Vivian's Table Novels & Stories

~Ioana~ With a soft thud, Vivian gently set the jug filled with water on the table. But froze when she noticed the frown marring my lips. "Is something the matter, Madame?" She asked tentatively. I shook my head but paused. 'Why should I endure it?' "Vivian…" I called out to her. "Yes, Madame?" "Replace the table… looking at it spoils my appetite…" "I'll do that right away, Madam—"

“On the house. For old times—and because she deserves hazard pay for putting up with you.” “Thanks, Tony,” Vivian said brightly, accepting the food. I muttered, “You’re enjoying this way too much.” “Maybe,” she said, smiling as we walked toward one of the tables. “But you’re kind of cute when you’re flustered, Evans.” We sat at one of the small metal tables outside. The air was cool, the kind that wakes you up just enough to remind you you’re alive. I unwrapped my burger slowly, but Vivian didn’t wait. She took one bite, and her eyes went wide.

Alexander Vivian was already at the dining table when Alexander walked in. She’d set it up like a meeting. The chandelier was on. The long table was cleared except for a stack of paperwork at one end and two glasses of water sweating onto coasters. Her lawyer sat to her right in a charcoal suit with a leather portfolio open in front of him. Vivian sat at the head of the table where Alexander used to sit on the nights they had guests. She looked up when he came in and didn’t smile.

I needed water, and I wanted a short break from being admired for a label. The kitchen smelled of toast and fresh coffee. A group sat at a table in there. Tina, Dawn, Zina, Ivy, and Lily. They had set their voices lower. The room felt smaller when people spoke in lists and careful tones. Vivian came in a moment after me. She said the garden table was free if they wanted to join. One table was empty because Sullivan's group had not arrived. Tina shook her head. "No. We will stay here." Her jaw was tight. I could tell she hoped to avoid attention.

The steak actually looks quite good. “Vivianne, I want you to go into town. There is someone very important I need you to find.” I look up at Papa and swallow the bite I had just taken. “Of course. Tell me the details.” A folder is placed on the table beside me. I open it slowly. There is no name listed, only a photograph of a woman in her early forties or fifties. She has features that remind me of someone from Egypt. “This woman needs to be brought back to me. She owes me a debt — and your mother, too. I also suspect she may be involved in whatever happened to Nova.”

Vivian's Pov The first thing I heard that morning was a man's calm but commanding voice. "Search again." "I don't believe she's just a business associate." My heart skipped. Was he talking about me? Still unable to open my eyes, I listened carefully. Alexander's assistant returned a few minutes later with a tablet. "Sir, I found something." "What is it?" "There are old photographs of Mr. David Blackstone and Vivian pretty close to each other."

With reluctance, the staff involved with the surprise packages filed out, and before long the crowd of people also dispersed, leaving just two of us in the room. I turned back to the young lady who was up and fully dressed at this point. "What is your name?" I asked. "Vivian." She answered. "Alright Vivian, listen and listen very well. I do not care whatever might have happened between us. It was never meant to be and that's it!" By now, I could see the tears flowing freely down her cheek. I raised the tone of my voice. "Hey, listen! I have no interest in this your crocodile tears. For all I know, you could have orchestrated all these. Now I need you to get out of my room, out of my life and

I feel like I'm taking care of a sulky little brother. "Thanks, I'll give you food out here, remember to eat, or you'll go hungry." After that, I knew what I meant and left. Until now after that happened, I still haven't seen Daniel come out of the room, maybe he's hungry now. I even purposely prepared more food than the butler Lucas told me. Because I'm afraid he won't eat enough. After Vivian left, Daniel opened the door to the room, he looked at the tray of food with a cold face. Maybe it's because I'm tired of these tasteless dishes. If it weren't for his gastritis, he wouldn't have bothered to touch this pile of food.

Vivian Shaw sat near the window, dressed in a sleek black outfit, her hair arranged perfectly, her expression calm as she lifted a glass of water to her lips. She looked nothing like a woman running from consequences. She looked like someone waiting to set a trap. Adrian walked straight to her table. Vivian looked up slowly. “Hello, Adrian,” she greeted, smiling faintly. He did not sit. He stared down at her, anger already rising again. “Why here?” Vivian tilted her head. “It’s a restaurant. People eat here.” “Don’t play games with me.” Her smile widened slightly. Adrian leaned closer, his voice low and dangerous.

I can't stand the aura of hostility coming off Vivian too much longer. Dinner is uncomfortable for me. The men eat happily enough. Selene cuts her meat and eats delicately, like a proper lady. Vivian just sits there sipping her wine moodily. Once in a while, she would glance at me with narrowed eyes over her wine glass. I pretend to eat, but I've really lost my appetite. "So you two had been spending all evening in Caspian's bedroom?" asks Julian. His grin is big and mischievous. His eyes flash to Vivian for a second.