Chapter 26: Fancy stolen dinner with Asher as a dead man
Chapter 26: Fancy stolen dinner
Asher pulled out a chair for his wife to sit down. Pepper was suddenly realizing that she should have taken his advice and dress up. Even Gigi wore a beautiful blue dress.
So Pepper just sat there, looking out of place in the beautiful restaurant.
Asher took a seat beside her. He could feel her uneasiness. He knew she was worried about money.
"Callie, how is work going? Did management realize they made a mistake to promote that kangaroo instead of you?" Gramps asked.
Asher saw the way her posture tensed up immediately. He knew that the question made her uneasy and so he intervened on her behalf.
"Gramps, we shouldn't talk about work…right Gigi? I want to get to know my new grandparents" Asher said.
Without even meaning to, his hand sort for hers under the table, just to give her a gentle squeeze that said that everything was going to be alright.
He found her hand and he squeezed it, he half expected her to lift the hand from under the table and bite him but she didn't. She even went as far as to stop him from taking it away.
Asher leaned in to whisper into her ear.
"Stop looking like I am holding you hostage. We are supposed to be in love, remember? Now, smile and kiss me" he instructed her.
"I don't want…"
"Just do it, Pepper. They are watching us"
Pepper turned and her grandparents were watching them curiously. She leaned in and she kissed him softly on the lips.
"Everything will be okay, I promise. I just need you to trust me, okay?" Asher told her sincerely.
Pepper nodded and tried smiling. She couldn't believe she was grateful for Asher at that moment.
"Aww! Such a cute couple. It's like a match made in heaven!" Gigi declared with joyful countenance.
"Or in a car park" Pepper murmured under her breath.
"Who's ready to order?" Asher asked everyone as he waved for the waitress lurking around in a corner to come.
"Good day, welcome to Heathers and Lux. My name is Lucy and I will be waiting at your table for the evening. May I take your orders?"
"You may" Asher nodded
"Can I have this and yes, this too with a bottle of your tasty wine?" Gramps told the young girl as he pointed to the menu. Who cares if he can't pronounce it? He was at heathers and Lux for heaven's sake!
Gigi cleared her throat. "I just want you to surprise me with a fancy dinner. I am sure a beautiful girl like yourself has an impeccable taste I can trust, Ms Lucy"
"Prepared to be surprised, ma'am" Lucy smiled at them.
"Call me Gigi, sweetheart. I wish I had a grandson to pair you up with. Asher is unfortunately taken by her" Gigi said and pointed at pepper.
"Gigi! I apologize on behalf of my grandmother. She just doesn't know anything about boundaries"
Pepper still couldn't believe her grandmother was setting the waitress up with an imaginary grandson five minutes after meeting her.
Lucy smiled at the older woman, she reminded her of her own grandma.
"No, it's fine. I don't mind, Gigi, here reminds me of my mee-maw…" Lucy started to say but Gigi interrupted her.
"You see, Callie, not everyone is ashamed of their grandmother"
"Gigi, I am not ashamed of you…I would just like it if you stop embarrassing me in public." Pepper said through her clenched teeth. "I will take just water, Lucy. Thank you"
Asher intervened. He couldn't sit by while she takes water to save cost. He knew her grandparents were comfortable but Pepper seemed to hate taking things from them.
"Honey, you should have something else like… number three" Asher suggested for her.
"No, thanks. Can I have salad though?" Pepper said with a smile.
"Callie honey, if you and Asher are short of cash, your grandfather and I will pay for it but you've got to have something other than salad, child" Gigi told her with a worried face.
"We are fine, Gigi. She will have number three and I want ice cream too. Don't worry I placed an order ahead of time to Jazz in the kitchen department" Asher explained to Lucy.
Lucy smiled. She knew Jazz was a code word for a surprise for a girlfriend or wife. It was a codeword used when the surprise is in the food being served to customers. She nodded and she left.
Pepper relaxed. And a few minutes later, Lucy returned with their orders with the help of two other waiters.
"Who is the ice cream for?" She asked Asher.
"It's for my lovely wife here" Asher smiled at Pepper.
Lucy placed the ice in front of Pepper and smiled before she excused herself.
Asher watched as her eyes lighted up.
"How did you know my favorite ice cream flavor?" Pepper asked him.
"Why shouldn't he? When you love someone, you tend to know those kind of things" Gramps answered for Asher.
"Right. Thanks" Pepper murmured and picked up a spoon that was in no way made for ice cream.
Asher watched her with the anticipation of a curious cat, waiting for her to find the secret he hid in the ice cream. But Pepper kept swallowing and swallowing while his anticipation grew.
He turned to take a bite out of his plate when he heard her voice.
"This is the best coconut Ice cream, I have had in a while" pepper declared to everyone.
Asher's eyes bulged ad he picked up the bowl of ice cream and it was empty.
"You…you finished it?" He asked her with shaky voice.
"Of course. Did you want some?" Pepper asked him.
Asher stood up from the table "Please, excuse me. I will be right back in a jiffy"
He walked away as slowly as he could, stoping himself from breaking into a run.
He met Lucy.
"Hello sir, how did the surprise go?" Lucy asked him
"It didn't…are you sure the surprise was placed in the ice cream?" Asher asked.
"I am. I was there when it was placed, sir" Lucy confirmed.
Asher straightened his posture and looked at the table where Pepper was sitting.
"I am so dead…I am a dead man walking" he murmured out loud.
"What happened?" Lucy asked him.
"My…hmmm… wife…I think my wife swallowed the surprise wedding ring I placed In the ice cream!" Asher revealed to her.
"Oops, I am sure she will understand, sir" Lucy apologized.
Asher smiled and shook his hand "Pepper…is not understanding but she is vengeful though. I am a dead man"