Chapter 15 : Different Isn't Always Good.
778 Words
The meal was served shortly after everyone took their seats.
It was a private dining room—quiet, elegant, with a long polished table set with delicate porcelain and silverware. Steam rose from the dishes, filling the room with the warm scent of well-prepared food, yet Michael found it difficult to focus. His attention kept drifting, uninvited, toward the girl seated beside Old Master Powers.
Emmaculate sat straight-backed, hands folded neatly on her lap. She ate slowly, politely, never reaching for more than she needed. There was no excitement in her eyes, no greed, no effort to impress. It was as if luxury meant nothing to her.
Old Master Powers noticed Michael’s distracted gaze and chuckled softly.
“Young Master Smith,” he said, lifting his teacup, “you’ve been staring for a while now.”
Michael paused, then smiled faintly, unembarrassed. “Forgive me, Old Master. I was just… curious.”
Henry lowered his gaze, pretending to focus on his food, though his mind was sharp and alert.
Michael turned slightly toward the old man. “May I ask who this young lady is? She seems very close to you.”
Before Emmaculate could speak, Old Master Powers laughed warmly. “Ah—this child?” His voice softened. “Her name is Emmaculate Neal.”
Emmaculate gave a small nod in greeting, her expression calm, almost distant.
“She’s my lifesaver,” the old man continued proudly. “A few years ago, I collapsed in public. Everyone was too afraid to help. Only her.” He glanced at her affectionately. “She didn’t hesitate.”
Michael’s eyes flickered. “You saved him?”
Emmaculate finally spoke, her voice quiet, even. “It wasn’t a big deal. Anyone would have done the same.”
Michael raised an eyebrow slightly. Anyone? He doubted that.
Old Master Powers waved his hand dismissively. “You see? Always like this. Never takes credit.” He sighed fondly. “She grew up in an orphanage. Life has been hard on her, but she’s strong.”
Emmaculate continued eating, clearly uninterested in the attention. She neither denied nor expanded on his words.
Michael studied her carefully now. Not with admiration alone—but curiosity. “You don’t talk much,” he said casually.
She glanced at him briefly. Her eyes were calm, unreadable. “There’s nothing important to say.”
The answer caught him off guard.
Most women he met tried to impress him. They laughed too loudly, spoke too eagerly, asked too many questions. Emmaculate did none of that.
“And yet,” Michael said lightly, “you seem very comfortable here.”
She shrugged. “Old Master Powers is kind to me. That’s all.”
Old Master Powers smiled. “I take her with me everywhere. Like a granddaughter.” His eyes softened. “The world hasn’t been gentle with her.”
Michael nodded slowly. “I can see she’s… different.”
Emmaculate finally met his gaze fully. “Different isn’t always good.”
There was no challenge in her voice. No flirtation. Just truth.
Michael felt something stir again in his chest. He wasn’t used to being spoken to like this—without fear, without admiration, without intent.
He smiled faintly. “Sometimes it is.”
She looked away, clearly uninterested in continuing the conversation.
Henry noticed everything.
The silence stretched, not awkward, but heavy with unspoken tension.
Old Master Powers cleared his throat, returning to business. “Now, about the contract—”
As the discussion shifted to figures and signatures, Michael forced his focus back to work. But his senses betrayed him. Every small movement of Emmaculate—the way she lifted her cup, the way she listened without intruding, the way she remained present yet detached—kept pulling at his attention.
She didn’t try to belong.
She already did.
When the meal ended, Emmaculate stood first. “Old Master, I’ll wait outside.”
He nodded. “Go ahead.”
As she turned to leave, Michael spoke without thinking. “Miss Neal.”
She paused, looking back.
“Yes?”
“I hope we’ll meet again.”
Her lips curved into the faintest, unreadable smile. “Life doesn’t always give us choices.”
Then she walked away.
Michael remained seated, staring at the doorway long after she disappeared.
Henry exhaled quietly.
Something had shifted.
And deep down, Henry feared it wasn’t just curiosity blooming in Michael’s heart—but the beginning of a fate none of them were ready for.
Yes,he was scared and worried about his young master and this young girl sitting here across there table,it will be a pity if she ended up tragically.
- Writer
