Chapter 3: Blind Date
1269 Words
Fiona pushed the strange thoughts from her mind when Emily approached, holding out her ringing phone.
"Your mom," she whispered.
Fiona mouthed a silent thank you before retreating into her office. She closed the door behind her and raised the phone to her ear.
"Mom, I'm sorry. I had a—"
"Surgery," they said at the same time.
An embarrassed smile crept onto Fiona's lips.
"I understand," her mother said warmly. "Which is why I already rescheduled your dinner date. Five o'clock sharp. I hope you don't disappoint me this time."
Before Fiona could respond, the call ended.
She let out a weary sigh and sank into her chair.
Glancing at the clock, her eyes widened slightly.
4:30 p.m.
Had the surgery really taken that long?
She quickly grabbed her handbag and headed for the door. Evening traffic would only get worse from here, and arriving on time would take nothing short of a miracle.
---
"You're leaving already?" Emily asked as they walked toward the elevators.
"I have a dinner date."
Emily's eyebrows shot up.
The nearby nurses happened to overhear the conversation. They exchanged excited smiles before hurrying back to the nurses' station, already whispering among themselves.
The elevator doors slid open to the underground parking garage.
Moments later, Fiona drove out of the hospital.
...
After battling traffic for nearly thirty minutes, she finally pulled into the restaurant's parking lot.
She glanced at the dashboard clock.
4:56 p.m.
"Phew..."
Letting out a relieved breath, she smoothed the wrinkles on her dress before stepping inside.
The lounge buzzed with life.
Warm golden lights reflected off crystal glasses while soft jazz drifted through the air. Couples chatted quietly over dinner, laughter blending with the gentle clinking of glasses.
Her mother certainly knew how to choose elegant places.
As Fiona carefully made her way through the crowd, she accidentally bumped into a waiter carrying a tray of drinks.
"Oh! I'm so sorry."
"It's alright," the waiter replied with an easy smile.
He looked at her carefully.
"Excuse me... are you Miss Fiona Hart?"
She nodded.
"Your guest has already arrived. Please follow me."
Fiona followed him through the restaurant until they stopped before a large golden door engraved with elegant letters.
VIP
"Your guest is waiting inside."
He offered a polite smile before walking away.
Fiona couldn't help smiling to herself.
Mom really went all out this time.
She knocked softly before pushing the door open.
The private room was quiet, a sharp contrast to the lively lounge outside.
A man sat by the window with one leg crossed over the other, lazily swirling the wine in his glass.
Her eyes lingered on him for a second.
He was tall, broad-shouldered, and dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit.
Even seated, he carried an intimidating presence that made the room feel smaller.
He's... handsome.
She took a slow breath before walking over.
"Hello."
He looked up.
"My name is Fiona. It's nice to meet you."
She offered him a polite smile and stretched out her hand.
Instead of shaking it, he lifted his wine glass and took a small sip.
"Sit."
Fiona blinked.
"...Okay."
She quietly withdrew her hand and sat across from him.
Silence settled between them.
He didn't speak.
He simply looked at her.
Not the kind of glance people exchanged out of politeness.
He was studying her.
Fiona shifted slightly in her seat.
Why is he staring at me like that?
Just as she was beginning to wonder if she should say something—
"Have you ever been in a relationship?"
She looked at him, surprised.
"No."
He nodded faintly.
"I thought so."
"You... thought so?"
"You don't seem like someone who's dated before."
Fiona wasn't sure whether to take that as a compliment or an insult.
He continued casually.
"What about your first kiss?"
She felt her ears warm.
"...No."
"And you've never slept with a man?"
Her eyes widened.
"What kind of question is that?"
He shrugged.
"One I wanted an answer to."
She hesitated before answering in a
quieter voice.
"No."
A smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"You blush easily."
Fiona instinctively touched her cheek.
"Am I really blushing?"
"You are."
Embarrassed, she quickly looked away.
The silence returned.
After watching her for a few more seconds, he leaned forward slightly.
"So..."
His voice was calm.
"Do I match your type?"
Fiona's heart skipped a beat.
She instinctively leaned back against the sofa.
"I..."
She couldn't answer.
Without realizing it, she bit her lower lip.
A soft chuckle escaped him.
He leaned back again, looking oddly satisfied.
Just then, a waiter knocked gently.
"Sir, would you like dinner served now?"
The man glanced at his watch.
"No."
The waiter looked confused.
"...No?"
"We're done."
The waiter nodded awkwardly before leaving.
Fiona stared at him.
Done?
That was the date?
The man stood, slipped on his coat, and picked up his car keys.
As he walked past her, he paused.
"One piece of advice."
She looked up.
He didn't.
"Biting your lip like that..."
He smiled faintly.
"...has a way of distracting men."
Before Fiona could react, he walked out.
The door clicked shut behind him.
She remained frozen for several seconds.
Then she covered her burning face with both hands.
"What was that...?"
She looked at the untouched wine on the table.
With an annoyed sigh, she grabbed the glass and emptied it in one gulp.
"Ugh... men are weird."
Outside the VIP room, the man paused.
He glanced once at the closed door behind him.
For the first time that evening, a genuine smile appeared on his face.
"Interesting."
Then he walked away.
Several minutes later, Fiona finally stepped out of the room herself.
Without looking back, she quietly left the restaurant.
...
By the time she reached home, the roads were clogged with heavy traffic.
Completely exhausted, she entered the mansion and headed straight upstairs.
Normally, she'd greet her parents first.
Tonight, she simply didn't have the energy.
The moment she reached her room, she collapsed onto the bed and drifted into a deep sleep.
...
The shrill ringing of her phone jolted her awake the next morning.
"Dr. Fiona!"
A nurse's excited voice echoed through the speaker.
"Mr. William has regained consciousness!"
"Huh...?"
Still half asleep, Fiona mumbled before lowering the phone.
As she pushed herself upright, a sharp headache struck.
She winced.
Only then did she remember the wine she'd recklessly downed after yesterday's disastrous blind date.
She was allergic to alcohol.
But at the time, she had simply been too irritated to care.
Looking around, she realized she was already dressed in her pajamas.
Her shoes had been neatly arranged by the door, and her handbag rested on the bedside table.
A gentle warmth filled her heart.
Mom.
Smiling faintly, Fiona got out of bed and headed to the bathroom.
...
The rich aroma of frying eggs greeted her as she walked downstairs.
She found her mother standing in the kitchen, humming softly while preparing breakfast.
"Mom..."
Fiona wrapped her arms around her from behind and rested her chin on her shoulder.
Her mother chuckled.
"So you finally remembered this house exists?"
Fiona pouted playfully.
Her eyes drifted toward the perfectly golden eggs sizzling in the frying pan.
"Where's Dad?"
Her mother turned to look at her.
"You didn't check the time?"
Fiona blinked.
Without another word, she rushed into the living room.
Her gaze snapped toward the wall clock.
12:38 p.m.
Her eyes widened.
"No way..."
She slowly sank onto the sofa.
She was supposed to have been at the hospital hours ago.
- Writer
