Chapter 43 – The Steak Incident

(Mannie’s POV)

I tried to calm myself down.

The soft clinking of silverware and the glowing chandelier above did nothing to soothe my nerves.

My palms were slightly sweaty as I held my knife and fork. I focused on cutting the steak neatly, hoping to appear composed and graceful.

I needed to do my part of the job. I had to make a good impression.

But Amanda’s calm voice shattered my focus.

"Then tell me all about yourself."

I flinched. My hand jerked.

Before I could react, the piece of steak I was trying to cut slipped off my fork and launched forward like a flying saucer.

Time seemed to freeze.

The juicy piece of meat flew through the air... and landed squarely on Dominic's head.

Oh. My. God.

I stared in horror, my mouth slightly open.

Dominic's entire body went still. The steak slid slowly down the side of his head and onto his shoulder.

My heart stopped.

"I-I'm so sorry!" I gasped, standing up so quickly that my chair screeched. I could see how everyone reacted to the screeching of the chair on the floor, especially Dominic who was close to me.

I reached out instinctively to wipe it off, but my hands trembled. I wasn’t sure if I was cleaning him or making it worse.

At this point I was not only flustered but also panicked as my hands trembled and my eyes watered.

Dominic picked up a napkin and wiped his face slowly, his jaw clenched, eyes shadowed with cold fury.

He stood up.

The napkin crumpled in his hand as he took a breath, clearly holding back something, rage maybe. Or just complete disbelief that this was happening.

I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me.

My whole body trembled.

Then I heard it.

A laugh. deep, hearty, and unrestrained.

Dominic’s grandfather was laughing.

"Hahaha!" His chest bounced, and even his beard wobbled with each chuckle. "It's been years since I saw the brat lose composure like that."

I blinked.

The old man’s eyes were twinkling. And for a second, I felt like he wasn’t seeing a disaster. He was seeing entertainment.

Amanda, on the other hand, looked like she was trying very hard to keep her composure. Her lips were pressed tightly, and she slowly turned toward me.

I could feel her judging gaze. It burned.

“You seem nervous,” she said lightly, although her tone had an edge. “Calm down. It’s not like I can bite you.”

I tried to smile, but it probably looked like a grimace.

Only if she knew or maybe she did.

Maybe she was already baring her teeth under that calm voice.

She leaned back in her chair and studied me.

"So, tell me. About yourself."

I swallowed hard.

My mind went blank. Then slowly, I nodded. “My name is Mannie. I work in the lower department of the company. I've been there for some time now. I like to work hard and keep to myself. I… I don’t usually get into trouble unless it’s absolutely necessary.”

I left out a lot.

Like the fact that I had eight kids, that I raised them alone or how I am a single mother and her son is the father of those kids or that I had to run from betrayal and hide from shadows.

Amanda tilted her head slightly. “So, you both are having an office romance?”

My eyes flicked to Dominic.

“Mmm,” I hummed. I didn’t trust my words right now. I wasn’t sure what was safe to say.

"How did you meet Dominic? Tell me your love story."

A strange warmth bloomed in my chest. I knew it was part of the act, but as I looked at Dominic, I let myself pretend.

I smiled.

“It started like most office things. He was my boss. I was just another staff. At first, I thought he didn’t even know I existed. But then he started showing up at odd times. Asking about my tasks. Bringing coffee to my desk. At first, I thought he was checking up on me.”

I chuckled softly, twirling my fork.

“But he kept doing it. Then one day, he brought me lunch. I told him off. Told him I wasn’t that kind of woman. I didn’t want favors from the boss.”

Dominic didn’t interrupt. He just leaned his elbow on the table and listened.

Amanda’s eyes narrowed a little, but I kept going, letting my voice soften.

“He told me he liked how I looked when I was angry. Said my eyes sparked fire. I rolled my eyes and told him to go away. But he kept coming. Even volunteered to help me organize reports. Everyone thought he was crazy.”

I gave a small laugh.

“And eventually, I couldn’t keep pushing him away. He was persistent. Soft in ways you wouldn’t expect. We kept it quiet. I didn’t want to be the gossip of the office.”

I looked down, then peeked up at Amanda and the grandfather.

Dominic’s mother was staring at me. Something unreadable flickered in her gaze.

The grandfather was smiling.

Amanda sighed, breaking the silence.

"I can see you both are... in love. But why would my son fall for you?"

She pointed at my face.

I blinked.

I turned to Dominic who still seemed uncomfortable due to the steak and decided to leave.

My eyes widened and I wanted to scream and call him back but I calmed down, especially with Amanda’s prickly stare on me.

“You’d have to ask him that,” I said, smiling. “But he said he liked how ugly I looked. That’s what he loves about me.”

“Love is strange, Ma.” I added.

Amanda sighed again, this time longer. She took a sip of water, then set the glass down.

“You should stay for a proper dinner,” she said with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “These are just appetizers.”

I nodded slowly, but inside, I knew this woman didn’t trust me one bit. She wasn’t trying to feed me. She was trying to study me. Every bite I took would be judged.

I bit the inside of my cheek and looked down at my plate, my mind churning many ways I could reject the offer and this was just the beginning.