The Blood Heiress

Dining Out

Adella

When our short trip in the elevator ended, I was greeted by an unexpected scene. A large, upscale shopping mall with white marble floors and a beautiful, artificially lit atrium, that was bustling with people. Restaurants and shops lined either side. Evander led the way out while I followed behind, taking all the activity in. I had frequented the mall, and thanks to Val, been introduced to the downtown boutiques. But this was a whole different level. High end, name brand stores where items were purchased just as much for the name recognition as the price.

Evander's long strides soon carried him away from me while I indulged in a lazy pace, window shopping as we went. Long gone was the immediate anticipation of good food when I had all these store fronts to look through. I paused enitrely in front of a*****e front that had the latest Burbank coats were displayed. Looking at them there, in the that window, brought me back to when I was just a kid trying to save up to get one for myself. I loved the way they were multipuporse, rainproof, windproof and on the cutting edge of style. But no one bothered to tell me it was a laughable goal. I never did make it. Ended up spending what I could scrimp together on a new pair of shoes after someone had stolen mine.

"Adella?" His smooth voice reeled me back to the present. I looked up at Evander peering curiously at me. Unexpectedly, not a single trace of impaitience was on his face. We locked eyes for a moment and he abruptly looked at the display. "We are late."

I nodded at the light admonsishment and pulled myself away. "Lead the way"

His lips curled into a wry smile that reached all the way to his eyes. "I believe I tried that already." He held out an arm and I looped mine through it obediently.

Evander guided us swiftly to the entryway of Korembei Grill. The tantalizing smells of their eastern cuisine wafted out to greet us. My mouth began to water and my excitment grew. This was a premier restaurant that many people only dreamed of being able to eat at. And here I was with Evander Santos ready to go in the front door.

The host at the podium ushered us in without a need to provide a name. We were whisked into a private table towards the back corner. Every single detail of the place was meticulously planned and coordinated.

The host stopped in front of the our secluded table. Evander let my arm go and pulled out my chair. I sat as gracefully as I could. Once he had pushed me back in, he took his chair across the table and gave me a smile. I returned it and grabbed one of the menus that has been left with us. After a few moments of perusal of the small, stark menu, I couldn't help but notice that there weren't many options.

"Are you going to order anything?" Evander hadn't bothered a bit with his own menu. Perhaps we really were here just for me. In which case I wasn't certain how to feel.

"Yes, of course"

"You already know what you would like?"

"The number two with extra dumplings" His attention was elsewhere and I followed it to find that almost every customer in the place was in some degree looking at us. Their curiousity evident. By the time I had figured that out Evander had moved on to taking in the art.

"The number two?" I asked him to be sure.

"Yes, but anything here is excellent. If it weren't it wouldn't be here." He sounded so confident and I didn't want to keep him waiting.

"Alirght I would like to try it." I set the menu down and out of nowhere a waiter appeared.

"Two number twos, some rice wine" Evander dictated before I could even get a word in.

Since we were in for a wait I broached a subject that had been on mind frequently.

"I understand that I shouldn't stay there, but do you think that I could visit my house sometime soon? You could come with me if you wanted. I just want to grab a few things myself and see Verity." I kept my attention on him, waiting for his reaction. Would he engage with me? Or avoid it?

"I believe that could be arranged. You must however be able to pass the first self defense test."

"Would I really be in that much danger just taking a quick trip there and back with you?" It seemed to me that he was acting exceedingly overprotective.

"You are never completely out of danger. However, having a goal is a brillant strategy to coax oneself to work harder." My mood soured then and of course it was written all over my face. And of course, Evander noticed with some amusement. Wonderful... "You seem to forget, Miss Smith, you needn't taken everything I say as law. We can visit your house anytime you wish."

"Why don't you answer like that to begin with? Why are your responses so sanctimonious or vague or .... or...." I sighed frustrated.

"It has been a long while since I have had constant company. I apologize again for my manners." A slight grimace fluttered across his face and then it was back to his schooled neutral.

Before I could get a definitive answer on when a good date might be, the dumplings were served along with our warm rice wine. Grabbing the chopsticks we each took a dumpling for ourselves. My dumpling suspended over the plate as I caught myself watching Evander eat. Slightly in awe that he did in fact, enjoy food. My attention seemed to finally register with him and he paused to give me an unsure look.

"What is it Adella?"

I blushed a little in embarassment and turned back to my own dumplings. "You were eating food. I haven't seen you eat food before. Sorry to stare."

He let out a light laugh and sat back in his chair. "It is quite alright. After so many years I have come to enjoy a great many foods. However, since food is not the fuel for my body, I am not compelled to indulge. Therefore I simply eat only the ones I like."

I gave an understanding nod and my dumpling made it finally into my mouth. The deliciously salty and umami flavors spread out across my tongue. Evander certainly had good taste.

"That makes sense. Why eat just to eat if you don't have to?" So a vampire had favorite foods. At least, this vampire.

"So, what are some of the foods that you like then?" I raised an eyebrow and c****d my head a little to one side inviting him to respond.

"No one has asked me that before." He looked off thoughtfully his lips slightly pursed in concentration. "Dumplings, blood sausage, sushi, truffle risotto, lobster. Is that enough or would you like more?" Icy blue eyes looked me over.

"That is up to you. I am just curious. Share what you want to."

He actually took my words at face value and thought some more.

"What kind of foods do you like?" He surprised me by turning it back to me.

Our main dishes were placed down as the dumplings dishes were taken off to make room. I inhaled the aroma coming off of my plate and my mouth started salivating. Evander hadn't moved a bit since he had asked me. I put trying my food on hold for a moment to answer.

"I haven't tried much of what you listed. Mostly, whatever the orphanage or school or the chef at the mansion makes. With that said my favorite so far is probably macaroni and cheese or mashed potatos and gravy." I paused and looked up to find an unusual expression on his face.

A storm had begun brewing. But I didn't understand how my words could get such a response, so I quietly waited tried to wait out. Our food sadly cooling in the process.

"The orphanage?!" His strangled sounding shout was muted so as not to draw attention. It still carried considerable weight. His eyes were fighting to stay blue and from where I was sitting I could clearly see the table giving way underneath his white knuckled grip.

I threw a wide eyed look around at the other diners. No one else had noticed the change in him.

"Adella, why were you at an orphanage?" His voice took on a growl and had increased in volume. Surely, someone would have noticed that.

"Evander," I whispered sternly. "What is going on?" I had never seen him lose a modicum of control.

I reached me hands across the table and put them gently on top of his. His skin was clammy and ice cold. But his grip on the table loosened. I grabbed his hands loosely and gave them a reassuring squeeze. The storm died down in his eyes amd it was replaced with bewilderment. I removed my hands when his breathing steadied and his eyes cleared.

He caught one of them and held it tightly. "We need to leave, now"

I nodded casting a casual glance at my untouched and expensive food.

"Have this brought up." He instructed the waiter that came with a snap of his fingers.

Releasing my hand, he stood and helped me to my own feet. His movements were efficient, calm and practiced. But his face, his eyes especially, betrayed his true feelings. He was shaken. He grabbed my hand back and we left the grill making our way to his elevator.

Mute, watching him with equal measures of curiousity and worry, we hurried back to the elevator. We waited together in a tense, charged silence. By the way stood it was apparent that Evander had calmed enough to put himself back in control. All the same, we wasted no time in boarding and I let out a sigh of relief when the car began its upward motion.

He turned to me then, whole body facing mine. A sad smile on his lips. His walls were down and I searched his honest face for the first time. A rare glimpse that lasted a mere handful of seconds. Thinking the better of it, he swiftly turned and faced the doors. His walls hastily slammed back up around himself. I turned my attention to the gilded floor, trying to process all that had just happened. We stayed like that until we arrived at the penthouse. He departed the elevator without a word or glance and I didn't see him the rest of the evening.

***

"Excellent Adella. Once more."

My fist finally made solid contact with the bag in front of me. Evander's praise fueled me forward. His praise, my mess of a life and my fluctuating anxiety over Cassian's lack of a phone call last night.

This morning had been rough, going on three hours of sleep. I shouldn't have bothered to wait up. I knew that now. I hit the bag two more times successfully. Solid contact with momentum. Sweat was running down my face and upper body at this point in the workout. Evander was still fresh as a daisy, no sweat stains, no dewey skin. But I had needed an outlet. I did it to myself. We had almost finished when I had asked to give the bag a go. Evander must have sensed my inner turmoil and had agreed without hesitation.

"You will get more power if you bring your elbows in more and fists up your face further. Lead with the right, gain power from your left foot." He waited for me to adjust. I attempted but was met with a frown. "Remember you are guarding and attacking at the same time." I tried to adjust my form based on his directions but I must have failed yet again.

With impossble speed, he moved behind me and reached around to adjust my arms personally. Goosebumps broke out all over at his touch. His cool fingers leaving a trail of cold fire where they touched my elbow, forearms and shoulders. What was going on? A shiver ran down my spine as I felt his breath against my ear. It all happened so fast but I felt every movement, every second so acutely. He moved away and I brought my focus back to the task at hand, shoving my concerns to the side. He had been nicer lately, almost soft with me. I was letting the moment we had in the elevator get into my head. And certainly my lack of sleep had something to do with it as well.

"Try again." He encouraged me as he took up his position behind the bag again.

I attacked the bag with renewed energy and found myself landing every punch as instructed. Evander moved away after a the seventh solid blow and led me back to the yoga mats. Time to cool down. Our stretches today took up more time, Evander must have noticed how untrained I was and had given me more time to catch up with his poses.

"Much better today Adella." My mouth quirked up into an instant, pleased smile.

"Thanks. I have a good teacher."

Evander nodded with his own satisfied smile on his face and patted me on the shoulder. I was surprised how much I enjoyed working out, training my body. It was liberating.

"In twenty minutes I will meet you by the elevator." He left the gym and I followed, headed for my room.

I wasn't going to waste a moment. I was in desperate need of a shower. And after the encounter with Jessica yesterday I decided I needed to up my wardrobe game too. Going for comfortable trousers and a sweater works but it didn't do what I had hoped; helping me stay under the radar. Since I was already on the radar perhaps going a different route might work. I chose matching her fashion game with some of my own. It might put her off messing with me again? It was worth a try.

A hot, quick shower and change of clothes later I was actually the first of us at the elevator. I didn't dare check my phone and make us almost late again. Not after how well things had gone this morning. Besides there most likely was nothing waiting for me anyway. The bittersweet feeling growing inside was immediately placed aside when Evander turned the corner and approached the elevator. I enjoyed watching the pleasant surprise and approval on Evander's face as he assessed my appearance. Now let's hope that this outfit will keep Jessica in her place and cement mine. We called the elevator and walked in, unlike the rides from yesterday, it was a comfortable silence that filled the cabin.

"You will be shadowing me today Miss Smith." I rankled a little under the use of my previous name. I needed to figure out when that could stop. If I was going through all this trouble to become someone 'worthy' of my parents' wishes for me, then I should be able to proudly wear their name.

"What are we going to be doing?"

"I will be overseeing the quaterly reports from five departments today. You..." His attention turned from the straight ahead to my upturned, waiting face. "are observing."

As usual, a few simple words from him elicited a fiery internal response from me. The shiny, gold color ceiling panels took my glaring and became the most interesting thing in the small space. Was it necessary for him to divide us constantly? To make the line between himself and myself so clear? In that moment he and Jessica were not unlike each other. I had never met anyone who rile me up as quickly as he could. Really anyone who could rile me up at all.

The constant provocation and my deeply rooted desire to prove my worth were all new to me. Evander, though, made me want to fight to establish that I was in fact, worthy. Of what I wasn't entirely certain but at least of being considered his equal. I was not less than. If my parents and he had been of the same circle I also belonged there.

After the longest ride together yet, the doors opened and I walked step in step with him. Not for too long though, as Jessica was quick to pounce. She made sure to angle in and push me behind. I was silently thankful to her however, as his steps were long and mine were shorter. My feet were upset with me already.

Using Jessica's attire from yesterday as a guide I had chosen my shoes poorly. Three inch heels and straps. I had never treated my feet so unkindly. While the rest of the outfit was a win, Jessica could keep her punishing footwear. I would never again be tempted.

We stopped in front of the conference room door. Miss Mayville left us then, her heeled feet happily clicking themselves away. There was a fleeting feeling of envy at the ease by which she moved in them. The conference room was a completely visible space with a wall of windows making up the barrier between inner office space and the room itself. A large table took up the majority of the space with comfortable office chairs around it. Eagerly, I took the empty seat to the right of the head of the table, where Evander sat, and almost let out an audible moan of relief that the rest of my day would be spent sitting.

Ten or so people soon filed in after us. Their curious glances were brief and not at all invasive. Once we were all seated Evander called up the first department head to present. A notepad and pen appeared in front of me. I guess I was doing more than just 'observing'. Poised with the pen over the pad, I wasn't certain what I was supposed to be recording. But nonetheless, I settled in and tried to pay close attention.