Once they were outside, Isabella turned towards him with a bright smile.
“Dante, are you hungry?”
He gave her a suspicious look.
“Why?”
“Because I'm hungry. Let's go somewhere for lunch.”
“We can eat at the apartment.”
She shook her head.
“Not today. You've been sitting inside for days. A little fresh air won't kill you.”
“I'm not going on a date with you.”
Isabella stared at him before bursting into laughter.
“A date? Who said anything about a date, darling?”
“You were the one who suggested going out.”
“For lunch! Don't flatter yourself, sweetheart.”
Dante narrowed his eyes.
“Stop calling me those ridiculous names.”
“Then stop behaving like my grumpy fiancé.”
“I'm not your fiancé.”
“Keep telling yourself that.”
She started walking, then turned back when she noticed he hadn't followed.
“Come on, Dante. I'll buy you lunch.”
“I can pay for my own food.”
“Wonderful. Then you can pay for mine too.”
He stared at her.
“You're unbelievable.”
“And you're hungry. Let's go!”
Dante shook his head, but eventually followed her.
They found a small restaurant nearby and chose a quiet table.
Isabella studied the menu with great interest while Dante sat opposite her, looking as though he would rather be anywhere else.
“What are you going to order?” she asked.
“Food.”
She looked up slowly.
“Really? I thought you came here to order a chair.”
“Isabella.”
She giggled.
“Fine, fine. I'll stop.”
A few minutes later, they placed their orders.
While they waited, Isabella rested her chin on her hand and studied him.
“What?” Dante asked.
“Nothing.”
“Then stop staring at me.”
“I'm wondering how someone can look so angry even when he's sitting in a restaurant.”
“I'm wondering how someone can talk so much without getting tired.”
“It's a gift.”
“It's a curse.”
She laughed.
When the food arrived, Isabella made sure Dante ate properly.
“You need to eat. Your body needs strength to recover.”
“I know how to eat.”
“Then demonstrate.”
He gave her a look but began eating.
Isabella smiled in satisfaction.
For a while, they enjoyed their meal, exchanging occasional teasing remarks.
Dante found himself relaxing despite his usual instincts. He was accustomed to eating in silence or discussing business with people who feared him.
This was different.
Isabella talked about ordinary things, made ridiculous jokes, and laughed without worrying about what anyone thought.
She didn't treat him like a powerful man.
She treated him like Dante.
And, strangely enough, he didn't hate it.
When they finished eating, Isabella reached for the bill.
Dante took it before she could.
“I said I'd pay for my own food.”
“And I said I'd buy you lunch.”
“I don't need you paying for me.”
She folded her arms.
“Fine. Then pay for your meal, and I'll pay for mine.”
He handed the waiter enough money to cover both meals.
Isabella stared at him.
“You just paid for both of us!”
“Consider it compensation for the headache you've given me.”
She grinned.
“So you admit I'm unforgettable.”
“I admit you're exhausting.”
“Same thing.”
He shook his head, but the corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
Neither of them called it a date.
But as they walked side by side towards the apartment, Isabella couldn't stop smiling, and Dante found himself wondering why a simple lunch with her felt strangely different from every other meal he'd ever had.