Here is another chapter!!! Thank you for being so patient! You guys are the best!! The next chapter will be updated on Friday!! Thank you for all your continued support for this story!!!

Until next time!!!

Bye!!! :)

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Chapter 28: Dinner

Scarlett P.O.V

Today is finally the day I'm having dinner with my boss. I still can't believe I am going to have dinner with him as he use to be so distant but now we are close to the point that he is asking me out for dinner. I was freaking out this whole week for this dinner that might change my life forever. The night he ask me to have dinner with him I told Beth about and her jaw drop and we ended screaming about what I should wear for the dinner.

So the next day we went shopping after work. We basically went to all the clothing store looking for the right dress that sophisticated and not slutty. We found the perfect dress at the last store we visited. It a white dress at the top and gets darker as it goes down until at the bottom its black. It reaches just below my knees, it is sleeveless and it's tight at the top and flowy at the bottom.

As soon as I bought the dress we quickly speed walk to the car and drive home. By the time we enter the house we were completely exhausted from walking to much that we just said goodnight to each other and go to our separate rooms. I took a quick shower brush my teeth then go to bed. As soon as my head touch my soft and fluffy pillow I fell a sleep instantly.

I was waiting anxiously for this day and it has finally arrive and I am panicking about what might happen tonight. My biggest fear is that I will somehow embarrass my self in front of him tonight and I don't think that I could look at his face again if I somehow embarrass my self. I am in my room walking back and forth in front of my bed in my bathrobe worrying myself about what might transpire tonight when I hear the door open and Beth coming inside my room.

As soon as Beth sees me pacing back and forth she grabs my shoulder and shakes me until I look at her. "You need to take a deep breath and let it go," she tells me and I did as she said and a deep breath and a 2 seconds later I let it out.

I feel a little less panic and it clears my head a little. I look at her with a more relax face and said "thank you I needed that." "There you see. You don't have to worry yourself out. Just be natural and everything should be fine," Beth tries to reassure me. "Yeah you're right. Thanks for helping me to calm down," I tell her gratefully.

"Please! I know how you like to worry about a lot of things so it's alright," she said.

"Now get ready because you have three hours left until your boss reaches here. Do you need help," she asks.

"No, but thank you," I tell her smiling as she turns and walk dramatically out the room. She always know how to make me feel better when I am upset or stressed about something. I am so lucky to find a friend like her who knows me so well that she knows how to cheer me up.

I snap out of my thoughts and walk to my dressing table to put on some light make up to cover up the dark blotches under my eye from not able to sleep properly last night as I kept on thinking about the dinner tonight. I put just enough concealer to cover the dark spot under my eyes then a light pink blusher. Then I put black eyeliner then apply a little lip balm on my lips before applying a lip-gloss to make my lips less dry and look shiny.

Once I finish with my make up I stand up from the chair and walk towards the bed where I put the dress. I happily put on the dress carefully and look myself at the full-length mirror to make sure everything is in place before going back to the dressing table to do my hair. So I sit on the chair and release my hair from he hairband and it falls down my back as one as it is still wet from the shower.

I grab the hair dryer and start to dry my hair. I made sure that my hair is completely dry before I switch off the hair dryer and put in on the table before I begin to style my hair. I decided to curl my hair so I grab the device for curling hair and began the process of curling my hair. After I am satisfied with my hair I got up from the chair and walk to the full-length mirror to do a final check.

Just as I am about to grab my purse that has all the necessary things I need for leaving the house I hear the doorbell ring. I froze for a second then snap out of it when I hear Beth's familiar voice greeting my boss drift into my room and quickly grab my purse and walk out of my room to the front door. As I reach the front door Beth's back in facing me and she is talking to my boss but I couldn't see my boss since Beth is blocking my view. But I recognize his voice when he speaks with her as his voice is deep and strong.

When I reach the front door I finally see him and my heart thump in my chest. He looks even more handsome than he does at work. I didn't even think it is possible for him to look more handsome but I am wrong. He is wearing all black and when I see his tie breath hitches as he is wearing the tie that I got him for Christmas last year. I can't believe he would wear it ever since I have never seen him wear it before but here he is wearing the tie to have dinner with.

He looks from Beth to me when he hears me and he just stares at me until I start to fidget, I am wondering if what I am wearing is too much but he snap out of it. "Are you ready," he asks me. I wasn't able to get words out of my mouth so I nod my head. "Good. Lets go. Nice meeting you Miss Evans," he said and Beth answers with "likewise." So I followed after him as he walk to his car which is an Audi stopping to say goodbye to Beth and hear her whisper "good luck." I just mouths thank you and continue walking towards the car.

When I reach the car my boss has the door open for me already. I am so nervous that I am only able to whisper a thank you to him as I sit in the car. Once I am seated he closes the door and walk around the front of the car to the drivers door. My heart has not stop beating so fast ever since I laid my eyes on him just now. He reaches his door two seconds later and the next thing I know we are driving to our destination.

The car is filled with silence except the song from the radio as I have no clue what to say to him. So I kept quiet unless he asks me something and he doesn't. There we were driving for how many minutes in silence when I hear his voice says, "We are here." I look at the restaurant and I couldn't process the fact that we are at one of the most expensive restaurant in this city.

You have make a reservation one or two months in advance because this place is so famous. How he got a table so last minute I have no idea nor do I want to know how he got a table. I am about to open the door when hear my boss command, "stay there I will open the door." I let go of the door handle and waited for him. This is so weird having my boss be a gentlemen towards me.

If someone told me when I first started working for Mr. Giovanni that he will ask me out to dinner and acts like a gentlemen I would have thought that person must be crazy to say that. But here I am having dinner with him and he is being a gentlemen towards me. I shook my head and put my hands into his hand that is outstretch to help me out of the car. I got out of the car as gracefully as possible and followed my boss to the entrance.

The door is open by a hostess as soon as we reach the door and directed us to this counter.

"Hi. Welcome to Italiano Cuisine. Do you have a reservation," she says smiling pleasantly. "Yes, we do it's under Giovanni," my boss told the hostess with confidence oozing out of him. "Wait a moment please," she says as she looks through a book on the counter. A few seconds later she looks up and smile brightly and says, "Mr. Giovanni we have been expecting you. Please follow me I will show your private table as it is ready."

So we follow the hostess to our table. He is so rich that he can a private table on such short notice. I don't even want to know exactly how much my boss is worth. Before I know it we reach the private section as it is quiet and peaceful here. Our table is at the back where no one can see or hear us. I start to get so nervous again and had to take a quiet deep breath and hold for two seconds then breath out to calm myself. I need to relax and be myself, what could possibly happen tonight that will harm me.

Ricardo P.O.V

Today is the day I am taking my secretary out for dinner to confess my new feelings and try to build a personal relationship. I don't know how she will react especially if she accepts to be in a personal relationship with me I will have to let her go as my secretary and look for someone else to replace. As I am not one to mix pleasure with business but I won't stop her from work complete as she can work with other companies and I will help her look for other jobs.

But that is only if she agrees, if she doesn't then she will still work as my secretary. I look myself over in the mirror. I decided to wear all black tonight with the tie that Miss Jones gave for Christmas last year. I don't know why I never wore it before so I thought I would wear it tonight. As I asses myself to make sure I am presentable I hear my bedroom open and small footstep come in.

I turn towards Dante and smile at him as he has chocolate covering his mouth and on his right hand. "Dante what did I tell you about eating sweet things when it is almost nighttime," I told him in a stern but soft voice. "That I can't eat sweets at night cause I get hyper," he said sheepishly and smiles at me. I couldn't stay mad at him when he smiles so cutely like that at me so I laugh and take him to the bathroom to clean his face and hands from chocolate.

Of course I am careful not to get any stain on my suit or get it wet. Once I am done with cleaning him I hold his hand and walk into my room.

"How do I look?" I ask Dante while standing in front of him. He looks me up and down before he answers with a beaming smile on his adorable face.

"You look handsome daddy." "Thank you Dante," I told him with a smile. "I am going to be home late tonight I want you to listen to the maid and I want you to be sleeping by the time I am back," I warn him. "Okay daddy, when you back I will be sleeping," he says adorably. "Good boy," I praise and he smiles so wide.

"I will be leaving now. Good night," I say while giving him a kiss on his forehead when I look at my watch that tells me its 6:05. "Good night daddy. Have fun with aunty Scar," he innocently said while running out of the room. I shook my head at his antics and grab my wallet that is on my bedside table then walk out of my room to the front of the house. "You know what time is Dante's bedtime right and what he needs to do before going to sleep," I ask said to the maid to make sure Dante is well taken care of in my absence.

"Yes sir, please leave Dante's care to me and just focus on your dinner with Miss Jones," she says politely. "Good. I will probably be back around 10:00pm," I inform her. She nods her head and wish me a safe night before closing the door as I walk to my Audi R8 since that is my favorite car. A minute later I am on my way to Miss Jones house to pick her up.

I hope she is ready by the time I arrive since I hate people who do not follow the time and insist on being late. Thankfully there is no traffic so I manage to reach her house within 20 minutes. I park the car in front of her house and switch of the engine then get out of the car. My heart is actually beating faster than normal as I walk to ring on the house bell to inform them of my presence.

I have not been this nervous since I propose to- I shook my head. Now is not the time to be thinking about her as that will only make me depress. Right now is the time for new beginnings and as I thought this I press the bell. I could her the bell ringing inside the house. I only waited for two seconds before someone open the door and I am expecting Miss Jones to answer the door but its Miss Jones friend instead, Miss Evans if I am not mistaken.

It is ridiculous how I feel disappointed that it is not Miss Jones. I mentally shake my disappointment to hear Miss Evans greeting me. "Hello, it is nice to meet you. Scarlett will be ready in a minute," she said pleasantly with a smile. I nod my head at her and was about to response to her greeting when someone coming from behind her caught my entire attention.

So I look behind Miss Evans and I felt the breath get knock out of me when I see Scarlett standing a feet behind Miss Evans. She looks absolutely stunning that I am struck dumb and is only able to stare at her.

I never thought that Miss Jones could be this beautiful is she dresses up, not that she wasn't beautiful before this. It's just now she looks like a model in a dress. I have never seen her in a dress before since she only wear jeans, skirt, blouse and t-shirt before this.

There she is standing inside the house wearing a sleeveless dress that is until below her knees, that is fitting at the top and flowing at the bottom, and the color of her dress is white at the top and gradually gets darker as it goes down until at the bottom it is completely black.

Her hair is curly and her face is coated with light makeup. She is also carrying a black purse and wearing simple sparkling flats. I am snap out of my shock when I can see her start to fidget uncomfortably from my stare.

"Are you ready," I ask her hoping my voice does not betray my nervousness. She nods her head and I say, "Good, lets go. Nice meeting you Miss Evans," I said giving a slight bow to Miss Evans. "Likewise," Miss Evans said so I began walking towards my car and open the car door for Miss Jones as that is what a gentlemen suppose to do to appeal to a women.

I can't believe I am courting a women again after what happen but I have to tell myself that she would have wanted me to be happy so I dispel all the negative thoughts out of my mind as I close the car door. Then I walk to the driver side and enter the car. A minute later we are on our way to this famous restaurant that my friend recommended for me.

It took a little bit more money than necessary to get a private table on such short notice but it's okay I have more than enough money to pay for it. I hope she will like the food in the restaurant as it is going to be Italian dish. As I drive, the car is filled with silence as I have no idea what I can say that does not offend her and she didn't start any conversation.

So all the way to the restaurant none of us said anything until I broke the silence to announce that we have already arrive to our destination. She looks outside when she hears that we have arrive and her eyes widened in surprise. I am hoping that she likes the restaurant when I see her about to open the door. "Stay there I will open the door," I command her.

She lets go of the door handle almost immediately and I open my door and get out, walking quickly to her side to open her door. I help her out of the car and as soon as she puts her hand in mine I can feel warmth radiating from her hand to the rest of my body. I never realise how warm her hands are. Then together we walk towards the entrance of the restaurant.

A perky hostess greeted us by the door and directed us towards a counter with a book on it. "Hi. Welcome to Italiano Cuisine. Do you have a reservation," she said smiling pleasantly. "Yes, we do it's under Giovanni," I told her in a firm voice. "Wait a moment please," she says as she looks through the book flipping pages. She looks at the book for a minute, then smiles and says, "Mr. Giovanni we have been expecting you. Please follow me I will show your private table as it is ready."

Me and Miss Jones follow the perky hostess to our private table. I want a private table because I want her to relax knowing no one else can here us and tell me her honest answer. We walk deeper into the restaurant until we reach the private section that is more quiet and peaceful compared to outside where there are a lot of family talking with kids crying.

Our table is at the back where no one can see or hear us. Perfect for what I want to discuss with her. I won't have other curious people listening in on our conversation since its far from everyone else. "Here is your table sir. Is everything to your liking," she asks me. "Yes, thank you," I answer her. "Your waiter will be with you shortly. If you need anything just press this button," she informs us while pointing at a black button that is at the edge of the table.

I nod my head to dismiss her then she left. I take out the chair for Miss Jones then push it in once she seated. Then I went to my seat, making sure I don't scrape the chair and make a noise. I look at Miss Jones and I can see that she is nervous even though she is trying to hide. She takes a bread stick and begins to eat it absent-mindedly as her as are looking at something behind me.

"I'm sure you must me wondering what I want to talk to you about," I said to break the silence and get her attention. That got her attention as she focus her eyes on me from whatever she was looking at. "Yes I am. What is it that you want to discuss with me that is so private," she answers and asks me at the same time and I can hear the curiosity in her voice when she asked me. I am about to answer her when the waiter giving us the menu and putting the napkins on our lap interrupts me. The young male waiter also pour wine in our wine glass.

The waiter gave as time until we decided on what to eat. I ordered their famous lasagna with a wedges as the side and plain water while Miss Jones ordered the seafood macaroni with potato salad as the side and plain water as well. Once we finish our order the waiter took the menus and inform us that the foods will be ready in 15 minutes.

I thank him and he leaves. "Where were we," I ask Miss Jones since I forgot what I was saying when the waiter interrupted me. "You were about to say what you wanted to discuss with me that is so private," she answers. "Yes, well I wanted to talk to you in private because it concerns our relationship," I told her and her brows furrow when she hears that.

"Relationship? What relationship are you talking about," she ask with confusion. "Not our relationship right now but in the future," I explain to her. She must have figured out what I mean because her face change from confused to shock. "Y-you mean be in a personal relationship," she stutters a little. "Correct and if it works out between us we can get married," I said with a straight face.

Although my heart is beating so fast it feels like it's trying to leap out of my chest. I didn't get to hear her reply yet since the waiter came back carrying our food. Which is still steaming from the heat of the food. He sets the correct food in front of us then pour water in the small glass. He asks if there is anything else that we want and when we said no he left.

She begins to eat as she thought of something to say so I begin to eat. The food is as good as my friend said; he wasn't exaggerating when he said this restaurant has one of the best Italian foods. It is maybe a few minutes later when Miss Jones decided to break the silence. "Why do you want to start a relationship now," she asks me her voice and face serious.

I thought my answer through before I answer her. "Well to be honest I have been looking around for someone who can be like a mother to Dante and was not successful. But then I know how attach Dante is towards you so I thought it will be perfect," I told her half the truth. I could see disappointment flash through her eyes before she narrows her eyes.

"You want to be in a relationship with me just for Dante's sake? Because if you are then you don't have to worry I won't ever leave him so there is no need to for a relationship," she said in one breath. She is a little out of breath when she finished speaking her mind.

I look at her shock at her outburst, as I didn't think that she was the type that would mind but I was about to tell her the other half of the truth when she interrupted me with her outburst. "That is only half of it," I begin to tell her and see her start to calm down.

"Yes it's true I want to be in a relationship with you because of Dante," I said taking a deep breath before I continue. "But I also because I have not been able to stop thinking about you for the past couple of months, no matter how hard I try to ignore my thoughts about you, they would somehow keep popping up. It is to the point that I have started to like you," I explain to her. She looks stunned as she just sat there and stares at me with wide eyes.

"You can choose to believe me or not but that is the truth," I say with utmost confidence. It takes her a few minutes before she response to my confession on how I am starting to like her. "Th-is shocking. I have no idea what to say to that. As that is also what I am feeling towards you," she says a soft voice. Now it's my turn to widen my eyes when I hear that.

So I was not the only one that is having these new feelings for her but she also feels the same about me. I'm relieved, as it is easier to court her now that I know that she herself has feelings for me. "Then this arrangement will benefit us both. I want to see how far my feelings for you will grow," I told her. "It's not like we are going to be in a permanent relationship. That will happen only if both of us is sure about it then we can think about marriage," I assure her.

"That does sound good as I'm not ready to marry anyone just yet," she says in a relieved voice. "So do you agree to try a more personal relationship with me," I ask her. My heart thumps as I wait for her to answer my question whether she accepts or she doesn't. She takes a deep breath before she answers; "yes I am willing to try being in a more personal relationship with you."

I let out a relief breath and gave her a genuine smile. So the rest of the night we made small talks trying to know more about each other until we finish our dinner. By the time we finish it's already 10:00pm so we decided to call it a night. After I paid for the food we got up and left the restaurant.

I said goodnight to Miss Jones when I drop her off at her house and promise her that we will spend time more time together in the future. Then I am on my way home, feeling the stress and worry evaporate, as she is willing to try to have a personal relationship with me.