THE RETURN!
873 Words
HIS POSSESSION
Chapter Two: The Return
The following evening arrived with the same relentless rhythm that defined New York City.
Luxury cars lined the streets outside Le Château as elegantly dressed guests disappeared through its polished glass doors. Inside, the restaurant hummed with quiet sophistication, every member of staff moving with practiced precision.
Ethan adjusted the cuff of his white shirt before tying his apron.
“Ready for another busy night?” Noah asked, balancing a tray of polished wine glasses.
Ethan smiled.
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
“You always say that.”
“And I’m always right.”
The two laughed before the dinner rush swept them in different directions.
By seven-thirty, nearly every table had been reserved.
The hostess welcomed guests one after another, while the kitchen worked in perfect synchronization.
Then, at exactly eight o’clock, the entrance doors opened.
The familiar silence returned.
Adrian De Luca stepped inside.
His tailored charcoal suit was immaculate, his expression calm as ever. Luca, his longtime bodyguard, followed a respectful distance behind.
The hostess greeted him with a polite smile.
“Good evening, Mr. De Luca. It’s a pleasure to welcome you back.”
“Thank you.”
“Your usual table is available.”
Adrian nodded.
As he followed her through the dining room, his gaze drifted naturally across the restaurant.
Not searching.
Simply observing.
Then he saw him.
Ethan was laughing softly with an elderly couple as he helped the gentleman adjust his chair before handing them their menus.
His smile looked genuine.
Not rehearsed.
Not forced.
For reasons Adrian couldn’t explain, he watched for another second before taking his seat.
The hostess looked around.
“Ethan?”
He turned immediately.
“Could you please take table nine again?”
“Of course.”
With menu in hand, Ethan approached.
A flicker of recognition crossed his face.
“Welcome back.”
The words came naturally.
No surprise.
No excitement.
Just warm professionalism.
“It’s good to see you again.”
Adrian looked up.
“You remember me?”
Ethan blinked, almost amused.
“You were here last night.”
A small smile tugged at the corner of Adrian’s mouth.
“I suppose I was.”
“You also ordered the filet mignon medium rare.” Ethan opened the menu. “Would you like to try something different tonight, or would you prefer the same?”
“You remember orders?”
Ethan shrugged lightly.
“Only some.”
“What makes them memorable?”
“The guests.”
It was such an honest answer that Adrian found himself pausing.
Ethan continued before the silence became awkward.
“Some people are in a hurry. Some celebrate birthdays. Some ask lots of questions.” He smiled politely. “Everyone leaves something worth remembering.”
“And what did I leave?”
Ethan thought for a moment.
“You thanked me.”
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
“Is that unusual?”
“You’d be surprised.”
For the first time in a long while, Adrian almost laughed.
Almost.
“I’ll have the same meal.”
“Very good, sir.”
As Ethan disappeared toward the kitchen, Adrian watched him weave effortlessly between tables, stopping to reassure a nervous young waiter carrying a tray of champagne.
“No rush,” Ethan whispered. “Take your time.”
The younger waiter nodded gratefully.
Adrian noticed everything.
Not because he intended to.
Because he couldn’t seem to stop.
Nearly an hour later, dinner had ended.
Luca approached quietly.
“The meeting with the Romano Group begins in forty minutes.”
“I know.”
“You seem… distracted.”
“I am?”
Luca hesitated.
“You’ve looked toward the same waiter several times.”
Adrian reached for his wine glass.
“Have I?”
“You never watch people without reason.”
Adrian offered no explanation.
Because he didn’t have one.
As Ethan returned with the bill, he placed it neatly on the table.
“I hope tonight was just as enjoyable as yesterday.”
“It was.”
“I’m glad.”
Ethan hesitated for the briefest moment before speaking again.
“If you ever decide to try dessert, our pastry chef makes an excellent chocolate soufflé.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“I think you’d like it.”
There it was again.
Another ordinary sentence.
Another casual recommendation.
Nothing more.
Yet Adrian found himself committing it to memory.
After signing the receipt, he stood.
“Goodnight, Ethan.”
For the first time that evening, Ethan looked mildly surprised.
“Goodnight, Mr. De Luca.”
Adrian inclined his head before walking toward the exit.
Outside, the cool evening air wrapped around the waiting black sedan.
Luca opened the rear door.
“The office?”
Adrian glanced once toward the glowing windows of Le Château.
“…Yes.”
He entered the car.
As the city lights blurred past the window, his thoughts should have been on contracts, territory, and tomorrow’s negotiations.
Instead, he found himself recalling a simple conversation.
“Everyone leaves something worth remembering.”
He wasn’t sure why those words lingered.
Perhaps they would be forgotten by morning.
Or perhaps…
This was only the beginning.
End of Chapter Two
- Writer
