Chapter 651 Guild Duties and Personal Desires (2)
Erik stepped out of the shower, the warm water droplets still clinging to his skin as he toweled off. He moved to his wardrobe, selecting a tailored suit that was both elegant and understated.
As Erik dressed, his thoughts drifted to Mira, the woman who had become a source of comfort and joy in his life. He imagined the smile that would light up her face when she saw him, and his heart swelled with a sense of warmth and contentment.
But even as he savored the thought of Mira's smile, his mind couldn't help but wander to Amber, the girlfriend he had left behind in Frant. Guilt gnawed at him as he thought of her, knowing that he had betrayed her trust by finding solace in another woman's arms.
Erik knew he needed physical connections and attention, something he had been deprived of as a child. But that didn't excuse his actions, and he couldn't help but feel remorseful for his actions.
He swore to himself he would make it up to her if they ever met again in the future, but deep down, he doubted that would ever happen.
As he finished dressing, Erik took a deep breath and pushed his thoughts aside. Then he picked up his phone and dialed the number for "Elegance," the high-class restaurant he had visited while hunting for Doran.
The line connected, and a polite voice answered the phone, "Good evening, Elegance Restaurant. How may I assist you?"
"This is Erik Kay." The young man knew his name now carried weight in the city, and he intended to leverage that influence to secure a table for the evening.
As he spoke, Erik's face held a confident expression. His brow was furrowed in concentration, but his eyes remained focused and determined. He exuded an air of authority, knowing his request would be taken seriously.
"Ah, Mr. Kay," the voice on the other end responded, tinged with a newfound respect. "What can I do for you?"
Upon hearing the voice on the other end respond with newfound respect, Erik's lips curled up in a small smile. The recognition of his name was gratifying, and he felt a sense of pride in his accomplishments.
"I need a table at your restaurant for dinner. I was hoping you could find me a nice table."
As he waited for a response, Erik's brow furrowed in anticipation. He was eager to enjoy a delicious meal, but he knew securing a table during the lunch rush could be a challenge.
The man on the other end of the line took a moment to consider his options, and Erik's fingers tapped on the phone. He felt a sense of urgency, knowing time was of the essence.
"The reservations for today almost filled our tables. But we will do our utmost to accommodate you. Please hold for a moment."
As he was asked to hold for a moment, Erik's mind wandered to the delectable dishes he had enjoyed at the restaurant in the past. He felt a sense of excitement and anticipation, eager to indulge in his favorite flavors once again.
Erik waited, his thoughts drifting to the evening ahead. He envisioned the candlelit atmosphere, the sumptuous food, but, most importantly, the time he would spend with Mira.
"Mr. Kay, you're in luck. We've reserved a table for you. Will it be for two?" the voice said, the tone deferential but warm.
Erik's smile grew wider, his lips curling up at the corners. He felt a sense of excitement and satisfaction knowing his request had been granted.
"Yes, for two," he confirmed, his voice filled with enthusiasm. He couldn't help but feel a surge of happiness, knowing he would share this special evening with someone dear to him.
As Erik spoke, his body language relaxed, his shoulders easing down. He imagined the pleasant atmosphere, the restaurant's warm ambiance, and the delightful company he would enjoy.
The voice on the other end of the line continued, and Erik's eyes widened with anticipation. A smile spread across his face, his lips curling upward as he imagined the delightful evening ahead.
"Very well, your table will be ready by 20:00," the voice said, and Erik's eyebrows raised in excitement.
"If you want, you can come earlier to have an aperitivo served. We look forward to serving you tonight," the man said.
"Thank you," Erik said, his voice filled with appreciation. He ended the call with a contented sigh.
Erik couldn't help but reflect on how much his life had changed in the past year. Just twelve months ago, he had been struggling to make ends meet, scraping by with the little money he had.
He remembered the days when he had to skip meals just to make ends meet, and the nights when he would lie awake, worrying about how he would pay his bills.
But now, things were different. With hard work and determination, Erik had turned his life around. He had worked tirelessly, building his business from the ground up, and now he was reaping the rewards of his labor.
The fact that he could now dine in some of the finest restaurants in the world was a testament to his success. It was a far cry from the days when he couldn't afford a decent meal.
Erik glanced at the clock, noticing it was almost time to leave. He took a deep breath, savoring the anticipation that tingled through him.
***
Erik sat in the plush backseat of one of his luxury cars, his eyes meeting Mira's as they made their way to Elegance, the city's most prestigious restaurant.
The car glided through the city streets, but Erik's attention was on Mira. She was a vision of elegance, her beauty magnified by the effort she had put into her appearance for the evening.
Gone was her usual braid; tonight, her dark hair cascaded in soft waves down her back, adding a touch of sophistication to her look. She wore a stunning dress that shimmered in the soft light of the car's interior—a far cry from her usual green attire.
Her eyes, always bright and piercing, seemed to sparkle with an inner light, reflecting curiosity and zest for life that Erik found captivating.
However, despite her bright and captivating eyes, Erik found his gaze wandering to her ample bosom, which was subtly revealed by the dress she wore. He couldn't help but feel drawn to the curves of her body, his eyes lingering on the soft swell of her breasts.
"So, Aiden took…"
Erik struggled to keep eye contact, his attention drawn to her chest. He felt a sense of attraction that he couldn't deny, his mind consumed with thoughts of her body.
Erik's gaze was fixated on her bosom, and he stared. He felt a sense of desire he couldn't ignore, his eyes drinking from the sight of her curves.
"Are you listening?" Mira asked, her voice tinged with a hint of annoyance.
"Uh? Ah… Yes!" Erik's mind wandered to the curves of her body that he had been admiring just moments before.
Then a devilish grin appeared on Mira's face, and Erik felt his heart skip a beat. He knew he had been caught staring, and the embarrassment washed over him like a wave.
"You can look at it without the clothes later," Mira said in a teasing manner, her tone playful but suggestive.
Erik's cheeks burned with embarrassment, and he struggled to maintain his composure. The only solace was that his mask hid his reddened cheeks.
…
…
…
As they arrived at Elegance, Erik stepped out of the car first and extended his hand to help Mira out. The moment her feet touched the ground, it was as if the world admired her. Erik felt a swell of pride; she was extraordinary, and she was his.
The maitre greeted them with a deferential nod as they entered the restaurant. "Mr. Kay, a pleasure to have you. Your table is ready."
They were led to a secluded table, elegantly set with fine porcelain and crystal glassware. As they sat, Erik couldn't help but admire how the soft glow of the chandeliers danced in Mira's eyes, making them even more mesmerizing.
…
…
…
The dinner unfolded like a dream. They talked about everything and nothing—missions they'd been on, the growth of the guild, and even the books they'd been reading. The conversation naturally shifted to plans for the future.
"I've been thinking," Erik began, locking eyes with Mira, "about expanding the guild's reach. Maybe even establishing branches in other cities."
Mira's eyes lit up at the idea, and Erik felt a surge of excitement. He knew that this was a bold move, but he couldn't ignore the potential for growth and expansion.
But as Mira spoke, Erik could sense her hesitation. He could see the furrow in her brow, and the slight tension in her body language. He knew she had concerns, and he felt a twinge of doubt creep into his mind.
"I think it is too soon to think about it, to be honest." Mira had a measured tone as she said those words.
"The guild doesn't even have a year and making other branches seems too rushed. I think we should expand the number of workers, and then maybe think about other cities later. Don't let these months' successes cloud your judgment."
Erik felt a sense of disappointment wash over him, knowing that Mira was right. However, he nodded, pleased by her insight. "Yeah, maybe you are right… But let's stop talking about the guild; what about you? How are things going for your party?"
Mira paused, her eyes meeting his. "Well, we are there to increase our guild rank, but as you know, things aren't simple. However, thanks to the vehicles you bought and the people are coming with us to hunt. Killing Thaids became easier."
"Glad to hear this; I knew you joining was bound to be a good choice. Aside from that, how is life going in general?"
"Glad you asked," Mira said, "Lately, I'm having problems with my neighbor; that bitch won't stop blasting music at high volumes every time I come home to sleep. It's exhausting."
The dinner continued, and as Erik and Mira finished their dessert, a sense of contentment settled over Erik.
Everything had been perfect, not just because of the luxurious setting or the exquisite food, but also because of the warmth and affection emanating from the woman sitting across from him.
However, his heart wasn't only for her; every time they talked, he couldn't stop thinking about Amber.
How was she? Was his fake death affecting her? Then his thoughts wandered to other people. Specifically, there was someone else Erik couldn't stop thinking about, Emily. Was she alive? Did his father protect her? Was she healthy?
Even if Erik was with Amber or Mira, he never forgot the woman who made his heart beat for the first time. It was weird, and Erik felt guilty. Unfortunately, the heart decided on its own, so he had turmoiling feelings and didn't know what to do.
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