Happy belated new year! In case you're wondering, I'm not dead :P , I have just been...very busy (what an excuse, shame on me). Uni life has been overwhelming and so many things are waiting for me to complete and plan. Yes, I've finished my assignments so I'm back writing more!

Sorry for not writing a longer chapter, I have forgot the whole storyline and I have made my life more difficult by weaving layers and layers of plot and relationship in the beginning. It might take a while for me to write another chapter, I really need to go through all chapters again just to recall my memories.


The second date was a lot more awkward than the first one, since it was Hermione who suggested the date. She kept on digging deep in her closet until she settled with a comfortable pearly white blouse and blue tight trousers.

People passed by as Hermione waited at the street. She kept on staring at her watching, hoping that time would pass quicker. Never had she been so excited and nervous, perhaps the last time she experienced it was when she had to go up on stage and receive her graduation certificate.

Finally her watch showed twelve, and she slightly leaned forward, looking sideways. Then she saw Lucius, wearing a black leather coat, walking briskly as if he had been hearing good news for the whole morning. He stopped in front of Hermione and his finger rang through her hair.

"You looked breathtaking," said Lucius.

Hermione blushed, she had never been praised in that way in public. She glanced around, hoping that nobody would be looking or giggling at her. Lucius stretched out his hand and grabbed her palm, then whispered in her ear, "I bet you're hungry."

Hermione flushed even more. She could only nod. Lucius led her through the crowd and stopped at a restaurant. Lucius asked,

"Does Italian food sound good?"

Hermione nodded. She was not listening at all. Before she could realise what she had agreed to, Lucius had already led her through the crowds. Suddenly, they stopped. Hermione looked up and read the sign—Osteria Romana.

"Osteria Romana…" muttered Hermione to herself. Then she turned to Lucius and said, "This restaurant is too expensive!"

"Fine lady dines in fine restaurant, doesn't she?" said Lucius.

"But—"

Lucius did not let her any further, he ushered her into the restaurant and made her sit down at the table. Soon as the waiter placed the menu on the table, Lucius made her read the menu. Hermione gawked at the price and whispered at Lucius,

"It's really expensive."

Lucius took no notice, then he said, "Would you want the Aubergine Parmigiana?"

"Lucius—"

The waiter came to their table and Lucius began ordering food. Hermione sat there, not knowing what to do or what to say. She did not imagine herself dining in one of the finest Italian restaurant in the city. She imagined herself sitting in a chain coffee shop, just enjoying the warmth and ordinariness of life. When Lucius finished ordering, she whispered,

"We don't really need to dine in such a restaurant for our first date."

"Do you not like it?"

"Yes I do, but—"

Lucius grabbed her hands. Her hands were cold, and his hands were big and warm. For some reason, it gave her confidence and assurance. So she stopped talking and smiled. Lucius smiled back at her.

Food was quickly served and Hermione dug in. Hermione had never had the chance to have such exquisite lunch. The savoury taste of aubergine was alluring, she tried very hard to keep her elegance and took her bites small and slow.

"What movies do you like to watch?" asked Lucius.

Hermione was slightly surprised by the sudden question. After finishing her bite, she answered, "Biographical or historical movies. You know, like The Iron Lady. Unfortunately, some details were overlooked, which is a shame. Such movies are hard to come by, especially when people nowadays enjoy romance or action movies more than the other genres."

After an awkward moment of silence, Lucius said,

"Caitlin also loves that movie."

Though it was not Hermione's fault, somehow she felt apologetic for liking the same thing as Caitlin. Her presence kept on reminding Lucius of his lost wife, and she was not comfortable with it.

"She did?" asked Hermione, not sure what other things she could say.

"She had always loved movies about people, about history."

"I can imagine that."

"She also loves wisteria, the flower and the colour. She almost convinced me to plant wisteria in the backyard."

Hermione was very shocked. Wisteria was also her favourite. Such coincidence increased her discomfort, so she did not say a word, and kept on finishing her plate. Seeing that Hermione did not want to talk, Lucius also stopped talking and focused on his plate. Soon as Hermione and Lucius finished their plates, Lucius asked,

"Do you want to see a movie?"

Hermione nodded. She needed something that could allow her to spend time without talking, something that could let her enjoy Lucius' presence and not talk about Caitlin.

The cinema was conveniently located 30 minutes away from the restaurant. This time, it was Hermione who was in a hurry, and she was certain that Lucius could feel her rush. Just when they arrived at the cinema, they saw Diana.

Diana stared at Lucius, not moving at all. Hermione tried to ease the atmosphere by greeting her.

"Diana, how are you doing?"

Diana stared back at Hermione, and said,

"We could all be better off if it weren't for him."

"Huh?"

"Why are you with him? He's not worth your time."

"You are in no position to discuss our relationship," said Lucius, making Hermione stand behind him.

"Why are you doing this?" said Diana, not backing off. "Stop interfering with our lives"

"What is this all about, Diana?" asked Hermione. "What do you mean by inflicting pain?"

"If it weren't for him, my mother and I would be living together, happily."

"What are you talking about? What did Lucius even do to you?"

"Go ask him yourself."

Diana turned around and walked away. Lucius seemed to be in deep thoughts, Hermione was concerned, so she whispered,

"What does my sister mean?"

Lucius took a deep breath and answered, "You don't need to worry about this."

"I overheard the conversation you had with her at the hospital. Who is the 'he' you two talked about? What is this whole thing?" asked Hermione.

"Perhaps I should not have made that decision, it was a huge mistake."

Hermione tried to analyse the situation. The only thing she could think of was that day Lucius called the police on her at Redmond Town. But Lucius rescued her, she was not charged with any crime, it seemed absurd that Diana would hold a grudge against him for that. However, a small voice in her head convinced her that she could never understand Diana, so nothing that seemed to make sense would make sense in Diana's head.

"Don't worry, let's forget that and enjoy the movie," said Lucius.