Alpha's Bite Between My Legs
Chapter 477: The Unexpected Encounter

Chapter 477: The Unexpected Encounter

Lucia and Daniel strolled around the makeshift garden and watched the fish swim in the pond.

"They look cute," Lucia whispered as she crouched down to closely examine the fishes.

"Yeah," Daniel replied, but he was looking at Lucia instead. He found her very alluring by the way she enjoyed little things.

"But, it’s quite sad. Even though they were being taken care of, they still had no freedom at this enclosed pond," Lucia muttered, referring to the fishes with sadness in her voice.

"At least they are safe. The outside world is dangerous, with many predators waiting for them to get eaten," Daniel chuckled.

"You’re right," Lucia gave a tight smile before standing and staring at Daniel.

There was a brief moment of silence between them, the rustle of leaves and the distant chirping of birds filling the air. Lucia’s gaze lingered on Daniel, noticing the way his eyes reflected the candlelights around the garden, giving them an amber hue.

"Lucia," Daniel began, his voice soft yet carrying a hint of uncertainty.

"Yeah?" Lucia turned her attention fully towards him, captivated by the earnestness in his eyes.

"I... I wanted to thank you," Daniel said, his cheeks faintly tinged with color.

Surprised by his words, Lucia tilted her head slightly. "For what?"

"For everything, really," Daniel replied, a small smile gracing his lips. "For accepting this date even though we don’t know each other very well and being open to me, making this life of mine a little less daunting."

Lucia felt a warmth spread within her, touched by his gratitude. "Hey, it’s no big deal. I’m just glad to help you and be there for you."

Lucia smiled evilly inside her head. She felt she had gotten into Daniel’s soft side and was closer to gaining his complete trust.

"You’ve been more than just a friend of my mother, Lucia," Daniel confessed, his gaze unwavering. "You’ve become a friend I trust."

Lucia gasped at how fast Daniel relied on her. She was just thinking of her next plan to get into his good side, but he already gave her what she wanted— his trust.

Daniel’s heart skipped a beat. He had come to cherish their short time together, admiring Lucia’s strength and kindness, finding comfort in her presence throughout their meeting.

Lucia wanted to scream at Daniel to open his eyes and not trust anyone so quickly, but she didn’t want to blow the chances of being close.

"Thank you, Daniel," Lucia replied sincerely. "I feel the same way. After our first awkward encounter, I never expected us to progress like this."

Their eyes locked, the unspoken emotions swirling between them like a gentle breeze teasing the leaves. For a moment, it seemed as if time had stilled, encapsulating the tranquility of that serene garden scene.

Lucia gulped and became uncomfortable upon knowing how sincere Daniel was and felt guilty for her lies, but she sucked it all in and put on her best act.

Before either of them could say more words, the distant sound of footsteps approaching disrupted the moment.

Lucia and Daniel turned to see a man wearing a white attire heading their way.

"Madam, Sir, would you like to have some champagne?" the man asked softly.

Lucia glanced to whom it was, and her eyes widened in surprise and horror.

"Ah, Lucia. This is the restaurant’s owner, Sir Gastone," Daniel introduced with pride.

Gastone approached with an air of elegance, his demeanor exuding a refined aura that matched his upscale establishment. His smile was warm and welcoming, yet Lucia’s sudden reaction didn’t escape his notice.

"Is everything alright, Madam Lucia?" Sir Gastone inquired, concern flickering in his eyes as he addressed Lucia directly.

Lucia’s initial shock subsided, and she composed herself before replying, "Yes, everything’s fine, thank you. We were just admiring the garden."

Gastone nodded, his gaze shifting between Lucia and Daniel with a polite curiosity. "I hope the tranquility of our garden brought you some peace. As a gesture of appreciation for visiting our restaurant, would you care for a glass of our finest champagne?" he asked again.

Lucia hesitated, feeling slightly uneasy. She exchanged a quick glance with Daniel, worried he would say anything regarding their relationship.

Daniel, noticing Lucia’s unease, smiled politely at Gastone. "Thank you for your generous offer, Sir Gastone. However, we should be on our way. It’s already late at night as well," he replied.

Gastone’s smile faltered slightly, but he maintained his courteous demeanor. "Of course, I understand. Please don’t hesitate to ask if you ever reconsider or require anything during your visit," he stated before leaving the two alone.

Lucia was able to relax. She didn’t expect to see Gastone or him even own a grand restaurant.

"Are you alright?" Daniel asked in worry. He didn’t want Lucia to feel uncomfortable on their date, ruining their night.

"I-I’m alright. I’m just tired and sleepy. That’s all," Lucia lied, covering it with a shy giggle.

"Okay, we should probably get going," Daniel said, gesturing for Lucia to walk ahead.

Lucia nodded, her gaze lingering on Daniel before glancing to see if Gastone was there, but he was gone. She wanted to enjoy the night, and it saddened her to end it unexpectedly.

The night’s cold breeze softly hit Lucia’s skin, as she shivered slightly.

Daniel saw the tiny movement of Lucia’s body and immediately removed his coat. He went closer and put it on her shoulders.

"D-daniel," Lucia was stunned and stared at the coat with a confused look.

"You dressed thinly. I don’t want you to get cold," Daniel replied. His hands lingered on Lucia’s shoulder a bit longer before he moved away.

"Thank you," Lucia said, smiling at his soft gesture.

Daniel’s newfound warmth and understanding settled between them as they walked side by side, deepening his bond forged through their date, but Lucia, on the other hand, was anxious.

Lucia wanted to focus on Daniel, but Gastone’s appearance destroyed her fixation on her plans, and her mind recalled everything they had done before.