Chapter 12 - THE DINNER WITHOUT BODYGUARDS
Gabriel arrived at the restaurant ten minutes early.
He wore a dark sweater instead of a suit.
No visible security detail.
No entourage.
No driver waiting outside.
Olivia almost didn't recognize him.
“You look normal,” she said.
He smiled.
“Should I be offended?”
“Probably.”
They laughed.
Dinner was awkward for the first fifteen minutes.
Gabriel had spent years conducting meetings.
He knew how to negotiate.
How to intimidate.
How to make decisions under pressure.
He did not know how to talk about himself without sounding like he was delivering a report.
Olivia noticed.
“You can relax.”
“I am relaxed.”
“You've checked the exits four times.”
He looked embarrassed.
“Habit.”
She smiled.
“Then let's start with something easy.”
“Such as?”
“What's your favorite movie?”
Gabriel stared.
Olivia laughed.
“Oh, this is going to be a long evening.”
They talked for three hours.
Gabriel told her about Mara's love of old detective novels.
Luca's terrible jokes.
His mother's cooking.
The first time Nero destroyed a pair of expensive shoes.
Olivia told him about Lily's school play.
Her mother's stubborn independence.
Her own childhood in a small apartment where the kitchen table doubled as a homework desk.
She told him she had married young.
That the marriage ended when Lily was a baby.
That she had spent years rebuilding stability.
Gabriel listened.
He didn't interrupt.
He didn't offer to solve every problem.
He simply listened.
After dinner, they walked along the river.
The city lights reflected on the water.
Gabriel stopped near a railing.
“Can I ask you something?”
Olivia nodded.
“Why did you come back to the estate after you knew it was dangerous?”
She considered.
“Because I knew what it felt like when people dismissed something you were certain about.”
Gabriel looked at her.
She continued.
“When I was younger, people told me I worried too much. Asked too many questions. Noticed things that didn't matter.”
She smiled faintly.
“Then I became a housekeeper. And suddenly noticing small things was my job.”
Gabriel nodded.
“You were right about the vent.”
“I was right to look.”
He smiled.
“There's a difference?”
“Yes.”
She turned toward him.
“Being right isn't the same as being brave. Sometimes you just have to trust what you've noticed enough to ask another question.”
Gabriel studied her.
Then said, “I think that's why Nero likes you.”
Olivia laughed.
“Because I ask questions?”
“Because you pay attention.”
At her car, Gabriel hesitated.
“May I kiss you?”
Olivia smiled.
“Yes.”
He leaned closer.
The kiss was gentle.
Unhurried.
Nothing like the dramatic moment Olivia had imagined when she first began thinking about him.
It was better.
Because he asked.
Because she chose.
Because neither of them needed the moment to prove anything.
When they parted, Gabriel smiled.
“Good night, Olivia.”
“Good night, Gabriel.”
May you like
She drove home feeling something she hadn't expected.
Hope.
