Page 6 of Kaid's Empire

I bite my lip and smile. Sure, he's older than me, but he's good looking, he's funny, and I feel comfortable with him. I look at the time to see its nearing six p.m. I gather my things and head back up to my room to start getting ready.

I pull out my boho lace tulle maxi dress––it’s a deep wine colour. The under dress is actually fairly short, but the lace overlay stops at my ankle. It has a plunging neckline that shows off my cleavage a little too much for my liking. My friend insisted I buy this dress, saying I looked hot in it. I do feel good in it, but it’s also a little out of my comfort zone, but to hell with my comfort zone, I am on holiday after all. Spritzing some perfume, I quickly grab my purse and head out to the restaurant.

When I arrive, I realise he didn’t say what name he would have booked the table under. “Can I help you, madam?” the hostess asks.

“I hope so. I am supposed to be meeting someone here, but he didn’t tell me what name he booked under,” I state.

She smiles and nods. “Okay, no problem. Why don’t I seat you at a table for two and when the person shows I can show them to your table?” she suggests.

“Yes, that would be great. My name is Theia, and his name is Calvin,” I inform her.

She nods and takes me to a table. Within minutes, the waiter is taking my drink order. I sit anxiously, checking the time. He's ten minutes late. I sip my wine and look out onto the beautiful night sky, watching the moonlit waves moving peacefully.

“Madam, would you like to order now?” the waitress asks.

I look at the time on my phone. I've been sat here now for nearly forty-five minutes. He isn’t going to show. Feeling stupid, I smile up at the waitress and nod. “Yes, please.” She nods and hands me the menu before leaving.

I chastise myself for getting all dressed up for a man I only just met. My phone vibrates with an incoming call. Mum. I answer. “Hi, Mum,” I greet. It’s like she knows just the right time to call me.

“Why haven’t you called?” she asks.

“Because I've been busy enjoying my holiday,” I defend.

“So, while you’ve been over there, living it up, enjoying your holiday, I've been over here thinking my poor only child has been kidnaped and trafficked to the highest bidder.”

I smile, shaking my head. “Mum, you're talking to me now, okay? I am fine. I still have another ten days left of my holiday, so you're going to have to find a way of calming yourself down,” I point out.

“Madam, have you made your decision?” the waitress asks.

“Mum, hold on a second,” I say into the phone.

“Who’s that? What do they want? Cough once if you’re in trouble,” I hear mum rant down the phone.

I hold my hand over the mouthpiece. “Sorry about that. Could I have the steak, please? And if possible, I could do with a top up.” I gesture to my wine glass and then point to my phone and roll my eyes. The waitress nods, smiling.

“Oh God, you're being kidnapped! I need to get hold of the embassy, the newspapers…” Mum panics down the phone.

“Mum, will you just calm yourself down. I am at a restaurant; I was just ordering my dinner.” I laugh.

“Oh, thank God. Don’t do that to me again, you know that I have the embassy on speed dial.” She sighs on a breath, clearly trying to calm herself down.

“Mum, for the millionth time, this isn’t like the movie Taken, this is Monaco. A wealthy place, a beautiful place. I'm in a very expensive hotel, and it has very good security. Now, stop panicking.” I try my best to reassure her. She keeps watching these documentaries which doesn’t help at all.

“Fine, I will settle for a message every other day, and if I don’t get one, I'm calling the embassy, the papers, and the local police there too,” she threatens. “Now, tell me, are you having a lovely time?” she asks, changing her mood completely.

“Yes, I am, and the hotel I am in is very nice. I'm currently sat in the very expensive restaurant where I was supposed to meet a man but he hasn’t shown,” I tell her honestly. “But before you panic, he is a lawyer from New York,” I add before she starts having a mental fit down the phone.

“Oh! Well, clearly, he's a little bit of a prick if he hasn’t shown. He is a fool for letting you down. I bet you're the most beautiful girl out there. Stupid man!” she huffs.

I laugh. “Well, Mum, you’re biased because I am your daughter, but thank you. I think he's a bit of a prick too.” I look up and see the waitress heading towards my table with my food. “Look, Mum, my food is here, I will message you. I promise. I love you.”

“Love you, be safe, and you bloody better,” she warns before disconnecting.

I roll my eyes and smile at the waitress. “Thank you,” I say as she places my food down, and my belly grumbles. I had forgotten just how hungry I was. I dive into my food, enjoying every mouthful.

Even after I've have finished, I sip my wine, looking out at the sea views again. Sitting there, I feel like someone is watching me and the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. I spin around quickly, looking around the restaurant, not noticing anyone looking in my direction. I frown, down the last of my wine, and I signal for the waitress to bring my bill. “Yes, madam?” she asks.

“Could I have my bill, please?”

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