Chapter 7: The Dinner

Chapter 7: Chapter 7: The Dinner

Seattle’s city lights shimmered beyond the cab window like scattered stars, reflecting off rain-kissed streets that still glistened from the afternoon drizzle.

Iris rested her handbag on her lap, her fingers unconsciously twisting around the delicate silver chain.

She glanced at the time on her phone and it showed, 6:42 p.m. Which meant that she would arrive early.

Jason had always teased her about that. Once he said to her that..."You’d probably show up early to your own surprise party."

She smiled faintly at the memory.

"I just don’t like keeping people waiting for me," she had once replied.

"That’s one of the things I love about you."

The memory warmed her heart for only a moment before reality settled over it again.

She unlocked her phone and checked if Jason had replied her text...still... nothing. She inhaled slowly before locking the screen again.

The cab slowed before stopping beneath the elegant entrance of L’Étoile. The restaurant looked even more breathtaking at night.

For a few seconds after the driver announced they’d arrived, Iris remained seated, her fingers curled tightly around the small evening purse resting on her lap.

She looked through the window of the car, towards the restaurant.

Warm golden light poured from the restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling windows, softening the elegant stone façade and the polished brass signage bearing the restaurant’s name.

Valets moved gracefully between luxury cars lined along the entrance, opening doors for impeccably dressed guests as though they’d rehearsed the choreography a thousand times.

A violin melody drifted faintly through the glass doors every time they opened. The sight should have made her smile, instead, it made her chest tighten.

She had been here before, two years ago. Jason had brought her here on their first anniversary.

She could still remember how nervous she’d been when his chauffeur had pulled up outside her apartment that evening. She’d spent the entire ride wondering if she’d embarrass herself with the wrong fork or mispronounce the names of dishes she couldn’t even pronounce in her head.

Jason had laughed the moment she’d confessed her worries.

"Sunshine," he’d said, reaching across the table to lace his fingers through hers, "it’s just food. The only thing I care about tonight is whether you’re smiling."

She’d teased him for choosing such an expensive restaurant. "You know this place costs a fortune, right?"

He’d shrugged with that easy confidence that seemed to come naturally to someone who had never known financial limitations.

"It’s nothing love. I know the owner, so it’s no biggie."

She’d stared at him, speechless. "You’re joking."

"No am not."

"Jason..."

"Relax." He’d grinned before adding, "My family’s been coming here since before I was born. Besides..."

He’d reached into the pocket of his tailored jacket and placed a small velvet box in front of her. "Anniversaries only happen once a year."

Inside had been a delicate diamond bracelet. It looked elegant, timeless aND undeniably expensive. She’d looked at it in complete disbelief.

"Jason... I can’t accept something this expensive." She’d said, really finding it difficult to accept.

"Sure you can."

"No, seriously Jason—"

"Iris." His voice had become unusually gentle. "It’s not about the price." He’d taken the bracelet from its box before fastening it carefully around her wrist.

"I wanted to give you something you’d wear every day." Then he’d looked into her eyes with a tenderness she’d never forgotten.

"That way, even when I’m not with you..." He’d brushed his thumb lightly across her wrist. "...a part of me always is. Because I love you."

The memory struck her with such force that she instinctively glanced down. The same bracelet still circled her wrist. Since he gave it to her, she had never taken it off...Not once.

It was because of his love and attention that she worked a lot of jobs just so she’ll be able to save up, buy him a wonderful present and buy him dinner.

Her fingers lightly traced the tiny diamonds on her wrist before she closed her eyes.

Please...Don’t let tonight become the memory that replaces that one.

The driver cleared his throat politely to gain her attention, seeing as she made no move to step out of the vehicle.

"Miss?"

She blinked, realizing she’d drifted into the past. "Oh..." She offered him an apologetic smile. "Sorry."

"No worries."

She paid the fare, stepped out of the taxi and stood quietly before the restaurant. The cool evening breeze lifted a few loose strands of hair from her shoulders. She smoothed them back into place before taking a deep breath.

Everything would be alright, tonight would be fine. She told herself....it had to be.

She walked inside and immediately, she was greeted by the rich aroma of the place, and the smell of expensive wine. She smiled at her ridiculous thought.

Couples spoke in quiet voices while a pianist in the corner played a slow, romantic melody that wrapped itself around the restaurant like silk.

A young hostess greeted her with a welcoming smile.

"Good evening miss. Welcome to L’Étoile."

"Good evening."

"Do you have a reservation with us tonight?"

"Yes. It’s under Iris Carter."

The hostess glanced at the tablet in her hands before smiling wider. "Yes, Miss Carter. You reserved our Skyline Table."

She looked up politely. "Happy birthday and happy anniversary as well."

A surprised smile spread across Iris’s face. "Oh...Thank you. You remembered that too?" Iris asked, stunned that they’ll remember. Then she wondered if she maybe told them about it when she called for the reservation.

The hostess smiled warmly. "You specifically requested fresh white lilies because your boyfriend once told you they were your favorite flowers. And also you’ve celebrated your past birthday and anniversary here, so we remembered. We wanted everything to be perfect."

Emotion flickered across Iris’s face. "Thank you. It means a lot."

"If you’ll follow me."

She led Iris toward a secluded corner beside the panoramic windows. And the view stole her breath.

Seattle glittered beneath the night sky. Cars moved like ribbons of light far below. A vase of fresh white lilies rested in the center of the table exactly as she’d requested.

Beside them stood a bucket of ice and inside...a bottle of Château Margaux. She had paid for everything nearly two weeks ago.

"So your partner hasn’t arrived yet?" the hostess asked gently.

"Not yet."

"I’m sure he’ll be here shortly."

"I hope so."

The hostess smiled before leaving her alone.

A waiter appeared moments later with a bow.

"Good evening, Miss Carter. My name is Benjamin, and I’ll be looking after your table tonight."

"It’s lovely to meet you Benjamin.The pleasure is mine."

He unfolded a menu before placing it gently in front of her. "May I begin with opening your wine?"

Iris shook her head politely. "No i think I’ll wait."

"Of course. And are you ready to order?"

She smiled apologetically at him. "I’m still waiting for someone. I’d like to order together once he arrives."

Benjamin nodded with complete understanding. "Certainly. I’ll return in a few minutes."

As he walked away...Iris looked toward the entrance.

The revolving doors turned and a young couple entered laughing. Iris was disappointed that it wasn’t Jason, and she looked away immediately.

Five minutes after that...The doors opened again and a businessman in an expensive navy suit stepped inside while speaking on his phone.

Again she was disappointed that it was...not Jason.

Every single time the doors opened...her heart leaped. And every single time...it fell a little harder.

Her phone vibrated and a smile immediately lit her face. She reached for it so quickly she nearly knocked over her water glass thinking that it’s finally from Jason. Then her shoulders slumped when the caller ID showed Zoey ❤️. The smile softened.

Zoey: Has Mr. Handsome arrived yet?

Iris looked toward the entrance once more before replying.

Iris: Not yet.

The typing bubble appeared almost instantly.

Zoey: Seriously? Ugh, that’s frustrating! It’s been an hour already.

A second message followed.

Zoey: Emma from my programming class just posted that the Falcons are having a celebration party for winning the championship tonight at O’Malley’s Bar.

Iris sighed, her heart heavy. "I’ll just wait for him then."

Zoey: But that’s still not an excuse for him to miss the anniversary, knowing that you are waiting for him.

Zoey: If Jason wants to be there...if he really wants to see you, all he has to do is tell Coach he already has plans and come to the restaurant. He’s the star player....the coach wouldn’t hold it against him.

Iris stared at the messages and didn’t know what to feel. She knew Zoey was trying to protect her. But she also knew Jason...didn’t she? She typed back.

Iris: Maybe it’s taking longer than expected.

Zoey: Iris...

Iris: I’ll wait.

For several seconds there was no reply from Zoey, then finally she replied back.

Zoey: Okay.

Zoey: Just promise me you’ll call me if anything feels wrong.

Iris smiled faintly.

Iris: I promise.

She locked her phone again. The clock on the restaurant wall quietly ticked onward.

7:45 p.m.

Still there was no Jason. Taking a slow breath, she unlocked her phone one more time. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard before she finally typed.

Hey...I’m already at L’Étoile. And i’m at our table by the window waiting for you.

Drive safely. I’ll be waiting. ❤️

She pressed Send.Then she placed the phone face up on the table.

The next time Benjamin came over, nearly an hour had gone by. The restaurant had grown noticeably busier.

Every table around Iris was now occupied, the soft murmur of conversations blending with the gentle strains of a piano replacing the earlier violin performance

Benjamin approached with the same courteous smile, though this time there was a touch more hesitation in it.

His eyes briefly drifted to the empty chair opposite her before returning to her.

"I hope you don’t mind me asking again, Miss Carter."

She looked up from her phone. "Not at all."

"Would you like to place your order now?" he asked gently. "The kitchen is at its best around this hour. If your date arrives shortly, we can always pace the courses so you still enjoy dinner together."

It was a thoughtful suggestion, one she almost accepted. "I think I’ll wait a little longer."

"Certainly."

There wasn’t the slightest trace of impatience in his voice. "I’ll make sure the kitchen stays informed."

"Thank you."

"And would you like me to uncork the Château Margaux now, or would you prefer I also wait until your date arrives?"

Iris glanced at the unopened bottle resting elegantly inside its silver wine bucket. She had paid for it three days ago.

It had taken almost all the money she’d managed to save from tutoring after classes and freelancing online.

Jason had always been the one treating her to extravagant dinners and expensive gifts. Every time she’d offered to pay, he’d simply smiled, handed his black card to the waiter and told her, "You can spoil me after we graduate."

Tonight...She’d wanted things to be different. She’d wanted to surprise him. She’d wanted him to sit across from her, stare at the bottle in confusion, and ask,

"Wait... you paid for this?"

And she’d laugh before saying, "Happy anniversary. Tonight, you’re the one being spoiled."

The thought alone had made every extra hour she’d worked worth it. Now, looking at the untouched bottle, her smile faltered ever so slightly.

"I think..." she said, lifting her eyes back to Benjamin, "...I’ll wait for him."

"Of course."

He nodded politely before excusing himself. As he walked away, Iris released a slow breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.

She wrapped both hands around the stem of her water glass, letting the coolness calm the nervous warmth in her palms.

After some time, her phone buzzed. But this time, her heart didn’t leap quite as high as it did before. The message was from Zoey.

Zoey: Any updates?

Iris stared at the screen for some seconds, then sighed and replied her.

Iris: Not yet.

The typing bubble appeared almost instantly.

Zoey: Have you called him again?

Iris looked toward the untouched chair across from her and she hesitated. Then she decided to just do it and then pressed Jason’s contact. The phone rang for four times then went straight to his voicemail. She ended the call without leaving a message.

Iris: It went to voicemail.

There was a long pause before Zoey replied.

Zoey: I don’t like this.

Neither did Iris. But she refused to let herself think the worst....Not yet.

Iris: He’ll come.

There was another pause before Zoey’s reply came in.

Zoey: For his sake i hope so....