Sophia’s POV
I wasn’t nervous about the date and I definitely didn’t have the urge to have a double take at Mr Prescott after seeing him come out of our room in a double-breasted suit.
The drive to wherever our date was, was quiet and short.
Maybe I should have spoken to Mr Prescott about ending the contract then but there would be enough time at the date to do that.
The car pulled up and when I stepped out, I was shocked.
“This place,” I said glancing at Mr Prescott with surprise.
It was my former workplace. Renaissance. The restaurant Kate had me sacked from for stealing. The one event that had started a domino effect that had led to this contract marriage.
It was one of the most luxurious restaurants in LA that required up to six months prior to booking. How could we get a spot open so easily for an impromptu dinner?
“Welcome, Mr Prescott,” Marty said boisterously as he stepped out with a host of staff to welcome us. “It’s not every day we get to host the owner of Renaissance.”
What? Mr Prescott was the owner of Renaissance?
Mr Prescott gave him a small smile.
“Thank you for clearing out the rooftop on such short notice for my wife and I.”
It seemed it was at that moment Marty noticed I was standing next to Mr Prescott and I could see his jaw visibly drop.
“Your wife.” He said, visibly shaken.
Mr Prescott’s hand settled on my waist sending an unexpected thrill running through me.
“My wife, Sophia Prescott.”
Marty recovered faster than I would have expected considering the fact that the last time we had seen each other he had given me the boot without any hesitation just to keep the Baxters happy.
“It’s a pleasure to serve, Ma’am. If you would follow me, the rooftop dinner has just been served by the chefs.” Marty ushered us in.
Walking in at the side of Mr Prescott, his hand still settled on my waist, I had the strangest thought.
Had it really been a coincidence that I got a job here at a restaurant he owned after months of searching?
Why was it that I felt like I could never really know Mr Prescott or understand all his motives and games within games, yet when he smiled, the world seemed brighter?
In my time working here, I had never worked at the rooftop restaurant but I was certain the candlelit private dinner set up with the quiet orchestra music playing in the background wasn’t usually there.
The table was set as he had said with a variety of seafood from king crab, caviar and salmon to more exotic dishes that all smelt wonderful but as Mr Prescott pulled out my chair for me to sit, I found that my appetite had fled.
Mr Prescott and I were the only ones on the rooftop. This was our first date alone with each other and I didn’t know what to do with my body.
I tried to pick up my cutlery but my hands trembled slightly and I looked up to find Mr Prescott’s eyes already on me.
I let go of my cutlery and we spoke at the exact same second.
“Are you seeing Daphne East?”
“Why do you want a divorce?”
Mr Prescott looked taken aback by my question and I felt a flush rise on my cheeks involuntarily.
I didn’t even know where that question had come from but it was valid. I couldn’t be the one coming between a couple planning to reunite.
When Mr Prescott finally responded, his voice was as cool as ice.
“Miss Evergreen, do I need to remind you that this is only an arrangement?”
The way he looked now reminded me of Mr Prescott before our agreement for me to give him a chance and somehow that felt comforting.
Maybe this professionalism was best instead of dangerous lines blurring.
“I know it’s an arrangement, Mr Prescott. And I would like to keep it that way.” I said. “I just… I saw both of you at the office and I wondered if this arrangement was keeping you from the woman you loved. I don’t want to be the cause of the fracture of any relationship.”
The tension in Mr Prescott’s shoulders eased slightly.
“You don’t need to bother about that, Miss Evergreen. Daphne East and I were over long before you came into the picture.”
I shouldn’t have felt as relieved as I did at those words. I had no right to be possessive about Mr Prescott.
Something sparked in Mr Prescott’s gray gaze as realization seemed to dawn on him.
“Was that the reason you wanted to end our arrangement?” Mr Prescott demanded and with his eyes locked onto mine, I found that I couldn’t lie.
“It’s a part of it.” I admitted.
“In that case, be rest assured, Miss Evergreen. This arrangement between us is purely a business transaction. You aren’t hurting anyone.” Mr Prescott tilted his head to the side almost curiously. “Do you still want to end this contract?”