Page 12 of Forbidden Love
The waiter approaches with a slight frown. He’s the type who thinks he’s superior to others in the room.
Perhaps my jeans are too casual for the restaurant, but I didn’t want to wear an Armani suit.
I should be used to myregular guystatus by now, but I’m not. It’s weird to have billions in my bank account while having to act like the average joe.
But is my secret worth hiding? Yes. Absolutely.
The waiter hardly acknowledges me as he takes our order, his tone condescending as he recommends the house specials.
I ignore the treatment, but Maya watches me more intently now. When the waiter leaves, she leans in, her voice low. “You’re not used to this, are you?”
After shaking my head, a smile breaks over my face. Tonight, I’m a fool, but at least I have her laughing. “Is it that obvious?”
Her expression sparkles with a glimmer. “A little, but it’s kind of cute.”
“Cute, huh?” I say, raising an eyebrow. “Not sure if that’s a compliment or not.”
“It is.”
Before I can respond, the snooty waiter returns and places two green cocktails in front of us. Sprigs of herbs and slices of obscure fruits garnish the drinks. I raise an eyebrow, and keep my amusement in check as the server rattles off the ingredients like he’s reciting poetry.
When he finally leaves, I take a sip, and the flavor hits me—natural, herbal, and a little too earthy for my taste.
Maya, who’s also taken a sip, curls her upper lip.
“So, what do you think?” I ask, barely able to withhold the laughter.
She wrinkles her nose and suppresses a giggle. “Did they… put dirt in here?”
I set the glass down. “Possibly. I’m pretty sure I just drank an entire garden.”
She laughs, the sound warm and genuine. “We’ve officially hit peak pretentiousness with these drinks.”
Chuckling, I tilt my head. “I’d say so. But hey, at least we’re getting the full experience.”
She smiles. “Yes, and there’s vodka in these.”
“Vodka is always a winner.” I take another sip and let the buzz relax me. “So, what made you get into this whole environmental thing? It’s not exactly a typical career path.”
She appears distant for a second before refocusing on me. “I guess it started when I was a kid. My parents were always big on nature, taking us on camping trips, and teaching us about the environment. It’s not just about that—I’ve always had a strong urge to safeguard what’s important and fight for what matters.
I nod, intrigued. “That’s admirable. Few people have that kind of passion.”
She shrugs. “It’s not always easy. Many people don’t understand. They think it’s about being difficult or making things harder for everyone else. For me, it’s about preserving for the next generation.”
Her dedication, her drive—it’s one thing that drew me to her in the first place, even if it complicates everything.
My body warms as I take her in. “I love that.”
“What about you?” she asks, turning the tables. “What’s your story, David? How did you end up doing… whatever it is you do?”
She can’t know the full truth, but I long to give her something—a piece of who I really am.
Pausing, I choose my words carefully. “I guess you could say I fell into it. I’ve always been interested in building things and creating something from nothing. There’s a certain satisfaction in seeing something you’ve worked on come to life, knowing that it’s going to have an effect.”
She nods, and her eyes search mine. “And what kind of impact are you hoping to make?”
I uphold my neutral expression. “I want to create something that lasts, something that people will remember. Moreover, I would like to do it in a respectful manner towards the world.”