Chapter 17
SHANELLE
-You’re the strangest man I’ve ever met in my life -I assure him, stirring the spoon in the ice cream-. So the restaurant is yours… it’s beautiful.
-I’m glad you like it.
-But I don’t fit in here -I say, looking at my outfit which I decided to keep out of stubbornness. He lifts his gaze, and I meet Liam’s blue eyes.
-Shanelle, I can assure you that you’re the only one who really fits in here -he assures me. Liam slides his hand across the table and catches my hand holding the spoon-, since you’re the company I want to have right now. No one else.
The blush rises on my cheeks once again.
-I like how you blush.
-Which once again speaks to your lack of taste -I mutter, withdrawing my hand-. I look like a beet when I blush.
He laughs at the honesty he hears in my words.
-Something I would like to be able to check for myself every day -he comments while sliding his gaze over me with open sensuality-, in every inch of your skin.
-I’m not going to bed with you -he raises an eyebrow-: I mean, again -I try to correct my mistake, because without a doubt, I’ve already slept with him.
-A rather hasty declaration of intentions, Shane, seeing as that’s not all I want from you.
Huffing because what else could this man want from me other than to get between my legs whenever he pleases, I can feel my cheeks remain red, which undoubtedly makes them shine bright.
-Don’t play with me, Liam Thomas -I say his name firmly.
-Shane… -he pronounces my name in a way that makes my body tingle.
-Liam? Wow, what a surprise.
The unexpected female voice reaches us from behind me, a strong scent of overly sweet cologne wafting through my nostrils, immediately making me feel nauseous.
-I don’t see where the surprise is, the last time I checked, this is my restaurant -the woman lingering behind me lets out a silly giggle.
-you know what I mean, darling -the woman moves to directly enter my line of sight as she stands next to the table- Didn’t you know you were doing charity work, dear? -she asks, sliding her hand down her shoulder as if she has the right to do so. “Damn bastard, dining with me, making me believe he wants something. When in reality, he already has a woman.”-. You’re quite the altruist bringing someone to eat at an exclusive place to…
The woman leaves the word hanging in the air as if waiting for me to tell her who I am; she might be waiting a while, as I can’t overlook the sting of this bitch’s malicious words who has joined our table. I can feel the color drain from my cheeks as I see how beautiful this woman is; she’s a stunning blonde with large green eyes and a perfect body. Still, I’m not willing to let myself be intimidated by her or anyone.
I can see out of the corner of my eye that Liam opens his mouth to say something, but I interrupt him.
-I could have sworn this restaurant is exclusive enough not to allow clients’ pets inside, Liam, you should put up a sign at the entrance -I say in a sweet, delicate voice. Then, pretending innocence, I look around before asking-. Do you think someone has lost this dog?
The woman’s choked gasp as she continues to caress Liam’s shoulder is followed by some giggles from the back of the restaurant, causing my lips to curve involuntarily.
-Are you going to let her talk to me like that? -she asks Liam, expecting him to defend her.
-You started it, Ana -Liam says.
-Your choices lately are quite eclectic, darling. Someone in your position should think more about their image. But it’s fine, you have the right to have fun. When you’re tired of playing in the trash, take a shower and come see me, you smell like it, wait -I can swear the woman is damn sniffing the air in my direction, her eyes widening-, it can’t be, she’s…
-Enough! Did you come here just to sow poison, or do you have something intelligent to say, Ana? -he asks her with remarkable calm.
-I’m the one who’s had enough, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to the restroom -I rise from the table, straighten my back, lift my chin with all the dignity I possess, and ignore the bitch as I pass by her and head to the restroom, not without hearing Liam’s words.
-You’re not welcome at this table.
I hear the click of her tongue.
-I’ll let you have your fun with your new toy for as long as you want, darling…
I quicken my steps away from the table and those two. The truth is, I was enjoying the dinner and Liam’s company, who is really a nice guy. I can’t understand how one can socialize with people like that woman. And if she is his ex-girlfriend or girlfriend, then am I really just his toy? Why go to so much trouble to take me out then?
Damn rich people who don’t know what to do with their free time… But the truth is, Liam didn’t seem like that kind of person. Battling between the restrooms and heading straight to the stall, once I empty my bladder, I exit and wash my hands, looking at my reflection in the mirror; my hair is a complete mess, tied up in a messy bun, and my pajamas don’t exactly help in this situation. My face is completely pale, and my somewhat red eyes remind me that I was on the verge of crying in front of that bitch. There’s no way I’m going back to that table; it’s time to go home. I pull out my phone and call a taxi service to request one.
I open the restroom door and look outside, toward the main entrance of the restaurant. To get there, I would have to walk past our table, and that’s not happening. I look the other way and see the double doors to the kitchen, hidden behind a couple of bushes on each side. Dying of fear, I quickly move among the shadows, pass behind the bushes, carefully slip through the double doors, and enter the kitchen. The noise in this place is overwhelming, so I try to go unnoticed, but it’s impossible when the head chef looks at me.
-I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I’m just looking for the exit.
Sure! Here’s the translation of the text into English:
—
-Then you’re in the wrong place, miss. The exit is in the other direction.
-No, I’m not in the wrong place. In fact, I think this is the best place. Every kitchen has a back door. If you could just point me in the right direction, I’ll leave immediately.
-Leave immediately through the door you came in or I’ll call security.
Well, shit, I can’t let this guy call security because I’ll have Liam on me in no time.
-Please, don’t do that, just point me to the kitchen exit and I’ll go -I say, feeling the tension in the air.
The chef, instead of being that stereotype of a fat, big-bellied cook I was expecting, is quite the opposite. He is a man with an imposing presence, with a chiseled jaw and defined cheekbones that give him an air of confidence. His dark, wavy hair falls messily yet charmingly over his forehead, while a slight shadow of stubble outlines his face, adding a rugged touch that is irresistible.
He wears a fitted chef’s jacket that enhances his athletic figure, revealing well-defined muscles in his arms and torso. He crosses those arms over his broad, sturdy chest, showing the strength he possesses. With a decisive gesture, he raises one of his arms, pointing with an almost arrogant elegance to the door behind me. His deep, penetrating gaze seems to assess every detail, as if he were a culinary critic examining his masterpiece.
It’s a shocking contrast to the idea I had formed of him, and while I try to maintain my defiant stance, I can’t help but feel trapped by his magnetism.
-Exit through there, and I’ll act like nothing has happened -then something occurs to me.
-I’m with Liam -the man gives me a second look, scanning my entire body before smiling.
-I wish you were, miss, with Mr. Liam.
-Chef -a second voice calls out to him, and when I turn, I see the waiter who has been serving us all night-: The miss is telling the truth, she is with Mr. Liam.
-Exactly! He tells the truth, I tell the truth. Liam asked me to come out this way; apparently, a certain Ana has arrived.
Upon hearing the name of that bitch, the chef’s eyes widen, and in an instant, he’s pulling me by the hand, leading me to the back of the kitchen and to the exit.
-Thank you -I manage to whisper, on the verge of tears, as this action shows me that Ana is indeed something to Liam. I run through the alley, turn the corner, and see my taxi in front of the restaurant; without thinking much, I rush inside and give the address to the driver.
As the taxi drives through the city streets, I can’t help but feel confused and hurt. How can Liam have a woman like Ana in his life? And why did he invite me to dinner if he’s engaged? All these questions swirl in my head, but what hurts me the most is feeling that I was used as a toy by this man. We finally arrive at my house, and I pay the driver before getting out of the vehicle. I climb the stairs to my apartment and collapse onto the sofa. The tears finally begin to fall, feeling a mix of anger, sadness, and confusion. How could I have fallen into this situation? I decide to take a shower to try to clear my mind, but even under the hot water, the tears keep falling. Once I get out of the shower, I wrap myself in a towel and sit on the edge of the bed. My thoughts continue to be chaotic, but one thing is certain: I need to distance myself from Liam and this whole situation as soon as possible. I lie down on the bed, letting exhaustion and emotions drag me into sleep. Tomorrow will be another day, and I hope to face whatever comes with more strength and determination. But at that moment, I just want to close my eyes and let sleep take me far away from all this confusion.