by Rhea Wilde
There were multiple entrances to get into the dining hall, probably because the servants needed so many different ways to get in. On the wall, there were pieces of art that were undoubtedly expensive even though I didn’t have an eye for it. I could only imagine what Leigh or Jacob would say if they saw the pieces.
Above it all, there hung a chandelier with a number of lights on it that I didn’t even want to think about counting. Crosby once told me that the dimmer switch was never turned on completely because it would be too blinding. I told him my curiosity would see exactly what he was talking about one day and he simply warned me not to stare for too long.
The servants dusted and cleaned the dining hall even though it was only put to use on rare occasions. Everybody, including Stephen himself, ate their meals at the smaller tables in the kitchen. I never asked why. Maybe it was more convenient for everybody. I assumed it was because they wanted to preserve the sanctity of the main dining hall. If it weren’t a special occasion, there was no need to eat in the middle of such extravagance.
Apparently, tonight was one of those exceptions.
“Stephen never eats here.”
“He does.”
“I know he does. I mean, he doesn’t eat here regularly.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“But he’s eating here tonight.”
“Yes.”
I watched as Camille began placing the table settings on the long dinner table. I sighed and put my hands on my hips.
“So… Why is he eating here tonight?” I asked.
“I don’t question Master Stephen,” she replied. “I only do what he asks in regards to his meals. I’m his chef. It’s not my responsibility to ask the occasion unless it’s necessary.”
“Okay…”
“Come on. Help me with this. If I know you, you don’t know the difference between a soup spoon and a salad fork.”
“Yes, I do. One’s a spoon and one’s a fork.”
“Good. Now all you have to do is learn where to put them.”
I saw a smirk from the corner of her mouth as she continued to set the table. Instead of getting angry with her sarcasm, I shook my head and laughed it off.
“Well, it’s good to see you still have a sense of humor about all of this,” I remarked.
Camille and I quickly finished setting the table then returned to the kitchen to finish the rest of dinner. When the food was done, the servants took the food into the next dining hall. I took my apron off and sighed.
“I wonder what’s so special about tonight,” I whispered to myself.
“Why don’t you see for yourself?”
“What?” I said as I looked at Camille.
“Come on.”
She motioned for me to follow her and I did. When we stepped back into the dining hall, Stephen sat at the head of the table while one of his butlers served him. I walked just behind Camille as she took a seat near the head of the table next to him. Stephen looked up at me and held his arm out to the other seat across from him.
“Sit,” he said to me.
“Me? You mean… We’re the ones having dinner. And just when I thought it might be a special occasion…”
“What was that?”
“Nothing.”
I smiled at him and one of the servants began preparing my plate for me.
It was just the three of us. Camille seemed indifferent about the whole experience. My short-haired teacher only sat there and observed the food as it was presented on the plate in front of her.
Stephen was just as rigid and proper as he always was. A young man so stiff like he hadn’t taken the jacket off of its hanger before he put it on. I assumed that he would have been more relaxed after my experience with him just a few nights ago. I’d like to think that the sex at least was enough to loosen him up. But he still maintained a regal quality rare for a man his age.
I scratched the side of my temple as I wondered what exactly this was all about. It was the first time the three of us had ever had dinner before. Strange, considering dinner was part of the reason I was hired in the first place. As I sat there and contemplated all of the possibilities, I threw my hands to the side and shrugged.
“All right,” I said. “What’s this all about?”
“What’s what—”
“Stephen, please. We never have dinner together. And nobody ever has dinner in this dining hall. Not just for three people. What’s this all about?”
“All right… I didn’t want to say it immediately but…”
“Yes?”
“I wanted to thank you. Both of you. Camille, you’ve been there for a long time for me. I appreciate the effort you’ve put in. Dealing with Aria has been your toughest task to date and I commend you for it.”
“Hey!”
Camille did her best to hide her smile. She nodded to Stephen and thanked him. Then he turned to me.
“Go ahead,” I said. “I don’t mind flattery.”
“Yes, I’ve already assumed that,” he said blankly.
“Go on,” I said with a grin.
“But… I see the progress you’ve made. I appreciate the work you’ve put in. You’ve helped me. More than you realize.”
“What can I say? That old Aria charm doing its work.”
“We’ll have to work on your modesty.”
“Sorry…”
He reached his hand across the table and placed it upon mine. I looked down at it then moved up to his face. I could see the sincerity in his eyes as his lips began to move.
“Thank you.”
“…Yeah. Sure… No problem…”
We stared at one another for a few seconds before he took his hand away and cleared his throat.
“But I didn’t want to have dinner with the two of you just to thank you. I wanted to tell you both something.”
“An announcement?” I asked. “I hope it’s good news…”
“It is. As you know, I’ve been working to locate an appropriate spot in the city for my proposed restaurant. It hasn’t been easy. Most of the prime spots are reserved for certain people. Any other place means absolute financial failure. Normally, I would have refused anywhere else. But I’m not going to do things how they’re expected to be done. I’m up to the challenge. And I’m looking at the two of you to be there with me. Construction will begin immediately. We will be opening our doors in only a few months.”
“Wait,” I exclaimed. “What? Just like that.”
“Just like that. Don’t worry. You won’t be doing this alone. But I hired you for a reason. I hope you can live up to the expectations I first perceived when I met you.”
“I…”
I looked across the table and Camille gave me an encouraging smile. Then I looked at Stephen and he stared at me, cool, calm and collected.
I knew what kind of man he was. A facade so formal and proper hid the man inside of him that was trying to break free. This wasn’t about me helping his restaurant. This was about me helping him fulfill everything he couldn’t do alone. Maybe it was too much responsibility for someone like me but I knew that I had no choice but to embrace it. I owed that much to him. I didn’t know what to expect. For me. For him. For us. But I couldn’t stop now.
“I’ll be ready,” I said.
“Good,” he replied. “I wouldn’t expect anything less from you, Aria.”
Author’s Note
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Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Author’s Note