Setting: An exclusive Bistro featuring French cuisine, it is late evening.
Encounter: Feddie and Ashsa – (possibly a first date) occurs after he has asked his contractor to assign the man who ruined her days work to be her assistant (she has discovered she likes her new assistant) and before he has read the journal from her childhood.
…she (Ashsa aka “insignificant tile girl” is restoring an elaborate mosaic in Federic’s home, (the Ivers Compound)) is trying to overcome her nervousness in this unfamiliar place with this intimidating man
,,,he (Feddie aka Federic has hired the contractor who has employed Ashsa) is aware of her nervousness but brushes it off as absurd, unimportant.
He has a serious look on his face as he studies the menu. Then, as he looks up and finds her staring in fascination, he smiles. It washes across his face and splashes up into his eyes leaving them liquid with delight. It’s all sweet and fine until it becomes something else, something that looks more like desire, desire tinged with the promise of passion, passion so tangible that it steals her own smile and turns it all shy and makes the soft skin of her cheeks blush. He is not quite sure what to think about her reaction. Women usually respond to him one of two ways, either with a knowing nod or a disgusted almost fearful refusal.
In the next moment he has to ask what she wants and she has to close her eyes and take a slow breath before she answers trusting that the real question was about food and not so much about what she is feeling. However, when she opens her eyes and sees him watching her like some enchanted rogue she only wants to excuse herself and escape to the powder room. But his predatory instincts have already taken over and he has her by the hand. It should have been easier to watch her small hand in his large warm hand rather then keep looking into his eyes. But his fingers thread with her fingers and it seems to have locked her in place. She dares to look up, feeling slightly frantic, takes a short breath and after a quick glance of the menu answers. “I believe I’ll have the Cassoulet.” relieved to see the meaty bean dish among the other unknown French dishes. The only other one she recognized was the Escargot and she couldn’t bring herself to order snails.
She realizes that his face looks pleased and a little surprised. “So what are you having?” she feels bold enough to ask, until he drags her hand across the table and up to his mouth. He doesn’t have to say it out loud she knows his answer is “You.”
Eyes wide and having already learned that trying to twist away from his grip doesn’t work, she stays perfectly still. It only takes a moment for him to realize that he has frightened her again. Lowering his hand, but still holding hers, he summons the Maitre D’ with his free hand and gives their order.
“So, my insignificant tile girl are we going to consider this our first date?”
“I work for you, how can this be a date?” she responds.
At first he shakes his head, “No.” then he nods “This is a date.”and his smile washes over his face again and she feels like she’s floating. Tethered, he looks down at their joined hands and feels her hold on his tighten.
5,839 Prime Words 