Rafael, unaware of the exchange under the table, didn’t perceive Cindy’s behavior as unusual and instead offered an understanding look.
Hera seamlessly continued Cindy’s words, explaining, "Miss Brent kindly offered to treat us to dinner after learning about the malicious threats I received. She was concerned for my safety while outside, so she has graciously offered to ensure I get ho safely." Hera smiled gratefully at Cindy.
Cindy, catching Hera’s cue, added, "I was concerned about maintaining Green Dragon Manor’s reputation for safety. Allowing a guest to be attacked would tarnish our credibility." She provided her explanation in line with Hera’s narrative.
Rafael nodded in response, swirling the wine in his hand before taking a careful sniff and then a sip. "It’s thanks to Miss Ainsley that I was able to et soone as elusive as you."
Despite his friendly tone, his eyes betrayed no warmth.
But Cindy remained composed, handling the situation as if it were a business transaction. "Indeed, it is thanks to Miss Ainsley," she replied sarcastically, subtly implying that their paths would never have crossed without Hera’s involvent.
While her brother manages the business overseas to ensure Avery’s supply chain runs smoothly, she remains confined within the premises of Green Dragon Manor. She cos out only when summoned by the Old Master.
Certainly, Rafael understood her implication, feeling a twinge of embarrassnt as his eyebrows twitched involuntarily. He hadn’t expected Cindy to disregard him so blatantly. Gritting his teeth, he took a deep breath, realizing that this was likely how Cindy interacted with everyone around her.
He found solace in the thought that Cindy’s deanor was likely consistent with everyone, easing his discomfort.
Just then, Cindy turned her attention to Hera with a warm smile, adopting a hospitable air. "How’s the food, Miss Ainsley? Is it to your liking or should we order sothing different?" With practiced ease, Cindy peeled a prawn and placed it on Hera’s plate, assuming the role of hostess.
Hera appreciated the gesture but attempted to take care of the prawn herself. However, Cindy intercepted it and graciously handled it. "Please, Miss Ainsley, just eat. This is sothing I should do," she insisted kindly.
Rafael’s expression shifted into a blend of frustration and humiliation, unmistakably showing that Cindy held him in low regard. While he recognized Cindy’s courteous deanor towards Hera as part of her role as a gracious host, the disparity in treatnt was like a sharp blow to his pride, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth.
Hera and Athena exchanged a subtle glance, struggling to contain their amusent as they observed the shifting expressions on Rafael’s face. It was undeniably entertaining to witness his reaction.
Cindy, however, remained focused on attending to her young miss’s food preferences and habits, aiming to deepen her understanding of Hera. She even took note of any potential dietary restrictions to prevent any future mishaps.
However, finding none, she decided to inquire directly. "Miss Ainsley, do you have any dietary restrictions?"
Athena interjected jokingly on Hera’s behalf. "Miss Brent, there’s no need to worry. Hera here can eat anything, as long as it’s delicious. So, no need for concern."
With a playful pout, Hera countered, "Are you suggesting I’m a glutton?" Her expression was endearing, inviting Athena to continue the playful banter.
"Are you not?" Athena teased with a snort.
Cindy savored the closeness between the two friends and indulged in their banter as if the entire room belonged solely to them. anwhile, Rafael’s growing irritation at being ignored beca palpable.
However, he couldn’t help but notice the exceptional level of attention Cindy was giving Hera, surpassing re hospitality. Yet, he struggled to comprehend why Cindy would be so invested in an ordinary college student. Intrigued, he found himself studying Hera more closely, searching for what might warrant such special treatnt.
’Perhaps it’s her beauty?’ Rafael mused internally. ’She could easily grace the silver screen as a goddess or a peerless beauty.’ The longer he observed her, the more her features appealed to his aesthetic sensibilities, stirring his capitalist instincts once again.
As his curiosity grew, he couldn’t resist asking, "Miss Ainsley, have you ever considered becoming a celebrity?"
The sudden question interrupted the playful banter between Athena and Hera, drawing their attention to Rafael. They both turned to him simultaneously, curiosity etched on their faces.
Athena jumped in before Hera could respond, letting out a theatrical sigh. "Oh, please, do tell! I’ve been trying to convince my dear friend here to grace the silver screen for ages. Alas, she’s just too shy." Athena shrugged dramatically, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Hera shook her head with a resigned smile, accustod to her friend’s flair for the dramatic. She couldn’t help but find amusent in Athena’s antics, even in serious monts.
"How co I’ve never seen that shyness in the interview earlier? She acted so well that it appeared so natural," Rafael sneered, his tone dripping with skepticism.
Athena’s dramatic act ca to an abrupt halt, and she fell silent.
Hera t Rafael’s gaze squarely, her smile unwavering. "Oh, sir, you’re overestimating my capabilities. Those were genuine feelings I experienced during that interview. Although I don’t expect you to understand the feeling of being dumped, I do hope you can relate to being maliciously targeted, given your own experiences throughout your career." Her words were delivered with a calm resolve, devoid of any hint of backing down.
Then she continued, "If you’re genuinely curious about whether I plan on becoming a celebrity, well, I couldn’t see myself becoming one before. As I ntioned earlier, I was busy making ends et. Though I’ve now freed myself from working as if my life depended on it, I still have other considerations and obligations to contend with." With a formal smile, she concluded her response.
"I appreciate the offer, Mr. Briley, but I don’t have any plans to pursue a career in the entertainnt industry," Hera respectfully declined with a smile.
"Then consider it an open invitation. Feel free to reach out if you change your mind," Rafael persisted.
"I’m afraid I won’t be changing my mind," Hera replied firmly.
Rafael sighed in frustration, feeling like he was missing out on a lucrative opportunity. "Very well, let’s exchange numbers so I can provide you with the contract details and where you can get it later."
Observing Hera’s montarily confused expression, Rafael began to feel a twinge of irritation, sensing she might be misunderstanding him. "Just to clarify, I’m referring to the contract pertaining to our earlier agreent regarding my sister."
Hera’s puzzled expression quickly transford into a lighthearted realization. "Oh, I see!" she exclaid, lightly tapping her nose in a gesture of self-deprecation.
With a few swift taps on his phone, Rafael navigated to his contacts and handed the device to Hera to input her number. Hera didn’t hesitate, swiftly entering her contact details. Despite her initial misunderstanding, she couldn’t help feeling a touch awkward for jumping to conclusions.
However, Rafael had ulterior motives for securing Hera’s contact information. While she might not be interested in celebrity status now, he harbored the intention of capitalizing on any future financial difficulties she might face, luring her into a contractual agreent for his benefit. A sly smirk played across his lips at the prospect of manipulating the situation to his advantage. "Sooner or later, you’ll find yourself in my grasp, Hera Ainsley," he mused silently.
After Hera finished inputting her number into Rafael’s phone, she handed it back to him. Rafael took a mont to ring her phone, ensuring the connection was established correctly. Satisfied when her phone rang, he returned his device to the inner pocket of his suit and offered Hera a smile. "Thank you for your ti, ladies. I hope I haven’t taken up too much of your evening, and I trust you enjoyed the dishes." He paused montarily before discreetly pressing the button under the table to summon the server, ensuring the three ladies had finished their al before concluding their eting.
When the server arrived, Rafael gestured to him that he would be paying the bill. Shortly after, three additional servers appeared to clear the table. The server who had taken the check returned promptly with the receipt and a card reader, ready for paynt.
Athena rembered to request that the server pack up the remaining food for takeout. "Could you please pack these into clean containers for takeout? Thank you!" she said with a big smile. Although the servers seed surprised, as it was uncommon for custors to request leftovers to be packed up, they complied and sent the food to the kitchen to be packed.
Even Rafael took a second look at Athena and offered, "If you’d like, you can just place a new order for takeout. Don’t worry about the bill." His eyebrows raised in surprise as if he were witnessing a new continent appear before him.
"Nah... I prefer the leftovers," Athena replied casually.
Rafael shot Athena an odd look, which was hard to describe. Hera notices his expression and finds it amusing. She quickly interjected to save her friend’s image. "Mr. Briley, please don’t misunderstand. As regular college students who live paycheck to paycheck, we live frugally and don’t like to waste leftovers when we eat out. We usually pack them to take ho and eat the next day. I suppose you could consider it a normal practice for people like us."
Instead of his expression easing up, it only beca even more odd.
’Then, did she just intentionally order a lot of food to take out so she can save up so food to store in her fridge?’ He thought and looked at Athena in disdain. He is not being petty and he does not lack that bit of money but he feels used and now thinks badly of Athena.
His contemplations remained hidden from Hera and Athena. Even if they were privy to his thoughts, they likely wouldn’t be fazed; perhaps they would simply laugh it off, as their priorities lay elsewhere.
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