"Why are you still standing there?" Olivia Hart said softly. "Help her up."
The young woman, visibly stunned, slowly sat up with the help of the waiter. She bowed deeply to Adrian Foster:
—Thank you… really.
"It's nothing," Adrian replied, flashing a carefree smile.
With the waiter's support, the young woman limped out of the restaurant, like someone carrying not only physical wounds but also an invisible burden.
Adrian watched her leave for a moment. He thought silently:Misfortunes that come from heaven can be forgiven, but those that are self-inflicted... you have to learn to endure them..
Olivia finished her glass of wine and gracefully stood up. They left the restaurant together, enveloped in the cool New York night air. At the door, the manager, a middle-aged man in an impeccable suit, stopped them:
—Mr. Foster, to thank you for your intervention and to save our restaurant's reputation, we'd like to offer you a free dinner tonight.
Adrian smiled ironically:
—If someone gets a good deal and doesn't take advantage of it, they're a fool.
The manager nodded, knowing that the evening was worth far more than any discount: preserving the restaurant's image was essential.
As they stepped outside, a gentle breeze caressed their faces. Fallen leaves crunched beneath their steps, floating in the air like fleeting memories. Although it was summer, the temperature was reminiscent of a spring afternoon.
"Where's Emily?" Adrian asked, stretching and straightening his coat. "You said she was waiting for you at the door."
Olivia stood by the entrance, clutching her purse in both hands. The wind gently lifted the hem of her skirt, giving her an ethereal air. Her quiet elegance caught discreet glances.
"She's waiting in line," he replied. "She asked me to wait for her. And... it's pretty chilly. Why don't we go for a walk?"
"I think it's a perfect idea," Adrian said, agreeing without hesitation.
The city was alive. Couples strolled hand in hand, groups of friends laughed in front of cafes, and tourists stopped to take photos. Neither of them broke the silence as they began walking; it was a comfortable, almost intimate silence.
"You were looking quite… masculine a moment ago," Olivia commented, tilting her head, a playful smile on her lips.
"That's true," Adrian replied, smiling. "I'm not going to deny it."
With strangers, he could be distant, but with Olivia, there was a relaxed honesty. She smiled at his response, finding him charming.
"Why did you help that girl?" Olivia asked suddenly. "Is she your type?"
"No," Adrian shrugged. "I just wanted to help. If I knew what kind of girl I liked, I wouldn't be single so far."
Olivia smiled, raising an eyebrow:
—Haven't you been in love in twenty years?
—No.
—I don't believe it.
-Really.
"I don't think so," she insisted, in a playful tone.
"You may be single until now... why can't I?" Adrian replied ironically.
Olivia was surprised, then gave a light laugh.
—How do you know about me?
"Emily told me," he replied, with a half smile.
"Big mouth," Olivia said, brushing away a strand of windblown hair.
They both paused for a moment, enjoying the breeze. Adrian threw an empty can toward a nearby trash can, trying to get it in with a single swipe. He failed. He tried again, failed again, until he admitted with a smile:
—I'm not good at this.
Olivia laughs.
—Even if you're not, you're confident. That's attractive.
"Am I handsome?" he asked, staring at her.
"No," she replied, blushing.
"They'll deduct it from your pay if you lie," he said, amused.
She shrugged, smiling. The game continued as they made their way through streets filled with neon lights and urban scents.
The streets of Manhattan sparkled like a river of colors. The murmur of the city, the aroma of coffee and freshly baked bread, and the distant laughter of passersby created an almost cinematic setting.
At one point, Olivia pulled out her phone and a song played:Someone Like YouAdele's. Adrian listened to her, curious. She answered and spoke in a low voice.
—Emily told me not to wait for her. She wanted to buy a photo album.
Adrian burst out laughing. She shrugged, showing complicity.
"Don't take a taxi," Adrian said. "I'll take you home."
"No, thank you," Olivia replied. "We're not going in the same direction."
—How do you know?
—My car has navigation. We're going in opposite directions. It would be awkward to turn around.
-Alright.
Adrian watched her drive away in a sleek black car. She smiled, raised her hand, and said,
—Thank you for tonight. It was… special.
"Likewise," Adrian replied, smiling back. "Have a safe trip."
As he drove back in his Aston Martin, with electronic music playing in the background, Adrian let himself be overcome by a sense of satisfaction. He had learned a lot today: not only about Olivia, but about himself.
In his mind he made a plan: to approach her, get to know her, become her friend and, little by little, enter her world.
For Olivia, the night was a sweet memory. She walked, looking out at the Manhattan nightscape, smiling slightly. The echo of her footsteps mingled with the city's music.
"That man…" she whispered to herself. "He's different."
A comment from his driver echoed from behind:
—You have chemistry, miss. You seem… destined to meet.
She smiled shyly, shaking her head, as the lights of New York shone in her eyes.