Chapter 2.
Ludwig arrived at the parking lot of the restaurant with a deep sigh. Still feeling reluctant about this appointment. However, as he always do, he arrived to the restaurant 10 minutes early.
Buon Veneziano: Italian restaurant.
"Well, isn't this just perfect." Though Gilbert said that he would pay for him in the end, Ludwig was very parsimonious in every way. So, he wasn't necessarily fond of this appointment is going to be held in an Italian restaurant. Not that Ludwig hated Italian foods. In fact, the gave him very good impressions. However, Ludwig thought it was ridiculous to spend this amount of money on foods.
However, since it is that kind of appointment, Ludwig dressed neatly. His hair is slicked back as usual, he wore black shoes and pants with a dark brown jacket over a white button down shirt. He also wore an expensive metal watch from Switzerland that his from business partner Basch Zwingli gave as a token for a well-done contract that Ludwig made with his corporation. Since it was one of the most expensive thing he had, Ludwig never wore them unless it was a special occasion.
With a huge sigh, Ludwig decided to consider this appointment as a business meeting: he just has to meet a woman, briefly introduce each other, and eat dinner. Plus, just because they met here once, that does not necessarily indicate that they have to meet again! Ja! That definitely calmed Ludwig.
Being more calm than few minutes ago, Ludwig entered the restaurant and talk to the clerk standing behind the counter. "My brother made a reservation for two. Last name: Beilschmidt."
The clerk typed the last name to the monitor. "One sec… ah! There it is. The waiter will take to your sit, signore." the waiter next to the clerk smiled and led Ludwig to his sit. Ludwig glanced his watch. It was now six fifty-three. She should be here soon. Then Ludwig reminded that he didn't wash his hands yet. So he went to the restroom and came back.
About ten to fifteen minutes passed. She still was not here. Hmmm, sometimes people arrive few minutes late. He was aware that most people aren't punctual as himself. Ludwig thought he could order a drink while he's waiting. Although Italian food isn't he favorite, he does appreciate its reputation. So maybe it'll be a good chance to try a cappuccino.
Ludwig asked for a cup of cappuccino, when it arrived he took a sip. 'This is actually pretty good.'
However, the delightfulness from the delicious cappuccino was gone when it became seven thirty, Ludwig took out his phone from his jacket to call the woman, but soon he realized that he doesn't know the woman's phone number. He regretted that he had not ask the woman's number to Gilbert.
When the minute hand showed it's six forty-seven, Ludwig finally decided to leave. Verdammt. This is just a complete waste of his time. He shouldn't have listened to Gilbert. Ludwig signed the waiter and asked for a check. After paying for the coffee, Ludwig grabbed his jacket from the chair and got up.
Ludwig wore his jacket and scooted the chair. He was ready to leave; he was definitely ready to leave without a slight hesitation. Until he heard an unexpectable and familiar voice behind him.
"Ludwig? Is that you?" as soon as Ludwig heard the voice he turned around. It was her. Feliciana. The beautiful woman who practically could make himself her servant. "F—Feliciana? Are you Feliciana Vargas?" Ludwig stuttered.
"Sì! Sono io!" Feliciana chirped happily but Ludwig could tell there was nervousness behind her chirp. Behind her, there was the same waiter who lead Ludwig to his table. Everything was so clear now. MEIN GOTT! FELICIANA IS THE GIRL I MET AT THE PARK! If Ludwig didn't clench his jaw, the whole growl would have popped out of his mouth, embarrassing himself in front of the whole customers and the girl.
In addition, Ludwig felt every last inches of disappointment, anger, complain, and annoyance inside him vanished like snow melting from sunlight. Instead, glad, happiness, and gratefulness filled the blank space. For the first time in his life, Ludwig wanted to hug his brother for an appreciation.
On the contrary, Feliciana looked like she was about to cry. "Ve~ Ludwig! I'm so sorry that I'm late! My car was broken so I had to take a subway! But I left my purse back in my house so I went back! Then I accidently took a wrong train so I had to go all the way around! Spiacente!"
Ludwig was speechless. He was just blatantly staring at Feliciana. He was just too overwhelmed glad by this situation. He didn't even know her name, but he was wishing to see her again ever since he first met her at the park.
From the continued silence, Feliciana started to whimper, tears falling from her eyes. She started to sob. "You must be really angry! And you're gonna leave because you're angry at me, right?"
Ludwig was stunned. "N—no! Feliciana! I was just very stunned to see you! However, I'm very glad! Because… I wanted to see you."
"V—ve…?" Feliciana cocked her head. Her eyes looked confused.
Ludwig just coughed few times then repeated. Blushing harshly. "I—I'm glad to see you again, Feliciana… I—I wanted to see you." he couldn't even look at her in the eyes.
A bright smile started to appear on Feliciana's face. "Really…?"
Ludwig took a deep breath to squeeze his courage. "J—Ja…"
Then Ludwig felt a huge grasp all over his abdomen, Feliciana gave Ludwig a huge hug with every last ounce of her strength. Almost making Ludwig's face to explode. "Ve~ it's wonderful to see you too, Ludwig! How have you been? How are Aster, Blackie, and Berlitz? If I remember their names correctly. I'm really really really happy to see you too!"
Ehem.
The cough from the smiling waiter reminded both Ludwig and Feliciana his existence. He didn't look disturbed. Matter of fact, he seemed delighted— like he just saw something very lovely. However, Ludwig couldn't help himself to be embarrassed; even Feliciana blushed with embarrassment for a little. As they both sat on their chairs, waiter asked them politely. "Would you like have something to drink? Perhaps some wines?"
"I'd like to have a glass of le coste rosso please."
"I'll just have a pinot noir." Since Ludwig didn't know much about wines, he just ordered one of the few wines that he knew. For the food, Ludwig just ordered a menu that looked a meat and Feliciana ordered some kind of tomato spaghetti. Ludwig's complain about how expensive the foods in this restaurant was long gone.
The waiter wrote down the orders on his small notebook and nodded. "Va bene, I'll be back in no time." The waiter went to get the wines and foods.
"Ve, Ludwig! I don't think I asked you this when we met at the park: what do you do for living?" Feliciana asked with a wide smile showing how interested she was.
"I'm an engineer working in the architecture company." Ludwig didn't mention his corporate title to Feliciana because he thought it might look like bragging. "So I have to go abroad or different states sometimes. How about you, Feli?"
"I'm still going to my college near my house! Ve, as an art major!"
Ludwig nodded. She does look young. But didn't know she's still in college. Ludwig wondered what she wanted to do after graduation. He wanted to help her if she needed any help for tuition or getting a job after college.
"Oh, are you doing okay with it? Like tuitions or getting a job? Do you, um… need any help? Isn't it tough to pay for your tuition and pay for your house? I—I could try to get you some help if you want."
Feliciana giggled as an appreciation. "Ve~ it's okay, Ludwig! I got full scholarship for my college! Besides my Nonno— it means grandpa in Italian! Said I don't have to worry about paying the house bill since he's taking care of it!"
Her grandfather might be very rich if he could do that. Ludwig asked her another question.
"It looks like you like art. Are you going to something related to art after college?"
Feliciana was vigorously nodding and waving her arms. That showed how much she loved art. "I want to be an artist in museum or an illustrator! My nonno is the curator of the museum back in Italy! I wanna work there or draw beautiful paintings for novels or fairy tales!" She beamed her beautiful smile. Though the restaurant was dark, but her smile became the Sun to light up the whole restaurant. Ludwig thought he could see that smile any time.
After waking up from being stiffened, Ludwig smiled. "That seems like a very nice idea, Feliciana."
Feliciana giggled. "Thanks, Ludwig!"
"And Feli? There's something I want to ask you." Ludwig took a deep breath to squeeze out his courage.
Feliciana seemed confused and confused. "Sì…?"
Ludwig blushed. He scratched his head to avoid embarrassment. "Would you… like to meet me again after today? I want to hear more about you and get to know you more on our next appointment."
Feliciana's eyes widened. But soon beamed the most beautiful smile Ludwig had ever seen. "I'd love to do that, Ludwig!"
(A/N)
Sorry I'm late! I've been helping my friend to remodel his place so I forgot to post this when I came back to home.
Thank you so much to "maryranstadler" who reviewed and FF! And Bibi02846 and followed the story.
See you next Sunday!
