Days After You's

Chapter 36 - Birthday? (1)

A week after Stella's condition improved again—which also means it has been past a month of my original plan to take her to go on a date—I can finally take her to one of the fine dining restaurants for dinner joint.

I was ready to put on one of my black suits and was waiting by leaning on the back of the sofa when Stella, clad in a simple blue dress and wearing shoes and a white sling bag, finally came down. She tied her hair in half and clamped it with ribbon clasps that were in the same color as her dress. Accompanied by the smile that always stuck in her face, she looked really sweet tonight.

"Luiz, sorry to keep you waiting."

"It's okay, I'm done too" I said. A smile was engraved on my face while my brain was trying to carve out a proper sentence to praise Stella's appearance this time. From what I've read, I can't go overboard on my compliments.

I haven't spoken a word yet, Stella preceded me.

"As usual, you always look cool in your suit, Luiz."

"As usual?"

"Yes, like when you go to work."

Is that a compliment or is Stella indirectly saying that my style of dress is boring? Indeed, almost the entire contents of my closet are shirts, suits, cloth pants and a full suit. But that's because I prefer a semi-formal style rather than a casual, casual one that I have is definitely just a polo shirt, black jeans and sweater. Is that bad?

"Luiz?" Stella blinked at me and I realized her eyelashes looked more pliable than usual.

"Do I look boring to you?" My mouth asked that question before it could be stopped.

"Eh.not at all, Luiz. Why did you suddenly ask that?"

I shook my head, "It's nothing, I just want to know."

"Oh," Stella chuckled, "Don't worry, you never look boring in my eyes, Luiz."

My heart rate increased and I quickly looked away, "Thank you then. You look cute tonight, too."

"O-oh..." Stella's flickering turn with a flushed face, "Thank you too, Luiz."

"We're leaving now?"

"Come on."

On the way to the restaurant, I saw the sky not showing any stars at all, probably because of the rain marks earlier this afternoon so the dark clouds still covered them all. But it doesn't diminish my otherwise bright mood, I promised myself I'd make this dinner romantic, so that's what I'm going to do tonight.

The restaurant where I booked the place was one of the famous ones in City A. Many times in order to get to the table, someone has to book almost a month before visiting, but armed with my connection and identity, I can get one VIP room easily even though I just booked one day before.

"Oh, it's been a long time since I've been here" Stella said at the restaurant, whose design used a lot of gold and black, "Last I went with my father and mother almost two years ago. It's still a lot of people."

"What are we eating here?" Ask me to make sure. And the leg Stella nodded in response.

We stepped in and followed the waiter who heard my name straight to the room that was meant for us. But before we got there, we met familiar faces who seemed to be on the same radar every time Stella and I went together.

"Sir Luiz!" Rio exclaimed and waved, next to him, his wife Melinda also smiled widely. Those who come in fancy suits and dresses in matching colors look like they just want to enter one of the other VVIP rooms.

"Rio," I said.

"Who would have thought I'd meet my mom and dad here. Hello Bu Stella, good night," Rio smiled then looked down at Stella.

"Hello Stella, how are you?" Melinda said hello via kissing both cheeks Stella.

"Hello Melinda and Mr. Rio, I'm good" Stella said. This time Stella was not so surprised anymore by the generosity of the couple in front of us. And from the way he interacted with Melinda now, it seems that since the first meeting at the Mall first, the two of them had quite often been in contact with each other or chatting. That's great news, because it means Stella has someone else to be her conversation partner with.

"Hello Mr. Luiz."

"Hello Miss Melinda."

I glanced at Stella for a moment, "Just want dinner."

Melinda clapped her hands in front of her chest, "Then just feel the room with us. The room is fit for one family. So we can chat as well while eating, you agree, Rio?"

I never really expected to be telepathic before tonight, but the moment I heard Melinda's invitation, she said, my eyes immediately looked at Rio deeply as a signal for him to understand that I just want to be alone with Stella this time.

Lucky it's not difficult to digest a Rio who has been bailing with me in the business world for a long time, because so met my eyes, he said, he soon understood and switched to embracing his wife, "Mel, let Mr. Luiz and Ms. Stella get their privacy. We'll have dinner together, okay?"

I was about to nod but my arm was pulled slowly from the side. Stella looked up and looked at me through her two round eyes, "Luiz, is that okay?"

Oh naw. Don't again. I have waited a long time for this opportunity to be alone in a romantic atmosphere with him, and I have to let it go again?

My head moved up and down, both ends of my lips pulled up to form a smile, "Yes, of course. Rio, you and your wife can come with us. I've booked a VVIP room, there's more free."

"Bright sir."

"Good, come on Stella," Melinda smiled broadly and pulled Stella's arm back to walk in the waiter's footsteps.

Meanwhile Rio whispered apologizing for his wife's insensitivity to me, "I'm sorry my wife sir."

"Here you go, I'm just following Stella's will."

In a room that is enough to contain more than ten people, the candle and balloon decorations that I have ordered to the restaurant to be arranged seromantically may immediately welcome the view of all of us. It felt like I wanted to change my mind and pull Rio and his wife out and leave me and Stella, but I could only follow those who were now looking at the room in amazement.

"I don't remember them decorating the room like this" muttered Melinda fingered a red heart balloon near the door. Fortunately the waiter who was dropping off had left, otherwise they would have known if I was the one who had specially ordered this decoration.

On the table has also been presented in a bucket of several bottles of red wine and champagne glasses. Rio looked at me fixedly as soon as he saw the entire preparation, but I ignored him by taking one bottle and pouring it into my glass and Stella.

"Thank you, Luiz," said Stella and I smiled faintly.

Only then did I raise my glass, Melinda's suddenly gasping voice had already restrained my movement to drink.

"Oh my God," Melinda glared as she looked at me, Stella and Rio alternately, she covered her mouth with her hands, "Geez, have I messed up the two of you on this special day?"

"Special day?" Rio asked who was also astonished by his wife's behavior.

He nodded, "Yes, I just remembered, it's Stella's birthday! Mr. Luiz, you must have ordered all this to surprise your wife, right? Rio let's stand up, we gotta go."

My body was stiff. The part gave a surprise is arguably there is a point but this is not to celebrate Stella's birthday. I don't even know today she's having a birthday. My head slowly moved to look.

Stella chuckled and shook her hands, "No-no, it's just dinner. Melinda and Mr. Rio can stay here."

Stella's eyes glanced at me for a moment and I hated myself for not knowing this important date. What kind of man doesn't know his wife's birthday? But it's only natural in my case that Stella and I never said happy birthday or something.—Oh doesn't. Stella said happy birthday to me last year, it was me who never did it.

"I just remembered, this morning when I opened Facebook, I got a notification that today you're Stella's birthday. Even if I post a speech there, I'll say it again. Happy birthday yes, Stella," Melinda stuck out a hand and Rio followed her with similar congratulations.

I feel silly but I still play the role as if I was planning all this with the intention of celebrating Stella's birthday. The dinner was peaceful again and the whole special menu I ordered directly to the chef also satisfied all of us.

On the way home from the restaurant after that I just raised my voice to Stella about her special day, "Why didn't you tell me it was your birthday?"

"You never ask and I don't think it's gonna matter to you."

I fell silent, my hands clenched in my pockets. Naturally if he thought so, last year I would not care about such things at all.

"...Happy birthday" I said slowly.

From the corner of my eye I saw Stella turning her head with her trademark smile, "Thank you, Luiz."