My Boss and I - My Boss and I – Chapter 21-22

Chapter 21

The restaurant we ended up going to was one I had never been to before. Upon entering the place, I quickly understood why. This was a place that was outside my usual budget.

“This place is a little strange, but you said you didn’t know what you wanted.” Mr. Conner laughed awkwardly. “This is a place that decides what you want to eat for you. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Ah… I’ve never been to a place like this.” I responded, feeling a bit of shyness as Mr. Conner put his hand out and led me forward.

I was kind of wishing he’d be a bit more affectionate, but he didn’t do any of the tricks at all. When you wanted to win over a woman, you sought out every reason to touch her that you could. It was nothing malicious. You’d put your hand on her back as you guided her. You’d touch her shoulder as you leaned over her. It was all to get her familiar and more accepting of your touch. It was a trick I had mastered a long time ago, but Mr. Conner didn’t act that way at all.

For some reason, his lack of finesse was kind of endearing. He gave me room and didn’t take a step toward me that I didn’t want. I knew him to always be a forceful man as my boss, but here, he was gentle and respectful. He did hold the chair for me to sit in, and I thanked him shyly as I sat down, not even sure what to do with myself. I had never worn a dress before. It felt both freeing and also embarrassing.

“So, basically, they have some kind of test where they check your taste buds, and then you do a quick survey, and then the cook decides what you’re in the mood for.” Mr. Conner explained as he sat down.

“S-sounds expensive.”

“Don’t worry so much about the price.” He waved his hand and then bit his lip like he was just about to say something and held it back.

“What?” I leaned forward curiously.

“I was just going to say… I don’t know what to make of you.”

“How so?”

“Most girls I take out don’t worry about the money. Rather, they seem excited to spend it and get a little disappointed when I don’t go all out.”

“Bitches…”

“Huh?”

“Ah! I mean, I just prefer to be frugal.”

“I’m not sure I agree. Money was meant to be spent.” He held up his hand. “That’s not me saying that I don’t want to be prepared for a rainy day! However, I feel like if you make a lot, you have a responsibility to spend it, rather than hoarding billions and billions. A healthy economy is an economy where the money is always moving. Too many friends of mine hold money greedily for fear they one day might not have it. For me, even if I lost it all tomorrow, it’ll be the memories I had today that matter. Do you know? I’m babbling… aren’t I?”

“No!” I shook my head fiercely. “Not at all! I understand you. My parents just never had a lot of money and grew up paycheck to paycheck, so that’s why I tend to live-saving every penny.”

“I see… well… in that case, let me spoil you a bit tonight, okay?”

“Ah… okay…” I lowered my head behind the drink menu, which was the only menu that they had at this particular restaurant.

“We’ll have wine, your best.” Mr. Conner said to the waitress, shooting her one of his wonderful smiles.

He didn’t seem to realize the effect he had on the woman. She was looking at him temptingly. I noticed that she was eyeing him up and down as if considering slipping her number on his receipt, and I suddenly felt just a bit of anger. He was on a date with me, so how could this woman act so shameless. I reached out and grabbed his hand, shooting her a side-look. Her mood darkened as she saw me with him, turning and walking away angrily.

“Ah… sorry, force of habit. I usually have to impress people, and ordering the best just came out. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Not at all!”

He thankfully misread the looks and thought I was just unhappy he was spending money. It was true that spending $100 or more on a bottle of wine was nothing I would ever do, but I was curious about trying it. Usually, I could get an entire night of drinking in for that price.

Chapter 22

The date continued, and I found him to be more interesting than I ever thought possible. I had expected to pull a lot of typical chitchat responses, but I found what he said to be thought-provoking and engaging. He was easy to talk to and was even a bit fun.

The waitress came back with the chilled wine, and as we drank, we were given a piece of litmus paper to lick. Then we had a small questionnaire.

“What did you answer for three?” He glanced at my sheet.

“No peeking!” I covered it with my hands. “If you use my answers, then you’ll end up with what I like, not what you like.”

He chuckled. “I might be okay with whatever you want.”

I blushed. Whenever he looked at me like that, my body seemed to just spiral out of control. I didn’t want him to know the effect he had on me. Then again, with how oblivious he was in some things, he probably didn’t even realize it.

We had our meals brought out. I laughed when he was brought out nothing but a salad. Meanwhile, I ended up with a large steak, which left me pretty satisfied. He looked longingly at my food.

“Is that not what you wanted?” I teased mischievously.

“Ah, it’s pretty good, but I was hoping for something with a bit more substance. Ah! Don’t tell him that!” Mr. Conner looked around worriedly for the waitress, who was thankfully outside of his earshot.

“Oh?” I raised an eyebrow, smirking.

“He’s notoriously unhappy with anyone who questions his choices.” He whispered. “He’s even kicked people out of his restaurant and banished them.”

“Doesn’t that make this whole thing a scam?” I wondered out loud. “He makes what you want, and you better want it or else?”

“What are you saying? Chef Rayo is a genius!” Those words came from behind me.

“Ah… I wasn’t saying…” I turned to see one of the waiters having overheard us.

“This girl isn’t happy with her meal!”

I was extremely pleased with the fatty steak that was my meal, but I went to tease my boss and ended up getting overheard.

“I’m happy with it!” I cried out.

“I’m sorry, can we get the bill!” Mr. Conner desperately tried to defuse the situation.

A woman burst out of the kitchen, wearing a chef hat. “Who is causing trouble over my cooking?”

“A female chef?” I cried out in surprise.

I had expected some male Italian chef or something. She didn’t fit my mental image at all. However, that was the wrong thing to say at that moment. The pair of us ended up kicked out of the restaurant.

“On the plus side… you didn’t need to pay.” I said lightly as we drove away.

I lowered my head, feeling bad. Mr. Conner had been quiet since we had returned to the Benz. The mood was a bit oppressive, and I was really worried I had angered him. This location was a place he used for business transactions. Now that he couldn’t return, this might cause problems in his business. It was all because I couldn’t keep my mouth shut.

He suddenly started chuckling, and that chuckle broke into laughter. I didn’t know if this was better. I broke him!

“M-Mr. Conner…”

“Jordan… please… call me by my first name, Drake…” He said wiping tears from his eyes.

“Ah, y-yes, Drake…” It sounded weird saying his name. “Are you mad?”

“Huh? Why would I be mad? It was my salad. Heh… her face turned nearly red when you said she was using goodwill to subvert food expectations.”

“She was giving fat people barely anything on their plate, and some skinny girl an ice cream sundae!” I protested. “I’m just saying what I saw!”

He burst out laughing once again. “You’re really unlike any other girl I’ve ever met.”

At that moment, my stomach decided to growl. I held it for a second and glanced over at him miserably.

“You’re still hungry? You got the steak though!”

“I barely got three bites, meanie!”

“Ah… that’s true!” This time, he blushed, “Ah… let’s go somewhere else.”

I grinned glancing over at him. “Let me pick this time.”