292: FOLDED NOTE


    ARIEL’S POV


    “It’s just that what?” Luke asked, giving me a curious look. The both of us were still staring into each


    other’s eyes, and it wasn’t like was scared, or shy, or something.”


    “I was hoping we could spend some time together tomorrow,” I brought out to him.


    A flicker of understanding crossed Luke’s features as he smiled at me reassuringly. “Of course, we can.


    I’ll make sure to clear my schedule.”


    Relief washed over me, and I returned his smile gratefully “Th


    a sense of contentment settle within me. “I really appreciate it.”


    you.” Now I was feeling


    He leaned forward, his eyes locking with mine. “Ariel, spending time with you is never a chore. It’s


    something I always look forward to.”


    I felt a flutter in my chest at his words, my heart swelling with affection for this man sitting across from


    me. “Likewise,” I murmured, reaching out to cup his cheek tenderly. “I cherish every moment we share


    together.”


    “Oh, I know you do.” He pecked me on my cheek.


    I couldn’t help but smile as Luke’s lips brushed against my cheek, leaving a warm sensation in their


    wake. His affectionate gesture never failed to make my heart skip a beat. I gazed into his eyes, filled


    with adoration, and I felt like the luckiest woman in the world.


    Well, maybe.


    Just as we were basking in the moment, a waitress approached our table with a friendly. smile. “Is


    there anything I can get for you two?” she asked, and her voice was polite and


    attentive.


    I nced at Luke, knowing exactly what we needed. “We’ll have some seared scallops, please,” I


    replied, returning the waitress’s smile.


    “Anything else?” She queried, transposing her eyeballs to the both of us.


    “And some orange juice as well,” Luke answered, his voice was so smooth and easy. And it


    was also sexy.


    The waitress jotted down our order, and after that, she discreetly passed a folded note to


    Luke.


    292 FOLDED NOTE


    “I’ll be back with the order,” she told us calmly, and then she walked away.


    My curiosity piqued, looking at Luke, watching him as he unfolded the note, his brows furrowing in


    confusion. “What’s that?” I asked, unable to contain my curiosity.


    Luke shrugged, his expression puzzled, before scanning the contents of the note. “It seems someone


    in the restaurant wants to speak with me,” he exined, ncing around


    the room.


    I felt a surge of intrigue mingled with a hint of apprehension. “Who could it be?” I wondered aloud, my


    mind racing with possibilities.


    Luke shook his head, equally puzzled. “I’m not sure,” he admitted, with his gaze scanning the faces of


    the other diners. “But there’s only one way to find out.”


    “And what way is that?” I asked him. My curiosity was really getting the best of me.


    “I’ll have to go to and meet the person who wrote this.”


    “Are you being for real right now?”


    “Yes, Ariel. This might be something important.”


    “Important? You don’t even know who wrote that.


    “That’s why I have to meet this person. I promise, I won’t take long.” Luke rose from his seat, the note


    clutched in his hand. “I’ll be right back,” he assured me, nting a quick kiss on my forehead before


    making his way through the restaurant.


    I sighed, turning my face away. This was just great. Now he had to leave me all because of someone


    he had not seen before. And here he was, telling me that I was his top priority. This man can be


    annoying sometimes. After al, he was irritating in the past. And I thoughting to this restaurant to


    spend some time with him might actually make me feel better after everything today, but that wasn’t


    what I was seeing around here.


    I couldn’t shake the feeling of frustration that bubbled within me. Why did he have to leave now, just


    when we were finally enjoying a moment together? My mind wandered, reying our conversation and


    his sudden departure, stirring up a mix of emotions.


    Lost in my thoughts, I barely noticed when the waitress returned with our order. She set down two


    tes of seared scallops and two sses of orange juice with practiced efficiency, but I couldn’t bring


    myself to thank her. Instead, as she turned to leave, I found myself speaking up.


    “Wait,” I called out, halting her retreat. “Can I nok you something?”


    The waitress paused, turning back to face me with a polite smile. “Of course, what can I help you with?”


    I hesitated for a moment before plunging ahead. “The note you gave to my husband, who was it from?


    A man or a woman?”


    Her smile faltered slightly, a flicker of difort crossing her features. “It was from a woman,” she


    replied cautiously.


    My curiosity only intensified. “Can you describe her to me? Did you see what she looked


    like?”


    The waitress hesitated, ncing around the busy restaurant. “I’m sorry, but I can’t do that,”


    she said apologetically. “Now, if you excuse me, I have other tables to attend to.”


    With a sigh, I watched her walk away, leaving me with more questions than answers. Who was this


    woman, and why did she want to speak with Luke? My mind raced with possibilities, but without more


    information, I was left to ponder in silence. And as I picked at my seared scallops, a sense of unease


    settled over me, overshadowing what was


    supposed to be a romantic evening.


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    LUKE’S POV


    Making my way through the restaurant, scanning faces, I couldn’t shake the sense of mystery that


    enveloped the situation. Who could be reaching out to me in such a ndestine manner? My thoughts


    whirled with possibilities, each one more intriguing than


    thest


    Eventually, the waitress approached me, her demeanor calm yet purposeful. “Follow me,” she said, her


    voice barely above a whisper, as if afraid of being overheard. I obliged,


    curiosity gnawing at me.


    She led me to a table upied by a woman I didn’t recognize. Her brown curly hair cascaded over her


    shoulders, and she wore a dark blue dress that shimmered under the soft lights of the restaurant, As I


    approached, she looked up and offered a warm smile, thanking the waitress who then left us alone.


    “Please, have a seat,” she said, gesturing to the chair opposite her. I hesitated for a moment, still trying


    to make sense of the situation. But herughter broke through my uncertainty.


    “Don’t be shy,” she chuckled, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “I promise I won’t bite.”


    292 FOLDED NOTE


    “I’m not shy,” I replied, and I have to say, my tone was more defensive than I intended. “But I do have


    someone waiting for me.”


    Herughter bubbled up again, and she shook her head. “I’ll make it quick, I promise.”


    Reluctantly, I took a seat, my gaze still fixed on her. She was undeniably pretty, but I had no interest in


    getting entangled in whatever web of intrique she was spinning.


    “I’m Daria,” she introduced herself, extending her hand across the table. “And


    you


    are?”


    *Luke,” I replied, shaking her hand briefly before withdrawing mine. “Now, what is it that


    wanted to discuss?”


    Daria’s smile widened, as if she were enjoying some private joke. “Straight to the point, I


    see. I like that.”


    I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. “I don’t have much time to spare,” I exined, my patience wearing


    thin.


    “Fair enough,” she conceded, leaning back in her chair. “I’ll get right to it, then.”


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