Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
ELENA
The restaurant was nice. Way too nice. The kind of place where you might get stared at if you placed your fork on the wrong side of the table.
David was already seated, his back to a wall of windows that framed an expensive view of the city. When he saw her, he rose with practiced grace, his smile bright. He was in his element here.
"Elena," he said, stepping forward to greet her. "You look absolutely stunning."
His eyes moved over her with appreciation, taking in the burgundy dress Laura had insisted would ‘make her boobs look fantastic.’ The thought made Elena suppress a smile as David pulled out her chair.
"Thank you," she said, settling into her seat. "This place is... impressive."
"Best in the city," David replied, signaling a server who materialized instantly at his side. "We'll start with a bottle of the ‘82 cabernet."
He didn’t ask if she wanted wine from 1982, but she let it slide. This was how dating worked, wasn't it? Taking turns making decisions, learning each other's preferences. It had been so long since she'd done this dance.
The wine arrived, a deep red. Elena preferred white. David went through the ritual of sniffing and tasting it with the ease of someone who had done this many times before. Elena spotted a watch on his wrist that probably cost more than her monthly mortgage payment.
"So," David said, leaning forward, "tell me more about how it’s been going with the new protocol.”
Elena felt herself relax. This was familiar territory. "Well, we are still working through the data that is coming in from our patient set. But the patients we started with are beginning to see improvement.”
"That's impressive.” He looked thoughtful, swirling his wine. "And how is it coming for the deadline? I’m sorry to ask. I know the timeline was... ambitious."
Elena nodded, appreciating the diplomatic phrasing for what had been an unreasonable deadline.
"It's tight, but I think we are on track. We’ve been working extra hours to ensure we have sufficient data present at the deadline. My new research assistant has been invaluable. I don’t think we would have had a chance without him. ”
"The young man from the gala," David said, a note of recognition in his voice. "Quiet fellow, very intense."
"He's brilliant," Elena said. "And he is one of the hardest workers I’ve ever met."
David's eyebrows lifted, a smirk crossing his face before he masked it with a polite smile. "I'm sure he is."
Their first course arrived. The plate was meticulously arranged, containing microgreens and a foam that was apparently a deconstructed lasagna.
The server described the dish in words that were way too complex.
She found herself thinking of Finn. She held back a smile as she imagined what he would think of this place.
He would never have brought her to a restaurant like this in the first place.
She looked at her plate again. Was she really supposed to eat this? It was a plate with foam on it. David seemed to know which utensil to use without looking.
"So, tell me,” he said as they ate, "have you considered what you’ll do after this project? The private sector is always hungry for innovation in mental health treatment."
The question seemed innocent enough, but Elena felt a subtle shift in the conversation's direction. "Right now, I’m just focused on completing the work before the deadline," she said. "The board's support has been crucial."
"Of course, of course," David agreed readily. "But a mind like yours shouldn't be constrained by academic funding cycles. There are substantial opportunities out there. Some of them pay very well."
The second course arrived before Elena could respond. David turned the conversation to the wine, explaining its flavor notes with the enthusiasm of a true connoisseur. Elena nodded, finding herself struggling to listen to David’s wine lecture.
"What about you?" she asked when David paused for breath. "How did you end up at Bridgepoint?"
David smiled, setting down his glass. "Well, I studied finance in school. My plan was to work at one of the hedge funds on Wall Street. And I did, for a while. One of the most profitable funds I managed specialized in prescription drugs. It was eye-opening for me. I never realized how much money was in the healthcare industry.”
Elena nodded politely.
“Soon after that, I crossed over into the world of health. Still very profitable, but the healthcare field feels more meaningful,” he said with a smile.
“We both know you’re the actual hero though. I believe that what you are working on right now will be groundbreaking for the field,” David finished.
"We're still in the early stages," she said. "The focus now is on refining the protocol, ensuring its effective on a wide scale."
"Absolutely, the science comes first," David said. "Speaking of which, what's the compensation structure like for research of this caliber? The Institute must recognize the value of what you're creating."
Elena blinked, surprised by the direct question about her finances. David had an uncanny ability to shift every conversation to money. "It's... standard for academic research," she said. "The grant covers salaries and equipment."
"And does the grant compensate you for all those late nights?" David asked, without concern that the question he was asking was none of his business.
"The work requires dedication," Elena said, feeling defensive. "It's not just about the hours logged."
"Of course not," David agreed. "But your time has value. Real value." He took another sip of wine. "What about your research assistant—Finn, was it? Does he receive additional compensation for his overtime?"
Elena's spine stiffened. "No, that's not how academic research works. The grant provides a set stipend."
"So he's working all those extra hours for free?" David asked, his eyebrows rising. "Sounds like you found yourself quite the bargain."
The casual dismissal of Finn's dedication caused an unexpectedly potent anger to bubble in Elena. "It's not about money for him," she said, her voice cooling. "He believes in the research. In what we're trying to accomplish."
David's smile turned patronizing. "That's admirable in a na?ve sort of way. Though between us, anyone working that many unpaid hours is angling for something or doesn't understand their own worth."
Elena set down her fork with deliberate care. "He's working those hours because the board that you sit on fast-tracked our deadline," she said, not bothering to keep the edge from her voice. "And because he genuinely cares about helping people."
David's expression shifted, a flicker of surprise on his face.
"Of course, of course. Very admirable." He paused, swirling his wine.
"And I'm not arguing that he isn't brilliant.
I'm sure he is," David continued, leaning back in his chair.
"I'm just saying... if I were him, I would want to be compensated properly for my dedication.”
As much as she hated to admit it, he made a good point.
Finn should be compensated more fairly. He was probably more productive than the other three assistants combined.
But somehow, she knew it wasn't about the money for Finn.
She decided she would have to give him a generous tip for watching Miguel tonight.
Sensing some tension, David shifted to lighter topics. His recent trip to New York and the art gallery he'd visited. The world-class sushi restaurants he'd discovered. He was at his most comfortable when he was talking about himself.
Her mind was elsewhere. She thought of Finn and Miguel at her house. Miguel was probably being a pain about the homework. Hopefully, Finn was staying strong. The image brought an unexpected longing. She wished she were there.
The server arrived with the main course.
Another plate that was perfectly designed for a photo.
David eyed the plate with glee and used the opportunity to impress Elena with his knowledge of culinary arts.
Elena made appropriate noises of appreciation, but the food might as well have been cardboard.
All she could think about was the growing certainty that she was sitting across from someone whose values were completely and fundamentally different from hers.
"I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised when Jessica mentioned you were single," David said as they were finishing the main course. "Someone with your accomplishments and beauty. I would have expected you to have been snapped up long ago."
Elena took a sip of wine. "I've been focused on my research," she said. "And raising Miguel."
"Admirable priorities," David nodded. "Though work-life balance is important too.
All work and no play, as they say." His smile took on a different quality, more intimate.
"Speaking of which, I have an excellent bottle of scotch at my place.” He was already signaling the server for the check. “We can continue the evening there.”
Unfortunately for David, Elena felt an overwhelming desire to be anywhere but here, with anyone but him.
"I appreciate the offer," she said, reaching for her purse, "but I should get home. I need to check on Miguel, and I have an early start tomorrow."
David's smile faltered. "Of course, family first," he said, recovering quickly. "Another time, perhaps."
"Perhaps," Elena echoed in a bitter lie.
He insisted on paying the bill, waving away her offer to split it with the assurance that it was "his pleasure.
" Outside the restaurant, he stepped close, his cologne expensive and too strong in the cool night air.
"I had a wonderful time," he said, leaning in for what was clearly intended to be a kiss.
Elena turned her head slightly, so his lips brushed her cheek instead. "Thank you for dinner," she said, stepping back. "It was lovely."
On the drive home, Elena felt a wave of relief wash over her.
She rolled down her window, letting the cool night air clear away the lingering scent of David's cologne. There were several things that Elena didn’t like about David.
But what really bothered Elena the most was how he'd talked down about Finn.
Sure, Finn might not have had as much money or the same connections, but he was a better person than David. It wasn't even close.
As she turned onto her street, Elena felt a weight lifting from her shoulders. The lights were still on in her house, warm and inviting. Elena turned off her car, eager to return to the people who mattered to her.