"It"s settled then," Clifford declared grinning."Ahh yes, Mr. Briggs. Should we inform Miss Howard, sir?"
"Hmm, I know she will not consent it so I will just make it appear as part of our company"s work. I will be the one to inform her."
"Yes, I understand, sir. Will that be all?"
"Yes." and they both hung up. Then he called Gary.
"Gary, please come to my office. I have some instructions." Gary immediately went to his office. He knocked on the door and entered.
"Please get the best wine we have and bring it here with three wine gla.s.ses." Gary obeyed him and hurriedly went to the hotel"s wine cellar.
Gary was curious again with his master"s action now, as if he is planning another scheme. He sighed deeply because he didn"t know what to do and think anymore.
"Boss, why are you always giving so many headaches nowadays!" Gary murmured. But despite that he still could not disobey him.
He returned with the most expensive wine in their hotel. Clifford smiled when he saw the wine thinking that someone will love it.
"Gary, follow me."
"Yes, master." Clifford walks ahead of them while Gary following holding the bottle of wine in his hands like a butler and another staff was following them with the wine gla.s.ses.
Clifford entered the elevator together with the two.
"Where to, Master?"
"To the rooftop!" he ordered. Gary stiffened and slowly turned to Clifford.
"To where, master?"
"Are you now deaf, Gary? Must I repeat myself again?" Clifford answered without even glancing at his secretary. He just stood there his eyes looked straight. The office staff who is with them is now gulping his saliva.
"I apologize, sir." he the pressed the b.u.t.ton for the rooftop.
When they went up, he felt as if he is waiting eternity. He wants to cry for whatever his master is about to do.
"Is he trying to ruin the date? Gosh! The hotel will be in ruins if he"ll do that. We"ll be in the headlines tomorrow." he is now crying inside.
...
"W-what are you talking about?"Ingrid furrowed her brows.
"Hmm, later. The food is here. Let"s now eat." Lance a.s.sisted Ingrid back to their table, his hands on her back. Ingrid felt awkward.
"Ugh! I hate this kind of treatment..."
The food served to them was one of the best. It is a seven course meal. They were first served with Lillet earlier, a cla.s.sic French wine-based apetirif. When they sat, the hotel staff served the Ca.s.soulet. After that, a cendrillon salad.
"Hmm, love this. It taste so good." Ingrid said while eating the salad. She could say that the chef in this hotel is one of the best. The chef captured her appet.i.te.
Ingrid"s mouth watered at the braised pork with pearl onions and grapes, she loved this because of its sweet and juicy taste.
"Do you love it, Ingrid?" Lance asked smiling.
"Yeah... I love what they served,"
"It"s so good to know." Then they fell silent again focusing on the food on their plates. But Lance keeps on glancing at Ingrid looking for a best chance to confess.
Ingrid is very fascinated with the food and she forgot Lance. She savoured every bit of it and she wiped her plate clean. She then looked at the staff.
"Who is your chef? Tell the chef that the food is excellent! I love it."
"Your appreciation will be conveyed to our chef right away, ma"am." He said politely.
"Ingrid..." Lance is trying to get her attention.
She then looked to the owner of the voice, and he stood up and went over her. Ingrid inwardly panicked the way Lance looks at her. As soon as he reached her side, he extended his hands towards her.
"Will you give me the honor to dance with you, tonight?" he said his voice is gentle and soothing.
Ingrid stared at his hands and struggled.