“Yes!” Rolling off the bed, I pump my fist as she disappears into the bathroom with a laugh.
23 Jane
Riker takes me to the exclusive café. The café is small, but has something to offer at every corner. Black and white photographs hang on the cream-colored walls, and the tall windows are partially covered by ivory curtains.
Shaded chandeliers droop from the coffered ceiling, and cast a pleasant golden glow to the place. The tables are covered in white covering, and looking closely, they have a pattern of fleur-de-lis stitched into them. Classy music plays in the background, sweeping the air with soothing tunes that mixes well with the chattering floating around.
Riker and I sit down next to a window, and I take a look at the menu that’s filled with all sorts of delicious food.
“Is there anything that interests you?” Riker asks me. He supports his chin with the back of his hand as he leans in slightly. A small smile plays on his lips, his eyes shine with the help of the sunlight and the chandelier above us.
“I’m not sure…” I answer as my eyes trail up and down the menu.
“Don’t worry about the money if you’re thinking about it, I’ll handle it.”
“I wasn’t thinking of it.”
“You look like you were.”
I pass him a look before returning my attention to the menu. “I think I’ll get the strawberry crepe.”
“That’s a good choice,” Riker comments.
“What will you get?”
“Eggs benedict.”
“Mmm.” I nod, I considered that, but the crepe sound so delicious. Already I felt my mouth watering by just thinking of it. Though, before I can indulge further into the thought, I decide to call Terry to see if I had anything coming up in my schedule. I excuse myself shortly in order to make the call.
“Wait, I have nothing?” I ask Terry once I asked about the schedule.
“Yes, you’re all cleared for now,” Terry tells me, there’s a smile in her voice.
“Really?” I ask to make sure I’m hearing this correctly.
“Yes,” Terry repeats, that smile is still in her voice. “Now, go take care of Mr. Billionaire. We’ll talk later.”
Terry ends the call and I return to my seat. I know I should be pissed that Terry doesn’t have anything for me, but there’s something in me that’s glad I’m taking a break.
Riker had taken our orders while I chatted with Terry, so we sit there and wait in silence until Riker speaks,
“How’re things at the firm?”
“Good. Terry’s cleared my schedule for now, so I don’t have to work for a while.”
“Oh?” Riker’s mouth forms a small ‘o’ from the surprise. “That’s great, that gives us more time together.”
I smile lightly. “Yeah.”
Riker smiles too. “What would you like to do after breakfast? Tour the city? Shopping?”
“I think I’d like to do shopping,” I said, “I haven’t done that in a while. I’d like to get some new dresses.”
“We should do that then. There’s a great mall near here that we can go too. I could use a new watch.”
“Don’t you have a dozen?” I inquire as I raise an eyebrow.
Riker chuckles. “Yes, I do, but you can never have enough.”
“I think you can.”
Riker shrugs and a waiter comes to deliver our coffee. Riker got black coffee, while I got myself a cappuccino. I take one sip of the cappuccino and already my taste buds are dancing.
“How is it?” Riker asks
“It’s delicious,” I comment. It’s probably the best cappuccino I’ve had, but I don’t want to admit it.
“That’s great to hear,” Riker says.
Soon our food arrives, and I stare in awe at the display. Luscious looking strawberries and whip cream top the golden-brown crepe, and next to it is a plate of toast that’s smothered in honey. Riker’s food also looks scrumptious.
The two eggs benedicts he ordered drip with hollandaise sauce, and are topped off with spices. Riker cuts into the food with ease as egg yolk oozes out and forms a gold pool underneath. I’m tempted to steal a bite of it, but I disregard the thought as I focus on my food.
I take a bite of the soft crepe and, with the addition of the warm whip cream, it feels like I’m floating. Then I take a bite of one of the strawberries, and it just melts right on my tongue.
We also order a plate of Danishes at the side, and I take a bite out of one of them too. The soft crunch of the Danish is so satisfying, and what makes it better is that it’s jelly-filled. The jelly tastes like raspberry, and there’s a tangy aftertaste.
While Riker and I enjoy our meal, we get startled by flashes of light. We turn to see a bunch of photographers huddled at the window. They take several photos of us as we awkwardly eat our meal.
“Sorry, I had hoped we would’ve been able to sneak past them,” Riker chuckles.
“Perhaps we shouldn’t have sat next to a window.” I pointed out.
“True,” Riker says, “Should we move somewhere else?”
“It’s too late now,” I say and take another bite of the Danish. I steal a peek outside to see the photographers still out there. I give them a small smile, and the photographers are loving it as they continue to take pictures.
Riker takes the opportunity to take my hand and plant a small kiss on it. That really gets the photographers excited, but I wonder when they’re going to leave. I want to finish my Danish in peace.
“Do you like the attention?” Riker asks me with a grin.
“I think I’m getting used to it,” I answer, though sometimes it is quite overwhelming. I notice that Riker’s smile drops as he observes my left hand that he’s still holding.
“What is it?” I ask.
“We need to get you an engagement ring,” Riker notes. “When we go shopping, we should get you one.”
“Alright,” I say. It makes sense, it does seem odd that since I’ve been engaged for a bit, I don’t a ring.
After breakfast, we go to a mall to do some shopping.
