Chapter 6

"What she means is," Rayne interrupted with an uncomfortable laugh, "How often will your inspections be? We are quite efficient and most of the preparations will be complete in three weeks."

The cold stern man in front of them looked over at the sweating Rayne.

"It would help us both to converse, of course. I can understand your concern with how grand-scale this event is," Rayne continued, dragging Bruce's attention from his annoying cousin who was slumped in her chair next to him, "but we always deliver. You are welcome to inspect of course, but if we can align it to our work schedule, it'll be easier for all of us."

"We'll give you the deadline you want, if it's reasonable," Leah piped in and Rayne was grateful, "but we already have a handle on what to complete by when."

The assuring tone of her voice seemed to convince the large man in front of them.

He nodded before he stood up, "I understand. You may go at your pace, and I will fix my inspections to your schedule."

He stopped and a shadow passed over his face.

Rayne and Leah tensed as they saw the intolerant glint in his eyes, "I will have to warn you in advance. The moment something is not to my expectation, I will have to fire you from this job."

A gloom settled among them instantly and a tension filled the air.

"This may sound rude but that is how we do things here. The moment I realise you are not fit for the job, I am afraid a moment more of your presence in our midst will not be necessary and you will be sent away without further notice."

The trio nodded, knowing he meant it in earnest and would show no mercy.

The man turned on his heel, sparing Sasha one last glance before walking away with a complete firmness in his stride.

Rayne fell back into his chair and let his head slide down dramatically.

Leah let out a loud sigh of relief as a waiter glided over to fill her glass with water.

Rayne turned to Sasha, "Really, Sash? You're throwing a tiny tantrum at the client?"

Sasha pouted, "He's not the main client. Why is he inspecting and stuff? I hate that. He's also sooo huffy. What if he says no to all our cool ideas when that's what Ms. Kane would want?"

Rayne sighed, "We'll deal with that when it happens, come on! This man is clearly important."

Sasha turned away, her hair moving with the motion, "I don't like him."

Leah giggled as she propped her menu up to order.

Rayne gave up and picked up his as well, "Well, whatever happens, please just be polite next time. That man is scary."

Leah nodded, "he is. I wonder what the next month is going to be like."

"Challenging for sure," Rayne said, scanning his menu for something he wanted to eat. "We meet the heiress tomorrow. Let's make a note of asking what her main vision is and start from there."

Leah nodded as she pulled out her phone to note it down.

Sasha got out of her slump, "Which room are we working in? This one or is there another hall it will be held in?"

Rayne shrugged, "All I know is that this is the main location. We'll ask the secretary tomorrow."

The girls nodded.

"Excuse me," the trio looked up to see the waiter from before.

Leah was a little concerned. She hoped it wasn't some other scary man here to see them again.

The waiter's unnerving smile was back but what he said filled the table with glee, "Mr. Slader has asked that your meal not be paid for. Please enjoy yourselves this evening to the joys of the Kane Dining Chambers' kitchen."

There was a noise of joy from the cousins.

Leah glanced through the menu.

She could order whatever she wanted? Her hand reached to text her boyfriend when she hesitated.

He took so long to reply. 

He would never see her message now and respond when she was still excited.

She sighed before smiling at her cousins who were excitedly talking to each other about which dish would suit their night perfectly.

Did Tim think about her enough, Leah wondered. 

She had always shaken away doubts like this before in her relationship but ever since Tim's ex had sent her a picture from his previous relationship, it was difficult for her to shake the feelings of uncertainty away.

Her heart stilled in sadness when she let the feelings overtake her again for the third time that week.

Even after Tim's assurance that it had been from before and that he had not cheated, something stirred in her heart.

She believed him. Of course she did.

He seemed like such a sincere man, how could she not.

But something about the picture was difficult to forget.

That picture of Tim's face snuggled into the neck of a stunning redhead; the face he was making, the look in his eyes, the way his teeth shone as he grinned; she felt her heart grow cold. He had never looked like that with her. Ever.

There was a pricking of tears in her eyes as Leah stared blankly at the menu in her hand, her cousins giggling and discussing the dishes on it; Tim had never looked at her like that. She had never seen him… 'break'. He was never nervous around her. Never careful or showed much other than his usual pleasant self.

Did his heart beat fast when he saw her like her heart did for him? Did he think of her at random points of the day or ache to see her at all?

Then there was the one thing that burned her chest every time she thought of it.

The strongest emotion in Tim's eyes had been one she had never seen in his eyes for her. The emotion of an overwhelming lust; she'd never seen his expression the way she had seen in that picture and it made her feel worthless.

That's not how Tim would want me to feel, she told herself even when her chest chilled at the thought of him.

That's not-

"Hey."

She stirred out of her thoughts and looked over at her cousins.

They were staring in the direction of the grand stairway that led up to the balcony.

"Isn't that y- your boyfriend, Leah?" Rayne asked.

Sasha was silent, her eyes flashing with what seemed like anger.

"Tim?" Leah turned her gaze to where her cousins were looking, "Tim is here?"

Her eyes widened with shock and she felt the breath get knocked out of her body at the sight.

Her boyfriend was helping a gorgeous lady up the stairs; a lady with a beautiful body and her chest spilling out of her dress.

It was the redhead in the picture.