Love at First Lie

Question's Answered

Katie followed John through the large engraved back door of Oak and Ember, leading her into the kitchen where she got the whiff of all the savory flavors at once. She had smelled the freshness of the rosemary, the sizzling of the butter that was ready to coat the chicken before being tossed into their respective sauces, and finally the desserts that made her mouth water as she walked by the ovens. She noticed how the cooking staff greeted John as he passed. The respect she witnessed made her more curious about why he needed to pay someone to be a mother to his daughter. Why couldn't one of his staff members do this job for him? Why did he want her?

She followed him out to the grand hall where the guests ate at their respective tables. He smiled at her as she took in the paintings on the ceiling, the eloquent lights that dimmed just right to make it seem intimate and the way the tables were arranged to give some sort of privacy to each dining guest. He pulled out a chair in the back corner where he usually sits when he needs to come in and do paperwork, looked deeply at Katie's curious sky-blue eyes and said, "Please, have a seat, I have to take care of some business first before I can join you. It will only take me a few. Would you like me to bring you back anything to drink?"

Katie thought for a moment before she sat in the chair he pulled out. She sighed as she sat looking down at the table as she replied, "I will be okay if you have to work. I don't want to be in your way. I'm used to eating alone, it gives me time to think through your offer. If you do find time, and you do come back, I would love a cup of coffee."

John nodded as he knew that it would only take a minute to let his staff know he was there. Checking in to make sure if they needed anything that they knew he would be in his usual spot in the back corner. The same corner where his dad proposed to his mom before the restaurant was even opened. He smiled as he turned to walk away as he said. "I promise I will be back in a jiffy. Then we can go over any questions or details about my offer."

Katie watched this strong-willed man walk confidently through the tables until he disappeared. Katie was once again in shock that this man was asking her to be a fake mother to his child. She wasn't sure if this was insane or a gift, but either way, it was not something to take lightly. She didn't want to be responsible for ruining a child's trust or leading her on. She was trying to come up with reasons to turn him down, but before she could come up with one John was back at the table with two cups of coffee in his hands. He sat across from Katie as soon as he placed the cups on the table. With a smile he said, "See, I told you I would be back. Now, do you have any questions about my offer? Oh and by the way, I hope you don't mind, but I told my chef's to send out two specials to our table."

Katie was uneasy as she lifted the ceramic cup to her mouth feeling the hot comfort touch her lips. She instantly felt better as she sipped on the liquid. She got the courage to ask, "So, why does a man of your stature need to pay someone to be a mother to his child? Don't you date? I'm sure you have many women interested in you. You are rich, handsome, and really well known that I'm sure that you would have been married by now?"

John was now the one that was put on the spot as he knew the questions would be asked, but he was desperate to help his daughter anyway he could. He hated seeing Jenny hurt. Hurt that she didn't have a mother. Hurt that her mother walked away without any reason. Hurt that she had nobody to be there for her. He just wanted to make her happy. So he swallowed his pride as he answered,"Jenny's mom walked away without a reason or a word when she was just a few days old. All she left was a note that read that she couldn't do this anymore. That it wasn't me, but her. Since then I have decided not to date. So the last seven years it has just been my brother Sean, his daughter Samantha, Jenny and I. Yes, I do have women who are attracted to me, but I'm not interested in any one. In today's world, it is hard to find someone to love that doesn't have strings that come with it. What you should know about me is that I'm the kind of person that is old fashioned. I won't marry unless I know it is true love."

Katie was intrigued because this gives her a new way of looking at people who have wealth. She always assumed that they marry for convenience instead of love. That surprised her so she didn't think before she asked. "Did you love Jenny's mom? Does Jenny know why? You have never found true love before?"

John was relieved when his lead chef brought their food to the table himself. This gave him some time to think through his answers. Sebatian was so proud when he placed his chicken alfredo on the table. He looked at his boss as he said, "I hope these were what you were hoping for. Please enjoy them."

John was grateful that he has had amazing staff and cooks that help make his business a success. He nodded his head at Sebatian as he took his first bite. "Well, done as always Sebatian. Your flavors are always impressive. Thank you, for bringing them out yourself."

Sebatian smiled as he walked back to the kitchen with the compliment still fresh in his head. Katie noticed how the chef was content with John. She took a bite as she savored the creamy alfredo sauce that had the perfect texture that melted in her mouth mixed with the buttery chicken to make the perfect combo. John watched as she closed her eyes as she enjoyed every bite. He saw a new beauty in the young woman as he saw peace come over her. He couldn't help himself so he finally answered her questions as he said. "I have never found true love. I thought I loved Jenny's mom, but it was more of infatuation. I think that is part of the reason why I choose not to be with anyone else. No, Jenny doesn't know why her mother left and I really don't know how to answer it. That is one condition of this agreement if you choose to take it is that what is said her tonight will stay between us,"

Katie just had one question before she decided on what to do about the offer. Something she needed to know. She watched John carefully before she worded her next question carefully. She finally asked, "Do you think it would ruin your daughter's trust if you pay someone to be her mom? What would you get out of all this?"

John was surprised at this because he never thought about the consequences before. He just knew he wanted to make her happy. He thought for a few before he answered. "No, I don't think we will hurt Jenny. I think she would be ecstatic. As for what I will get out of this, I'm hoping to gain a friend. Someone that I can turn to when my daughter has a girl issue. I can even draw up a contract if it makes you feel better."

Katie knew all too well what it was like to grow up without a mother. She thought for a moment before she answered by saying, "John, you draw up a contract I will look over it. After I see the terms I will make my decision.

He agreed as they finished up their dinner. They agreed to meet each other in a few days to look over the contract with each other.