5: Unwanted Help

Chapter 5: unwanted help

Elena’s POV

The air felt still as I met the man's eyes, they were filled with concern but I had the faint thought that he was mocking me somehow.

“Elena,” Jacinta whispered, nudging me. “Don't mind it, I'll pay okay?” She glanced at the man, an unfriendly look in her eyes.

“I…” I was about to speak when the man spoke up.

“I can't stand by while Mrs Landon is in a fix can I?” the man said smoothly. He turned to the waiter, “I'll be covering their bill.”

“No thanks, but thank you,” Jacinta butted in, taking out a credit card from her bag. “We can handle ourselves.”

My tongue felt tied as I watched them bicker amongst themselves, I wanted to say something but what?

The man frowned in displeasure. “I'm trying to help Mrs. Landon here, not you. Why don't you skimper off to the side and allow me to do what I need to do,” his tone was filled with mockery as he stared at Jacinta.

I narrowed my eyes, about to speak up for Jacinta but a sudden hush filled the environment and everyone's eyes seemed fixed on something behind me.

“I don't remember telling you my wife needed any help with her bill Mr Mcgregor,” a quiet voice cut through the silence.

What! My heart skipped a beat as I heard that familiar voice. I whirled around, and there he stood, his features remained as cold as ever.

Damien.

What was he doing here? My breathing hastened as I stared at him, shocked at his sudden appearance.

“I…” Mcgregor stuttered, his face becoming pale and he didn’t dare meet Damien’s eyes. “You see… I thought Mrs Landon might need some—”

“She needs nothing of the sort,” Damien interrupted coldly, his eyes glaring at Mcgregor. “My wife needs no help with her bills, and if she does…” Damien’s eyes brushed over me. “I'll consider firing you to free up some cash.”

Mcgregor’s lips quivered and all his aura seemed to melt away, leaving him bare. “I'm sorry sir,” he began, his eyes pleading. “I didn’t intend—”

“Leave,” Damien snapped again. He stood there, almost relaxed as he uttered the command like a royal decree. “The sight of you disgusts me.”

“Yes sir,” Mcgregor nodded without hesitation, he even looked a tad relieved. He paid the waiter immediately and turned to leave, I watched by the side, awestruck.

Jacinta looked no different, if anything, she looked spooked like she'd seen a ghost. I was about to speak to her when Damien’s voice echoed again.

“Empty the restaurant,” Damien uttered coldly, this time his gaze was on the waiter.

I half expected the waiter to argue but Damien’s words were met with indifference.

“Yes sir,” the waiter nodded. He turned to the face of the entire room.

“I'm sorry but I'll have to ask everyone to leave. I apologize for whatever inconveniences this might have caused and as a token of goodwill, all costs incurred are on the house.”

A wave of murmurs went through the crowd of people gathered but they slowly got to their feet, leaving one after the other. Their earlier looks of scorn and ridicule had changed, as they left they stared at me with hints of respect, curiosity and fear.

I stared, dumbstruck as the events seemed to happen around me. It wasn't until the last person walked out I remembered to let go of the breath I'd been holding.

“Are you okay?” Damien appeared in front of me, his hand brushing a stray curl of hair, tucking it behind my ear. Despite myself, I felt a bittersweet taste in my mouth.

“Yes—yes, I am,” my tongue tangled into knots and I could feel my cheeks heating up. “Thank you,” I whispered, finally looking up at him.

“It's fine,” Damien’s soft eyes hardened once again and he stepped back away from me.

“Good evening sir,” Jacinta greeted from beside me, her demeanor was stiff as she stared at Damien.

“You,” Damien paused, furrowing his brow as he stared at her. “Have we met?” he finally asked.

‘Met?’ My eyes widened as I glanced between the two of them. How could Jacinta be familiar with Damien? She'd arrived in the city barely two weeks ago. Was that how she'd found out about my marriage with Damien?

My mind spun with thoughts and unanswered questions as I stared at the both of them, waiting for an explanation.

“Yes,” Jacinta nodded, her trademark smiley face gone. “You interviewed me last week,” her eyes strayed to me for a brief instant. “For the position of receptionist.”

I didn't know when I exclaimed; “What!” Her words startled me and my mouth fell wide open.

Jacinta had been talking all about the job she'd gotten and yet it turned out to be Damien’s company? The twist caught me unawares and for a moment all I could do was gape at the both of them.

“Ohh,” Damien’s face didn't have any strange reaction. “I'll have a word with Elena, excuse us,” Damien’s tone left no room for rebuttal.

“Yes sir,” Jacinta nodded, she gave me a strange look as she walked out, leaving me and Damien alone.

My heart thudded as I stood before Damien, unsure what to expect. It was totally out of my expectations that Jacinta would end up being an employee of his. I didn’t know if that was a good or bad thing.

“What happened here?” Damien finally spoke, his tone was biting. “I let you out of the house just once and what do you do? Attempt to disgrace me?”

“That’s not—” his words pierced through me like a dagger but before I could speak up he interrupted me.

“Today was supposed to be a test Elena,” he stared at me, his eyes cold and unfeeling. “Yet you failed,” he snapped, his words made me jolt.

“You're lucky this marriage alliance is a mutually beneficial one,” Damien’s words were cold and unrelenting. He didn’t say another word before he turned on his heel and left, leaving me alone.