A few minutes later, Adeline walked to a certain area where Thomas instructed her to wait for him. He didn't tell why, and she didn't even ask for the reason.
The area wasn't far from the main building of World Spectrum, but whatever the secret future CEO said.
Adeline noticed a sudden Mercedes-Benz S-Class considered being an executive limousine. She was confused at first until one of the car windows rolled down.
"Did I make you wait for too long?" Thomas's signature modulated voice was heard.
Adeline couldn't believe what she was seeing at that moment. She thought, 'Thomas looked like a boss.'
Thomas went out of the car and greeted Adeline like a proper gentleman.
"Good evening."
"Good evening." Adeline was shy.
"Are you ready for our dinner tonight?" he asked.
"Do I need to answer your question? It sounds so formal, I couldn't keep up." Adeline remained deadpan.
Thomas laughed, "It's not a requirement."
He went to open the car's door and waited for Adeline to get in. She gave him a good look before getting inside the luxurious car.
As soon as they got inside the car, driven by Thomas's personal driver, the vehicle drove away.
The silence had surrounded the two single people inside the car. Thomas didn't expect Adeline would still be a silent and shy person, while Adeline didn't expect Thomas to be full of courtesy and to be such a gentleman.
"Can I ask-" They got surprised after saying the same thing in chorus.
"You can go first." Thomas told Adeline.
"No, it's okay. You can go first." Adeline said.
"I insist. Please-"
"It's okay. You may go first-"
"Ladies first, Adeline." Thomas showed his beatific expression.
Adeline didn't contradict him anymore and proceeded with her question.
"Can I ask something about you?" she asked.
"Of course. What is it?"
"Are you sure that we know each other before?"
Thomas couldn’t avoid but laugh a bit from what he heard. He gently covered his mouth with the back of his hand before laughing. It made Adeline embarrassed and blushed.
“P-Please forget what I asked you.” she stammered.
Thomas immediately coped up, and it was unbelievable for Adeline to see him becoming serious after a friendly laugh.
“I am certain of knowing you. I am not sure if you’re the same as me.” Thomas said kindly.
Adeline nodded at him, still confused. Whenever she stares at his face, it makes her feel like he’s someone familiar. But she wasn’t sure enough.
It didn’t take them long enough before arriving at L'art des Saveurs, one of the most popular restaurants in NYC.
Adeline noticed that Thomas's personal driver immediately got out of the car after successfully parking in the parking space. Thomas spoke to her alongside.
“Stay here and wait,” he said.
The personal driver gently opened the door near Thomas and the boss got out. Adeline observed what was happening until she noticed Thomas went to the side where she was seated and opened the door for her.
He even lends her his hand, which she didn’t hesitate to take and hold. After getting out of the car, Adeline and Thomas both entered the L'art des Saveurs.
A male host named Darcy approached them.
“Good evening, Mr. Thomas Hankins-”
Thomas suddenly cleared his throat, which interrupted Darcy from speaking. Adeline got confused as well, the reason for her to glance at Thomas.
“Just call me Thomas. That would be fine.”
“Most certainly, sir,” Darcy said.
Because Adeline didn’t have the habit of suspecting other people, she remained silent about what Thomas had done. But for other people, he seems to be a little secretive.
“You have made a reservation for tonight at 8 PM, a table for two. Is that correct?” Darcy asked him.
“Yes, that is correct.”
“Very well, sir. Let me just confirm the table number first.” Darcy went to his computer.
“Avez-vous suivi ma demande d'éviter de vous asseoir près des fenêtres? (Did you follow my request to avoid sitting near the windows?)” Thomas questioned Darcy.
It dumbfounded Darcy as he looked back and forth between Thomas and Adeline. But he immediately went back to his senses.
“Bien sûr, monsieur. (Of course, sir.)” Darcy replied.
After a few seconds of checking the reservation system, Darcy led them on the way to their table. The couple followed the host inside, and Adeline couldn’t believe what her eyes were seeing.
The vast room gave a cozy vibe since a few numbers of huge 3-tiered chandeliers of intricate design provided warm lighting to the room. They’ve exquisitely decorated the pillars with cornucopias and arabesques. Cupids can be found at the arch of doorways. They filled the walls and ceilings with a myriad of paintings, where the floor-to-ceiling French windows were also attached.
It made Adeline feel like she was in the classical or renaissance era. She didn’t realize it would be beautiful and original. She couldn’t avoid admiring everything, since it was her first time to be in such a wonderful place.
Thomas, who at the same time, couldn’t avoid but to watch her getting amazed quietly.
“Adeline,” he called her kindly.
Adeline’s amazement got interrupted, and she glanced at him. Thomas led her to sit on the chair first before him. Adeline smiled at him and carefully sat down while the latter was assisting her. After taking their seats, a server immediately approached them and gave them each a menu.
Adeline browsed the menu and suddenly wide-eyed, almost slack-jawed. Every meal on the menu is worth more than 100$.
“Adeline,” Thomas called her attention and she glanced at him. “What would you like to have?”
Adeline couldn’t avoid but panic so she glanced back again at the menu she was holding.
“Well, the food is too expensive. I don’t know what to choose,” she said.
“It’s alright. It’s on me, you can choose whatever you like,” he said.
“No, I-I really can’t. I don’t know what the food tastes like and I’m afraid it might go to waste.” she insisted.
Thomas smiled at her and understood her part. So, he was the one who made the decision.
“One Lightly Seared Trout Yuzu Rice Green Tea-Nori Consommé for the lady and mine would be the Roasted Maitake Bone Marrow-Red Wine Bordelaise,” Thomas said.
The server repeats the orders and is followed by another one.
“What’s for the dessert and wine, monsieur?”
“One Brown Butter Mousse, Apple Confit, Armagnac Sabayon for the lady and Rhubarb-Blackberry Compote, Caramelized Puff Pastry Yogurt Sorbet for me. The wine is the Louis Latour Chateau Corton Grancey.” Thomas said.
The server confirmed their orders and left. Adeline still couldn’t stop observing the beauty of the place. She seems to be inside the queen of England’s palace even though she wasn’t certain of what the place really looked like inside.
“You’re very interesting, Adeline.” She glanced at Thomas who was staring at her.
“No, I don’t think I am,” she said shyly.
“Do you remember me now?" he asked.
"I don't think so. I'm really bad at remembering things, so-"
Thomas smirked, "I need you to think carefully. The most memorable moment you had during high school."
Adeline focused to think and remember what Thomas is exactly talking about. If only he elaborate hints, it would really help.
"I don't like to give up on people when they need someone not to give up on them."
Adeline glanced back at Thomas, wide-eyed. That's the moment and feeling of excitement she suddenly had. It rose up to her.
"Inside the closet." The only words lingered on Adeline's lips that made Thomas elated.