Chapter 570: Are You Not Doing the Same?

Nathaniel took Cecilia’s hand. “No way. I want to celebrate.”

“Then celebrate alone,” Cecilia retorted, turning to leave.

Nathaniel pulled her into his embrace. “No way. Come, let’s have dinner. You choose, I’ll pay,” he declared.

Cecilia hesitated, but his grip was firm. They stood amidst the chilly wind. She hadn't expected this sly side of him, and eventually relented. “Let’s go.”

She hadn’t dined out much since returning and wasn't sure where to go. Noticing the late hour, she chose a relatively uncrowded Clusian restaurant.

Their arrival drew many stares. Because of Nathaniel’s impaired vision, Cecilia held his hand; his striking appearance didn't help. Someone even raised a phone to take a picture.

Cecilia intervened. “Sorry, no photos.”

The girl persisted, but Nathaniel’s icy glare quickly deterred her. Cecilia mused that sunglasses and a mask might be necessary for future outings. A handsome blind man, she realized, attracted far more attention than a sighted one. People might hesitate to stare at a conventionally attractive man, but a blind one elicited pity and other complex emotions.

Cecilia requested a private room. The server’s astonished expression, though likely due to Nathaniel's appearance, didn't concern her. Unbeknownst to her, the server had just shown Nicholas and Cassandra to a nearby private room. After checking, he concluded the two men resembled twins.

“What would you like to eat?” Cecilia asked, opening the menu.

“Surprise me.”

“My favorites, then?” she suggested.

Nathaniel smiled. “Sure.”

Cecilia blushed, focusing on the menu.

After ordering, Nathaniel asked, “Did you come out for a reason today?”

Cecilia didn’t want to mention the day’s risks. “Not really. Just to unwind.”

Her voice betrayed her lie. Nathaniel, however, merely took a sip of water, letting it pass. He then produced an exquisite box. “Happy Valentine’s Day.”

He'd chosen it with Mason’s help; Mason had even made him buy another gift for his girlfriend. Cecilia refused it. “No, thanks.” She preferred buying her own things.

Nathaniel’s hand tightened. “Won’t you even look?” He was used to her delight at his casual gifts.

“If I want something, I buy it,” she explained.

Nathaniel’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “You still have no plans to…start over with me, do you?”

Cecilia nearly choked on her coffee. A silence fell. Even the servers seemed to sense the tension as they served the food and then quietly departed.

Cecilia picked up her fork. “Let’s eat.”

Nathaniel placed the gift on the table. “You say I’m always deceiving you, but aren’t you doing the same?”