When my mother and my aunt were way ahead of us to hear what we're talking about, I turned to him.

"Why did you do that?" I demanded.

"Because I knew it will look lovely on you."

"Ryder, this is not part of the deal! This is expensive!"

"But the glare you're giving me right now, and the blush on your face? Priceless!" He teased.

"Don't do this!" I told him. "I feel so... indebted to you already."

"Don't. I'm just playing my part well."

"Too well!" I said.

He sighed, then pulled me to him again and gave me a hug. "Come on, Ash. I'm tired. I don't want to argue with you. Just... accept the necklace. I want to give it to you. I don't know why. But I do. And... well, I was hoping to see delight in your eyes when I put it on you, actually. Not... anger bordering on wrath."

Now, I feel guilty! He went out of his way to give me an expensive necklace so he could see delight in my eyes? That's too sweet! And I refused him that reaction?

Honestly, I was delighted with the necklace. I just didn't know why Ryder had to give it to me.

I stared up at him, and sighed. He would have been the perfect fiance any woman can ask for. But I know he isn't real. He isn't really mine.

"Thank you." I whispered quietly. Then I tiptoed and gave him a kiss on the cheek. I smiled beatifically at Ryder, because I am delighted. Because I know that deep inside my heart, I do want him... even though he's too complicated for me.

We went to Sugu for dinner. There were people lined up, all in cocktail dresses and nice expensive suits. They didn't look like ordinary people at all.

Uncle Reynolds bumped into a man about the same age as he is. He's with his wife and a guy just about Ryder's age. He has dark blond hair and startling blue eyes. He was eyeing me curiously and when I looked up, he smiled. I nodded and gave him a slight smile.

"I didn't know you were going to New York!" My Uncle said, shaking the man's hand.

"Only for the weekend." The man said.

"Did you have dinner already?" My Uncle asked.

"We were hoping to. This looks like a nice place but I didn't realize you need to book one month in advance." The man said. "Are you going in? Did you have a reservation?"

"Yes, we're going in. We've made arrangements."

"You're lucky! We'll go find some other place. Try the Yakizakana. This place is quite famous for it." The man said.

"If I knew you were here as well, we could have called earlier to make arrangements."

"I don't think you can do that. Not in this place. I don't think even celebrities can get a table here at the last minute."

"Well, I'm sure we can make last minute arrangements." Ryder interrupted. He looked at my Uncle, as if asking him if he would like to invite his friends to join us.

"Of course." Uncle Reynolds said. "If it's not too much to ask, Ryder."

"It's fine, Sir." Ryder replied. He turned to the man. "There's three of you?"

The man nodded, and he looked a little confused.

Ryder went ahead of us, and the lady at the reception immediately smiled at him. "Good evening, Boss." She greeted warmly. "Your table is ready."

"Can you please tell Jason to add three more? I have three more guests."

"Certainly, Sir." The lady said and she immediately spoke to someone on her headset.

The man turned to Uncle Reynolds. "Wow." He breathed. "You know some people."

My uncle laughed. He turned to introduce us to his friend, his wife and his son, who I learned is named, Daniel.

"Dan, for short." He said extending his hand to me. When I shook it, he gave it a squeeze.

I heard somebody clear his throat behind Dan. Dan turned towards Ryder.

"Daniel Hughes." He said extending his hand to Ryder.

Ryder shook it, but the expression on his face was cold. "Ryder Van Woodsen."

I don't know what went on, but somehow, I was afraid of the cold look both men exchanged with each other. I don't even understand why I feel guilty about shaking Dan's hand, or smiling at him. Ryder is not really my fiance!

"The table is ready." He said to my Uncle.

"Wonderful!" My Uncle said.

Ryder turned to me and took my hand in his. I saw Dan look at us before he followed his parents inside.

We were seated at a secluded VIP room. I sat between Ryder and my mother. Across the table sat Dan who was eyeing me curiously. And somehow, I don't know why I feel self-conscious. He is cute! Maybe not as cute as Ryder, but definitely way better looking than Bryan.

Ryder was sitting quietly beside me. When I think of him, I felt like I shouldn't even be looking at Dan, who was eyeing me with interest. I stared up at Ryder and I can see he has an irritated look on his face.

"Are you okay?" I whispered to him.

He wound an arm at the back of my chair and I felt him trace circles on my shoulder, but he didn't answer. He was looking at me, and I cannot read the expression on his face. He was fine before we stepped in the restaurant, and now he looked a little pissed. Was it because of Dan?

I smiled at him. I would rather spend time comforting Ryder with whatever it is that made him angry than make flirty eyes with Dan.

"Thank you." I whispered to him. "Uncle Reynolds seemed very pleased."

He smiled at me crookedly. "You're welcome."

"Is there something I can do in return?" I asked. "You don't look too pleased."

He shook his head. "I'm okay. I don't know what's gone over me." He whispered against my ear. "But I don't think I like the way that guy is staring at you."

I laughed. I didn't know what to feel. Confused, excited, thrilled, scared. All emotions enveloped me at once. But somehow, that made my heart jump in delight. Was he jealous?

"Are we playing the part of jealous fiance now?" I whispered to him.

"If I am, will you do something about it?" He asked evenly.

I smiled at him. "Yes. Maybe I'll play the part of comforting, loving, overly sweet fiancee."

His eyes finally glittered and then he replied. "Then yes. Hell yes!"

I giggled. I inched closer to him and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Then I leaned my head on his shoulder. I felt him put an around me and then he gave me a kiss on the forehead.

"So, Ryder, how did you manage to squeeze us in at the last minute?" Mr. Hughes asked. "I thought that was impossible."

My Uncle replied for him. "It is impossible. But you know Chuck, he owns the place. So nothing is impossible there."

Mr. Hughes was taken aback. "Oh. Really? But you're so... young!"

Ryder smiled. "Actually Sir, my parents own this place. I will not be owning it until next year."

"It's the same!" Mr. Hughes laughed. "How did you get to know Reynolds?"

"I'm marrying his niece here." I think that reply is directed more to Dan than his father.

"Oh, you're family now." Mr. Hughes said.

Ryder nodded. "More or less. I'm working my way in."

Dinner was nice. I can understand why people actually line up to dine here. The food was absolutely superb! The serving were big compared to other fine dining restaurants. The place is neat and cozy. The ambience is lovely. The menu has lots of variety.

"How do you find the food?" Ryder asked me.

I smiled at him. "Wonderful!" I said. "You have a Japanese cook?"

He nodded. "The best in the city."

"I wonder how much you pay him."

When he gave me a ballpark figure, I almost choked. His chef is being paid about five times the salary that Adam gives me.

"That much?"

"Well, we're generous with our employees. Without them, our business will not be this good."

"That's a great business practice." Mr. Hughes said. "I hope all companies are like that."

"No wonder everybody who served our table looks genuinely happy!"

"My great grandfather started as a waiter. He taught my grandfather, who taught my father, the value of the people who face your customers."

"Then your business will have a lot more years to go."

"That's the plan." Ryder smiled.

Ryder would give me occasional kisses and would constantly hold my hand. I enjoyed it. He's sweet, as always and I felt like I was stealing a few moments of heaven. Heaven, I know I will not be able to afford in real life.

My Uncle asked for the bill, and so did Mr. Hughes. Ryder shook his head. "No bill. My treat."

"Come on, getting us reservations is enough!" My Uncle insisted.

Ryder chuckled. "It's okay, Sir. Astrid or Astrid's family and friends don't pay here."

"Well, then thank you."

We parted ways with the Hughes. Dan came up to me and shook my hand. "It was lovely meeting you, Astrid. Not really... lovely to know you're already engaged."

I giggled nervously. "It was nice to meet you too and your family."

"Well, take care. And tell Van Woodsen to take care of you."

"Don't worry, I will." Ryder said coming up behind me.

"Thank you for dinner." Dan offered his hand to him and in spite of himself, Ryder shook it.

When Dan walked away, I stared up at Ryder.