14. Free food & possible new beginnings
1117 Words
“She invited you to lunch?”
The surprise he encountered when those exact words flew out her mouth, was something he was still trying to understand.
It logically made no sense at a point. Why would these two women grown to despise eachother think of having a peaceful lunch—not like it would be at all peaceful be best.
He just couldn’t wrap his head around it.
Nodding her head she grinned. “Yep, free food.”
His wrinkles on his forehead deepened further in confusion. Scratching his chin he asked yet another question. “Because she wants to start on the right foot with you?”
“Correct!” she squeaked enthusiastically.
Not at all a good sign to say the least. He let his worried mask fall as an exhausted sigh left his mouth. “You are going to make her regret it, aren’t you.”
“Why not?”
“Scarlet, as much as I love you maybe you should not.” he offered a light smile trying to surpass the worry his voice carried.
She definitely would not have it that dull, it was no fun.
“Where is the fun in that? And besides it’s not like I’m going to make it that bad, I will just be me.”
“Don’t be you. Please don’t you!” he panicked glaring at the girl as she stood from her seat.
She didn’t care at all as her gaze was on the slightly open door. Smiling back at Jayson she spoke. “And there comes my date.” pointing towards the door.
Following her gaze he caught a quick glimpse of the woman, turning back to his friend he clenched his jaw. “Scarlet!” the guy hissed glaring at her at a last attempt to warn her to behave.
While by the door the woman simply shook her head. “I’m not falling for your tactics, we are having a civil lunch together and I am not your date.”
She ignored him walking around her desk, her gaze fixed on the woman glaring at her.
“You did ask me to lunch, you came to pick me up and oh look!” walked past the open door she grinned at her. “You held the door open for me.”
“Are you going to be like this through out lunch?” she inquired walking besides her to the elevator.
“Definitely my love!”
Chiara shook her head as she took a step into the elevator—simply just sighing, but she wasn’t the only one sighing. Jayson stared at them with a frown—Scarlet the most, slowly as the elevator doors closed.
Maybe both of them were overreacting—it could be a possible new beginning of some sort.
§
It hadn’t been to say the least, Scarlet was still her teasing self. “You haven’t talked since we left, have I got you speechless?” she smirked wiggled her eyebrows across the table.
Placing her phone face down on the table she sighed. “Could you please—”
“Behave?” finished Scarlet with a wide smile. Disapproving with a head nod she spoke, “I don’t think I can.”
“Wine?” their waitress asked holding out a bottle of wine. Approving with a soft hum Chiara watched as the waitress filled her glass.
Whilst Scarlet only covered the empty glass. “Thank you but I’ll pass, do you perhaps have a non alcoholic beverage—or just water.”
She gave her a nod before disappearing off to look for her preferred choice.
“You don’t drink?” Chiara questioned moving the glass away from her lips, the tip of her tongue licking off the drops of wine off her lips.
With a gasp Scarlet glared at her. “That’s absolutely outrageous, I’ll have you I have been drinking water all my life.”
“I’m being serious.” she hissed.
“Righg that. I don’t drink—not anymore.” she mumbled, her eyes watched as the waitress filled up her glass with orange juice.
“Why?”
Waiting on her to leave she drunk a sip of her juice. The waitress had been busy refilling Chiara’s glass with wine.
“Too personal to answer plus you are a stranger.” she responded once the woman was out of the room. A private booked room just for them, no disturbances and mainly the press—to invade.
“Fair point I guess.” Chiara whispered picking up her fork and knife, ready to dig into the meal.
“So what are we supposed to do at this point?”
She chewed down the piece of steak, thoroughly eyeing the curious girl. Once she swallowed she answered her question.
“Keep a conversation going, light and one to know eachother.”
“How old are you then?” Scarlet bluntly asked drinking from her glass.
“Didn’t your mother tell you it is rude to ask a lady her age?”
She hummed placing the glass down. “I see—you old old.” a smirk appeared on her face as she tossed into her mouth a fry from her dish.
“I am not.” Chiara pursed her lips dropping the utensils down into the dish, making a clicking sound as they hit eachother.
“Then why you sensitive about?”
“It’s rude!” she hissed.
With a sneer on her face Scarlet spoke. “You are just too old, but you don’t have to be shy about it around me. I don’t care if you are in your sixties.”
“I forgot you mingled with the older woman.” Chiara whispered taking a sip.
“That I certainly do!” Scarlet smiled widely.
With a sigh Chiara chugged down the remaining contents of the glass. Slamming the empty glass against the table she glanced up to Scarlet.
“I’m forty as of today.” she pursed her lips together studying Scarlet as her face lit up, giving Chiara a bit of confusion to be honest.
“Really?”
“Yeah?” she whispered a bit uncertain.
“Get up, come on trust me!” she spoke getting Chiara off her seat as well, her hand lightly gripping her forearm.
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see!” she squealed walking the confused woman out the room, but not before placing cash on the table to cover the bill.
She might have lied a bit—she was not going to have free food, mostly when it was her birthday—it was a treat.
- Writer
