Chapter 64: Blanka Silber. (2/2)

The hotel was on the road, big and bright with night lights, polished floors, luxury cars parked outside, even a few valets who came over seeing Max’s bike, their eyes instantly going to the Ducati like it was something rare. It was a rich area and everyone knew if someone was driving a Ducati it was sometimes more expensive than a premium car.

” You can’t drive it, show me the way to safer parking, and Blanka, wait here for me, I’ll park it and come back ”

Max stopped his bike in front of a valet, the valet wanted to take his bike out of habit but Max shook his head once, firm but polite, no one touched his machine. Then he looked at Blanka gently who was looking extremely cute with the red helmet on, the visor a little big for her face, making her look smaller and softer than usual.

” I will wait for you here ”

Blanka jumped down from the bike carefully, boots touching the ground one by one, then steadied herself with one hand on Max’s shoulder. She kept her helmet on like it was something very precious, both palms holding the sides for a second as if afraid someone might take it away, the red shell shining under the hotel lights.

Max nodded his head once at her, calm and assured, then turned the handle smoothly and rolled the bike forward, the engine humming low as he disappeared into the underground parking ramp, his tail light fading into the dark slope below.

…

Max came back with his helmet in his hand, the strap looped around two fingers, steps relaxed and unhurried. The light from the underground ramp faded behind him while the hotel entrance lamps spilled warm gold across the pavement. He didn’t want Blanka to stand there alone wearing a helmet like she was waiting awkwardly, so he carried his too instead of putting it on. Seeing her standing quietly under the bright light by herself made him smile a little.

Blanka never judged him, not even back when he wore cheap clothes and old shoes while she still shined like a rich girl from another world. She always treated him the same. She was a rich girl with lots of good and bad habits, and somehow even the bad ones felt cute now, small things he didn’t mind anymore.

” Max ”

Blanka’s cheerful voice came the moment she heard his footsteps. She turned quickly, almost hopping once, both hands still clutching the helmet on her head like it was something precious. The red shell looked big on her, visor half raised, cheeks warm, eyes bright. It shouldn’t have suited her, but somehow it did. The charm was just different.

” Blanka, let’s go, you’re hungry right? ”

” Y…Yeah… we’re eating here? ”

” Yes, I’ll drop you to your dorm ”

Blanka blinked when she properly noticed the five-star hotel in front of her, her steps slowing on their own. The building rose tall and bright against the evening sky, glass walls glowing warm gold, polished stone catching the street lights like water. It was a famous hotel in all of Germany. She had eaten at many expensive places before, but this one she had only seen from far away, never this close.

Max didn’t make a big deal out of it. His helmet was already hanging from his fingers, so he stepped closer and helped her loosen the strap under her chin. She lifted it off herself and held it tight against her chest, like something precious.

Then the two of them walked inside side by side, each carrying their own helmet, shoulders almost brushing, looking less like guests and more like a quiet couple coming back from a late ride.

The hotel lobby was grand. The moment they stepped inside, cool air and a soft clean fragrance wrapped around them, subtle but expensive. The lights were bright yet gentle, and marble floors were shining under their feet. Staff and guests moved everywhere with purpose, but even in that busy flow a uniformed attendant noticed them, walked over smoothly, bowed slightly, and politely offered to take the helmets from their hands.

From the lobby, they followed the hostess through the quieter side of the hotel, their footsteps soft against the polished marble while the noise of the street faded behind the thick glass doors. Each step made a faint echo, then disappeared into the carpeted hallway ahead.

The path curved past a lounge where a few guests sat low on velvet chairs, then down a warm-lit corridor where the air smelled faintly of butter, grilled meat, and fresh bread. Staff moved smoothly, trays balanced, doors opening and closing without sound, like everything here ran on silent rules.

” You look very pretty today, why did you dress up so beautifully? ”

” Are you jealous? ”

Blanka smiled with a teasing face, eyes slightly narrowed, waiting for his reaction. Max just smiled at her and shook his head once, hands relaxed in his pockets.

” Well, first day of university, wanted to look good, met a bunch of fake friends. How about you? When did you buy such a cool bike? ”

” Well, I’ve you as a real friend, then got another. His dad sells bikes, so I got one for moving around more easily. ”

Max walked like it was nothing special, helmet already handed off to the attendant earlier, one hand in his jacket pocket, the other lightly guiding Blanka by her sleeve when the floor dipped a step lower. She kept glancing around, eyes wide but trying not to look too impressed, even though everything clearly amazed her.

At the end of the hall, the restaurant entrance opened up, dark wood panels, warm gold lights, and a small plaque near the door showing its Michelin-star rating. The menu stand beside it listed the prices clean and simple, tasting menu around €180 per person, mains €70, desserts near €20. Numbers that would scare most students. Max didn’t even slow down. He just reached for Blanka’s hand and walked in.

Inside, everything felt softer and sharper at the same time. Low music, quiet talk, plates placed like artwork instead of meals. Chefs worked behind the open kitchen with fast, exact hands, flames jumping for a second then dying, knives tapping in rhythm against the board.

” My Lady ”

” Thank you ”

Max pulled Blanka’s chair out before sitting himself, small actions but natural, not trying to impress anyone. She sat carefully, hands on her lap, still glowing a little from the ride and the helmet hair, looking both cute and gorgeous even in such an expensive room.

He didn’t stare at the décor or act amazed. Just one calm scan out of habit, checking exits, tables, space, then settling down. When the waiter came, he ordered straight, real food, high calories, enough to refill his body, no hesitation, no price checking. Blanka watched him with quiet trust, the same way she always did, like wherever he chose to take her automatically became the right place.

When Max looked Blanka’s way to see what she wanted to eat, he saw she wasn’t even checking the menu, it stayed closed in her hands while she was just smiling at him under the warm restaurant lights, eyes soft and relaxed like she had already decided.

” I’ll eat whatever you order ”

She slid the menu toward him gently and placed both hands on her lap, trusting him completely without even asking the price or choices, like wherever he was, whatever he picked, was fine for her.

” Alright ”

Max nodded once and took the menu, already deciding in his head what she would like, something warm and sweet and filling, the kind of food that would make her happy, ordering for her like it was the most natural thing in the world.

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