La Belle Étoile, a high-end restaurant exuding sophistication and charm.
As Lily peers through the large windows, she catches a glimpse of the restaurant , where the soft glow of chandeliers dances on the polished marble floors, and the aroma of gourmet dishes fills the air, tempting her senses.
But that wasn't the thing here, she then noticed the Elegant lady who sat quietly at the table.
"I don't feel good about this, Eliot. She really looks innocent and beautiful." Lily whispered to Eliot as she stared at the lady in a red dress, sitting at the table while reading a magazine.
Moreover, it was a two-person table setting.
"Trust me on this, I only want to get rid of her; let us pretend we are in love, okay?" Eliot asked and gave lily a smile.
Lily could only sigh while Eliot led her in.
Hearing some steps in the calm and quiet restaurant made Anthonia drop the magazine to see Eliot.
She grinned, but as soon as she noticed the stunning woman behind him, it gradually vanished.
Subsequently, Anthonia rose.
"I hope we are not late, are we? And this is Lily, do you mind if she tags along?" Eliot asked with a smile.
Anthonia then forced a smile.
"N-no, it's fine. It is good to meet you, Lily. My name is Anthonia." In an attempt to shake hands, she said as she extended her hand.
With a simple smile, Lily took Anthonia's hand.
"The pleasure is mine." Lily replied.
"You may have your seats." Anthonia said as a waiter added another chair.
Anthonia's eyes were not spared as Eliot assisted Lily in sitting before he took a seat.
"You reserved the entire space?" Observing that they were the only patrons in the restaurant, Eliot inquired.
"U-uh, I get uneasy in crowded areas." As a waiter filled their glasses with wine, Anthonia answered.
Next, with an air of sophistication, a waiter in a black vest and crisp white shirt walks over to the table.
"Bonsoir, mademoiselles, monsieur. I am Pierre." Pierre begins
"May I assist you with any questions about our exquisite menu this evening?"
"Uh." Lily said, her gaze darting over the enticing descriptions of each dish.
"I would like truffle-infused lobster bisque, Chateaubriand steak served with truffle mashed potatoes. And for dessert, raspberry macaron tower."
Lily said, staring at the menu.
Pierre stands attentively, ready to take their orders.
The silence caused Lily to raise her head, only to see them all staring at her, which made her uncomfortable. She thought they were requesting her for her meal?
"I want the exact same thing." Eliot said with a smile as he stared at her.
Feeling a bit weird, Anthonia spoke.
"Anything would be fine."
With a slight bow, the waiter walked away.
"So, you are a neurosurgeon." Anthonia made a conversational attempt.
"Mn." Without giving her a sidelong glance, he quickly replied while sipping his wine.
"W-what is you inspiration?" Anthonia asked what caused him to drop the glass of wine on the table.
He raised his gaze up to meet her gaze as he remembered 21 years ago.
When she had inquired about his career goals, he had replied that he would like to become a neurosurgeon.
'Why did you ask that, Anthonia?' he wondered.
Despite his admiration for those specialists, she was his sole source of inspiration. Witnessing her anguish over her mother's death at that moment made him wish he was a neurosurgery specialist.
He could have saved her mother and stopped her from crying.
He has been inspired to become a neurosurgeon ever since. At least he could still help many.
"Lily was and is my inspiration." Lily nearly choked on her wine when Eliot answered.
"W-what?" Lily asked in surprise.
"Don't act like you don't know, lily. You encouraged me to persevere and kept pushing me through times when I thought it would be too difficult and wanted to give up. You were there when I needed you. You made me find it easy to become one. I'm really glad for having someone like you. I probably would have taken a different route or done something else if you had not been there."
Hearing this made Anthonia's heart drop.
She was not sure what to say because everything was pointing at her for leaving him.
She knew he was hurt because she left him.
Closing her parted lips, She forced a smile and blinked her tears away.
"Oh, but I don't deserve so much of a compliment." Lily said, grinning nervously.
Eliot turned to face her, his hand resting on hers as it lay on the table.
Anthonia's gaze moved to their hands.
"You deserve much more lily." He said as he looked into her eyes.
She was so speechless which made him smile.
They were served their meals, so he took Lily's plate and cut into it with his cutlery before serving it to her.
"Here, try it." Eliot said, bringing the fork, which was stuck with a tiny piece of meat, up to her lips.
"Thank you." Lily spoke as she took it and chewed it.
"Excuse me, I need to go to the men's." Eliot said and stood up.
Gazing at Lily, Anthonia forced a smile.
"So how long have you known, Eliot." She asked.
"15 years now, we met at the University. I was all new to everything and even got lost but he helped me. Since then, we became friends. Every thought it was cool to be friends with an Everton. Indeed, he is cool, wealthy, smart, attractive, and all that, but they omitted the fact that he also has a very good heart and is an ordinary person. You know, outward appearance isn't everything. He's one of a kind, sweet, generous, caring and sometimes funny..." Lily paused.
She was going too far and she could visible see the sadness in Anthonia's eyes.
"Uh, i-i'm sorry-"
"No, no, it is fine." He looks happy around you." Anthonia said as she smiled.
"You like him, don't you?" Lily asked to see Anthonia smile even more.
"It doesn't matter, I don't expect him to like me. 'chuckles' I only wanted his forgiveness for what I had done in the past, which is why I organised this dinner...but...I am glad he found you."Anthonia said and stood up.
"I wouldn't want to be the third wheel here so I better get going. Don't mind me, you two should have a romantic dinner." She said and picked up her bag.
"Won't you wait till he comes back?" Lily tried holding Anthonia back, she felt bad for her.
"It's better I leave before he comes. I've paid the bills." Anthonia said and walked out.
Just then, Eliot came out of the restroom.
He had to take some time to calm himself down because he did not feel very comfortable hurting Anthonia. He could tell that she was in pain.
"She's gone, huh?" He asked, glancing at her empty chair.
"Mn, I feel really bad Eliot. She really liked you a lot. She thinks you and I are a couple-"
"That's the idea." He cut. He picked up his fork.
"Eliot..." She softly called out, causing him to drop the fork and close his eyes.
"Lily, after all these years apart, how do you want me to feel about her? Do you think I should forgive her?"
"She must have a good reason-"
" What reason is good enough to leave your bestfriend in the dark? She could have at least explained to me what was happening or her reason for leaving, but'sigh,' I will send someone to come get you." He said and stood up, reaching for his wallet to get his card when lily spoke.
"She's paid the bills." He paused and looked at her.
"Oh, I'm leaving, then." He said and walked out.