Chapter 4

C H A P T E R 4

The short little text was sent last night at 3.32 am. 

'Hi' it said.

Daniel stared at the single word text message. He didn't even have any idea on how to respond to it. It was sent at quite an odd hour, but as someone who often put in all-nighters when he was too absorbed in his research, he supposed he was not in any position to judge other people.

Thinking of the young man in the photo Sarah had sent him, a corner of his lips lifted up into a smirk.

He couldn't help but laugh. There he was, dreading an awkward conversation with a man who was technically working for him, while Nathan had fearlessly texted him first, at the wee hours in the morning, and so very casually at that. Maybe he should take a lesson from Nathan's book and stop being so uptight about it as well.

He typed a reply and sent it, then left his phone on his bedside table. He spent a relaxed morning reading reference books for his research and walking his dog. He didn't think about nor check on the text until he was having a rather late lunch, gazing at the roses outside the windows of the dining room, being reminded of Victoria. Thinking of her always made him feel uneasy lately. And yet, she was everywhere.

He asked a maid to retrieve his phone, then checked on Nathan's reply. Earlier, he had asked Nathan to have lunch with him tomorrow.

'Okay', it said. Clearly, Nathan was a man of few words. Daniel had been getting single-word replies from him all day. 

Strangely enough, it was amusing, rather than irritating or discouraging. 

Daniel had stated the name of the restaurant and the time of their meeting in the text, and Nathan agreed quite easily. It was not until the next day and Nathan was already standing right outside the Italian restaurant, that Nathan started to feel a bit like freaking out.

Thankfully, Daniel had not picked anywhere too fancy. Nathan had been in this restaurant before, and although it was rather too expensive for him to eat there casually, it was still somewhat affordable, and he had been there a few times with some of his university friends before. 

Nathan took a deep breath and walked in. 

"Good afternoon Sir, are you dining alone?" The waitress greeted him with a friendly smile.

"Hi, I am supposed to meet my friend here." Nathan casually looked around for the handsome man he saw before on Sarah's phone. "Any reservation under the name Westminster?" 

"Ah yes, Mr. Westminster had already arrived. Let me show you the way." 

The waitress led him to a table in a rather secluded position. It was near a couple of tall glass windows, and a man was already sitting there, his gaze locked on the garden outside the windows. The flowers weren't blooming, but they still made a beautiful view.

"Here we are, Sir," the waitress smiled as she set down the menus. 

Daniel turned around at the sound of her voice and greeted Nathan with a smile.

"Nathan," Daniel called his name so naturally that it didn't come off as overly familiar, despite this being the first time they officially met. Nervously, Nathan tried to smile back in return. 

"Hi," he said, then he sat down.

The waitress asked them to call her when they were ready to order, then left. Nathan awkwardly looked through the menu book, trying to decide on something delicious that wouldn't be too expensive in case Daniel was not going to pay for both of their lunches.

"You should try the cannelloni. They're really good." Daniel's voice broke the silence. Nathan was a little startled, but Daniel had a really nice, husky, gentle voice. Nathan suddenly wanted to hear him talk again.

"Alright," he replied, a little dazed. 

They made their orders and some pointless small talk, mostly Daniel talking about how good the food was or how beautiful the view outside the window was. Nathan could only see piles of snow but he pretended to agree anyway. Daniel smiled as if he knew what he was thinking. 

"My mom loves this place. She used to visit nearly every week before she moved to Seattle."

"Why did she move?" Nathan asked, less out of actual curiosity and more out of politeness.

"My grandfather died so my father decided that it might be best to live closer to grandmother thus both of my parents moved there. I am unsure whether you have heard of it or not."

"Ah, yes. Sarah told me a couple of things." Nathan nodded. He was rather nervous, his heart felt like it was about to jump out of his chest. He knew it was unlikely for Daniel to cancel on him now, after giving him an actual job and making him sign a bunch of contracts he did not really quite understand, but he was still worried he would do something wrong and Daniel would suddenly decide that Nathan was not suitable for the job. 

Was Daniel testing him? Nathan really wanted to ask.

Their food arrived a while after, starting with the appetizers. Nathan busied himself eating.

"Is it good?" Daniel asked.

"Oh, it's so good," Nathan nodded enthusiastically. He wondered whether Daniel knew that he absolutely loved Italian food. 

"I am glad."

During lunch, they talked about a few things. Daniel talked about his dog and asked Nathan about his hobbies. They had a lengthy conversation about games, mostly because Nathan could not shut up once he started talking. As they finished their dessert, Daniel asked whether he would like to go anywhere.

"Um, I am fine with wherever," Nathan replied as he used a napkin to wipe his mouth.

"Then, accompany me to the bookstore. I have some books I wanted to pick up." 

"Alright," Nathan replied easily. They waved the waitress over and Daniel paid the bill, for which Nathan was very grateful because the prices sure had gone up since the last time he had been there.

Once they were outside, Daniel offered him a hand. "Shall we?"

"Um, sorry?" Nathan's brain had short circuited.

"We are dating," Daniel replied, with that easy smile still adorning his face. "Or do you feel uncomfortable with public displays of affection?"

"Oh," Nathan suddenly realized this could be the test. He bravely grabbed hold of Daniel's outstretched hand. "I am totally comfortable with public displays of affection. I excel at it."

Why would he say he excels at it? God, that was so weird. Nathan mentally facepalmed.

Nathan's palms suddenly felt sweaty despite the cold weather. Daniel only smiled. Then they walked down the streets a few blocks until they reached the bookstore. 

The bell above the door chimed as Daniel pushed the door open.

"Want me to help you find your books?" Nathan offered.

"No, it's okay. You can go look around if you'd like." Daniel shook his head, then they separated. Nathan idly took out his phone and checked a few social media, responding to his friends' texts, while he waited for Daniel. Some minutes passed by, and he grew a little bored. So he decided to walk around. He fiddled and flipped through a couple of books while looking for Daniel.

At last, he found Daniel near the section for geography, talking to a woman and a man. 

Nathan wasn't sure if he should interrupt, so for a few moments, he just stood there watching. Daniel and the two seemed rather close, as he laughed at something the other guy was saying and patted him on the shoulder. Then as if realizing he was being watched, he turned around and waved when he noticed Nathan.

"Hey," said Nathan as he walked over. 

"Nathan, this is my cousin Mia, and her boyfriend Richard." Daniel introduced as Mia made a small wave at him. "Mia and Richard, this is Nathan." 

"Hi." Nathan smiled.

"Hiii." Mia had a huge grin on her face. "I can't believe Daniel kept you a secret from us. And from his mother! Did you know he tells his mother practically everything? He's a mama's boy."

"I am not," Daniel laughed. "And I've already told my mother. In fact, you will see Nathan again this weekend if you go to my mom's little tea party"

"For real?" Mia raised an eyebrow. "Wouldn't Victoria be there? Wow, I bet that would go over nicely."

"Victoria knew."

"And you are not dead yet?" Richard gasped dramatically. Daniel laughed.

Nathan wanted to ask who Victoria was, but decided against it. If she was Daniel's old friend or family member, it would be strange for him to not have heard of her. Mia and Richard were friendly. The four of them talked some more and joked around. Nathan waited until they paid for the books and left the bookstore before asking who Victoria was.

"Sarah did not tell you about her?" Daniel still had a smile on his face, but he suddenly looked tired. Somehow, Nathan could easily tell that Daniel didn't really want to talk about it.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to…"

"No, It's alright. She is a close friend of mine," Daniel looked away towards the busy street. "Our mothers are close, so we have been friends since we were three. She is like a sister to me."

Nathan laughed as he recalled the conversation at the bookstore. "An overprotective sister?"

"Nothing like that. She loves me."

Nathan did not get it immediately. Daniel looked at him and moved closer. He started speaking very low; it was near a whisper.

"She is a very important person. It is imperative that you do not let yourself be intimidated by her, and convince her of our relationship."

Nathan blinked. "Okay." So, this Victoria person must be very sharp that Daniel needed to warn him about her. 

Daniel looked at him for a few more seconds, as if making sure Nathan wouldn't bail, then he pulled away. "I will drive you home." He started walking towards a white Mercedes-Benz parked near the Italian restaurant earlier.

"You have a car," Nathan accused. "Why did we walk to the bookstore?"

Daniel laughed. "Exercise. Plus, I just wanted to hold your hand." He held the door of the passenger side open for Nathan.

Daniel was probably testing how well he would bear with PDA, no big deal. Nathan shrugged and entered the car.

"Did you have a good time today?" Daniel asked after they arrived and he parked the car.

"I did," Nathan didn't lie. Despite his initial nervousness, Daniel and his friends were easy to get along with.

"That's good. Then, I will pick you up next Saturday," Daniel smiled. "Goodbye, Nathan." 

"Bye, Daniel."