It's Not A Dream, Is It? Part 6

Abby stood in front of her bathroom mirror, judging her appearance. She had decided to wear something simple, since it was only her first dinner with Tom. She was wearing a simple red blouse with black dress pants. She didn't want to wear a dress or skirt for afraid of seeming to fancy. She walked out into the living room and was about to feed her cat when the doorbell rang.

"Just a second." she called. She quickly dumped some cat food into the dish and set it on the group. Then as quickly as she could answered the door. Tom stood in the doorway looking sharp as usual. He was wearing a blue button up shirt, no tie, and a dark suit jacket and pants.
"Hi." she said.
"Hello. You look very nice tonight." he said.
"Thank you. You do too." she said.
"Thank you. Are you ready to go?" he asked her.
"Yes. Oh, I just need to grab my purse." she said as she turned back to the living room. She looked around, but didn't see her purse anywhere.
"Hang on, I think it's in my bed room. You're welcome to come in, while I get it." she told him.
He stepped inside and closed the door slightly.
"I'll just be a second." she said as she stepped into her bedroom. Her purse was sitting on top of her dresser. She grabbed it and quickly returned to the living room. Tom was petting her cat, Mittens.
"I see you made a friend." she said.
He chuckled, "I love cats, but I'm far to busy to have one."
"They're good companions." she said. Tom nodded and then returned to the door.
"So shall we go?" he asked. She nodded and followed him out the door and locked it once in the hall. They continued outside and to a car waiting just outside the apartment building. The driver climbed out and opened the door for them. She thanked him and then climbed into the back seat with Tom right behind her.
"So where are we going?" she asked.
He smiled at her, "I know this lovely Italian restaurant, where we don't really have to worry about the press. It has a beautiful roof top dining area."
"It sounds wonderful." she said.
It took about ten minutes to get to the restaurant. On the way they mostly talked about the play. Once at the restaurant the driver climbed out and opened the door for them.

She climbed out and gazed in awe at the restaurant. It felt like they were in Italy. The whole building was composed of brick with vines growing up the sides. Light were strung up everywhere making the building seem to glow. Decorative bushes encircled the building along with several small round fountains.
"Oh! This place is beautiful!" she exclaimed.
Tom smiled at her and held out his arm.
"Shall we go in?" he asked.

She took his arm and let him guide her into the beautiful building. They walked up to the receptionist desk where a tall thin man stood.
"Good evening!" he said with a thick Italian accent. "Ah, Mr. Hiddleston! You're table is waiting for you and your lovely lady friend."
"Thank you, Lorenzo." Tom said.
He then led her to an old fashion cage elevator with door you have to open yourself. One of the waiters opened the door for them and closed it once they were in. The elevator itself was beautiful with it's intricate metal designs. When they reached the top she found herself struck speechless by the view.
"Beautiful isn't it?" he asked.
She just nodded, dumbfounded by it. The roof had an awning like top with various plants and flowers weaved into it. Beautiful glass lanterns also hung from the awning giving the roof a calm mood. Tom took her over to a table that sat in the corner of the roof; secluded from the rest of the tables. Tom let go of her arm and pulled out her chair for her.
"Thank you." she said as she sat down.
Tom took the set across from her and smiled.
"Do you like it?" he asked.
"It's beautiful. I don't think I've been to a fancier place in my life." she told him.
"I'm glad. Oh and this is for you." he said as, out of no where, he pulled out a single red rose.
"Oh, thank you..." she said.
She breathed in the rose's sweet scent. He just looked at her with his soft blue eyes. She couldn't help staring back. However, their moment was interrupted by the waiter. He was slightly built man and had thick black hair.
"So how are we doing this evening?" he asked with a light Italian accent.
Both Tom and her nodded.
"We're great." Tom said.
"Wonderful! My name is Antonio and I'll be your waiter this evening." the waiter exclaimed, "Now to start off with, can I get you something to drink?"
"Oh can we have a bottle of Chateau?" Tom asked.
"Of course. I'll have that brought right away and then I'll come back when you're ready to order you're food." The waiter said as he wrote on his note pad.
Then with one swift move turned and walked to another table.

She looked at Tom in surprise.
"Chateau, that's really expensive." she said.
"I thought you might enjoy it. Don't worry about how much something cost, just get what you like." he told her.
"You're very generous. Thank you." she said. He smiled and then looked at his menu. She did the same and look through the many entree's they had.
"Everything sounds good. I'm not sure what to get." she said.
He laughed, "Well it is Italian food, it's usually always good."
"True."

Eventually she decided on Shrimp Scampi and a Caesar Salad. Tom was going to get a Lobster ravioli and a garden salad. The waiter returned moments later with their wine. He set down the two glasses as he open the bottle. He filled them up half way and set them down in front of them.
"Are we ready to order, or do you need some more time?" he asked.
"I believe we're ready." Tom said, "You can go first."
"Okay, I'll get the Shrimp Scampi and the Caesar Salad." she told the waiter.
He scribbled on the note pad and then turned to Tom.
"Alright, I'll get the Lobster Ravioli and a garden salad." he told him.
"And what dressing would you like?" the waiter asked.
"Hmm, let's do Balsamic vinaigrette." he answered.
"Alright very good. I'll take your menus." he said holding out his hand. Tom and her handed him their menus and he left for the kitchen.
"So I was curious, how come you've never done a play before?" he asked her.
"Uh, well I have horrible stage fright and I mean horrible. I had to preform a monologue in front of my drama class in high school. I got up there and said the first line, but then I choked. I couldn't remember the rest of the lines. Fortunately my teacher knew I had prepared so I still got a relatively good grade. Still if I get up in front of people it usually doesn't end up well." she told him.
"Well everyone get's stage fright. Even I do and I've been acting for years. The thing is you can't let that stop you. Besides you're a wonderful actress." he assured her.
"Thanks, that means a lot coming from you, but I'll still need help. After all I've got a lot of lines to memorize." she said.
He smiled, "Don't worry. I'll be here to help you every step of the way."
She smiled back and fingered the petals on the rose.

Their waiter soon arrived with their meals. He set down each of their meals in front of them.
"Enjoy! And if there's anything else you need feel free to ask." the waiter said with a smile.
"Thank you very much." she said to the waiter. He smiled and then left.
They ate in relative silence, except for Dean Martin's song "Volare" playing in the background. The silence was broken when she had an exceptionally long noodle she attempting to each. Tom looked up from his own food and laughed. She was trying not to laugh or else she might choke on the noodle. She finally just bit it off.
Tom just laughed, "I think that noddle was a bit too long for you to handle."
"It just kept coming!" she exclaimed.
They both laughed then.

"You feel like having dessert?" he asked.
"Well I wanted that chocolate cheesecake, but I'll have to get it to go. I am so full." she said.
Tom nodded and then called for their waiter.
"Can we get two chocolate cheesecakes to go, please?" he asked.
"Of course. I get that along with the check and send someone out to clear your plates." the waiter said.
"Thank you very much." Tom said.

The waiter left and shortly after he did someone else arrived to clear their table. He was broad man and stood at least six foot. There was something familiar about him that she couldn't quite remember. The man must have realized it too, because he looked surprised when he saw her. He glanced away and finished clearing off their plates. Once he left her attention was redirected back at Tom.

"Is there something wrong?" he asked.
"No, at least I don't think so." she told him, but she wasn't so sure herself.

The waiter returned with their deserts and check. He handed her the two small bags that held the cheesecakes and handed Tom the check. Tom just handed him his credit card without even looking at the check. The waiter left and then quickly returned with two receipts.
"Sign here, please." the waiter said pointing to the first receipt.
Tom did and the waiter handed him the second.
"You two have a wonderful rest of your evening. We hope you come and dine with us again soon." the waiter said and walked off with the checks.

"Are you ready to go?" he asked.
"Yes." she said.
They both stood and Tom held out his arm again to her. She took it and they returned to the elevator. Once outside the hotel they waited for his driver to pull up to them. This time Tom opened the door for her and took the desserts.
"Thank you." she said as she climbed in.

Tom got in after her and closed the door behind him. His driver took them back to her apartment. Tom got out first and opened the door for her again. He handed her the back with her desert in it.
"I'll walk you to your apartment." he said putting a arm around her shoulders.
She felt herself blush when he did. They went inside and climbed the stairs to the second floor. They reached her apartment and stood just outside the door.

"Well thank you, Tom. It was a wonderful evening." she said.
"Thank you for coming with me and making it a wonderful evening." he said.
He smiled at her and she smiled back. Slowly he moved in closer and kissed her on the cheek.
"Goodnight." he said softly.
"Goodnight..." she said back. He turned and left, leaving her paralyzed with happiness. She seemed to glide into her apartment. Then after she had gotten ready for bed, she climbed under the cover. She closed her eyes and sighed. Tonight in her dreams she would be flying.