Forbiddenly Bound To You
Chapter 54: Unplanned Encounter

Chapter 54: Unplanned Encounter

Meanwhile

At Love Meal Restaurant, James and Lily sat at opposite sides of a dimly lit table. The ambiance was calm and refined, with soft lighting casting a warm glow over the elegantly set table. After James suggested they grab a bite, Lily had initially declined. However, she later agreed, recognizing it as an opportunity to address some unresolved issues between them. She had observed that James often avoided difficult questions, so this dinner would be their chance to talk things out.

As they were about to begin their conversation, the waiter approached. Despite the late hour, he greeted them warmly with a professional smile. He held a menu, a pen, and a notepad, prepared to take their orders. Lily was the first to speak:

"I’d like some tiramisu cake, please. Also, a cup of premium tea. For the main course, I’d like some grilled and roasted seasonal vegetables with mashed potatoes, lobster, and oysters on the half shell. And for an appetizer, I’ll have carpaccio—both raw meat and fish, please. Oh, and a glass of water."

James’s eyes widened in surprise as he listened to Lily’s extensive order. He knew she had a hearty appetite, but the amount of food she had requested seemed excessive for her petite frame. The waiter’s eyebrows raised slightly, reflecting his surprise at the quantity of food Lily had ordered, which seemed to be more than what one person could reasonably consume.

When it was James’s turn to place his order, he opted for simplicity. "I’ll have crème brûlée and a glass of aqua, please." He chose just a single glass of premium alcohol, preferring to keep things minimal and avoid any potential issues.

The waiter nodded, taking note of their orders. "Your meals will arrive shortly," he said before turning to leave.

As Lily finished placing her order, she turned her attention back to James. "I need to talk to you about something important," she began, her voice steady but filled with emotion. "I’ve mentioned before that I was married before, and I’ve noticed that you tend to dodge my questions. Can we please address this? I don’t want to stay in the dark. I want us to communicate openly and work through any issues together. Please, just tell me what’s on your mind."

James, understanding Lily’s concerns, responded sincerely, "I’m sorry if I’ve seemed evasive. I promise we’ll work on talking things through more openly from now on."

Before Lily could reply, their food arrived. The waiter placed the dishes on the table, and Lily began to dig in with enthusiasm. The tension from their earlier conversation momentarily set aside, they focused on their meal. Lily savored each bite, thoroughly enjoying the gourmet offerings. Despite her evident pleasure in the meal, she remained quiet, concentrating on her food.

James watched her, feeling the weight of their earlier conversation. "I promise from now on, I’ll do better," he said earnestly. "I’ll try to make things clearer between us and avoid leaving you in the dark."

Lily glanced up from her plate, gave him a thumbs-up, and nodded in acknowledgment, though she continued to eat silently.

As Lily finished her meal, she quickly downed a glass of water before speaking again. "It’s fine," she said. "By the way, thank you for the meal."

James, still surprised by how quickly she had finished nearly all the food, nodded in acknowledgment. He was about to say something when Lily began to speak again, her voice steady but filled with emotion. "About my ex-husband, I’m willing to tell you everything—how we got married and why we broke up..."

Just as she was about to finish her thought, a sudden commotion at the entrance caught her attention. Her eyes widened in shock. "Speak of the devil," she thought to herself. Her ex-husband Jason, whom she hadn’t expected to see, walked into the restaurant. It had been two years since they had last crossed paths, and now he was here, completely unexpected. Her mind raced with confusion and disbelief. What was he doing here? Wasn’t he supposed to be abroad?

Lily stood up abruptly, her heart pounding. "Let’s go," she said to James, her voice taut with urgency. James, taken aback by her sudden reaction, tried to ask what was happening. Before he could say anything, Jason’s voice cut through the air.

"What a coincidence, oh my goodness," Jason said, his tone both surprised and friendly. Lily’s body tensed momentarily, but she quickly composed herself, turning to face Jason with a strained smile. "Hey," she said, her cheerfulness forced. "We’re about to leave now." She took James’s hand, guiding him towards the exit.

James, noticing Lily’s distress, asked, "Lily, are you okay?"

Jason then interjected, "Oh, my bad, my manners. I’m Jason, Lily’s ex-husband." He extended his hand for a handshake, which James accepted, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern.

As they shook hands, James replied, "James, Lily’s boyfriend."

Jason nodded, acknowledging the introduction. "It’s nice to meet you, James," he said politely. The atmosphere was tense as Lily tried to maintain her composure, her mind racing with a whirlwind of emotions she could not quite explain.

Just as Lily and James were about to leave, Jason stepped forward and reached out, gently holding Lily’s hand. "Lily, I would like to talk to you," he said, his tone earnest. "Can you give me about ten minutes?"

James’s heart rate quickened, a feeling of tension enveloping him. He was usually calm and composed, but this situation was different. For the first time, he felt an intense surge of seriousness and intimidation. Lily, sensing the change in James’s demeanor, was struck by how unsettled he appeared. She had never seen him like this before.

James, his expression hardening, turned to Jason with a steely gaze that left no room for argument. "My girlfriend has nothing to say to you," he said firmly. The protective edge in his voice was palpable,clearly stating his boundaries and his unwillingness to allow any futher interaction.