CHAPTER SEVEN

Kade and I walk out onto the bustling city street. The sun is setting in the sky, which is creating a beautiful pinky orange setting which captures my attention completely. Kade grabs my hand and starts leading me down the sidewalk towards a dark waiting car. We slip in the back and I see Kade's personal driver already up front waiting for us.

When we're strapped in, the driver manoeuvres out of the parking spot and travels down the road. The street lights flicker past as the car continues to drive down the street. I stare out the window with awe as I take in view around us. I love the shops, the culture, and the people filling the streets. It's certainly nothing like the small town I come from, which makes me even more excited to be here.

After driving around for a solid ten minutes, we arrive in front of a busy, yet small restaurant which gives me the sense it's a very expensive, yet popular location to come to. I'd be fine with Nando's or even McDonald's for dinner but at the same point, I wouldn't turn down this place.

Kade gets out of the car and holds the door open for me. I slide across the seat and step out. As I fix my hair and jacket, Kade pokes his head inside the car to make pick up arrangements. Once he's finished talking, he closes the door and we walk into the restaurant.

There's a small reception desk as soon as you walk inside the building. The young girl behind the counter smiles happily as she gets ready to take our names for the booking. Kade gives her the relevant information and then shows us to our table.

Just as Kade had promised, we're taken to the back of the restaurant where we're given our own space to hang out and talk freely. Kade and I are seated at a small table facing each other. We're given our menus and then the lady leaves us to look through them.

"Do you like it here?" asks Kade.

I take a chance to look around the place before answering with, "Yes, it's nice."

The dim lighting makes for an intimate setting, yet the wooden finish and exposed brick brings in an interesting element. I like the exposed look with the restaurant rather than a polished white finish which looks too unobtainable.

"You're going to love the food," says Kade. "I went to school with the head chief. He makes weird creations that somehow work."

"Oh, okay." I open the menu and look through the different items listed out. There's a certain pull towards seafood, which makes me queasy. I've never been a big fan of fish, so I stick to a traditional pasta and meat dish instead.

After five minutes, a new waitress returns to take our orders. Kade lists off the order he wants – some fish dish with a side of something else. He adds in a fancy bottle of wine which has me rolling my eyes. When it's my turn, I list off the pasta dish and a cocktail with a Jack Daniel base. The girl is surprised, but I smile and laugh it off.

"Now that we have the chance to talk, I want to know about you," he says.

"I'm afraid there isn't much to say, Mr. Taylor," I shoot back, a quizzical look playing on my face.

"There's always something to tell," responds Kade. His answer immediately makes me think of Jenna. I suppose when you're bored and need gossip, other people's lives become more interesting and certainly a lot more scandalous.

"I'm sure you know everything about me." I shrug my shoulders. "Aren't you supposed to do background checks?" I cock my head to the side and stare him down.

"Perhaps," he replies. "But I'd much rather hear what you've got to say."

"Fine." I roll my eyes, I guess this is better than awkward silences. "I recently split from my boyfriend, I quit school and now I'm just floating around. I wanted to get into modelling, but somehow I'm here working for you," I respond.

"Why did you split from your boyfriend? Why modelling?"

"I don't know." I shrug my shoulder. "I wanted a change in life, to let go of baggage weighing me down, you know?"

"Somewhat." He stiffly nods his head.

"He was an alright boyfriend, but he wasn't supportive. My family aren't very supportive, not really. They want me to be normal . . . but I don't want to be normal, I can't." I shake my head. The thought of being normal isn't very exciting at all. I don't want to get a normal job and fade into the same old routine that makes me a slave to life. I want to step out into the spotlight and do something different in life.

"Never be normal, Lydia," he quietly responds. The small smile on his face makes my heart race inside my chest stupidly. As I go to respond, I see the waitress walking towards our table with our food. I sit up straight and look over my lean back so she can place the food down.

Another waitress follows up behind her with two glasses filled with wine, my cocktail, and a bucket with the wine in it.

"Enjoy." She smiles as she places the stuff on the table. As soon as she's gone, I dive into my cocktail with a grin on my face. It's an odd combination, but anything besides vodka is rather refreshing for me.

The food smells delicious. I don't have to hold back from diving into takes the wonderful seasoned meat sauce and pasta. I sit across from Kade with a big grin on my face. I know this job will present me with some struggles, but I can reflect back on moments like this, moments where I can enjoy the spoils of life.

"Good food?"

"Do you need to ask?" I mumble with a mouth full.

Kade laughs in response and sips on his wine. When I'm finished my cocktail, I sip on the wine. I'm surprised that it actually tastes nice, but I have a feeling it's more to do with the price tag attached. I don't question it, I just enjoy it.

We don't talk much through dinner, just small comments about the food and drinks. Once we're done, Kade signals for the check and we head out the door. I'm so full, I wish I'd worn something baggy so that I don't have to worry about sucking my stomach in. Flopping down on a bed right now would be utter heaven!

"Bruce is stuck in traffic," says Kade as he looks up from his phone.

"Bruce?" I frown.

"My driver," he replies.

"Oh, what happens now?" I ask.

"We could walk around," offers Kade.

"That sounds good, actually." I need to walk off this food before it starts clinging to my hips. Usually, I wouldn't care, but Jenna's comments has me worried about my body weight. I guess I should go on a diet or something? Eat more green leaves than chocolate bars.

Who am I kidding? Maybe Kade can sign me up to a gym to work out. I'd prefer a hot trainer too, but I have a feeling I won't find anyone as delectable as Kade Taylor. There's something about a suit and tie that over rules a sweaty man.

"Come, let's walk this way." Kade places his hand on my back to guide me in the direction he's walking. I follow along and we walk down the sidewalk and past other places. A few people stare, but nothing too exciting happens. It's not until we hit the main section of the city that we draw attention to ourselves.

One girl comes running up with her phone out screaming in my face. I jump back and start freaking out. What do you say to someone screaming?

"Hi?"

"I can't believe it! You're Alessia Louis, can I have a picture with you?" she asks.

"Sure." I smile.

Kade takes the young girls phone snaps a picture of the two of us. I give her a brief hug before moving onwards with Kade.

"Does that happen a lot?" I ask.

"Sometimes, yes." He nods his head.

"Do girls fan over you?" I tease.

"Would you like them too?" he shoots back.

His question catches me off guard, but not as off guard as the sight of people with cameras. I'd never really seen much of a paparazzi with Australia, nothing like how they do it in America. The people come running down the street, cameras in hand.

Kade grabs my hand and laces his fingers through mine. He stairs towards me and briefly smiles.

"Act casual, they go away after a few pictures," he says.

"Oh." I nod my head. My heart starts beating in my chest widely as I try to act casual. How do you act casual to random people taking pictures of you? I don't know, but someone needs to write a thing about this.

"Alessia, how was your holiday away?" someone shouts.

"Yeah, great," I respond.

Kade keeps us walking down the street, which seems to keep them at bay. They walk along with us and ask more questions. Kade seems to shoot them down easy enough with witty responses which saves me time.

When we get to the end of the street, I see Bruce pulling up in a free bay. Kade opens the door and I quickly get inside. I'm happy when Kade gets in and closes the door. While it was only two or three people, it's a weird experience.

"Did you have fun tonight?" asks Kade.

"Yes, thank you," I reply with a smile. "Dinner was amazing, I really enjoyed it." Spending more time with Kade just seemed to expand on the growing fan girl crush happening inside my heart.

"I'm glad to hear, Lydia." The way my name rolls off his tongue has me sinking back into the chair, a happy feeling floating through my body.

I could easily see Kade Taylor becoming a complication in my job, it doesn't help I have to play his girlfriend in all of this.

******

Chapter Question: Do you have a fav place to eat?