The Duke’s Affair -Part One

Dean stood up, his usual charming smile playing on his lips, extending his hand to invite Ye Ye to loop her arm through his—she approached confidently, without the earlier panic, naturally looping her arm through his solid one: “I want to dine at the most luxurious place in Paris!” she said without pretense. “Darling, this is the most luxurious restaurant in Paris!” Dean was confident his restaurant was the best. “Except for this one!” Ye Ye didn’t want to bump into her friends. “Well, alright then!” Half an hour later, they arrived at a very stylish restaurant on the Champs-Élysées. The elegant, cozy decor and soft, uplifting background music made Ye Ye instantly fall in love with the place. “Why aren’t there other guests?” Ye Ye asked curiously, “Such a hotel shouldn’t be this quiet, right?” “I didn’t want anyone to disturb our first dinner… so…” Dean said casually. “Cleared out?” “Yes!” The waiter led them to a beautifully decorated rectangular table where they sat on opposite ends. The restaurant’s lights were deliberately dimmed, with a beam of cool light casting onto the center of the table, where a Baroque candelabra with dancing pearls of light stood. The bodyguards stood far away from the dining area, almost invisible. Ye Ye took off her jacket, and the waiter attentively hung it up. Her deep purple halter top looked mysterious and noble under the soft light, casting a hazy glow on her dark red hair. “What would you like to eat?” Dean asked, “The most expensive and delicious!” Ye Ye gave a mischievous smile; since he was treating, she might as well enjoy it to the fullest. “Naughty girl!” Dean turned to the waiter, “The best! Open a bottle of ’82 Lafite.” “Yes, Mr. Vulcan!” the waiter said before retreating. “You seem quite famous; even the waiter knows you,” Ye Ye remarked. “Fairly well-known… Do you like wine?” Dean said leisurely. “It’s okay, Lafite, one of the world’s eight great wineries, is the only wine I can accept…” Ye Ye said casually. The waiter brought the delicious appetizers, and they savored them… “Aren’t you scared to come out with a stranger like me?” Dean was curious about Ye Ye’s boldness. “No, because I’m not afraid of bad guys!” Because my family has nothing but bad guys, do you think I’d be scared? But Ye Ye didn’t say the latter part. “Ha, what a brave darling. Aren’t you curious about my identity?” “Not really, everyone has their own identity; what’s there to explore?” The waiter brought the main course, and they ate slowly, chatting casually… “Are you traveling in France?” “Yes, but my final destination is Italy. I’m there for a student exchange; Paris was just because I wanted to come.” “How old are you? Not underage, I hope?” “I’ll be 19 soon!” “Soon?” “Yes, my birthday is next month!”