silver bullets.

I grab the pouch and walk confidently with my two-and-a-half-inch heels. I Hope Bernard does not pout since it is my birthday and the high heels would make me half an inch taller than him. My father is watching his favorite TV program when I peek at the door of the TV room.

"I'm leaving Dad!"

He turned his head towards me but did not get up from the rocking sofa. "Enjoy my dear, happy birthday once again!"

I blew a kiss towards him and headed for the grand staircase. Bernard is already standing with a smile on his lips. He looks fresh in a dark blue fitted long-sleeved formal shirt tucked inside his trousers in a lighter shade.

"You look, good birthday girl! I'm glad to be your escort tonight."

He offered his elbow for me and I gladly accepted. "You look fresh and I love your outfit tonight. Good to see you not in uniform every once in a while."

He chuckled and we began to walk outside the mansion into the parking area. We are using his ride since I am wearing heels and he prefers to drive whenever we are together. My phone alerted but I did not open it until I was inside the passenger's seat beside him. My father's guard opened the gates as we were about to go out of the mansion.

"Who is it?"

He casually asks before starting the engine of his white old Mercedes.

"Oh, my cousin Richard and his sister Amy sending their greetings for my birthday. It's funny how they told me not to be sad because I didn't have a party and that we could celebrate when we meet up tomorrow."

He nodded and glanced at me. "Tell them we are going out for dinner as suggested by Mister Bannister and tomorrow is not your birthday anymore."

I shrug my shoulders. "Yeah, I will let them know later or we can talk tomorrow as we all going to meet in the gym."

He chuckles and continues driving. We are not far from the City where we will have dinner. After the traffic lights and a few buildings, we are only a few kilometers from the venue. The road is less crowded at seven pm as there are no more students on the streets. Bernard drove through the parking space of the tall building and got us a space beside a new GMC Sierra, his car looked small compared to the new pickup with its neat features which tells me that either it's from the car wash or it's recently purchased.

Bernard got down and made a turn to open the door for me. "We are here my lady.”

"Oh, I'm ready for a feast. let's order the best plate on the menu."

He smiled at me. "Anything for the birthday girl."

We started walking towards the elevators, smiling as the building security greeted us. The lift opened and we walked inside, there were restaurants on the first floor but our reservation was on the rooftop. We waited inside until we reached the top and the doors opened to the entrance of the fine dining in place. 

"Good evening mam and sir. Do you have a reservation?"

I smiled at the host standing at the entrance. "Yes, please. My father made the reservation, Mister Lorenzo Bannister."

She checked her ledger and looked at both of us, Miss Isabella Abegail Bannister confirmed, please follow me."

I was holding Bernard's elbow as we walked behind the host and followed her inside the resto. The elegant surroundings and the soft music playing in the air is a comfort that I think would give me a pleasant evening. There are a few tables occupied by guests who wear expensive clothing, as expected in a five-star dining place. We followed the host to the table reserved for us, the restaurant had the best view overlooking the road and city lights. There is also a full moon in the sky which looks unusually big and bright this evening.

Bernard pulled out a seat for me and I sat down. There are two empty tables beside us and then there's a four-seater occupied by three gentlemen. I glance at them and notice how their eyes are on us, I look away and focus on Bernard who's checking the menu. "Let's start with a sparkling wine."

He smiled at me. "Yes of course my lady, just like I thought."

He waved at our stand-by waiter and talked to the man while I glanced at the occupied table near us. The men were having a very low conversation and I couldn't even catch any word coming from their mouths. They have their attention on each other now, which gives me time to study their looks. All have a good physique and I wonder if they are gym buddies. My eyes were on them when they suddenly stopped talking and looked in the same direction.

I followed their gaze and met the dashing blue eyes of a tall and well-built man with light brown hair to almost blond. He wore a dark long-sleeved button-down shirt, tucked into formal trousers. His undeniably raw animal magnetism is making me speechless.

His features are not normal so I couldn't guess his age and it sent a deep curiosity to my mind. Then he looks at me and I wonder why it feels like his eyes are caressing every inch of my skin not covered by the fabric of my clothing. And a tiny gasp erupted from my throat.

"Something wrong Isabella?"

The question coming from Bernard turned my head towards him. Then I realized for sure that the man I just saw would be sitting together with the three men at the table near us. I can feel him from the corner of my eyes and I am aware of the tiny hairs standing at the back of my neck. I smiled at Bernard.

"Nothing, are you ready to order?"

He nodded. "This is such a lovely place, we need to come back some other time."

"Of course, my father took me here a couple of times. I think it just opened last year."

I chose to ignore my feelings and ordered the food when the waiter came to bring us our drinks and asked us for our starter and main dish. Bernard also noticed the table when his eyes looked around and furrowed his brows. I wanted to ask him if my hunch is true but I have my doubts too. This part of the City should be safe from wolves but then. I gulp down a lump in my throat, they are probably from the Cold Mountain pack if they are here at such a classy restaurant.

My eyes wanted to see them again to confirm my doubts but I knew that the moment I looked at them, they would find out that I knew what they were. Something does not sit right with me, it should be prohibited for the wolves to dine in exclusive places. I know my father allowed them to mingle with us but why don't they dine at a restaurant run by their kind?