JONATHAN'S POV

I looked at Danielle as she took a bite of the chicken noodles, one I knew would be the best thing she had ever tasted and from her expression, my assumption was correct. It was a taste that was very difficult to recreate, trust me, I'd tried multiple times.

"What do you think?" I asked her. I felt a little bad that I had intentionally ignored what had just happened despite the questions in her eyes, but I knew she would understand soon enough. This restaurant was going to be in chaos soon, and we'd better eat as much as we could before that happened. Or rather, I'd better. After all, I was the one that was going to get chewed out.

She nodded and took another bite. "Wow. This is so delicious. No wonder the place is packed." She said with the food still in her mouth, so her words sounded muffled.

I laughed and also took a bite, going back to my childhood before all the problems had begun. This was exactly why I tried my best not to come here often. I needed to feel the nostalgia.

I knew the moment Danielle decided her immediate hunger had ceased, and she dropped her fork. "Did you distract me with the food?" She asked.

I nodded and took another bite of my food. "Yes and no. You will understand soon enough, and it's better to quench the immediate hunger first, or it will be difficult to later."

She frowned at my cryptic statement. "So who is she? Your ex-girlfriend? Someone you proposed to in the past and abandoned? Someone that has something on you?"

"No. Like I said, she's a really good friend of mine."

She rolled her eyes. "So why did she look so hurt when you said I was your wife? She looked like you had betrayed her."

I shrugged, going for the truth. "Because I didn't tell her. There wasn't really a reason to, and I didn't see the point in bringing their hopes up only to dash it when we go our separate ways later."

"Their?" I repeated the word that had confused me. Who else was there?

My question was answered as the restaurant opened and a group of six people entered, Stephanie leading the group. The group contained two older women, two much younger girls, and a man I guessed to be the husband of one of the women.

My eyes widened, and I turned to Jonathan as it was very evident they were heading towards us. Their presence had gotten the attention of every one in the restaurant as they all stared at the group.

"What's going on?" I whispered to Jonathan.

"They are the owners, and they rarely visit the restaurant, that's why people are so curious." He whispered back and I lightly slapped his arm. "Why are they coming towards us with those expressions? What's my business with the other people in the restaurant?"

Jonathan let out a quiet chuckle. "They won't hurt you. They don't bite, only bark." He whispered as they reached us.

I let out a hiccup as their eyes all fell on me. I turned to Jonathan since I was unsure who exactly I was meant to look at, only to find him smiling. I glared at him and put on a fake smile and looked at the woman whose glare looked the meanest.

"Is what your sister said true?" The woman most likely was talking to Jonathan, but she was still glaring at me, but that wasn't what had me glaring at Jonathan. Did she just say sister? I knew I was hiding things of mine, but he had introduced her as a good friend of his, even in her presence. What kind of relationship was that? Were these people his family? What of the ones that were present at the wedding? There were so many questions and thoughts running through me, but I couldn't exactly ask any of them, so I simply stood up. "Hi. I'm Danielle. Jonathan's wife."

Their glare finally moved on from me to Jonathan, who had the biggest grin I'd ever seen on his face. He raised his hand when one of the women brought out a knife from her apron. I looked around with wide eyes, but nobody was paying attention to us.

Jonathan raised his hand. "Alright. There was no need to bring out the knife. Won't you even hear me out? Don't you have a greeting for me?" From the woman and Stephanie's accent, it was obvious they weren't British. They'd probably moved here because of the restaurant. And why was I thinking about their accent now, with what was happening now?

Thankfully, the woman put the knife on the table. "We can't talk here. Escort them home." She said and she, the other woman and the man left, leaving Stephanie and the two younger girls with us as charmingly as they'd come.

I looked at Jonathan, who simply shrugged. "The queen has spoken. Come on, let's go and explain and ask for mercy."

I narrowed my eyes. I'd only read of mafia movement or things like that in a book but have never been unfortunate enough to experience it in real life. Was I finally going to experience it?

"Don't look so scared. They won't hurt you. They'll probably leave Jonathan with a few scratches or cuts at the worst, but not you. Don't worry, we accept people really easily and go easy on them." One of the girls said as she picked up the knife the woman had left. She looked about nineteen with her heavy eye and lip makeup, but I could tell she was way younger.

I wanted to burst into hysterical laughter, but the smile on Jonathan's face and the fact that Stephanie couldn't keep her glare on as Jonathan hugged her fully told me they were just trying to terrify me. Unfortunately, it was working. I needed a lot of time to accept things that weren't planned, and this night wasn't giving me that. I turned to the only person I could blame. "So you really won't tell me what is going on?" I asked, making my voice appear more scared than I was.

Jonathan took another bite of his food and stood up. "I would love to, but we don't have time. Come on, let's go. They're just trying to scare you."

"It's working." I snapped at him.

Jonathan studied me. "Are you really that scared?"

When I didn't respond, he turned to the three ladies. "You guys go ahead. We'll meet you there."

The other girl shook her head. "And have my head on the platter? We were told to escort you."

Jonathan sighed. "Alright. Let's go. I'm right behind you."

Stephanie took their hands, and they started out of the restaurant, Jonathan and I following closely behind. The door closed behind us and I tugged at Jonathan's hand.

"If it's not a big deal. Then why are the girls so scared of disobeying that they can't even let us alone for a second. It's not like you're going to run away." I said, staring at where three of them were staring at us.

Jonathan smiled. "It's just a joke between us. Ma likes to act like she's this intimidating authority figure that nobody can go against, and so we humor her."

I looked at him filled with doubt. "You say it's a joke, but the young girls may see it as abuse. Maybe you don't see it that way because you're way older, and she can't hurt you. Plus the knife. In a public space? Who knows what she does in private." I finished.

Jonathan held my shoulders, "You will need to trust me on this. Aren't you curious why none of the patrons paid any attention to us? It's just a running joke between us."

"Are you waiting till dawn? What are you guys doing? Getting your stories right?" Stephanie called out as one of the patrons came out. A stunning woman dressed elegantly in a red dinner gown. She had long blond hair and her makeup made her gray eyes stand out. She was the type of person people will turn back to see again when she passes in a street.

Stephanie ran to her and hugged her. "Thanks for coming, Evie. Will you be coming back?"

The woman smiled. "Of course. Tell Mom I'll keep on coming until she tires of me." She noticed that I was staring, and she started towards us, holding Stephanie's hands. "Hi. I'm Evie. I've seen you a lot in articles." She said with a stretched hand. I took it and smiled at her. "Hi." I wondered why she had bothered to come and introduce herself.

"You just looked so beautiful, and I couldn't resist telling you that. Plus, that blue looks gorgeous on you." She said, and my eyes widened.

"Thanks." I stuttered out, feeling my body grow warm. There was something that happened on the inside when a gorgeous woman complimented you. I smiled. "I thought the same about you. Your eyes are so beautiful and the gown looks stunning on you."

She smiled. "I'll see you around." And she was gone.

I barely heard Jonathan's question to Stephanie. "I see nothing has changed."

Stephanie smiled. "Of course. We have to keep the traditions alive. Come on. The later you guys come, the more fury will be poured on you. You'd better get it over with."

Jonathan turned to me and I smiled. "Sure. Let's go. I'll choose to trust you, but I'm also planning to make my own decisions when I get there."

Jonathan sighed but didn't say anything as we entered a junction that was next to the restaurant.

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