As Nicolas stepped into the establishment, Anna, looking every bit the child with her eyes sparkling with an unfamiliar brightness, presented a stark contrast to the high society belle I knew her to be. It was as if a wild creature had finally been set free from captivity.
The waiter who greeted us led the way to our table. Upon reaching it, I pulled out a chair for Anna, ensuring her comfort before taking my own seat. Some time after, lunch was in full swing.
"Do you want anything else?" I inquired upon noticing she'd polished off her meal.
"No, thank you, I'm quite full," she sighed heavily.
"You're starting to show symptoms; it's natural to have an increased appetite."
"And to find your cologne irritating," we both chuckled at her quip.
"I'll forgo any fragrance for the next nine months," I promised, and she eyed me, a rosy blush coloring her cheeks before she glanced away.
"Don't do that."
"Do what?" she asked, a touch bewildered.
"Look away. I prefer our little challenges."
"Ha, I never would have guessed you to be a masochist."
"Don't twist my words. You have a knack for warping everything I say." I couldn't explain it, but I was sure a ridiculous grin was plastered on my face. Our conversation was briefly interrupted as the waiter arrived with dessert, but Anna's face contorted in disgust instantly upon seeing it.
"Please take it away," I requested from the waiter, who promptly understood and obliged. Anna was fighting nausea; I could tell as she took deep breaths. Suddenly, she stood, her gaze flitting around desperately. Effortlessly, I rose, took her hand, and escorted her to the ladies' room, holding back her hair for what felt like an eternity as she succumbed to the sickness.
When the worst had passed, she washed her face with water and turned to me, tears streaking down her cheeks. Without hesitation, I pulled her into my arms for comfort, but our moment was soured by an older woman's disapproving gaze. Not one to tolerate such intrusion, I held Anna tighter still.
"She's my wife, and she's unwell due to pregnancy. Is there a problem?" My tone was icy, commanding silence, and the woman moved on. Anna soon pulled back slightly from our embrace.
"Are you feeling any better?" she nodded, and we left the restroom.
"You shouldn't have spoken to her like that," Anna chided once we had retaken our table.
"I have little patience for nosy people."
"Thank you, but please, don't do that again."
"No need for thanks; after all, I played my part in this." She blushed again but held my gaze, which pleased me. "You'll need to eat again."
Anna looked taken aback by my statement - it set off my laughter. "Don't worry, it doesn't have to be right now," I assured her with a smile.
"Let's go."
"Where to?" was her natural inquiry.
"You'll see. Just be patient." After settling the bill and leaving a tip, we left and drove off, the driver already aware of our next destination. During the drive, Anna fell into a gentle slumber, which was interrupted when we arrived.
...
As Anna, I was roused by Nicolas's voice. "Wake up; we're here."
"Where are we?" I asked, still groggy with sleep.
"Come out and see for yourself." I emerged from the car to find us at the Hermitage Garden, a lover's dream. At its heart stood a bell-adorned heart monument that chimed with every breeze. Renowned for its romantic allure, couples often sealed their love here with a kiss and a hand-in-hand stroll through the heart-shaped path.
"Are you tired?" Nicolas observed my brief pause.
"Just a bit."
"Come, let's sit." Agreeing, I felt his hand take mine, causing a brief freeze in my steps before resuming toward the bench beside the heart monument. There, in the warm silence with only the beauty of the garden for company, we watched an elderly couple. Despite the woman being wheelchair-bound and the man's evident struggle, they showed a profound love in their eyes. The gentleman bent slowly, delivering a chaste kiss to the woman's lips before together they navigated their way through the heart-shaped path.
"I want a love like that," I whispered, watching them go.
"To love in such a way would be worth learning," Nicolas murmured in response. And with twin sighs, we lost ourselves in thought.
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