Revenge of the Heir

Beginning

Eric had just finished the reservations for a hotel and high end restaurant that had a sitting for a meal prepared by the 3 Diamond Chef Maestro while he was in town. She walked up to him with the keys, as he grabbed both of their bags as they headed for the rental car lot.

“So, did you find anything?” She asked as they looked for the car as she looked at the slip of paper again.

“I did indeed, we will need to go to the hotel and than go shopping.” He said as she looked at him crossly.

“Who is paying for this shopping?” she asked him as he looked at her with a smile.

“Are we nervous Ms. Winters?” he asked her sweetly as she found the car.

“You want to talk about this now?” she asked him as she crossed her arms. He had learned long ago that she had a trust fund, and although she did not have as much money as he did, she had enough to worry about.

“Whenever you want we will have that talk, may be more interesting than what you might think. Tonight is our first date, I will pay for everything, especially as it is a dress you need to go shopping for.” He told her as he intentionally stepped closer to her as he set the bags down. “After all, we should have had this talk before you told your parents I was likely to propose any day now.” He said as she blushed slightly.

“You aren’t going to let me forget that, are you?” she asked just above a whisper as she was nervous about how close he actually was.

“I might be enjoying the irony of it as the first rule of West Point is no fraternization between Cadets.” He said with a raised eyebrow.

“You can’t tell me you never had the thought yourself.” She stated defensively.

“Nope, I cannot tell you that. I had that thought frequently when we were almost always assigned to be partners for any group projects.” He said before he dropped the bags and grabbed her face gently. He leaned in just a bit closer, and kissed her before she could react. He felt her surprise as the kiss started, before she wrapped her arms around his neck and deepened it while pulling his closer.

By the time he leaned back they were both breathless, and she was shocked at how much she actually enjoyed it.

“Now that we have addressed that there is, and always has been chemistry between us, shall we go on our date? I assure you all expenses tonight are on me.” He said as he grabbed the bags and she popped the trunk. She suddenly realized that she did not bring many civilian clothes, and that could quickly prove to be a challenge if they were together the entire time.

An hour later she pulled into one of the fanciest hotels in the entirety of New Vegas, and she knew that rooms here started at $500 per night. They parked themselves, as she had been taught to be frugal with her money her entire life. He knew what he was about to do would be a huge wake-up call to her, as he had been granted access to 10 percent of his inheritance when the judge ruled. They both walked up to the desk, and he placed his ID on the counter. Reservation for Christensen.” He said as the teller picked up his Military ID, and scanned it.

“Yes sir, Suite 10001.” The clerk said as he had 2 keys made for the honeymoon suite. “Is there anything else you will be needing for your stay tonight?” he asked a few moments later when he set the keys on the counter.

“Can we have our bags sent to the room, and where would be an establishment we can get some outfits for our Maestros reservation at 8?” he said as he looked at his watch. It was 2 in the afternoon, and he knew they could get quite a bit done.

“We have a tailor here in the building that would be able to get you squared away sir. It is on the 3rd floor of the shopping concourse.” He said indicating the multitude of shops around the Casino. “Shall I inform them that you will be arriving shortly?” the clerk asked him.

“Yes, tell him we will be there in about half an hour. We need to get a bite to eat first.” Eric said as he heard her stomach growl.

“Very good sir, I do hope you will enjoy your stay with us.” He said as Eric took the keys and handed one of them too her before they both walked to the food court.

“Half hour means something fast.” She said as they both spotted the noodle shop and began walking to it at the same time. “Do I want to know what that room costs every night?” she asked.

“Not as much as dinner is going to.” He said with a smile as she looked at him in shock.

“What does that mean?” she said as they looked at the menu on the wall.

“Doesn’t mean anything more than what I said. I believe your point was that from a certain perspective the room would be an extravagant expense. However from my point of view, dinner tonight is going to be more expensive than the room.” He said as they stepped to the side and waited for their bowls.

“OK, than how much is the room per night?” she asked.

“Are you asking because you intend to decide if you are going to pay me back?” he asked her with a smile as she blushed a bit.

“Maybe.” She said as she looked at him. “Can I ask you something?” she asked him.

“Sure.” He said as their bowls were delivered and they found a quite corner to sit and talk while they ate.

“How many of the rumors about you were true?” she asked.

“I don’t know. I stopped caring after I had been there for 4 years which ones were spreading. You can ask anything you want, and I will answer honestly.” He said with a smile as she blushed and had naughty thoughts cross her mind.

“We’re you there on scholarship?” she asked.

“Yes, all 15 years I had scholarships.” Eric admitted before taking a bite of his soup.

“So you are poor?” she asked him and he shook his head no making her confused. “But if you were on scholarship?” she asked confused.

“Scholarships, plural. I had about $1 million in scholarships every semester. I invested a good portion of the money, plus my inheritance from my parents. I am not poor by any stretch of the imagination.” He told her as she was stunned.

“A million per semester?” she asked shocked.

“On average.” He said before he took another bite.

“Orphan?” she asked him.

“Yes.” He answered simply for a moment. “They died in a plane incident when I was 6, shortly after I was placed at West Point. There are not many details I can give you yet. Especially not here.” He said with a raised eyebrow that she understood all to well.

“Genius?” she asked.

“Depends on who you ask I suppose “ he answered.

“Took almost nearly degree program offered at West Point?” she asked.

“Covert Operations Command and Supply Chain Management were the only two I did not complete or attempt.” He answered as her jaw about hit the floor while she chewed her bite.

“Why were you not too of the class than?” she demanded knowing she couldn’t compare to that.

“Because I was technically not part of your class when we were paired as freshman. I had already been at West Point for 11 years, it just so happened to mark the 4 years it would be before I graduated and lost a good portion of my scholarships.” Eric told her as they both finished their lunch and walked up the stairs to the third floor.

The tailor shop was extravagant, and Holly almost turned back when she saw the price of one of the dresses.

“Relax, I am paying today, remember.” He said as she allowed herself to be showed in. She didn’t know the conversation with the gConcierge had been a cover, as this was a very exquisite shop.

“Do you have an appointment?” the receptionist asked.

“We do, name is Christensen.” He said as they walked in holding hands.

“Madam, if you will follow me. Sir, the gentlemen will be right with you.” The woman said as he told Holly to go join her.

Eric looked at some of the designs, and decided he liked these ones. He had just taken note of a third one he liked when the Tailor walked into the men’s sizing area.

“If you would like to begin sir?” he asked.

Eric walked over and stepped onto the platform, where the older gentleman began taking measurements so they could quickly make his custom fit suit in just a little time.

“So what brings you to New Vegas?” the older man asked him.

“Work ironically, was just recently posted nearby and was told to take a vacation.” Eric said making the old man chuckle.

“They are more important than one might think. Letting go for a few days can lead to more happiness than might know otherwise.” The older gentleman said as he finished the measurements. “Were you able to select a fabric?” he asked as he lead Eric to step off the platform and into the men’s section of the shop. He carried a tablet with him, and his selections would be ready within two hours.

Eric spent several hours in the shop selecting things, and had instructed the staff with Holly that anything she said she liked, she got whether she protested or not.

At exactly 6:30 they were brought back together in the foyer of the shop, and Eric felt his heart skip a beat when he saw her. She had selected a blue dress that had a slit up the one side to mid thigh, and a deep v to accentuate her cleavage and another down her back.

“You could have warned me it was a spa treatment as well.” She said slapping his arm playfully.

“And ruin the surprise?” he asked her chuckling to himself.

“Enjoy your evening sir, madam.” They both said as Eric had already settled the bill and tip for them.

“Thank you, we will.” Eric said as they walked to the front of the hotel where their limo was waiting for them.

“Is this meant to impress me?” she asked very impressed he would go all out like this.

“Actually it is required for the venue we are attending tonight. Clothes included.” He told her as they both got it. The driver did not need to ask where they were headed, and drive them to the restaurant to arrive exactly 15 minutes before their reservation. When her door was opened for her by the valet, she recognized one of the men who did it regularly for the show he out on.

“You are trying to get me killed.” She said as she snapped a picture.

“Why would you say that?” he asked innocently.

“It is my mom’s dream to come here just once, and eat here. The reservation list however is like 3 years long.” She told him as they walked in.

“Name?” the hostess asked.

“Eric Christensen.” He said and the hostess snapped her head up.

“Right this way sir, your table is ready for you.” She said as she grabbed two menus Holly recognized. “We do have one question for you.” She said as they got to the table.

“What is that?” Eric asked her.

“Chef Maestro is recording tonight, and they would like to know if you are interested in possibly appearing on the show?” she asked as Holly squealed thinking she had recognized the menus as well.

“I think that would be an astounding yes.” Eric said as she slapped his arm.

“Trying to get me killed!” she exclaimed again as it gave Eric an idea if they did indeed get married.

“We could go-“ he began before she clamped his hand over his mouth. “We would be delighted to appear on the show.” Holly said as they were both handed a release so that the footage could be used.

“The waitress will be right with you.” The hostess said before she left smiling at how Holly had reacted.

For 20 minutes Holly had to remind herself to essentially breathe as she was excited, unaware they were already filming. The two of them talked about things that they had never had a chance to before, as West Point actually had strict standards that had to be followed.

They had ordered their courses, and with the sound of the horn she was all too familiar with, Chef Maestro entered the dining room to cook for the VIP table.

Both of them watched as the Chef entered the room, and Holly became super shocked as she knew how much it cost to have him come tableside and cook the entire meal himself.

“Well, who are our diners tonight? What are we celebrating?” Maestro asked as he stepped into his cooking setup for the show.

“Eric Christensen, first date.” He told the chef as Holly seemed like she was still a bit star struck.

“Holly Dawson.” She finally squeaked out.

“Well Ms. Dawson, I do not know what he has planned for a second date, but I like his style so far.” Maestro said as he began cooking their orders.

He engaged with them the whole time, and was starting the entrees as they ate the appetizers before he asked what they did for a living.

“Just assigned to our first posting after graduating West Point at Freebird Base.” Holly said making him stop what he was doing.

“Would this be Lt. Colonel Holly Dawson, top of the West Point Cadets for the class of 2235, and Colonel Eric Christensen? Highest ranking graduate from West Point Academy ever?” Maestro asked truly impressed as they both nodded. “We must thank you for your service tonight with a special desert than.” He said as he summoned a second sous chef and gave him a list of ingredients. “Let us ensure you make the show shall we?” he asked them as the producer walked up.

“Green light.” She said as the producer had called the military at once. There were different criteria for releasing video of Military members than the general public.

“So Ms. Dawson, what did you study?” Maestro asked her.

“Biomechanical Engineering.” She told him with a smile.

“Mr. Christensen, let me see if I have this right from the article I read. Doctor, Lawyer, Engineer, Accounting, tactics, strategy, astrophysics, and atleast 18 other degrees?” Maestro asked him.

“I think the total was 28 of the 30 degrees offered at West Point.” Eric said with a smile. “Only Covert Command and Supply line Management were not achieved.”

“That sir, is a lot of work. As always here at Maestro's we honor those who have, do, and will serve us.” He said as he served their dinner while the ingredients for desert finally arrived. “Apologies, as I will need to focus on dessert for now. Enjoy.” He said before he turned to both of the Sous Chefs, and all 3 of them began working quickly while Eric and Holly ate their food. They watched intently as they talked about the food and what they could see, and enjoyed the show that the unprompted dessert had caused. Even on the show the guests had to be extremely impressive to get dessert.

Chef Maestro was not well known for his desserts, and was not ashamed that most pastry Chefs could kick his ass at baking. He however was known for one dessert he did, and he had never done it for a show before.

His baked Alaska was comparable to no other, and was the one he had been able to win at competition time and again. It was this dish he was preparing them, and as soon as Eric had guessed what it was Holly was excited. She knew as soon as her mother saw this episode, she was going to be killed.

A few minutes after they finished their dinner, he served them the Baked Alaska, and Eric could tell this was the dish he was glad he was known for.

“To thank you for your service, I present a Baked Alaska for your enjoyment this evening. May God watch over you as you serve our Empire.” He said before he bowed to them and went back to the kitchen.