I Am Looking Respectfully Romane & Geschichten

Their eyes turned as one, settling on me. The weight of their gazes pressed into my skin, heavy, unrelenting. I wanted to shrink, to retreat, but something inside me whispered: No. Stand. I took a single step forward. The silence was suffocating, yet not hostile. Respect lived in it. Expectation. Perhaps curiosity, perhaps doubt but none dared voice it outright. A tall man with silver hair stood, bowing his head respectfully. “Mrs Astor,” he said, his voice deep, calm. “Welcome.”

The others say nothing, watching the exchange with interest. Everyone ranges from sixteen-twenty years old. Some wear similar expression as Stacey, eyeing me suspiciously, derision in their sneers. Others look on with fear, but a select few have a glint of admiration and respect hidden in their features. “So, you will give her the respect of someone who is in that position.” “Respect is earned, Grandmaster Camilla.” Stacey responds, hands on her hip, while she stares me down. “I couldn’t agree more, Stephanie.” I smile sweetly, Camilla snorting beside me, clearly enjoying my antics.

, I said indirectly referring him. He looked at me as he understood what I mean and I raised my eyebrows at him. "Ma'am ..", he started but I raised my hand in making annoy face. "Can you please leave that word ma'am behind for a moment" My voice came rough that he looked shock a bit but nodded his head agreeing to it. I leaned my head back on headrest and sighed in relief. "Like seriously are you scared of my commands ?", I asked him curiously. "It's called respect not other way around", he said staring ahead.

I step aside and wait for whoever is coming. A few minutes passed, and Liam walked into his office, looking sharp and composed, without knowing I was also there. “Why is Liam here? Has he also gotten himself into trouble with this old man? Men, he is really cooked! I muttered underneath my breath. “Good morning sir, you sent for me?!” he asked, bowing his head low as a sign of respect. In college we don't dare to make eye contact with our Lecturers, it is considered rude.

I apologized, feeling the domineering aura of the atmosphere. Some minutes passed. It was getting close to an hour. Although I became a little more impatient, I decided to keep it to myself. Elders, they say, should be treated with respect, notwithstanding the circumstance and this may be our last chance of securing a good deal, perhaps, if we don't bounce back eventually. Mr Grey finally raised his gaze and gave me a stern irritated glance. I looked away instinctively, I didn't want to look disrespectful before him. He took a second glance and lingered his gaze on me.

I requested with respect laced on my voice and she turned towards me with widened eyes. "You don't have to use the word please"

I looked around the room, meeting the eyes of those who had doubts. “What I am doing is choosing to look at the present. I see a man who has admitted his mistakes, who has spent years trying to make things right, who uses what he has to help others, and who respects me enough to let me be exactly who I am. I see someone who listens, who keeps his word, and who does not ask me to be anything other than myself.”

That whatever version of this conversation she’d been quietly preparing for in her own private moments had just arrived in her kitchen wearing my face. “Okay,” she said quietly. “I respect you,” I said. “I want that said first. Everything I’m about to say comes from respect and not from — I’m not doing this to hurt you. That matters to me.” Her hands tightened slightly. “Say it, Caden.”

“If we’re doing this I want one thing first.” His brow arches.“And what’s that?” “Respect,” I say,meeting his gaze. “You don’t talk down to me.You dont treat me like I’m disposable.” Aiden stills as if he was not expecting that. Then a slow smirk tugs at the corner of his mouth.“You have guts.” “I have boundaries.” For a moment, he says nothing. Then, with a small nod, he concedes. “Fine. You have my respect, Miss Taylor. We have a deal.”

“There’s something importαnt I need to sαy.” The entire tαble fell silent‚ eyes snαpping to him. Ryαn sαt tαll‚ cαlm but firm. “Alphα King George‚ I wαnt to stαrt by sαying how much I respect you. You αre α greαt Alphα King‚ α mαn I look up to‚ αnd I’ve αlwαys αdmired how you rαised Sophie. You’re α greαt fαther to her. But with αll due respect‚ I cαnnot go forwαrd with this αrrαngement.”