Chapter 5 (Confirmation)

I watched as his demeanor changed upon getting to the restaurant. I followed him closely, my whole attention on him. Straight to the VIP section, he knew exactly where to go. 

Thankfully Gabriel was already around, perhaps waiting for him. 

"Welcome sir, good evening," he greeted with a smile. It was the first time I saw his smile. I must confess, I mean who wouldn't want to be on their best behavior when the CEO's brother is around well all except me so far.

"So what is it?" Gabriel asked, facing me as I panicked, still not sure of what he wanted to eat.

"Still not doing your job?" he said in between his teeth with a passive-aggressive tone and smile.

"What do you mean, her job?" He finally broke his cold silence, looking up at me and Gabriel, his tone was as cold as his face as he folded his hands against his chest closing his legs.

"Aah... No, I am just trying to know what you want," Gabriel said with a nervous smile as he nodded.

"The last time I was here, the chief came directly to ask, Or have the rules changed? Hostess works with the chiefs now" he inquired as I swallowed hard, it felt like he was defending me but I knew not to think like that. This was his personality here, not the one he was showing me. 

He got up with his hand behind him as he approached, he glared coldly at Gabriel who slowly moved away from me.

"Since when did you begin cooking? You look young?" he questioned looking at the name tag on Gabriel's shirt, I watched him closely. He was nothing like earlier.

"I am experienced in my field sir," I could see the nervousness in the young chief's ever-rigid response. Suddenly feeling bad for him.

"That's not the question I asked"

"Ten years now...sir," even I was taken aback at the response, Chief Gabriel looked so young to already have a decade-old experience. Impressed I turned towards the devil himself hoping to see him impressed as well but of course he scoffed.

"like I expected inexperienced..." he mouthed as he began to walk away, both I and Gabriel stared at each other confused before I recovered.

"I am sorry sir but, you don't know till you try," the words left my mouth, I could see the hurt on Gabriel's face by his words and this would affect my job. He paused, turning to look at me with a frown.

"Why are you speaking for him?" he was annoyed I could tell, but again he continued walking away.

"There is a reason our hotel is known around the country, food is something we take pride in so I can assure you, there is nothing to be worried about.." he stopped turning around to face me, almost losing my balance on the uncomfortable heels I was wearing, I stumbled back. I was a bit desperate so I continued to speak.

"Just give him a chance, I have worked here two years now, and take my words from it, Chief Gabriel has never had any unsatisfied client guests ask for him personally when booking," I continued to ramble on and on hoping he had a change of mind while he just stood there and watch me speak.

"How can you speak so highly of him? Have you had his food?" he asked, his time mellow and his cold demeanor nowhere to be seen. Almost rolling my eyes I held back. How can he not understand I am doing this so as not to lose my job? 

I really can't wait till my shift is done. I hope he is leaving tomorrow morning. 

"Unfortunately I haven't been able to have a taste of his food but I have heard nothing but praises about him," I forced a smile.

"Understandable, I didn't think you could afford it anyway," he said as I looked up to see a smirk on his face, I forced my smile to remain on even though he just called me poor. This is going to be a long night.

He walked back to the VIP as I followed him, again Gabriel was still in their standing in the same spot as if reminiscing the insult. This is the first time I have seen somehow be passive with him. To the things we experience working here, this isn't even relatively bad. 

"Have a seat, please sir," I said, showing him a seat.

"Let me see what you can do," he said looking towards the chief.  It immediately turned awkward as the waitress appeared with a menu placing it on his table. I watched her try to sneak a look at his face with a smile. She was deliberately taking her time to open the scroll while I just stood there thankful that I am not the one doing it.

He scanned through the menu not sparing the waitress a look, I expected him to look, she was exceptionally pretty with her bright eyes blinking at him. His whole attention is focused on the book in front of him. I stood like an assistant even though I knew I needed to.

"This?" he pointed, handing it back to the waitress, "Two servings," he said looking straight at Gabriel whose face was slowly turning into anger.

"Come around seat," he said to me as both the chief and the waitress turned to look at us, even though I was confused.

"Huh?" I questioned while he nodded.

"Sit, I ordered two servings for us," he said confidently. My brows arched and I stared at him. What sort of drama is this? I breathed in and out, steadying my anger.

"While I appreciate your offer, sir, I will gladly decline, I am working,"

"Working for who?" 

I swallowed looking at the very suspicious look from my colleagues, the correct answer would be working for the hotel of course but this is a trick question, I was assigned to tend to him closely like an assistant which is just a good way to put it. We basically work like their maids for a generous tip, this very service is the very reason STONEFORGE Hotel is popular among the rich and of my two years of working here this is the first time a guest has asked me to join him for dinner.

And I know he is not even an ordinary guest, cowardly I sat opposite him, my colleagues finally walking away, the man in front of me pressing his phone.

"Would you like a glass of tea or coffee or anything, even wine, while you wait?" I asked, finally he looked up to meet my gaze slowly lowering his phone on the table. He didn't blink as he stared ahead.

"You asked too late," he said casually while I nodded nervously, it was nerve-wracking I must confess. The last time I sat like this with a man was when I took my ex on a date on his birthday.

"Why do you work here?" he suddenly started a conversation while I blinked a couple times letting out a chuckle. It's like every time he opens his mouth, he says something offensive, why on earth will I be walking here if not to make a living?

"To make a living," I replied while he leaned in.

"That's not what I am asking," his demeanor yet again changing as he stared directly into my soul, reminding me of that day I saw his eyes change color. He was scaring me.

"What are you talking about?" I asked scared and taken aback

"Don't make it hard for us Aurora," I hated the sound of my name coming from his mouth, every hair on my body stood, I could hear bells and I knew he was the one doing it. An out-of-body experience, he was leaning too close to me and I couldn't get him off my head. Cold sweat tracking down from my head.

"Pale, blonde hair with devious eyes, a little daring, I haven't had one able to withstand me before. What are you?" The question was confusing for me but a more classification that he is indeed dangerous. All the little sounds from the other room died down as all I could hear was his voice and his golden eyes piercing mine.

"Whatever you are doing to me, stop it," I almost cried.

"Unreadable," he said, his eyes narrowing as he suddenly drew back. Suddenly a bubble popped in my head bringing back every background noise as I found myself gripping the tablecloth and gasping for air.

"A witch," his brows arched as I rubbed my chest to help me breathe.

"What?" I voiced now more paranoid than ever, I tried to stand but couldn't. This is the scariest thing I have ever experienced in my life.

"You are a demon," I was able to say. He cracked a chuckle, taking me by surprise.

"Aren't we all?" he asked as I shook my head.

"Whatever you are, am nothing like you," finally able to stand up as he smiled at me. 

"The food is here," he casually said with a smile leaning back on his chair, and like he said, the food entered with Gabriel following them behind. I bite my lips, unable to move from my spot. My eyes locked with that of Gabriel before I averted my gaze, this is going to be a very controversial topic amongst my colleagues for a while.

Slowly and shamelessly I sat back down watching my own colleague serve me food, there was nothing I could possibly do anyway. 

"So how is it?" He suddenly asked as I reluctantly picked up my utensils. I am not really one to eat pasta but I did, purposely over-chewing it. This would be the first time ever having a meal here even though I work here I can't afford it.

"You can go ahead and taste... Sir, it's really good like I had said earlier," I said, laying my fork aside. He eyed me suspiciously, tucking his long hair behind his ear as he leaned in to the plate tasting. Both I and Gabriel held our breath waiting for him. I studied his face closely and truthfully he didn't seem impressed.

"You can go now,” his only words before turning to stare at Gabriel who walked away without receiving the answer he came for. Words formed at the tip of my tongue waiting to leach out on him. I opted to glare instead.

"What?" he asked, pushing his plate aside. 

"Considering you are the devil himself do you really need this food?" I asked ditching my self-control. 

"What did you just call me?" he asked, visibly annoyed.

"I am not afraid of you," I said very much terrified as I got up from the seat. 

"You do not get to work out on me, you will lose your job," I paused on my step, turning to look at him.

"You really are something, no single remorse when you know I know what you did to those women" I watched his forehead form a line as he chuckled.

"You think I did something to them?' he muttered to himself followed by a giggle "Explains why you seem to have a bone with me," he got up from his seat and approached me, taking his time with his steps.

"You can not fool me, I saw you with my eyes," I said looking him straight in the eyes.

"You are rather too careless, what if I did the things you think, what if I am a demon like you speak, a devil perhaps... What makes you so confident to challenge me? Are you not a woman? Or you think you are immune to me?" he asked, approaching as I moved back in fear.

"I do not fear you, whatever you are I do not believe in you so you will have no effect on me," I held my voice from breaking as he grabbed my hand holding it up as he closed the gap between us. I looked up to him inhaling his peculiar scent, it was intoxicating but I refused to succumb.

"Aren't you a ray of sunshine, give me a reason why I shouldn't make you disappear right here and now," a bit sinister, his grip on my wrist was tightened, and his eye glinted in pure malice. He was serious now. 

"Be....cause....y...you can't," my voice broke all through, his anger suddenly turned into confusion looking into my eyes as if seeing something. I used the opportunity and shoved him away without looking back. I ran out of the room....