Loving Poppy (ON HOLD)

Lunch Date

08. "Lunch Date?"

Third pov

They settled to eat at a nice restaurant called West Village, it served many cuisines that Poppy was excited to try. It was only ten minutes away from where they were so they just walked there, Poppy had a little bounce in her steps and Alessandro found it very adorable and amusing.

He was holding her hands tightly as he lead her to the table, it was next to the window which Poppy thought was difficult to get because of the amount of people in there. The restaurant was jam packed with people, rich people, judging from their outfits and branded purses and suits hanging.

The place itself looked like a mini palace, Poppy couldn't held help but stare open mouth at the interior and decorations around her. Everything looked vintage and precious. She was scared to sit on the delicate looking chair and break it.

"What would you like to eat?" He asked snapping her out of her admiring, she shyly looked away from the painting she was staring at. He passed her the menu which she took with a small thank you.

"May I get your orders sir, ma'am?" The waiter asked standing before them with a notepad in his hand ready to take their orders. Unconsciously her tongue stuck out in concentration when she looked through the menu. Alessandro watched her carefully, her wide eyes skimming through the menu card, her cute scrunch when she came across something she didn't like.

They gave their order quickly and settled into a comfortable silence. Alessandro wanted to talk to her, listen to her heavenly voice but he had no idea what to talk about? Would she mind if he asked about her day?

"Is this like a date or something?" Poppy asked making him choke on the water he was drinking. Never in a million years did he think she would ask that. She giggled at his reaction passing him a few tissues.

"I was just joking, I didn't mean it. Sorry."

"You don't have to be sorry, I was just startled. Now that I think of it, it does seem like a date to me."

As if a switch was turned on her cheeks turned an adorable shade of red. She let her hair fall around her face like curtain to hide her flamed cheeks.

"Is it so bad to be on a date with me Poppy?" Alessandro asked clutching his hand where his heart is. She gasped at his dramatics and threw a crumbled tissue paper at him which hit him smack on the forehead. His deep, rich laugh followed her giggles as they enjoyed each others company.

Dinner was great, but now they had to part.

Poppy was a bit sad to leave but she couldn't be out more than her lunch time, her work was important to her and by no means did she want to lose it. Alessandro's reluctance was hidden well in his eyes, the man was an expert in hiding his feeling but he faced difficulties when it came to the beautiful Poppy.

"I'll call you later." She promised as Alessandro walked her to the hotel that he owned and she worked. She had to lie and say that she was waiting for a friend whom she planned to meet after lunch with him. Like a perfect gentleman, he offered to stay until she arrives.

"She is late most of the time! I'll just wait inside, you must have a lot of work. I won't keep you here any longer than you have to!" She exclaimed in one breath. Weirded out, he only nodded and squeezed her hand one last time before turning on his heels and walking away without turning back. Poppy watched him disappeared into the crowd and ran back inside through the back door.

"You're back already? I thought you would spend some time with your man." Lauren's teasing was the first thing she heard as soon as she finished changing into her work uniform. Poppy ignored her and continued to tie her apron while looking anywhere but at her friend.

"So? How did it go? Did he confess his undying love for you?" The only response that she got was Poppy's burning red cheeks and the falling of an empty pot. Poppy was mortified at her friend's open teasing and thought it would be better to go up front than staying inside a minute longer.

"Next time take his picture! I would like to see the face that caught your attention!" Lauren shouted as poppy raced out of the baking area and went up front to Max and Jordan. Jordan had his eyes narrowed and Max looked at her with a scowl.

"Where were you young lady?" Jordan asked, he looked scary with his arms folded across his chest and the mean face. Max was, however, trying his best to look scary but he looked plain out funny with his face scrunched. Both boys stood before her in a protective stance as all she could do was hold her head down and fiddle with her fingers.

"You promised me your help! But when I brought here you were gone!" Max exclaimed dramatically but that only made Poppy feel more bad about that. She didn't want to not help when she promised that she would, she just forgot about it in the midst of all Alessandro related excitement.

"I'm sorry." She mumbled quietly hoping they would be back to the friendly co-workers and friends. She never want to loose good friends like them.

"Don't take him seriously Pop's. But what did I hear from Lauren earlier? You were on a date?" Jordan interrogated like a father, her eyes moistened at the thought. Would her father also ask her questions like this if she came home late? Would he want to know about her dating life? Would he be like how Jordan was being? He probably would.

"It was just lunch." Jordan nodded at her sincere reply and patter her head like a puppy. Her lips curled into a small pout but smiled when she saw her friends giving her small smiles of their own.

"It was a lunch date!" Max said with a bright smile adoring his face.