Chapter 23

As they sat in one of the city's best restaurants, James took the initiative to make the evening more enjoyable.

"You know, this place is renowned for its exquisite dishes. Let me order some of their specialties for us," James suggested, flipping through the menu with a confident smile.

Alice and Siya agreed, trusting James's taste. He called the waiter and, after a brief discussion, placed an order that promised a culinary adventure.

As they waited for their orders, James noticed the atmosphere and asked, "Is everything okay? You both seem a bit off."

Alice took a deep breath.

"Did I interrupt something?" he asked, sensing an unspoken unease.

Alice hesitated, unsure of how much she wanted to reveal. "We had an unexpected encounter today," she finally explained, keeping it vague.

James raised an eyebrow, "Encounter? Do I sense some drama?"

Siya chuckled nervously, trying to lighten the mood. "Oh, you have no idea."

"So, tell me more about this 'encounter' you mentioned," James prodded,