Chapter 94: A Faux date
Dora had to personally contact the chef about what he was going to make for dinner, her fingers brushing over the notepad where she had scribbled down notes, making sure she didn’t forget a single detail.
The plan was to apologize to Dante and have him realize that what he thought was the last she wanted to do.
I’ll have to forgo the money he promised, she thought, her stomach twisting slightly at the idea, but it would be worth it.
Slowly but surely arrangements were made even as she went out of her way to decorate the dining room more than usual, draping soft candles along the table and fluffing the napkins until they looked perfect.
Anyone that entered would think it was a candlelight dinner between lovers, the warm glow of flickering lights reflecting off the polished silverware, which was the mood she was trying to set up.
Even more importantly, she spent the rest of the day getting Guila to contact someone that would help her with her makeup and hair, the gentle hum of the curling iron and soft brush strokes filling the room, especially since she made up her mind to go out of her way and look extremely good.
Even the dress she got was brand new, its silky fabric smooth under her fingers, which she spent more quite a lot of money on, more than she thought she could ever spend on a dress.
It was a black backless dress that was long and reached the ground, the sheen catching the candlelight in subtle flashes that made her pale skin look even more alluring in the darkened light.
Her hair was made into a bun with tendrils framing her face, a few loose strands brushing her cheeks softly, and the jewels she wore sparkled enough to draw attention to her outfit, reflecting the soft golden light around her.
Expensive enough to make Dora flinch as she bought it, even as she admired it looking down at the single diamond bracelet on her arm, the cool metal against her skin a reminder of the night’s purpose.
As long as it’s worth it, she whispered to herself, the quiet resolve settling in her chest.
Aware that everything she did was to endear Dante towards her compared to yesterday when she had been convinced that he was preparing to let her go, a small shiver of anticipation running through her.
By evening, she was still checking that everything was in order, lightly dusting a crystal glass when she heard low sounds of cars. One that identified that Dante had arrived much earlier than she thought considering the fact that he had decided not to even have breakfast before leaving.
Her heart took a small leap in her chest, fluttering nervously as she instantly looked down at herself, making sure that nothing was out of place before heading towards the door.
She could have had Guila lead him to the dining room instead, but she decided not to, hoping that her appearance would help appease his stony heart.
Slowly, in the silver heels she wore, she descended the stairs, the soft click of each step echoing in the quiet house, having never felt as beautiful as she felt at that very moment.
A smile lingered at her lips, warm but tentative, one that was eclipsed by the fact that the frown that followed as she recalled that to Dante she might as well be the dust beneath his shoe.
But she had just gotten to the door, watching it be pushed open when she saw Dante fix his gaze on her before he felt it.
Her heart instantly reacted, thumping lightly in her chest as she saw him step in, even as she noticed the more intense way he fixed his gaze on her face.
Her heart thumped louder than usual as various thoughts went through her mind.
Does he like what he sees? Does he find me more appealing?
Meanwhile, for Dante, something completely different was going through his mind as he fixed his gaze on Dora.
She definitely has a distinct resemblance to Mr. Vivaldi. It’s the structure of her face, he thought to himself, a realization that contrasted with what he saw when he saw the rest of her family.
Stepping closer to her even as he heard her instantly begin to speak.
"Welcome back! I’m sure you’re hungry! You didn’t have breakfast!" Dora said, the words spilling out slightly faster than intended, making it clear that they were going to be doing more talking than eating.
Her heart pounding harder in her chest, her first reaction was to think that he was actually going to refuse her, even as she watched him quietly walk past her for a second.
But he had just walked ahead when she heard him speak.
"Sure! I’m a bit hungry!" he told her, his voice steady, even as Dora beamed relieved that whatever tension between them could be resolved as she led him to the dining room.
Even more excited when he complimented her efforts as he sat down to eat, taking off his jacket and rolling up his sleeves in a way that made it clear that he was trying to get more comfortable, the faint scent of his cologne drifting in the air between them.
Their server for the night was one of the servants, whom Dora ensured was also dressed for the part, crisp and professional, pouring them wine and handing them a menu.
So much so that it might as well have been a date, which Dora had constructed on her own, a mixture of nerves and excitement coiling in her stomach.
Dante continued to compliment her clothes and the entire effort she put into it, making her relax even more as she smiled back at him, her cheeks flushing slightly with warmth.
The first course arrived and they talked about little things, Dora talked about her family even as Dante mostly listened, speaking scantily about his own.
He mentioned his parents’ death, and how his grandfather was the one he was mostly close to, even as he sipped more of the wine than he ate, the crimson liquid catching the flicker of the candlelight.
Dora wasn’t left behind as she drank as much, especially since the wine tasted even better than she expected, mentally grateful to Guila who had recommended it as Dante’s favorite.
The food was just as great and everything seemed to be going well. The second course arrived, and nothing changed, even as finally dessert was served.
Dante smiled easily as he joked with her.
"This is the fullest my stomach has been in a while!" he told her, the laughter in his voice making her heart lift, even as Dora accepted it as a compliment as she ate the cake on her plate.
"It’ll be nice if we did this more often!" she lightly offered, her voice barely above a whisper, not daring to meet his gaze even as she did.
But instead of waiting for him to respond, scared by what he would say, she began to speak.
"My dad approached me yesterday and mentioned how they scammed him!" she began explaining, the words rolling off her tongue as her hands fiddled slightly with her bracelet.
"...I would never jeopardize our contract. I just didn’t want to ask for money without offering anything in return," she added, her eyes briefly flicking to his, searching for any hint of understanding.
