The click sound of silverware hitting plates reverberated around the walls as everyone busied themselves with the meal. At first, Rina was skeptical about their reception towards it, knowing that they were perhaps used to eating only the best. But she visibly relaxed upon realizing that they were actually enjoying it. Or at least, that was what the expression on their faces told her.
When she reached for the pepper shake, Zayn’s fingers brushed hers and she withdrew her hand with the speed of lighting, recoiling from the sudden electric zap that had gone through her. He must have felt it too because he looked up at her at that moment, his eyes dark with an emotion Rina couldn’t place her hands on.
Pulling her gaze away from his perfect features, she opted to eat without the pepper, not willing to risk that happening again. Unknown to her, Susan and William watched the duo with keen attention, having their own reservations. They wondered how long they would both deny what they felt for each other. But knowing who Zayn was and understanding Rina’s course, Susan feared that day might never come. Zayn was not only proud, but his disinterest in anything emotion-laden would make him deny it until the very end.
Still, he was very possessive of her.
Very.
“This is so nice,” William muttered after his second helping. His eyes gleamed in satisfaction and he rubbed his belly with delight. He went for a third round, but not without earning a warning glare from his mother. He had a high metabolism rate but that never seemed to register with Susan. All she knew was that he ate too much and she was trying to watch that.
“Thank you,” Rina said, really meaning it. “I wanted this to be special for us all, especially after you’ve been so nice to me since the attack on my cottage. If not for you all, I would have been …”
The doorbell sounded, and Rina got up, silently asking to be excused for a minute before walking briskly in that direction. Zayn angled his head as he watched her leave, then turned to look at William who shrugged, just as clueless as Zayn was. No one ever rang the doorbell because all the people who had knowledge of the villa knew the passcode. Had Rina invited someone without informing him first?
In a few minutes, she walked back in with George and Isaiah behind her. While George held a bouquet, Isaiah was with a basket that presumably held snacks. Susan got up to get the basket from him and disappeared into the kitchen, while Rina took the flowers and placed them gently on the table.
George was obviously so excited to be in Zayn’s presence as he hopped from foot to foot, his grin not one bit out of place.
“George and Isaiah have met Zayn before…my erm…. so yeah, that is William and Susan,” Rina said hastily just as Susan strolled out of the kitchen. The introductions were as awkward for her as they were for anyone else in the room, and she wanted to be done with it as fast as possible.
William did the thing he always did when he exerted his dominance and territorial powers where Zayn and Rina were concerned. He sized them up as they got closer to take their seats, not taking his eyes off them until Zayn nudged him gently.
“It was supposed to be a celebratory dinner with my friends, and I consider George and Isaiah friends as well. I hope you don’t mind.” She directed her question to Zayn who smiled at her and shook his head.
“Of course, I don’t mind,” he answered. “This means something to you so it means something to me as well.”
In as much as Zayn meant those words, he still really would have preferred a night out alone with Rina. He wanted to be the first to hear her good news before she broke it to anyone else. He didn’t want to have to share the light in her eyes or the music in her laughter, but if she wanted it this way, he wasn’t going to stop it.
“Thank you,” Rina whispered, before taking her seat, while Susan helped the new guests with their meal. The silence that hung over the air was thick because the moment was foreign to everyone there. Zayn had never had to eat with persons he didn’t consider family, or in Rina’s case, a complication, only if it was a business event. This qualified as none, and he was certain William felt the same way.
He watched Rina grab the wine he had corked open and pour herself half a glass, smiling as the scent hit her. Zayn stifled a groan as he watched her sniff it from the rim before throwing her head back and taking a sip.
“It feels like it’s been ages since I last had this,” she murmured. “How did you…of course.”
“It would surprise you to know just how much I know about you, Rina,” he drawled, staring into her eyes. It was there again for the umpteenth time that night the sexual tension so palpable, so real.
Rina shot out of her seat abruptly and looked around the table. “George already knows what this is about since he was the one who broke it to me,” she started. Zayn didn’t like the sound of that, but he didn’t interrupt. “But for the rest of us, I … I don’t think I can hold on to the suspense so I’m just going to spill. The Pages of Claire has offered me a job. They want me to be on the front pages of their magazine for a year.”
“Oh. My. God.” Susan was ecstatic. She pulled Rina into a hug at once, patting her hair gently. “That’s such a great feat, dear. Congratulations!”
“Thank you.” She grinned from ear to ear, unable to keep her excitement in check.
“This is great news, Ms. Power. I’m happy for you.” William held out his glass of wine in a salute.
Rina looked at Zayn, waiting for him to say something. But he did something instead.