Dinner and waiting

Andrea’s POV

By eight o’clock I am already sitting at the long dining table like he ordered. My back stays straight, hands resting on my lap the way I practiced a hundred times in front of cracked mirrors at home. 

The table looks like someone is throwing a party for twenty people instead of just two. Plates of roasted meat, creamy pasta, fresh salads, grilled fish, and little desserts I cannot even name cover every inch. Everything smells rich and expensive. My stomach should be growling, but all I feel is a tight knot sitting heavy inside me.

I wait.

The chair feels too big under me. The lights above shine too bright. Even the cool air from the vents feels too perfect. I keep telling myself this is what I wanted. This is the life I spent months faking. But sitting here alone in all this luxury makes my old pretending feel cheap and silly.

Minutes drag by. Still no sign of Tristan.

Claire appears from the side door, her steps quiet and quick. She gives me a small polite smile that does not reach her eyes.

“You may proceed with dinner, Miss Vale.” She gestures to the food. “Mr Hale is currently occupied in a meeting right now and will join you later.”

I nod fast. “Thank you.”

She leaves without another word.

I pick up my fork and stare at the food. It all looks perfect, but I do not know how much is too much. In those fancy restaurants I used to visit just for photos, I always ordered the smallest thing and ate slowly so it would last longer. Here I take tiny bites. One piece of fish. A little pasta. Nothing that makes me look greedy. The tastes are amazing, but my throat feels dry the whole time. I force myself to chew and swallow anyway.

This is the exact kind of dinner I used to spend my last savings on just to snap one picture and post it like some influencer. I would get maybe ten pitiful likes and one comment. Now it sits right in front of me and I can barely enjoy any of it.

Boredom starts creeping in after a while. The silence feels heavy. I glance around to make sure no one is watching, then slip my phone out of my pocket. Just for a minute. I open my favorite funny videos and turn the volume low. A silly cat video pops up and I smile. Then another one makes me laugh softly under my breath. For a few seconds I forget exactly where I am. The knot in my stomach loosens just a little.

A deep voice cuts right through the laughter.

“Here I thought you passed for an elite.”

I jump. My phone almost slips from my hand. I look up and see Tristan walking down the wide staircase, his eyes locked straight on me. The video is still playing loud enough for him to hear every silly sound. Heat rushes up my face.

He stops at the head of the table. “No phones at the table.”

I fumble with the screen and turn it off fast. “I am sorry. I was just—”

“Save your explanation.” He pulls out his chair and sits down like none of it matters. He picks up his fork and starts eating without looking at me again.

I stay quiet, my heart still racing. He eats a few spoons, then pauses and glances at my plate. Most of the food is still there. I have only poked at it.

“Why are you not eating?” he asks.

“I am full,” I say quickly.

He studies me for a second. “Alright then. You may leave for your room.”

Relief hits me hard. I push my chair back and stand up, ready to escape his heavy presence. “When you get to your room, you will see a silk nightwear lying on your bed.” I have only taken two steps when his voice stops me again. “Take a bath and change into it. I will meet you up there soon.”

I freeze. My mouth goes dry. “Okay.”

I walk up the stairs without looking back. My legs feel shaky the whole way. When I push open the door to my room, the first thing I see is the red silk lying neatly across the bed. It is not a simple nightwear. It is lingerie. Thin straps, deep neckline, short hem that will barely cover anything. 

My stomach flips hard.

I stand there staring at it for a long moment. This is really happening. No turning back now.

I go into the bathroom and take a long shower, letting the hot water run over me. It does not calm my nerves at all. When I come out, I dry myself slowly, then slip into the red lingerie. The material feels cool and slippery against my skin. 

I stand in front of the full-length mirror and comb my hair with my fingers. The girl looking back at me seems like someone else. Someone who belongs in this penthouse. Someone who is about to be touched by Tristan Hale.

I sit on the edge of the bed, knees pressed together, waiting.

My phone rings. I pick it up fast. It is Mom.

“Hey, baby,” she says, her voice tired but warm. “Did you arrive safely? How is the new place?”

“I am fine, Mom. It is nice here. Really nice.” I stand up and walk to the window, staring out at the tall lamp, lighting the estate far below. “How is Ethan?”

“He is sleeping. The medicine is working today. He asked about you after you left.” She pauses. “This job… it is safe, right? You would tell me if something felt wrong?”

“It is safe,” I say, forcing my voice to sound steady. “Do not worry about me. Just take care of yourself and Ethan. I will send money soon.”

We talk for a few more minutes. She tells me she loves me. I tell her the same. When I end the call, I let out a long breath and turn around.

Tristan is standing right there, only a few feet away.

A short scream escapes me before I can stop it. I press a hand to my chest. “Mr. Hale… how did you—”

“Yes, it is just me.” His voice is calm, almost amused. He takes one slow step closer. “What a creep, right?”

I cannot answer. My heart hammers so loud I am sure he can hear it. He closes the rest of the distance between us until I have to tilt my head up to look at him. His grey eyes move slowly over my body in the red lingerie.

“Are you ready?” he asks quietly.

I swallow hard and nod.

He reaches out, slides one hand behind my neck, and pulls me into a kiss.