12 chapter twelve
She met him waiting for her by the front door. The Grand palace was not far from her office; a walk would be 20 minutes, a drive at ten and the restaurant was a few miles from her house by foot; there wasn't so much distance.
He smiled at her as she approached him. But she didn't fail to notice the way a woman looked at her when she walked passed.
She couldn't stop herself. 'Is there a particular dress code for place like this?
She wasn't looking bad. She didn't change from her office clothes, so what?
He smiled as he moved close to her; he was glad she didn't argue with him over the phone or turn him down, maybe she was excited as he was.
'You are fine. You look perfect.' He said as he put his hand at the small of her back and begun guiding her into the Grand palace; she entered the restaurant, the lady at the front wanted to say something but seeing Nicholas with her shut her up and he walked passed her and walked into the restaurant.
It was really Grand. She was amused by how wonderful the place looked; there was a bar, where anyone could drink, there was food tables by the windows, there was a ping pong table at the far end of the big room and it's twin brother.
He looked at her; glad to know she was impressed and then her eyes look different.
'Is something happening here?' She asked; everyone was wearing a touch of red, she was the only one in black skirt and blue top and high heels.
He shook his head. 'Nothing serious. Just a guest trying to make a perfect proposal to his girlfriend.'
She looked at him; how would he know that; only if this was his regular joint or he worked here. She had been to Grand palace before and then it wasn't actually a Grand palace; it was Grand eatery, Cassie had insisted she come with her to see her husband; it had been Maxwell's birthday at that time.
She looked round again; there were a lot of persons going in and out and the place; really look like a palace for the people, not for a king. The cakes, cupcakes and pastries were on the show glass and they served normal food. Maxwell is really doing well for himself.
'Welcome, sir.'
She turned her attention to Nicholas and the guy besides him.
All customers are called Sirs and madams for inviting them into the palace and serving them.
'Yes, Dennis is my table set.'
The guy nod.
She blinked; he knew the guy by his name; if he could be a regular customer; of course he would know the employees here.
'That is alright then.' Nicholas said but before he could turn back to Amber, the guy called him again.
'Sir, Theo is running late; do I have to wait another hour.... I need to go home, sir.'
Wait, why was he asking Nicholas permission? Nicholas said he owned a restaurant....She looked round again.
'Don't worry, you can go home. He knows we set this up for him.'
'I will give him a call, before I leave.'
He nod; Nicholas guided Amber to their chair, once she sat down, she looked at him.
'You own this palace?' it did sound like a question but she wanted to confirm if her calculations were correct.
He smiled and nod; 'Maxwell is helping me out.'
'But you work in a company.'
'Who says I can't do two things!' He said with a shrug.
She misunderstood and nod her head. "Of course..."
He sat up; 'I didn't mean that, Amber. I meant.....'
She looked at him. 'You don't need to explain anything to me, I understand.' What did he want to explain?
He snatched his head. This wasn't going to be as easy as he thought.
'Daphne!' He called.
The Daphne came from the left side with a note pad. 'Sir.'
'I would like chicken and some pasta.'
She scribbled it down, waiting for Amber's order.
'pasta and carrots.' She said as she read the menu.
'Add chicken to hers and bring us a bottle of wine.'
She nod, taking the menus and excused herself.
She felt him staring at her. She turned away; he was really a big man now; magazine, company and now owns a restaurant....what else did he do hat he hasn't told her yet; bodyguard to the President?
'You built this place.' she pointed the obvious.
He nod; he didn't look around, because he had see it before, several times but the expression on her face was a sight more interesting to look at than his restaurant.
He smiled; glad she loved it.
She smiled when the waitress with a blue apron round her waist, drop the food on the table in front of them. She was impressed; when he had talked about owning his own restaurant, dealing in cakes and pastries; she didn't think it was this big and beautiful. She was happy, for him; happy he didn't die, happy he still moved on with his dreams.
'Thank you.' She told her.
She smiled at her, and picked her fork, cleaned it before she begun to use it.
'I suspect Max is in this with you.'
He nod. 'He is my partner.'
She just nod; she understood the partnership thing. 'So, how do you manage both; restaurant and company?'
He took a sip of his water. 'I have a manager, who looks after the restaurant while I'm at work.' He said and suddenly he sat up and smiled at someone behind her.
'Rocky!' He stood up but the man met him half way, shakes his hand, before pulling him into his arms for a friendly hug.
'What are you doing here?' The Rocky asked him, he looked at his companion and smiled at her, before his gaze went back to Nicholas' face.
'Just thought maybe I could swing by; have a good meal.... before going home.'
'Then you are in the right place.' He said as he pat his back again.
'Hi.' Amber said when he looked in her direction again.
Nicholas noticed this time, he kept his eyes on her longer than earlier. 'Rocky, this is Amber....' He started.
Amber let the man take her hand in his and she heard the hesitation in Nicholas' voice but the man held her longer; she got this everytime a guy was introduced to her...a single one held her longer and the married one after shaking her hand, move away and look in her direction, two to three times before he walked away.
'My wife.' He completed.
Amber saw the man's eyes widened and he look at Nicholas, before looking at Amber and back at Nicholas.
'Are you kidding?' He asked as he held Nicholas' hand and turned him, their backs facing her; trying to whisper.
How could she not hear when she was right behind them and the man had a loud voice.
She didn't hear what Nicholas said but she heard he man say;
'When did this happen? I haven't see you with anyone.'
'Long story for another day, Rocky.' She heard Nicholas' voice.
The man sighed. 'Did you get her knocked over?' He asked.
Making Amber smile as she heard it.
Nicholas glared at him. 'Rocky, you have a lot of work to do.'
'That doesn't mean I can't say; I am happy for you, Nick.' He said hugging him. He wasn't married yet; still a bachelor and he was enjoying himself; he hasn't been in a serious relationship for more than three months; rather he hasn't seen anyone worthy enough to even last more than that and all his female friends had liked him but he felt nothing for them except lust and craving he needed to tame.
Nicholas hug him back with a smile.
'She is pretty, does she have a sister?'
Nicholas rolled his eyes; Rocky and ladies! He shook his head; it was better than tell him about Jessie that could never glance in his direction.
'Too bad.' He said as they turned to face Amber; she had finished her pasta; she smiled at him. She liked the man; funny.....
'Well, Mrs Mitchell, I hope I see more of you.' He said as he took her again and pat it with his other hand.
'I look forward to seeing you soon, Rocky.' She smiled as Nicholas took his seat and the man excused himself but not before calling Daphne and telling her to serve them specials for this evening and a glass of champagne.
Daphne walked after him.
'Mrs Mitchell, it remembers me of the old days.' Nicholas said as he cut his chicken into pieces.
Nicholas telling people that they were married, even though it was the truth was wrong; she wouldn't appreciate it if people began gossiping about her and then it would reach Jake's ears.... he doesn't lived on the moon; he had internet, Facebook, news....he had a lot of friends.... but she didn't want Jake thinking she had anything with Nicholas apart from carrying out a six month contact. It was safer, if no one else knows.
'I think the less persons know we are still married the better.'
'It's fine.....'
'I am trying to save your reputation from jeopardizing. To avoid the paparazzi from talking too much.' She cut in; said remembering seeing him on television.
He nod like he understood her. Even though it was practically the opposite of what he wanted.
'Alright.'
'You can call me a friend.'
'A friend?' He asked; friend as he understood it was a buddy; someone to let off stream; someone to confide in.... like a bestie and besides he remembered the condition he attached but he didn't want to put her on the edge.
But they were more than that; he wouldn't want to give any one idea to hit on Amber in his presence.
'Yes, you have been trying to reach me but no contacts and you found me and we are catching up. That story is better.' She said as she ate her chicken.
'That is too much for me.....' He couldn't stand being away from her.
Daphne came with the bottle and two glasses and then she poured Nicholas' drink into his own cup and turned to Amber.
Amber looked at her with a smile, before turning to Nicholas.
'Fine, you can introduce me as anything you like but not your wife....'
She shifted when the champagne poured on her blouse and unto her skirt and on her laps.
'Oh God!' Daphne said she placed her hand on her mouth; Amber concealed her disorientated state with a smile that Nicholas didn't find too convincing.
'Daphne, what did you.....'
'I'm sorry, sir. I honestly didn't know...I didn't see....' She stammered.
Amber stood up and was trying to scrub the stain out with the table napkin but it didn't come off. She had never felt like this, embarrassed in public.....She looked at the lady; if jobs were not so hard to find these days, she would have vented and demanded she is fired immediately for her clumsiness.
She smiled at her. 'It's fine, Daphne.' People had begun to look at them now.
Nicholas was beside her trying to think of anything to say to help but he had nothing except a temporal anger for Daphne that had ruined their moment.
'I will use the bathroom.' She said but not after she touched Daphne assuring her; there is nothing to worry about, did she walked to the bathroom.
'What just happened; Daphne?'
She looked sad and apologietic. 'I'm sorry, sir. I just looked outside for a moment.'
He sighed. He had seen worst cases in his time as a Waiter. 'Go get our specials.' He said taking his seat and looking at the direction of the bathroom; hoping Amber wouldn't change her mind about dinner.
He saw her come out few minutes later; she looked drenched and amazing. Then she stopped when woman approach her.
'You know, you deserve that for not wearing the right dress code and hanging on to the handsome man like a noose round his neck. Leave him alone; he doesn't want you, don't you understand?'
Funny thing; Amber smiled at the lady and turned to Nicholas looking at her; she had seen experiences with jealous lady friends and she had a firsthand experience with one herself....so it wasn't a new thing and the woman will not get the reaction she was waiting for.
'You know what; if you want him, go ahead and every other guys here. Do what you want, it is none of my business.' She said as walked past her.
She hated people watching, mentioning her, her life....being the subject of gossips and spreading false news. If she wanted Nick; she wasn't putting a knife on his neck; she can come and take him if she liked him and that will give her no more rooms to have to cheat on her boyfriend.
She walked towards Nicholas; once she was almost there; she felt someone bumped her shoulders and walked passed her.
'Hey, Nicholas.' She heard when she took her seat in front of him.
His eyes continued to watch her as she picked her fork and knife.
'Hey Courtney.' He looked at her as she flung her half covered breasts in his face; he had to move away; then he saw a smile; Amber gave while eating her food.
'Do you remember the time; I could come pick you up with you want.' She said rolling her tongue in her mouth; reminding Amber of a lizard. She smiled again.
Nicholas wondered what made her smile.
'Courtney, if I forget I will just call you.' He knew he couldn't forget his shoot with this model.
She thought she heard a invitation and bend her head to his, she held his chin and brought his face in front of hers.
'Then I'll see you tomorrow.'
He nod; she turned and kissed his cheek, before looking at Amber and then she walked away.
'You still like models?' She mentioned when she was out the door. She just felt like saying that; before her had been a model; after her a model; of course he still preferred going out, with them; he had a body of a model and worked as one.
'She is from the magazine I work for.' He started to explain.
She shook her head; she wasn't going to involve herself in his life; the less she knew, the better off she was.
'It's fine, you don't have to explain anything to me, Nicholas. Really, you owe me no explanations.' She said lightly but he didn't want to believe she didn't read other meaning into it other than work related.
'But Amber, I want to know; what she was telling you before you came here.'
'Nothing, except I stay away from you.' She said as she served herself the specials.
'Amber, really I don't have any thing to do with her, you need to believe me.' he said, he needed her to trust him again.
She knew that, she kinda knows he isn't one to cheat; after what Rocky had said; it was sweet he hadn't been with any other woman since her but still it shouldn't be her problem or her business.
'I believe you.' She said; she had seen other women who were interested in Nicholas before they got married and while they were married; she couldn't blame him for being too good looking.
'Then why were you smiling when she spoke to me?' he asked.
Amber smiled again. 'She reminds me of Stacy.' She said.
Seeing the tension between them began to cool off, he explained his relationship with Courtney; he didn't want to hide anything from her .... anything that might make her think otherwise of his intentions with her. He wanted her back and he was determined on getting her back.
Amber just nod; it wasn't her business anyways.
She heard a click of glass and she turned to the direction it came from; few tables before hers and the man was on his feet and his glass in the air.
'Ladies and gentlemen. Please I need your attention.'
The whole restaurant was quiet and they watched him.
'I want to propose to the beautiful woman here with me.'
Amber looked at her; blond, her hair wrapped in a bundle and a rubber band holding the hair up. Her back was turned to Amber; all she saw was the man bent on one knee and the lady's hand on her mouth; like this was a dream.
'Scarlett, you are the most beautiful woman I have met in entire life; you were there when my mother died....the day you walked into Celestine's salon and told that funny joke, I fell in love with you and everytime I wake up; I want to have you close to me; your hand in mine, spending the rest of our lives together.'
Amber looked at others who were watching; she heard 'Aww.' all over; not all ladies get this kind of proposal.
Amber turned her attention back to the man; He was breathless and it looked like he didn't have anymore to say. He brought out the ring from his pockets and opened it.
'Scarlett Maria SantaChris will you do the honor of making me the happiest man on earth by becoming my wife.'
More Awws loud enough for the shy lady to turn her head.
She looked as if she was considering it until she heard;
'Say yes!' From the crowd.
She nodded, that Amber thought her head could fall off her neck, if she didn't stop. The man stood up and she stood up too; he put the ring on her finger and kissed her, muttering; 'I love you.' to each other.
She smiled at the couple. She remembered when Nicholas proposed to her; it wasn't in a restaurant, it wasn't at her home or in front of her office; he had proposed in a roller coaster ride; before the ride begun; he had told her to close her eyes and showed her the ring and the toppest part about to go down and she had said yes; before he finished the proposal; she was afraid, if he fell and died, she would lose him forever. While the coaster went down; he shouted that he loved her, when they had gotten off; he took her into his arms, raised her while she laughed her heart out; when anyone walked past; he told them; he was getting married soon. After that ride, they didn't get back home early and he didn't left her go in until he kissed her.
She smiled; that day had been great.
She noticed Nicholas watching her.
'This is a good place for a marriage proposal.' She told her as she sat up.
He smiled at her, he knew she was remembering his proposal to her.
'We should leave, we have work.' She said gathering her keys and her phone; she had left her bag in the car.
He nodded. They had an early meeting tomorrow to talk with the office in charge of the cargo; they needed to both be there in her office.
When they got outside, it was dizzling; how did she miss that?
She looked at him and looked round for his car; since he kept three stable jobs now; of course he could afford his own ride.
'Did you bring your car?'
He shook his head. 'I left it at the mechanic, the brakes are acting up.' He said and he was glad for that, it happened; he get to ride with Amber.
'Where do you live?'
'A mile after you, it's an apartment building.' He told her; when he came back into the country; he had hang out with Skype and watched her before she ever discovered he was the reason; why Skype didn't come back home until 10.
She nod. 'I will take you half way; I am exhausted to drive that long. I need to rest.'
Truth, yes. 'I will stop by the house, and call a cab; don't worry.' He added.
She nod and motioned towards her car as she moved to other side.
They didn't talk except for the music that played from the car radio.
And then they got to her house, immediately Skype saw them, she barked in excitement; Amber opened the door for her to come out and Skype ran towards her, licking her face.
'Thank you, Skype. You miss me? I missed you too.'
She kissed her head and stroke her belly. Skype went over and did the same thing to Nicholas, before turning to patrol the area.
She turned to him as he moved close to her.
'Thank you for dinner.'
'It was..... unexpectedly, would I say wonderfully pleasant.' She didn't think it would be like this, but she had a good time.
He smiled at her; as he looked at her clothes; the champagne had dried on her shirt and skirt, leaving a dark stain on the spot; she still looked really pretty.
'Then we can have dinner soon, right?' He asked her.
She smiled at him; but not a shy smile but an uncertainty kind of smile.
'Maybe.'
Maybe, he interpreted as a good thing; he could do anything he wanted as far as he made her happy to be with him.
She watched him standing still looking at her, for what seems like hours.
'What time is the meeting?' He asked her when he thought she wanted to tell him something about leaving.
'12:00pm. You can make it right?'
He nod; of course he can make it; it was Amber and it was work.
'So?' She looked at him.
'You sure that stain will come off?'
She scoffed. 'I will try but if it doesn't then I will just dispose them.
He moved closer to her and held her hand in his; he saw the surprise reaction on her face; all the time he sat with her for dinner; and had seen that oil by her lip before Daphne came by; he had wanted to kiss it off her mouth.... But she is his wife and they were not just friends.
If he kissed her now; it would just look like he is pushing her.....what he was going to do was; get her to spend time with him and give in to his advances and then mission accomplished.
He smiled at her, moved closer to her. She didn't move but only kept eye contact with him. He raised his hand to her face and slowly traced her hairline down to her cheek, he looked at her lips that was with a lip gloss; Amber didn't put on too much makeup but only when necessary. And then his gaze came back to her eyes; surprised but slowly relaxing that she was in a familiar presence but upset that he was standing so close.
'Mind if I stayed for coffee?' He whispered.
She swallowed; she wasn't sure what exactly he had in mind but surely he knew he was going too far.
He studied her eyes; the anger gone, she was now completely relaxed but scared at one thing.
'We have jobs in the morning.... you should leave.' She said quietly and slowly.
He didn't argue; he knew that he should take his time; Amber was still his; he just needed five months and thirty days to prove to her that he was hers; have always been.
He turned and kissed her cheek, dangerously closed to her lips, she closed her eyes as she felt his lips touched her face.
'Have a good night. I will see you tomorrow.' He said as he moved away.
She just nod and forced a smile on her face; calling Skype after her; without looking back; both of them entered the house and she bolted the doors.
Once he heard the door closed, he walked out of the premises.
She sighed when he was out of sight.
Being with Nicholas was incredibly dangerous; then how will she survive he remaining months with him?
