Chapter 361: Chapter 360: Nostalgia

He guided them through the softly lit space, the clink of cutlery and quiet jazz resuming, though not entirely. Heads kept turning, diners sneaking second and third glances as the group passed by. Rex, unbothered, carried himself like this was just another Tuesday.

Sophie buzzed with excitement, waving at random chandeliers and velvet drapes like she’d just entered a palace. The others in the beauty trio walked with natural poise, as if the stares only confirmed what they already knew. Elara, however, kept her head down, cheeks tinged pink, clutching her bag straps like her only support.

They were led to a corner booth with plenty of space, the kind usually reserved for big spenders. The cushioned seats wrapped around in a half-circle, affording privacy while still commanding a view of the restaurant. Just from their posies and clothes. The waiter knew that they were going to spend big bucks, so he directly brought them to the best place.

Rex sat down casually, as if he’d been here a hundred times before, of course the main reason was he had MONEY, and with money confidence comes easily. while the others slipped in around him. Sophie flopped down right next to him, claiming her spot like a cat planting its flag.

Daisy sat with quiet poise across from them, Hannah adjusted her seat neatly without fuss, Elara hesitated for the briefest moment before sliding in last, shoulders hunched, trying to take up as little space as possible.

Immediately menus arrived, one for each, the menus were thick, leather-bound, and intimidating. Sophie opened hers and immediately gasped. "Holy—these prices could pay my this month’s bill!"

Rex didn’t even glance at the numbers, he didn’t worry about this little money now. "Relax, order what you want."

"These are some dangerous words," Sophie warned with a mischievous grin. "Don’t tempt me, Rex."

He didn’t bother arguing. With an easy confidence that made the waiter perk up, Rex rattled off an order that sounded more like a shopping list than a meal. Appetizers, mains, sides, and enough variety that the even waiter raised an eyebrow. He finished with "Colorful dishes, house specials, bring them out."

The waiter blinked, then gave a polite bow. "Of course, sir."

Sophie leaned back, impressed. "Damn. You order like a man who’s done this countless times before."

"Or a man with a bottomless wallet," Daisy muttered, though not unkindly, her eyes still flicking toward him with a quiet curiosity.

Not long after, plates began to parade out of the kitchen, sleek porcelain trays carrying vibrant spreads. It was like watching colors come alive. Plates of sizzling meat, vibrant stir-fries, steaming bowls of soup, jewel-red sashimi fanned like petals, even baskets of fresh bread and dips... an explosion of textures and scents that spread across the table, immediately turning into a small feast, aromas swirled together and wrapped around them like a festival for senses.

Sophie’s jaw dropped. "Okay... I think I just fell in love."

Even Hannah raised an eyebrow, her usual composure slipping for a moment. "That’s... quite the spread."

Elara, though, sat frozen. Her hands stayed folded neatly in her lap, her eyes wide as the dishes kept arriving, one after another, until the table looked like something from a glossy magazine. Her throat tightened, and for a moment, the voices around her faded.

It had been years since she’d seen this much food at once. The last time, she’d been a little girl sitting at a cluttered dining table, her father laughing too loud with a bottle beside him, her mother scolding him half-heartedly as she set down dish after dish.

They hadn’t been rich, not even close, but there was warmth then, there was noise, there was family. She remembered giggling as she stole extra helpings, her father pretending not to notice while slipping her more. Even if it was broken up by arguments later, even with the shadow of his drinking, those were the happiest meals of her life.

Now, staring at the dishes piling higher across the table, her chest ached with nostalgia. For a brief second she was just a little girl again, seated between her parents, food crowding the table, thinking life would always be like that. Before anyone could notice, she ducked her head quickly, letting her bangs fall forward, hiding the sudden mist in her eyes. She didn’t want anyone to notice... especially not Rex.

On the other hand, Sophie didn’t even wait for permission; she lunged for a plate of glazed ribs like a pirate raiding treasure. "Oh my god—this is heaven. Actual heaven."

"Chew, don’t inhale," Hannah said smoothly, though the corner of her lips twitched at Sophie’s enthusiasm. She adjusted her napkin with practiced elegance before delicately lifting a piece of sashimi, movements precise as if she were in a boardroom rather than a restaurant.

"Where’s the fun in that?" Sophie retorted, cheeks puffed out.

Daisy reached over calmly and plucked one of the ribs right out of Sophie’s grasp. "If you hog everything, we’ll have to call for reinforcements." Her tone was teasing but even, her gaze flicking briefly toward Rex as though to see how he’d react.

Rex just smirked, leaning back with that easy composure. "That’s why I ordered extra. Figured Sophie eats for three."

"Excuse you," Sophie said around a mouthful, pointing a rib at him like a weapon. "I eat for passion."

Hannah sighed, exasperated but amused. "Passion has sauce on your chin."

Sophie froze, then grabbed her napkin, scrubbing furiously while Daisy chuckled under her breath.

Rex was easting while chatting idly with Sophie, but when his gaze slid toward Elara, he caught the faint tension in her shoulders, and that she hadn’t touched anything yet. He didn’t say anything, just smoothly nudged a plate of warm bread closer to her side of the table.

"Eat before Sophie devours it all," he said casually.

Sophie, mid-bite, pointed at him with mock outrage. "Hey! Don’t expose me like that!"

Elara blinked, startled, then nodded quickly, whispering, "T-thank you..." before taking a piece, her fingers trembling slightly as she tore into it. The simple taste of butter and warmth hit her harder than it should have. For just a second, she felt like that little girl again, back at a table that no longer existed.

She quietly sampled her bread, then some soup. She ate slowly, savoring every bite, afraid she might give herself away if she rushed. But even in her small, restrained movements, there was a glow in her eyes that Rex caught when she thought no one was looking. He said nothing, just made sure the dishes kept circling her way.

The table grew lively, the clink of plates and overlapping voices filling the space. Sophie declared herself "officially married to the ribs," Daisy pointed out that she’d lose the honeymoon once the dessert menu arrived, and Hannah calmly set the pace by keeping things orderly, subtly passing dishes so nothing piled unevenly.

Rex sat among them, half-amused, half-watchful. He didn’t dominate the conversation, didn’t need to. His quiet presence anchored the chaos, letting the girls bounce off each other.

It was noisy, colorful, a little messy... exactly what a group dinner was supposed to be.

And for Elara, who hadn’t sat at a table like this in years, it felt like stepping briefly into another life.

(End of Chapter)