After letting go of their hands and sitting back down, neither of them spoke. Suddenly, several waiters came out pushing carts to place the food, and they immediately served a steak in front of both of them. Ethan saw the large, fragrant piece of meat in front of him.
"This looks so good, but how can I smell it? What about the taste?" he asked in his heart.
He looked at Elena, who was mesmerized and frozen, staring at the large steak in front of her. A waiter brought a covered platter. He placed the platter in the middle and took off the lid. Inside was grilled meat and appetizing mashed potatoes. Two other waiters served a bowl of warm soup in front of both of them, and the aroma truly suggested how delicious it was.
A sommelier came, carrying a bottle of red wine, which he showed to both of them. "Pop," he uncorked it and poured the wine into both of their glasses.
"Enjoy, Monsieur and Mademoiselle," the sommelier said, bowing.
The atmosphere became even more romantic when a musician came and played music on his violin next to their table. Ethan and Elena's hearts were truly pounding because this was the first time in their lives they had been treated to such a lavish meal.
"Um... please, let's eat, Mademoiselle," Ethan invited, smiling.
"Alright, Monsieur," Elena replied.
They both started to try the soup served in front of them. The incredible flavor truly went down their throats, as if they were actually swallowing the soup, even though it was only a dream. They both seemed to be enjoying themselves and looked happy, chatting about the food in front of them without realizing it.
After they finished eating, a few more waiters came out and took all their dirty dishes. After that, a waiter brought two plates of cake for dessert and served them in front of the two. When he saw the cake, Ethan's eyes lit up a little because he knew what kind of cake was in front of him.
"Wow, Molten Chocolate Cake. I haven't had this in a long time. I love this cake," he mumbled without realizing it.
"Oh, Mr. Ethan likes Molten Chocolate Cake?" Elena asked.
"Ah, sorry, I spoke out of turn. Yes, Ms. Elena, this cake is my favorite," Ethan replied.
"Wow, what a coincidence. I like this cake too," Elena replied.
"Oh, is that so? (He looked at the cake and smiled.) It's perfect for celebrating my 30th birthday," Ethan said softly.
"Ah... it's your birthday today, Mr. Ethan? Happy birthday, sir. So you're only 30 years old," Elena said.
"Oh, I apologize for mumbling again. Thank you, Ms. Elena. Yes, I'm 30 today. How about you?" Ethan asked.
"I'm only 28. My birthday was just last month. If I could take this cake home, I could celebrate with my husband," Elena said.
"Oh, celebrate your birthday?" Ethan asked.
"No, it's also my and my husband's 6th wedding anniversary today," Elena replied.
"Wow, congratulations. I wish you both a lasting marriage and many children," Ethan said, congratulating her.
"Thank you, Mr. Ethan. It feels nice to celebrate like this, even if it's just a dream," Elena said.
"Haha, you're right, Ms. Elena. But didn't you celebrate with your husband?" Ethan asked.
Elena suddenly fell silent. Her spoon dropped onto her plate. Ethan felt guilty for asking when he saw her reaction.
"I'm sorry, ma'am. Maybe my question was inappropriate. I got carried away by the atmosphere. Please forgive me for being insensitive," Ethan said, looking down.
"It's okay, Mr. Ethan. I understand. If you don't mind me asking, are you married?" Elena asked.
"Yes, I've been married for 8 years, since I graduated from college," Ethan replied.
"Oh, how many children do you have, sir?" Elena asked.
Ethan immediately went silent and didn't speak. This time, his spoon dropped onto the plate in front of him. Elena immediately covered her mouth.
"I'm... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be rude. I apologize again, sir," Elena said.
"It's okay, ma'am. I understand. I don't have any children yet. How about you?" Ethan asked.
"The same, sir. I don't have any children either," Elena replied.
They both fell silent and thought. Then they had the same thought: "I want to talk and pour my heart out. Can I? It's just a dream, anyway."
"May I tell you a little bit about myself, ma'am?" Ethan asked.
"Please go ahead, sir. I'm listening," Elena replied.
Without any more small talk, Ethan talked about his struggles in his married life with his wife, Diana. From Diana being too focused on her career, getting mad if he asked to be intimate or touched her, to not celebrating his birthday. Elena gasped. She didn't expect the handsome and authoritative Ethan to be facing problems not so different from her own. After Ethan finished his story,
"That's tough, sir," Elena said.
"Well, I'm just living with it now, ma'am. It's difficult, but no matter what, she's the woman I married and chose. The least I can do is be responsible for my choice," Ethan replied.
"I understand, sir. I'm more or less in the same situation as you," Elena said.
Elena told him about her situation, starting with her husband often being assigned to work out of town for long periods, forcing them to be "nomadic" or move around constantly. Elena's wish was to settle in one place so she could raise her children when they were born. She also told him that her husband hadn't touched her in a long time because she had brought up the topic of having children with him before. After Elena finished her story,
"Your story is quite similar to mine, ma'am. Just like your husband, my wife doesn't want to have children either. I just feel like something is missing without children because my goal in getting married was to have a family," Ethan said.
"That's right, sir. I feel the same way. Sometimes I envy neighbors or other people walking with their children and looking happy, even though I know raising children isn't easy," Elena said.
"It turns out you think the same way as me. (He raised his glass.) Let's toast, ma'am. To celebrate your wedding anniversary and my birthday, and also to both of our futures," Ethan said.
"Of course, sir. Let's toast," Elena said, raising her glass.
"Clink."
The glasses clinked, and then they both drank from their glasses. They then continued to chat cheerfully and seemed happy. Ethan, who rarely smiled before, could now laugh freely, and Elena, who usually forced a smile, now looked cheerful and felt free. They looked at each other, finishing the bottle of wine in front of them, then they both looked at the city, which was foreign to them but very beautiful at night. They looked back at each other and smiled.
"I wish she was my wife (Ethan) / I wish he was my husband (Elena). I'm sure we would be happy. Too bad this is just a dream. When I wake up, I probably won't meet him/her again," both of them said in their hearts, knowing they were dreaming.