CHAPTER FIVE: BLIND DATE FROM HELL

JESSIE

The ambience of the restaurant is exactly what would fit my mother’s standard. I stood by the door and scanned the room while the hostess helped me confirm my reservation. 

I caught my date checking his reflection in the mirror. I breathed a sigh of relief that he wasn't as old as I had painted him up to be in my head. 

“Ms Moore,” he stretched his hand to mine. When he took it, he lifted it to his lips and kissed it on the back gently, but then lingered for a second more than he should. 

I pulled my hand from his grip and sat down before he could try to help me. “Mr Henderson, it’s nice to meet you.” 

The words felt stuck in my throat, but my mom’s words about getting married to a suitable partner for the business stayed in my mind. I won't get to date this man, but I had to make sure he didn't feel insulted as he left. 

“Just call me Henry.” 

I nodded gently, licking my lips. He waited for me to give him my first name, but I wasn't comfortable enough to do that.  

“You are quite different from what I expected…” he trailed off, his eyes deepening as they raced all over my body. 

“How so?’ I did a little shimmy with my shoulders before relaxing to fit the seat. 

I could see that this man was in awe of my body, but something about it made me want to puke right there. 

“I mean, I will be doing you and your family a huge favour by marrying you.” The expression on his face changed suddenly, and I held my breath. He smirked, thinking he already had the higher ground and was ready to continue whatever that was. 

“I don’t think anybody else would take an interest in you,” he continued. 

I scoffed and cursed under my breath. Why did I have to go through all this humiliation in the name of getting married? 

“Shall we order?” I asked instead, trying not to dwell on his words. Even before I sat across from him, I already knew there was no chance for us. I would get through this to satisfy my mother. 

“Sure,” he replied in a defeated tone. He wanted me to respond so he could compound it. Good thing I am smarter than he was. 

When the waiter came, I intentionally ordered more than I could eat. I saw the way his eyes darted around so uncomfortably. Of course, he was the cheap kind who would refuse to spend any money. 

“Don’t you think you are ordering too much?” He squeaked when the waiter walked away with our order. 

“I mean, you can at least afford this, can’t you?” I leaned in with a sinister smile on my face. 

He cleared his throat, Adam’s apple bopping too fast as he looked away. 

“If you can’t afford a few dishes, what makes you think a Moore heiress is worthy of you?” 

He stared at me, but I was done humouring him.

“You are just a social-climbing gold digger, and you are trying to get into our wealth. It's an honour for you to marry me? I’d say the reverse is the case.” 

He opened his mouth to speak, but I was not going to allow him to get a word out. At least not until I had said all I wanted to. His face contorted like he was ready to explode. 

“You aren’t worthy of me. Hell, you aren’t even worthy of any woman on this earth.” 

“How dare you!’ He slammed his open fist into the table. 

My eyes ran over the restaurant, and everyone was now looking at us. I lifted my chin, trying to act tough so their stares didn't get to me. 

“You think you can talk to me like that?’ His voice rose more, and I sighed. “I will make sure you pay for this,” he continued, roaring, giving me the ick. 

A man dressed in a suit approached our table. Henry got up as soon as he saw him, a smile already climbing his face. 

“Good thing you are here. I am a vip here at this restaurant, and I want you to…” 

“You have to leave, sir.” The manager cut him off, and a series of stifled laughter echoed through the floor. 

Henry blinked rapidly, his mouth opening and closing as he tried to understand. “I said I was…” 

“The owner has asked to ban you from the restaurant; please do not return,” the manager recited. “Do I have to call security, or are you going to leave on your own?” 

Henry took a step back and stormed out of the restaurant after wagging a warning finger in my face. “You’ll regret this,” his voice boomed as he walked away. I waved at him when he looked back, and he didn't seem to like it at all. 

“Thank you,” I murmur to the manager, but Stephen blocked my vision of the man and slid into the seat that Henry had just gotten out of. 

He signalled the manager, who left after a small bow. I shifted in my seat; I hadn't expected to see him so soon. Memories from that night flashed in my mind again. 

“What are you doing here?” 

“I own the place,” he declared, and I nodded. Made sense for the Harrington heir after all. I raised my eyebrow because it was very unlikely he was here just because he owned the place. 

“Oh well,” he coughed, shifting forward. “Tina told me about your blind date and…” 

Of course, Tina would do something like that. I had called her last night to rant because I had no idea what else to do.

“You are here to stop me?” I shook my head when I realised that I was getting ahead of myself with him. “Oh, don't mind…” 

“Actually, yes.” My eyes widened, and my mouth stayed open slightly. 

“You need a husband, and I need a wife. Why don’t we get married?” 

“I don’t think that’s a very good idea.” My mind couldn’t come up with a reason, but it felt like I was already treading dangerous terrain. 

“My family thinks I am gay. You know that is not the case.” He paused, and heat crept up my neck and face. 

“They want me to get married. Your mother would keep setting you up on blind dates like this until you find a partner.”

“And you want to go under the fire of my mom?” 

“If you go under the fire of my family” 

I pressed my lips together; this was the only way I could choose someone who wouldn't be a puppet to my mother. I shouldn't. I knew it, but this was the only way I got to have a choice, so I stretched my hand across the table. 

“Deal”