Rivan and Irlana were returning from the office when Rivan got Xiran’s call that he will return late so they shouldn’t wait for him at dinner.

"Let’s have some takeover for dinner tonight. I want to eat some restaurant food today," Rivan told Irlana.

"I can cook once we get home," she responded not wanting him to eat restaurant food.

"Actually, let’s eat in a restaurant. I don’t want you to cook today."

Rivan informed his chauffeur to take them to his favourite five-star restaurant. He then turned to her and asked:

"What is your favorite food?"

"Umm, I like to eat nutritious and balanced food which has a proper amount of vitamins, minerals, carbs, nuts and calories. You know nutrition value vary according to portions of food..." she stopped seeing the amused expression on Rivan’s face. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

"Sorry, I didn’t mean to bore you," she mumbled and lowered her head.

"Oh! No, no, I wasn’t bored. Being a vampire we don’t care about potions and calories because we don’t get fat but it was interesting to hear about it," he gave her a slight laugh and she joined in.

Lately, they had been enjoying each other’s company, in the office, at home, and even during their travels. She was easy to converse with and that smile of hers did make him smile too.

They arrived at the restaurant and chauffeur opened the door for them to climb out. Rivan led Irlana inside the restaurant. A girl dressed in a black suit jacket and pants stood at the entrance. She bowed and greeted them before taking Irlana’s fur coat and leading them inside.

"My usual table, please," Rivan requested.

"Of course, Sir! This way please," she guided them to their table and helped them settle down.

The ambiance of the restaurant was calm as light music played in the background. Dim gold lights lit up the whole place and there were not many tables around them. They sat near a magnificent window which offered a view outside.

A server brought them menus and Rivan asked Irlana to decide what she would like to have. Irlana studied the menu carefully and spoke softly:

"I will have one honey-glazed salmon and some red wine, please," Rivan raised his right eyebrow at her order and questioned:

"Only that?"

"Yes," she shyly smiled. He shook his head and ordered a ton of food and desserts and once the server was gone with their order he spoke to her:

"You have to try everything, their food is delicious and as talented as you are in this department, you will love their food."

"Thanks, you didn’t have to order so much."

"I can’t let the sister of my best friend eat just one dish when in a restaurant with me," he said calmly while sitting in a relaxed position. The light shimmered in his beautiful eyes.

"You are such a gentleman, how are you still single?" Irlana asked with a blush that painted her cheeks pink. A small sigh escaped him, the light that was shining in his eyes seconds ago, dimmed. He answered:

"I wasn’t until I was. She chose to leave me."

"I am so very sorry, I didn’t mean to pry or cause you pain," she apologized for she saw the pain her question had caused him. This was the last thing she wanted.

"Irlana, it’s alright. It’s not your fault, she chose her destiny. It was not meant to be with me," a small smile graced his lips.

"You are right, her loss though," she laughed and her shoulders shook, Rivan joined in.

"Xiran says the same, he never liked her."

"I could understand why," their conversation flowed naturally and Rivan found himself opening to her more and more. They asked each other’s likes and dislikes and gave their opinions on different celebrities. Being in the fashion industry both of them had a vast knowledge of them.

"Your brother had few flings with leading celebrities," Rivan informed her with a cheeky smile. Her facial expressions turned to shocked ones and her eyes doubled in size.

"You don’t say? He seems like an angel," she was baffled at the revelation.

"Yeah, he is my best friend but he is a playboy," Rivan pursed his lips seeing Irlana’s reaction to not laugh out loud.

"Seriously? I would never have guessed. At least he is living his life on his terms and not dictated by my father," Rivan didn’t have the heart to tell her how wrong she was. She didn’t know, she couldn’t know how much their father was involved in his life and why he had to hide the love of his life from her and the rest of the world.

Luckily, their food arrived and soon they began to eat. The aroma was tantalizing and as Rivan had said everything was delicious and she loved trying all the different array of dishes he had ordered.

"Thank you for bringing me out to dinner, this was a whole new experience. I could just be myself and didn’t have to flirt with every word you said," the deep hurt her words carried touched Rivan’s heart and he could sense the pain within.

"I am sorry for what he has done to you. Xiran and I will make sure that you escape his clutches someday."

"I am confident in that and I would like to spend some more time with you. If possible I would love to keep working in your company," her eyes held such innocence and Rivan hated how her father had destroyed so much of that.

"I would like nothing more than that," he nodded in approval.

Having done their dinner they left the restaurant to head home. Back in the car, having her tummy full Irlana began to feel sleepy, it had been a busy day in the office. Her head wobbled a bit and Rivan watched in amusement before reaching out and placing her head on his shoulder. She slept peacefully, her hands clasped his arm while a satisfactory played on his lips.