04| lunch date

"There's this place I want to bring you to" Kane said. "I hope you like it"

"I hope so too" Leah joked as Kane smiled.

They took a short walk where they reached a quite prestigious looking restaurant. "What is this. It looks so expensive. I don't think I can afford it" Leah expressed her concerns but Kane shrugged.

"I'm paying for it. After all, I'm the one who asked you to join me" Kane said, leaving no room for arguments.

Leah just nodded, but she would have to pay him back somehow.

"Hi Mr De Luca. Table for 2?" The waitress asked the moment the two stepped in.

Wow, he really planned it, Leah thought.

"Yes please. I want a private room" Kane requested and Leah gave a surprised face.

Although she knows that he is influential, she didn't realized he owned this restaurant. along with several establishments and other franchises like clothing shops etc.

"Wow this is so grand" Leah couldn't help but mention as she stepped into the private room.

"Take a look at the menu and we will be back to take your order" The waitress, named Jane said politely, leaving the two of them to their own.

"It all looks so good. What do you, as I assume you are a regular, recommend?" Leah asked, seeing the many choices yet unable to decide.

"Hmm, do you have any allergies? Or dislikes?" Kane asked her who shook her head. "I'll try everything once I guess"

"Okay, well I suggest for you to try the the salmon avocado platter. Let's get the fried tempura and either some rice or udon while we are at it" Kane, as if he had been preparing for this question, said it very confident.

"Okay, that sounds great" Leah said smiling.

"Let's order then" Kane said as coincidentally the same waitress, Jane came back.

"Ready?" She asked as Kane nodded, telling her what they wanted.

"One salmon avocado platter, fried tempura, teriyaki chicken don and clay pot udon. Oh and two green teas" Kane told Jane who nodded and left.

"Tell me a bit about yourself" Kane decided to break that awkward silence. After all, he was curious about the mysterious Leah. He has never seen her do anything outside of work.

Well that's for sure stupid. You're her boss. Such an idiot, his conscience 'talked' to him.

Shut the fuck up, Kane retorted back.

Ah, one of your favorite catch phrases, his conscience responded back. If his conscience was an actual person, it would be sticking out their tongue.

"Kane?" Leah's soft and comforting voice brought him back to reality.

"Sorry, what were you saying" Kane felt embarrassed. He was the one who asked the question and daydreamed instead.

"I'm trying to start my own fashion business. I got this job because I'm saving up for my business" Leah shared a little.

It was something different for her. She never shared her aspirations with anyone. Namely one, she didn't even have anyone to talk to.

Two, she was a naturally shy human being and couldn't share a lot, especially people she just met.

However and somehow, she felt comfortable with Kane. Why, she had no idea.

"Leah" His deep voice brought her back from her la la land.  "I guess we both have issues with zoning out" Kane joked, as Leah couldn't help but giggle.

Without her realizing, a pink shade formed on her cheeks, blushing.

"How about your family? Siblings? Where are you from?" Kane asked. It was a simple and innocent question but to Leah, it wasn't.

It was her past and she hated it. Oh how she wished her parents were with her.

She tried to think of an answer, trying not to be rude yet not giving it away. "Well, it's complicated" She finally replied.

Just then, Jane and another waiter came with all the food and placed it all around the both of them.

"Thanks" They both said at the same time. The two waiters bowed and left, leaving the two to enjoy their meal.

"Come on, try it" Kane decided to switch the subject. He had a feeling that her family was a sore topic and thus did not push it further.

He thought, if she ever wants to share it with me, then she will share.

"Mmm, wow. This is so good" Putting a salon avocado sushi in her mouth made her mouth explode with flavors.

" Come on, try the fried tempura, it's one of the signatures" Kane recommended, placing one on her plate.

He decided to indulge in some udon and helped Leah scooped some onto her plate while he was at it.

Slurping on the noodles, he couldn't help but let out a satisfied face.

Not to be self centered or whatever, he truly picked up the best chefs in town. And every time he comes here, he is never disappointed.

The two continued to enjoy the food, finishing everything, not leaving a single grain of rice, strand of noodles or a drop of soup.

It was as though the utensils were already cleaned.

"Let's go" Kane said as Leah nodded her head. Being the gentleman Kane is, he opened the door for her as she thanked him.

"Have a good day Mr De Luca" Jane said and Kane nodded, leaving without paying.

"Wait Kane, don't we need to pay" Leah asked, unaware that he owns it.

"Nope" Kane answered nonchalantly.

"Isn't it considered stealing?" Leah said. "Come on, Mr Ceo" She pulled, well more like attempted.

She was just too tiny beside him. She wasn't short, at 5'5, but Kane was a good 6'2.

"I own it Leah" Kane finally admitted. To be honest, he didn't want to tell her in order not to seem like he was just flexing his money. He genuinely enjoys the food there.

Leah was shocked. "Are you serious? Wow" She didn't know how to react.

"I'm sorry for not telling you earlier. I just didn't want to seem like I'm always just flexing my money" Kane scratched his head sheepishly.

"It's fine. I understand" Leah comforted him who still looked guilty. "I know it's tough being rich. Lots of people would flock around you and try to be your friend or something right?" She made a wild guess as Kane nodded.

It was true. Since his school days, he has always had lots of fake friends, trying to get close to him in order to take advantage of him.

The only true friends he had was Romeo, his best buddy since high school. They have both been through a lot.

"Yeap" Kane replied, letting the silence consume them. But it wasn't awkward. Instead, it was more of a comfortable silence

Soon enough, they returned back to the office, having left half and hour. The break was two hours, from 12-2.

"Well, I'll leave you to be now" Kane said, walking her to her desk who smiled.

"Thank you so much" Leah said.

"No problem, see you tomorrow" Kane waved her a goodbye, leaving for his office.

Leah beamed with joy, happy with the very spontaneous lunch date? Was it a date? Leah thought. No way, he wouldn't date someone like me.

Just then, Enya came out of no where, scaring the unsuspecting Leah.

"Hey!" Enya said, startling Leah. "Oh my muffins!" Leah couldn't help but let out.

"Muffins? Anyways, where were you?" Enya looked at her surprised. She wanted to have lunch with Leah but couldn't even find her.

She ended up just having lunch with one of her good friends at a nearby place.

Upon hearing that, Leah didn't know whether to lie or tell the truth. She was scared that Enya didn't want them to get closer.

"Erm, I went it for lunch and had to buy some stuff for my apartment" Leah said. It wasn't a complete lie.

She did go out for lunch, just that she with someone and she didn't exactly buy something.

"Oh okay, just a few things. Do you have the report ready?" Enya asked. "No rush, just asking" She reassured, hoping it doesn't sound forced.

"I am" Leah said, digging through the big stack of files she had on hand.

"Here it is" She finally managed to find it, handing it to Enya who nodded in appreciation.

"Thanks a lot Leah!" Enya said. "Also wanna go for lunch tomorrow? We can try out this new café nearby the office"

"Sure!" Leah agreed. "I'll hand you the monthly reports for the company" She decided to let Enya know.

One thing was that she had even more work surprisingly. Turns out Bianca actually did some work out of the HR realm.

Prior to her first actual boss, known as Larry, Bianca had to do some work. If not, she would be fired and she wanted to be the boss. She was just waiting for him to retire, being at that age.

It was definitely more work but she earned much more money than what she earned just a month ago.

It would definitely help to jumpstart her fashion business.

"Thank you, no rush though. I'll leave you to be" Enya said, then leaving for her office.

Now with the remaining 20 minutes break, she decided to start work now. Having lots of work means good time management is needed.

Okay, you can do this, she gave herself a pep talk and started working.

•••

"Kaneeeee where were you during lunch time?" Enya purposely dragged out Kane's name.

"I was out with Leah" He said without much thought. There was no point lying, Kane thought.

"Oh really, Leah told me she went out for lunch than bought some stuff" Enya shared.

"It's true, you can ask her? Maybe she was just scared you would disagree. I mean I have had two girlfriends and you liked neither.

She could be scared of how you would act if you heard that we both were together. Leah maybe heard the rumors? I don't know" Kane told her who nodded.

"Well, in my defense, I was just trying to be a good sister" Enya first defended. "Do you like her?" Enya then probed.

Kane blushed, but remain unbothered. He honestly didn't know. Although he has been in two relationships, he was still what you would call a virgin in love and relationships.

"I'm going to tell mom and dad later" Enya retorted cheekily, seeing how Kane blushed and didn't deny.

"Noooooo Enya don't freaking do that" Kane looked at her challengingly.

"I do what I want" Enya said.

"You are so annoying peanut" He couldn't help but roll his eyes.

In all seriousness, he prayed that Enya was just joking. Knowing his mother, she would start to pry about everything and anything about Leah.

~~~

hello everyone!! here's another chapter. hope everyone's staying safe and happy pride month. 🏳️‍🌈

this chapter was not the best but hopefully you enjoyed it ❤️❤️

thank you for the 141 reads on my story! y'all are the best ❤️❤️

today's chapter is quite the long one so hopefully it wasn't a bore

that's it's and, see you next time 👋🏻

[word count: 1800 words]

[published on: 5 jun 2021]