Her Dragon Lover

Her Dragon Lover - Chapter 10

Ara did not shout or thank him. She just accepted his gift very coldly. And...

"I hope you did not throw away my ugly things! At the end of this project, I'm going to take them with me--not your beautiful gift!"

"They are not just beautiful gifts, Miss Gray. They are functional and work-related as you said." Emyr was as gentle as a lover. He was unsmiling. Very serious...

They were speaking on the intercom at six-thirty in the evening.

"Okay," was all she said before putting down the receiver.

Emyr was left in suspense. He went out of his room wearing casual clothes and a pair of loafers. The shirt emphasized his wide shoulders and muscular arms. His pants accentuated the narrow hips and sculpted legs. He carried the thin blazer with his hand.

"How do I look?" The voice was unconsciously sultry.

Ara appeared before him with complete ensemble. From the pastel orange dress to the lime-green sandals, she was neat to look at. Her hair was braided around her head. Her bow-shaped lips were full and shiny.

"You look... better," Emyr replied stiltedly. He wanted to tell her how fresh and colorful she looked.

"Mrs. Cleeve helped me choose what to wear," she informed him while smoothing the skirt with her hand. The other hand was holding a small handbag.

He made a note in his mind to pay extra bonus to all the couturiers!

'And to Mrs. Cleeve!' he added absently. Emyr was engrossed with Ara at the moment.

"Shall we have our dinner?"

"Sure." Her head was held high. When she preceded him, he gasped inaudibly.

Her back was naked! The dress was backless and sleeveless.

"Wait!"

Ara stopped and turned her head. "Why?"

Emyr unfurled the thin blazer and laid it on her shoulders. "It's cold tonight."

"Mrs. Cleeve couldn't find a shawl." Ara snuggled to the warmth of the extra cloth.

"It will be delivered tomorrow," he promised huskily. He wanted his arms to warm her very badly.

"Thank you, Mr. Viceroy," Ara murmured softly.

Emyr opened his mouth to say, 'you are welcome,' when a loud commotion outside caught his attention.

"Mr. Griffin is here. And Mrs. Griffin, too!" Old Ponso wheezed his report.

Emyr thought fast. "Show them inside, Old Ponso."

"Yes, sir!"

Mrs. Cleeve came bustling when Emyr pulled the strings nearby.

"Please, prepare the Royal Dining Room. Put Miss Gray and me at one end and at the other end, our two visitors," he instructed succinctly.

"Okay, sir!"

"Come on, Miss Gray!"

Emyr chose the big dining room for a reason. It housed a long table. About six meters would be the distance between them and the uninvited visitors.

They were seated when Axis and Queenie, his mother, were ushered inside by the watchful Old Ponso. Mrs. Cleeve and her two assistants were there, too.

"Have a seat, you two. We are dining already when you arrived." Emyr raised his voice to be heard.

He noticed that their eyes were focused on Ara but he ignored their preoccupation.

"Won't I get an introduction, Emyr darling?" The melodious voice hid a malicious soul.

"Miss Gray, meet Mrs. Griffin. She was the mother of Axis. You met Axis the other night." Emyr performed the presentation unenthusiastically.

"Oh, how lukewarm! Miss Gray, I am Queenie Griffin. And this is my prince, Axis," the woman's bitter voice announced proudly.

Queenie was jealous. Ara was young and beautiful.

"How do you do?" Ara said in clear voice. She held her head high. She pasted an impersonal smile on her lips.

"Fine! We're fine, Miss Gray!" Axis cut in. He always wanted to be the center of attention. He gulped down the wine in his glass and proffered it to Old Ponso.

The old man's brow raised exasperatedly. He nodded to one of Mrs. Cleeve's assistant to refill the empty wineglass.

"Will you be my wine nymph for the night?" Axis asked the blushing young maid.

When Axis flirted with the young employee, his mother pinched him at the arm. She pouted towards the direction of Ara.

"Please, serve them the soup," Emyr ordered Mrs. Cleeve.

"Miss Gray, what is exactly your work here at the mansion?" Queenie's shrill voice was aggravating.

"Why don't you ask me?" Emyr questioned calmly.

"You will not tell," Queenie replied silkily.

"What made you think that Miss Gray will tell?" His eyes were steady as he stared at Queenie. "Please, cut Miss Gray from your intentions. What is your business here tonight? I don't remember inviting you, Queenie."

"Such cold words, Emyr darling! They make me remember the hot nights we spent together--"

"You mean, you spent with Ambrosio. Don't involve me with your little games. Respect the memory of your husband!"

"If you respected my Arsenio's memory, you should make me your wife! He left us to you before he died!"

"Arsenio left Axis to look after him as he grew up but you hid Axis to me!"

"But I am here now!" Axis intervened anxiously. He proffered the wineglass five times already while his mother argued with Emyr.

"You say you're only twenty-seven but you looked older than that. I have a good mind to get a DNA test," Emyr said amiably but with challenge in his eyes.

Queenie blanched suddenly. She was furious but she controlled her ire. "Oh, Emyr darling, my friend texted me. 'She' reminded me about the party we're to attend tonight. Bye-bye, Miss Gray! Come on, Axis! Move your ass!"

"What party?" Axis was heard questioning her mother when they were at the corridor. Old Ponso accompanied them outside.

Sighs of relief were exhaled by Mrs. Cleeve and her companions.

"Sir Emyr, your dinner outside is waiting," the housekeeper said.

"Let's go, Miss Gray," Emyr invited eagerly. He could smile naturally now.

Ara was bewildered but she went outside with him.

Their dinner was indeed prepared at the Venice Dining Room. The flowing of water at the man-made stream was easy on the ear. The ambience was dreamy. The natural fragrance of the blooms lent the place a romantic aura.

"May I ask a few questions? Or you want me to mind my own business?" Ara was staring at him with curiosity in her eyes.

"Spill your guts."