Chapter 12 - THE FIRST DATE WITHOUT FEAR
Victor arrived at Alice's apartment at six-thirty.
He wore a dark suit.
No tie.
No entourage.
Alice opened the door in a simple navy dress.
He stared.
She raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
Victor smiled.
"You look beautiful."
Alice laughed softly.
"Thank you."
They went to a small restaurant overlooking the river.
Victor had chosen it because it was quiet.
Alice appreciated that.
Over dinner, they talked about their lives.
Victor told her about his childhood.
His father had been a hard man.
His mother had died when he was sixteen.
He had learned early that kindness was often mistaken for weakness.
Alice listened.
Then said, "That's a terrible lesson."
Victor nodded.
"It was."
She told him about Daniel.
How they met in college.
How he proposed in a grocery store because he couldn't afford a restaurant.
How he used to leave little notes in her lunch bag.
Victor listened without jealousy.
Daniel was part of Alice's life.
Loving her would mean respecting that.
After dinner, they walked beside the river.
Victor stopped near the railing.
"Alice."
She turned.
"Yes?"
He hesitated.
"I don't know how to do this."
She smiled.
"Do what?"
"Be ordinary."
Alice laughed.
"You're doing fine."
Victor looked at her.
"I've spent thirty years making sure nobody could surprise me."
"And?"
He smiled.
"Then I met a woman who told me to take it or leave it."
Alice laughed.
He reached toward her hand.
"May I?"
She nodded.
He took it.
May you like
They stood beside the river for a long time.
And Victor Raldi, the man who had built an empire on control, discovered that happiness sometimes began with letting go.
