D-DATE

Two questions played in Gregory's mind.

How and when?

The feeling shot him like a sniper in all simplicity.

"Ready, Gregory?"

"Yeah, I'm coming."

This time it was he who grabbed her hand first.

"Where should we go now? I only had a cinema in mind."

"At what time will Sia be back?" Gregory asked as he lifted his wrist to stare at his watch.

"Very late, 10 PM."

"Okay, I have a few files to tend to, but can you spare me your time around 7:30? No, make it 7:00 PM. We'll continue the date then, okay."

Xenia looked at him suspiciously," what are you scheming?"

"Nothing, but wear something for dinner."

"Gregory."

"Trust me."

XY XX

They returned to their apartments. Xenia, who played it cool in front of her lover, found herself running like a headless chicken as she thought about what to wear.

Luckily for her, she had no shaving to do. Since their relationship began, Xenia kept up with her waxing rendezvous. Xenia opened her wardrobe; she didn't know where Gregory wanted to take her, but she desired to sweep the man off his feet with her appearance.

After forty minutes of tryouts, Xenia wanted to cry. Why didn't Gregory say where they were going?

Wear something for dinner could be anything from pajamas to a cloverleaf.

Xenia had all the afternoon to get ready, but she wasn't going to take the risk with her usual last-minute preparations.

"Okay, Xenia, think practical," she still had this cocktail dress, which she didn't get to wear at one of Astoria's events as Sia was stuck with the flu.

It was a Hervé Leger dress bought on sale on YOOX.

The thin strapped sheath dress was body tight and revealed a maximum of cleavage; with its corset lines design, the dress was a must-wear for the full sexy effect.

Xenia wondered what ran through her head when she imagined attending Astoria Edmond's event with it. Good thing she didn't go. Gregory would reap all the benefits of exclusivity.

That done, all she needed now was a hairstyle; she wore them in twists tied in a bun that week. Xenia undid the twists and just let the natural curls came out, separating them delicately. She took her time to do her make-up, and before she knew it, it was time.

XY XX

As for Aurelie's wedding, Gregory and Xenia faced each other in the hall.

"What, am I overdressed?"

The man smiled, "no, it's just that seeing you like this, I feel like keeping you to myself."

"I'm already yours," Xenia's eyes widened at her remark while Gregory smiled.

"Shall we," was all the man said before giving Xenia his arm.

It seemed like a reboot of the wedding, but this time it was a Maserati but a Jet black Jaguar XJ.

"Gregory, you rented this for one evening, oh my God. Why?"

Gregory shrugged and opened the door for Xenia, "why not? I hate taxis."

It was cliché to think women dropped over men with flashy cars, but it worked on Xenia, and Gregory adored her enthusiastic reactions.

"Do you think I'm going to die soon because too many nice things are happening?"

"I hope not."

He wanted to seduce her, and all means were allowed.

"So, where are we going?"

"Wait and see."

Thirty minutes later, it was at a VINCI car park a few steps from La Tour Eiffel that Gregory parked.

"Wait a minute, Gregory, don't tell me we're eating here?" Xenia tugged and pulled him back as they stood in front of the Eiffel Tower. "We can't eat here, it's-."

"A nice place to eat."

Xenia didn't know what to say; she wondered if the English man knew where he counted on taking her and the price the place practiced. They went up to the second floor, where they entered Le Jules Verne.

"Monsieur, madame par ici s'il vous plaît."

"Gregory, are you sure," Xenia whispered in his ear, clinging to his arm like a frightened child. She had been in restaurants Mark liked to eat, and he took her to some excellent Michelin Guide starred places, but the Jules Verne had the status above.

The waiter took them to a table, where they both sat down.

"Wow, where are the people? The place seems empty." There were a few couples, but they all appeared to be stacked on one side of the room, whereas there was no one around them.

Gregory took a seat, "It seems the restaurant hasn't got many customers these days. That's how I managed to reserve."

"I see," Xenia still thought the restaurant was too empty for what it was. "The view is fantastic; I wish Sia could see this."

"Maybe next time," Gregory said with a smile.

In mid-May, the sun was already setting late in fifty shades of yellow and oranges giving a stunning scene of the French capital.

Xenia turned to look at him, "Gregory, I think I'm going to opt for a career change and become an auditor."

The man chuckled.

"Monsieur, puis-je vous proposer notre carte de vin," the waiter said when he saw they were settled.

"On va prendre, un Romanée Conti Grand cru 1990."

Xenia knew the lesson. The older the wine, the more expensive it is one of her mother's boyfriends who taught her.

"Excellent choix, monsieur, [ excellent choice, sir]," the waiter said, taking the wine card.

"Excusez-moi où sont vos toilets? [excuse me where are the toilets]"

"Par ici, s'il vous plaît madame,[this way please, madame]" the waiter beckoned Xenia to follow.

Xenia followed the waiter. Once inside the luxurious toilets where Xenia thought she could willingly live, she took out her phone and Googled: LE JULES VERNE DINER POUR DEUX [The Jules Verne dinner for two].

"Oh, my God, what is this man doing?" Xenia said as she read, the minimum for dinner for two was nine hundred and fifty euros.

Then she googled the bottle, "Lord have mercy," Xenia yelled when she saw the price of the wine, "okay, Xenia, your not very hungry. You can't ruin the man."

She fanned herself an instant; the whole day was overwhelming. How did the day go from the teenage date to the Casino Royal meal?

"Xenia, you can do this, don't eat, or share the cost. Xenia didn't mind splitting the bill. The problem was her half would represent her monthly wage.

"Are you okay?" Gregory asked as she returned from the toilets.

"Yeah, sure."

Dishes already garnished the table. It was too late. Gregory ordered not to waste time as he kept Sia's return in mind. Xenia wanted to ask if she didn't eat her half could they have a refund.

Gregory looked at the plate where Xenia fiddled with her fork, "you don't like the meal?"

"I do," she smiled shyly. A part of her wanted to ask Gregory to leave, but something told her it would disappoint him.

Xenia began to eat, but every bite made her toes curl. She couldn't believe humans like her cooked such exquisite dishes.

"Taste the wine; it's fantastic with the wine," Gregory urged.

Xenia stared at the surface of her glass; the bottle cost 90% of her yearly income. Did Gregory know what he was drinking?

Perhaps he had a special envelope from Astoria. Even so, Xenia doubted they could use it, and also Gregory wasn't the type of man to treat his girlfriend to a meal with company funds. All the elements were unified for a romantic evening, but Xenia had a knot of guilt in her stomach.

If Gregory wanted to woo her, it had hit the spot, but it also made the woman uncomfortable.

Despite that, the man managed to unwind her as they laughed about Thor, and he talked about other outings they could do with Sia.

Never had Gregory been so talkative. Xenia watched him speak, his mimics, and the creases around his eyes when he smiled. The man was charming, and here in his suit, Gregory was drop-down dead sexy. All Xenia wished to do was climb over the table, grab his collar, and kiss him.

Time flew, and before they knew it, it was almost 10 PM, "Gregory, Sia, we'll never make it on time. Mark is going to throw a fit if I'm late."

"Calm down, Xenia," Gregory said as he got up to leave.

In the panic, Xenia didn't even notice that no one bought the note to the table. Their romantic dinner was shortened by the imperative to arrive on time for Sia.

XY XX

The XJ Jaguar rip-roared through the capital, but despite Gregory's Formula 1 performance, they found Mark fuming as he carried sleeping, Sia.

"What time do you call this, Xenia?" Mark said as Xenia climbed the steps to the building. Mark looked over her shoulder, and anger filled his face as he saw Gregory.

"We said 10 PM, Xenia."

"Mark, I'm only 20 minutes late, please, no drama. I'm sorry we got caught up in traffic."

Mark's eyes roamed on the shadow of the feline car he saw behind Gregory before saying, "no, drama, no drama, you would stab me with a fork if I came even five minutes late. All this to do whatever with your Anglais."

"Eh, let me remind you that the l'Anglais is here. There's no need to shout; Xenia apologized."

"Listen, Mr. accountant; this is between her and me."

"I beg to differ," Gregor stepped up to Mark as Xenia now carried Sia.

"What Mr. accountant do you want toㅡ."

"Mark, cut it out, will you."

But Mark already shoved Gregory, "so Mr. Accountant, what do you say?"

In a split second, Mark was on his knees with his arm twisted around his back.

"Gregory," Xenia yelled.

The man let go instantly of Mark's arm and stepped back.

"You're right, Xenia; I'll cut it. I'm tired of being treated like a villain. I'm tired of seeing this guy here, and I don't want my daughter around him."

"Mark."

"Mr.ㅡ," Gregory started.

Mark brushed past Gregory and turned back, "you'll be hearing from me, Xenia."

Gregory watched him leave when he turned around; Xenia was already in the building. He hurried to catch up and climbed into the lift, which was closing its doors.

"Xenia."

"Don't, Gregory."

The threatening tone employed tamed Gregory's desire to speak as he knew Xenia would snap at any remark. They remained silent until they reached their floor. Once again, Gregory attempted to talk. He didn't want their evening to end this way, "Xenia Iㅡ."

She turned to face him, adjusting sleeping Sia on her shoulders, "why, Gregory, why?" She whispered.

"He provoked me, always going on with his Mr. Accountant or l'Anglais."

"Gregory, please, you're smarter than that. You should have left him with his irrational anger, but no, you had to twist his arm. Yes, Mark is stupid at times and whatever else, but he is still Sia's father, and right now, you just declared war on him."

"I didn'tㅡ."

"Oh, yes, you did; that's how he interpreted it. Now he knows for sure we're together," Xenia sighed, "let's call it a day."

Before Gregory could speak, Xenia walked into her apartment, closing the door on him.

The day which began beautifully and took the shape of a fairytale finished like Cinderella's carriage after midnight.