It seemed as if every single of the waiters was tattooed, and the tables were set so closely together you could have eaten from your neighbor's plate.
I could see why Qina would love it.
Xu lips twisted in obvious disapproval. It was probably a bodyguard's nightmare.
"Do you have a reservation?" A tall woman with a septum piercing asked.
"No." Xu narrowed his eyes as if he couldn't believe someone was actually asking something like that. I loved it.
Here I wasn't Shen Mi, but wife of the great Fu Shao.
"But it's just the two of us. And we won't take long," I said politely.
The woman looked between Xu and me, then smiled.
"You have 1 hour. You are a cute couple."
She turned to lead us toward our table, which was why she didn't see Xu expression.
"Why didn't you correct her?" he asked quietly.
"Why should I?"
"Because we aren't a couple. You are Fu Shao wife. Our young madam."
"I am. And I'm not."
Xu didn't argue again, but I could tell it made him uncomfortable to act like we were anything but bodyguard and his boss's wife. I ate a salad with the most delicious dressing and enjoyed watching the people around us, while Xu ate a burger and monitored our surroundings. I couldn't wait to take Qina here.
Sadness filled me at the thought. I had never been so lonely in my life. Only two days into my new life and I really didn't know how to survive the many thousand days that would follow.
"So he will be home late again tonight?"
"I suppose," Xu said evasively.
After we'd eaten, I forced Xu to stroll through the neighborhood of the restaurant for a bit longer, but eventually I got frustrated with his stiff posture and obvious discomfort, and agreed to return to the penthouse.
When the taxi pulled up in front of the building, Xu paid the driver and I slipped out of the car.
As I approached the glass front, I noticed one of Fu Shao cousins sitting inside the lobby.
What was she doing here? We hadn't talked more than a few sentences at the wedding and I hadn't gotten the impression that she was interested in friendship.
Confused, I stepped into the lobby. Lufei eyes snapped to me and she walked up to me without hesitation and hugged me to my surprise, then she pressed something into my hand.
"Here. Don't let Xu or anyone else see it. Now smile."
I did, stunned. I could feel a folded piece of paper and what felt like a key in my palm. I quickly stashed them in my purse when Xu appeared beside me.
"What are you doing here, Lufei?"