~The Palace Restaurant~
Jessica's car pulled into the restaurant's parking lot, her hand resting gently on her belly.
A tangle of emotions coursed through her; anticipation, apprehension and a hint of resentment but her face remained perfectly unreadable.
From the driver's seat, the man glanced at her through the rearview mirror, noticing her faraway stare. "Ma'am," he said carefully, "we are here."
Jessica nodded. Her gaze lifted towards the tall, large building of the restaurant. The restaurant's frontage was warm and inviting, with tall glass windows framed by dark wood panels and soft uplighting that gave it a golden glow.
At its entrance was a well-crafted nameplate in elegant lettering, proudly displaying its name like a proud king: "The Palace."
A glance towards the glass doors revealed a uniformed doorman standing ready to welcome guests, his bearing humble and his smile warm and welcoming.
