"Aunty, this is really good!" Aria said as she munched on the food.
Adriana caught a piece of bread that fell from her mouth with a napkin and she wiped her lips clean. The kid's meal came with an option of six drinks. Water, orange, juice,apple juice, strawberry milkshake and coconut water. It also brought a small cup with fruit salad, t had green grapes,sliced strawberries, blueberries, sliced bananas and raspberries. The last part was a sandwich. A baguette cut in half and each piece sliced in half. Inside the bread you could choose fried beans,eggs,cheese and bacon for breakfast.
For lunch or dinner the option was lettuce,tomatoes,cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, and onions. Of course Aria chose the ladder but Aria asked for her bread to be cut into four so that it would be easier for her to eat.
Since the restaurant's other meals were too heavy for a child this was the lightest meal they had.
"See I told you. The bread is fresh and so are the ingredients, it's really satisfying!" Kimberly smiled watching her eat. Both her and Adriana only asked for a drink and the same kind of fruit salad as Aria because they weren't hungry.
Adriana's eyes went to the door and she furrowed her eyebrows when she saw a familiar figure step in. She sighed when the woman gave her a questioning gaze.
"I will go to the restroom, stay here." She turned to Ari and received a nod from both. Adriana walked towards the restroom Aria and entered the ladies section. She waited for a minute or two until the other woman came inside.
"You arrived here earlier than expected." The woman commented when and she locked the door, approaching Adriana. "I know. Aria made some trouble for me soI had to come back to New York. I'll explain to you exactly what happened tonight, meet me at the usual place. Also, avoid Briana at all costs. You aren't to appear just yet." Adriana explained.
"Right, but is Bryan and Ralf here too?" The woman asked. "Only Ralf. I left Bryan behind along with James. " Adriana replied.
"Oh, I see that must mean that you have already met Noah no?" The woman assumed and Adriana nodded. The woman sighed and she leaned on the sink. "What are you going to do now? You can't stay away from James for too long."
"Hmm, I'm thinking of sending Aria to accompany then and occasionally I will go visit them. I don't want them to get caught in the fire. I have already started and I'm definitely not gong to back down now." Adriana responded. "Did you see Briana yet though?" The woman asked again.
"Nope, I still have plans for our encounter. Take this. I want you to show up at this place at exactly 6pm. Don't even be a minute late Caroline." Adriana warned as she handed her a paper and the woman named Caroline pouted.
"Why this day exactly. I wanted to spend time with my hubby…" She complained. Adriana shook her head and patted her shoulder as she walked out. "Just do as I say. It has to do with what you have been looking for." Adriana walked out of the bathroom and let her words sink in on Caroline's brain.
"Ha? What I have been looking for?" Caroline scratched her head in confusion.
"Oh. My hat! I'm so stupid." She face palmed and waited a few minutes before walking away.
She used the code word 'hat' to refer to what she was actually looking for.
….
Adriana walked back to their table but before she could even take her seat her eyes went straight to the person who just entered the restaurant. Her breath hitched.
'Why is he here?" She wondered ignoring her racing hard. His dramatic entrance really caught her off guard. His blue eyes went to her and he paused before placing them on the table. He watched Aria and Kimberly playful interactions and their cheerful conversation.
"Kim." He called out.
KImberly shuddered at his cold tone. Right, she was supposed to go see grandma!
"Uncle Noah!" Aria's eyes lit up and she jumped down from her seat. Before she could go to him Adriana caught her hand. "Baby, I suddenly have an emergency and we have to go somewhere." Adriana lied.
Seeing how close Noah and Aria acted scared her but Noah's soft expression when his eyes landed on Aria scared her even more.
"Awww." Aria bit her lip feeling super bummed out.
Noah gave Adriana a long stare, showing that he had seen right through her lie. He could tell she was trying to avoid interacting with him.
"Brother, why are you here?" Kimberly asked, turning around.
"Ma'am!" Ralf entered the door and called out. He walked towards Adriana and whispered something in her ear.
"Mommy?" Aria asked worriedly when she saw her mother's pale face.
"Kim, I'll have to see you another time. I have some things to take care off." Adriana forced a smile on her face.
"Ah okay." Kimberly frowned in confusion.
"Bye aunty!" Aria gave Kimberly a hug and she then waved her hand towards Noah, afterwards returning back to her mother's side.
Noah's eyes were stuck to Adriana trying to figure out something.
Adriana gave KImberly an apologetic smile and she held onto Aria's hand. She followed Ralf out but before she could leave a hand caught hers.
Her finger's trembled and she did her best to remain calm. "What you have to attend….is it really an emergency? Grandma is in the hospital and she requests your presence. I will give you whatever you wish for as long as you come with me to visit her." Noah told her in his usual indifferent tone.
"Tomorrow, tell her I will be there tomorrow." Adriana snatched her hand back but once again she was stopped.
Kimberly watched their interactions in interest.
'Grandma?' Aria wondered.
"She wants your presence now." He insisted. "Okay. I will go now." Adriana forced another smile on her face and she walked out following Ralf.
When they were finally out of the restaurant, Adriana let out a breath she was holding onto. "Mommy what's wrong?" Aria asked, noticing how tense she was.
"My friend's grandmother got sick so I have to go visit her!" Adriana explained.
"Ralf took her back to the hotel. Tell Caroline to come over and take care of Aria while I'm out." Adriana ordered.
"Mommy why can't I come with?" Aria frowned. "Not now. Just listen to mommy. Don't you miss your aunt Caroline? It's been a while since you last saw her." Adriana smiled encouraging her to go.
She tensed up again when she felt Noah's presence behind her again. Kimberly and Noah were now outside the restaurant as well.
"Is that JUSTINE?!"
Adriana felt another orang of nervousness hit her heart.
For a moment she felt everything slipping out of her control….
"I'll see you in the afternoon princess' Adriana patted her head trying to get her to go in the car.
"Back to Dove Hotel mommy?" Aria asked. "Will aunt Caroline know that our room is 806?" Aria Asked again.
A crowd was forming, sending them curious gazes and Aria's revelation made Adriana even more anxious then she already was.
"Aria." Her tone turned stern this time.
"Right I will go now!" She kissed her mother's hand and ran inside the car quickly.
"I'll meet you there…' Adriana mumbled and she also entered the car. Ralf gave Noah a stare, he analyzed him up and down and he smirked, closing the door for Adriana.
He walked around the car and he entered.
Noah narrowed his eyes and he glanced around the crowd. "I think you all recognized the wrong person." Kimberly smiled and she followed her brother inside his car.
The crowd dispersed in disappointment. Inside their car Kimberly sighed in relief knowing the crowd had not recognized her.
"Brother, what was that about?" She asked.