Three days after Daniel came.
Tuesday night.
Marcus was still stressed about Daniel's lawsuit. Marcus had talked with Mr. Thomas many times. Marcus had meetings with lawyers. Marcus had thought of strategies.
But Marcus was still stressed.
Emma saw Marcus was stressed. Emma thought: Marcus needs a break.
Emma thought: Marcus needs to be entertained.
"Marcus," said Emma during lunch.
"What?" answered Marcus without looking at Emma. Marcus was reading emails on his phone.
"Can we have dinner at a restaurant tonight?" asked Emma.
Marcus looked at Emma.
"A restaurant?" asked Marcus.
"Yes. There's a nice new restaurant that just opened. I want to try it," answered Emma.
"Okay," said Marcus. "What time do you want to go?"
"7 PM?" suggested Emma.
"Alright," answered Marcus.
6 PM.
Emma was ready.
Emma wore a simple but elegant dress. A light blue dress. Emma's hair was styled neatly.
Emma looked at herself in the mirror.
Emma felt beautiful.
But Emma was also nervous.
This was the first time Emma and Marcus went to a fancy restaurant together. The first time they went out like a real couple.
Marcus came out of his room.
Marcus wore a black suit and white shirt. Marcus looked handsome. Very handsome.
Marcus saw Emma.
Marcus was silent for a moment.
"You're beautiful," said Marcus softly.
Emma felt her face turn red.
"Thank you," answered Emma.
They went to the restaurant in Marcus's car.
The restaurant Emma chose was a fancy restaurant. A famous restaurant. A restaurant with a famous chef from France.
When they entered, everyone looked at them.
When they walked to their table, everyone watched.
Emma felt like everyone was looking at them.
They sat at a table near the window. A window that overlooked the city glittering with night lights.
The restaurant host gave them menus.
The menu was thick. The menu was long.
Emma looked at the menu.
All the menu was in French.
Emma didn't understand.
"What do you want to eat?" asked Marcus.
"I... I don't understand this menu," whispered Emma.
Marcus smiled a small smile.
"This menu is in French," said Marcus. "It's called 'Coq au Vin'. This is chicken cooked with red wine. It's very delicious."
"Oh," said Emma. "That sounds good."
"Or this one," Marcus pointed to another menu item. "This is called 'Beef Bourguignon'. This is beef with vegetables and wine. Also delicious."
Emma watched Marcus explain the menu.
Marcus looked relaxed. Looked natural.
Marcus had been to this restaurant before.
"Does Marcus often go to fancy restaurants?" asked Emma.
"Used to go often," answered Marcus. "For business meetings. But haven't been here for a long time."
They ordered food.
Marcus ordered Coq au Vin.
Emma ordered Beef Bourguignon.
They ordered wine to drink.
While waiting for the food.
There was silence between them.
But the silence wasn't awkward.
They just sat. Watching the city from the window.
Soft music from the restaurant speakers.
A comfortable atmosphere.
The food arrived.
The food looked beautiful. Beautiful like art.
"Wow," said Emma. "This is too beautiful to eat."
Marcus smiled. "But the taste is more important than the looks."
They started eating.
Emma tried the beef.
The beef was tender. Tender like butter.
The taste was delicious. Very delicious.
"This is delicious," said Emma with shining eyes.
Marcus saw Emma was happy.
Marcus felt happy.
Happy because Emma was happy.
While eating, a waiter came.
"Good evening. How is the food?" asked the waiter in English.
"Very delicious," answered Marcus in English.
The waiter left.
"Does Marcus speak English?" asked Emma in shock.
"Yes," answered Marcus. "I went to an international school."
"Wow," said Emma. "Marcus has many skills that I didn't know about."
Marcus smiled. "Same with Emma. There are many things about Emma that I don't know."
They ate casually.
They talked about many things.
Marcus told stories about his international school.
Emma told stories about her simple school.
Marcus told stories about when he first started his business.
Emma told stories about when she first got a job.
When dessert arrived.
The dessert was chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream.
Emma tried it.
"Mmm," said Emma while closing her eyes. "This is very delicious!"
Marcus watched Emma enjoying the dessert.
Marcus thought: Emma looks cute when she's enjoying food.
"Emma," said Marcus.
"Yes?" answered Emma while still eating.
"Are you happy?" asked Marcus.
Emma stopped eating.
Emma looked at Marcus.
"Yes," answered Emma. "I am happy right now."
When they finished eating.
They ordered coffee.
They sat again. Watching the city.
The music was still playing.
The atmosphere was still comfortable.
"Thank you," said Marcus.
"For what?" asked Emma.
"For inviting me to dinner," answered Marcus. "I forgot what it feels like to relax. I forgot that there's a life outside of work."
Emma held Marcus's hand.
"Marcus needs to learn to relax," said Emma gently. "Life is not just about working."
Marcus looked at Emma.
There was something that changed in Marcus's eyes.
Eyes that were cold before.
Now looked warm.
They left the restaurant at 10 PM.
A beautiful night.
A clear night.
There were stars in the sky.
"Look," said Emma pointing to the sky. "There are many stars."
Marcus looked at the sky.
"Yes," said Marcus. "The stars are beautiful."
"Does Marcus know the names of those stars?" asked Emma.
"No," answered Marcus honestly.
"I don't either," said Emma with a small laugh.
Marcus heard Emma's laugh.
Marcus smiled too.
A small laugh. But genuine.
In the car, on the way home.
Emma was already asleep.
Emma was dozing in the passenger seat.
Emma's head was leaning against the window.
Marcus looked at Emma who was sleeping.
Marcus saw Emma's peaceful face.
Marcus felt something in his chest.
Something warm.
Something that Marcus had never felt before.
When they arrived home.
Marcus carried Emma from the car to the house.
Emma was still asleep.
Marcus carried Emma to her room.
Marcus gently placed Emma on the bed.
Marcus covered Emma with a blanket.
Marcus looked at Emma for a moment.
"Good night," whispered Marcus. "Thank you for tonight."