Bound to You

Chapter 8: Dinner Date

19:15

Sierra killed off the engine and exited her car. She didn't need to look twice to know that this illustrious restaurant was pricey. A chicly dressed waiter greeted her as she walked inside and asked her about her reservation. "I'm with James Torres."

"Ah yes, you must be Ms Danvers. Please follow me."

She was thankful it was warm inside. A serene and charming atmosphere floated in the area, surrounding the polite chatter of the people. She could smell the delicious scents of unknown dishes as waiters walked across the room, balancing plates on both their arms. On top of that, a sweet classical music was playing in the background. Mmh, it felt aristocratic.

Ignoring the eyes on her back, she closely followed the kind waiter. She was brought to a private VIP section, surrounded by walls and red thick curtains. The waiter slowly drew the curtain apart, standing aside and she hesitantly walked in, thanking him.

Her eyes instantly landed on James seated along with an elderly couple at a chic round table, covered with exquisite dishes. She smiled apologetically, "Hi. Sorry, I'm late." She could feel they were judging her.

James pushed back his chair and stood, making his way to where she was, stunned at how beautiful she looked in that lace black dress. He greeted her with a light kiss on her cheek, catching her off guard as he heard her gasp. It was a sweet sound to him. His warm mouth grazed her ear as he whispered, "Play along."

Her mind wasn't working anymore. She was dazzled. What just happened right there?! He pulled a chair for her, inviting her to have a seat while he made the introductions, "Sierra, meet my pa—"

She interrupted him as she just recognized those famous novelists, "Oh my God. You are...among my favorite authors." Confused that Christopher T. and Carmen T. were here but even, more than happy, she offered her hand for a shake.

This couple wrote every kind of book people could imagine. From inspirational to educational, from children's book to dark thrillers. Oh, and their romance series were absolutely heartbreakingly beautiful. They were pioneers in the domain and she knew that they had millions of fans and haha, she was the one actually getting to meet them in person!

James cringed at her sudden excitement. That was not so proper. Christopher chuckled, "A pleasure to meet you too, Ms Danvers." Carmen merely smiled briefly, silently appreciating the girl's appealing taste in fashion.

Sierra sat before them and said, her mind crowded with emotions as she tried to figure out what to discuss first, "The development in your theories are fascinating. The derivations...They just are so logical. I just can't wait to see them being applied. And the one about Quantum Mechanics. You explained the major concepts so well I was left in awe."

They laughed as she passionately expressed her love for their works in the mathematical field. James wondered if something hit her. She looked pretty energetic and enthusiastic.

And that was what he just needed. Someone to hold the conversations he couldn't. He silently watched them, focusing more on his dinner than these understandingly boring equations or formulas they were talking about.

They spoke for a good fifteen minutes, taking all their sweet time to eat as he instead indulged in the perfect French cuisine. All he wanted was that deal and to get that deal he just needed to be patient as hell.

The topics took a different direction when the woman beside him then asked, "I wanted to badly ask...does Aurelia end up with Gavin? Is Toby the bad guy? Why would he want to kill Aurelia if he loves her?"

While James was absolutely clueless of who these people were, Carmen broke into a grin, "Well, dear...we're launching the fourth and final book in the series in two months."

She then glanced meaningfully at James who hadn't spoken a word for a long time and she looked back at Sierra, "Ah, enough of me and Chris and the novels...how about you tell us a little about you, Sierra."

"Oh? There's nothing much really... I'm a Mathematics teacher, currently teaching at Torres High School."

Christopher pressed a little, "And...what about your family?"

James was alerted. Sierra was a little bit lost. She hadn't thought of her overbearing family since a good while now. She managed, "They reside in UK, in London specifically."

"Hmmm, alright...London is quite an expensive city to live in. Should I be comforted that you're well-off then?"

Something pricked her. What...kind of question was that?

James cleared his throat, sensing that she was uncomfortable, "Ahem, we'll have plenty of time to discuss Sierra's background later, father."

Christopher glared at him for a second but then relaxed as his wife took on the interrogation session. Sierra was taken aback. Did he just say father? These two authors...were James' parents?! The mysterious T. with which this couple signed their books...did they actually stand for Torres, all that time? She never really bothered herself finding about that before.

Carmen said, playfully swirling the remaining wine in her glass, "You're very intuitive, Sierra. I wonder how you met someone as stoic as James. He did tell us about your first encounter but I have trouble believing him."

What...on...Earth?!

James deliberately kicked her leg with his shoe and she bit back a wince, ignoring the pain, recomposing herself, "Stoic? I don't think so, ma'am. He can be a very warm and caring person when he wants. I saw him fighting for students, boosting their morals and giving them a goal to follow. Sure he takes his work very seriously, but...he does care for his family, for his son specially." Sierra was slowly beginning to understand what this 'job' was all about now and she wasn't pleased at all.

"Marvelous! And how's your relationship with Jace? I know the boy can be a handful."

She didn't really know what to say. The elderly couple dug in their food as they waited to hear her. She looked at James, sending a forced smile. He could see the extreme confusion in her eyes and potentially danger. Did she just...threaten him by looking at him so murderously?

"I...well, I'm actually his teacher. We get along pretty well. He's an ambitious boy with a lot of potential."

Sierra raised her wine glass to her lips, realizing how sore her throat was. She was trying really hard right now to calm herself. She would much likely kill the man sitting beside her after this. "I'm pleased to hear that. So, are you two engaged or not yet? I see no rings."

Sierra was agitated within as she maintained a calm demeanor on the outside. Engaged to whom? To him?!

James held her hand which rested on the table and emphasized, "We want to take it slow, mother."

Carmen nodded and Christopher took on as from there, a slight irritation in his voice, "We understand your reasons, James...but you already wasted a lot of your time, focusing on business instead of family. It's high time you make another move. A bolder and wiser step."

James squeezed her hand, not wanting to respond to that stupid suggestion, "What do you think of this, my love?"

What she thought? Goddammit, one thing was sure and certain. He would die at her hands after this masquerade. What was she even supposed to say? She should absolutely not go against this couple's opinions. "Well, now that I..er, finally met your parents...I think we have the...ahem, green light, right?" She hoped the answer would be no. She prayed silently like hell that they would just deny anything she said but the smiles on their face, showing how delighted they were to hear that.

James' mother said with a giggle, "Wonderful! I'll meet you both very soon then. We'll hold it on Sunday! I'm already looking forward to the planning!"

His father added, his tone somehow more serious, "And it's only after the ceremony that we'll seal your deal, son. We are really happy that you're both decided." The couple stood, without even finishing the food, politely greeted them and left.

After they were gone, Sierra stared at James for a long minute as he had escorted his parents till the red curtain, the questions burning on the tip of her tongue. He demanded, furiously turning to her, "Green light? What the hell was that about?!"

She panicked as he dared show her that attitude, "How would I know?! You...you...It's all your fault. I didn't know what to say! God, what am I even doing here? You're on your own now."

She bumped in his shoulder, walked pass him and he brutally caught her arm and pulled her right back, fire burning in his eyes, "Oh no. First, we clarify things Ms Danvers, then you go."

She struggled against him, not liking his hand on her and he released her instantly as if he read her thoughts. She exclaimed, still unable to process what just happened, "I thought that was a job."

He looked towards the table, diving his hands in his pockets, comparing the woman's clear anger to the flute of sparkling wine, "That's indeed a damn job. You were supposed to speak good of me and win me an important affair."

She protested, moving forward to violently tap two fingers on his chest, "And that's precisely what I did, right?!"

"And you also got us bloody engaged." He pressed his hand over his face, thinking of a wiser approach with her. Something he couldn't right now.

She stepped back towards the table, "Look, I'm flattered but before you jump to unrealistic conclusion, why don't you try a little bit of explaining?! This makes no sense. Why would your parents want you to— No, what about your wife?!"

He paused for a second, realizing she had no idea about the status of his life when it was all over the celebrity news. Now...this woman was quite the rare case. Funny how she was so oblivious. "I divorced her six years ago but it doesn't matter now since you're hell going to be betrothed to me. Do you have a boyfriend?"

She incredulously lied, "Yes."

"Then you better break up."

She snapped her fingers, feeling she wouldn't be able to hold back any longer, "Oh please, I'm not doing any of this, Mr Torres. You sort out your own mess!"

He was burning inside, "You don't have a choice."

"Hell yeah I do. I don't care if you fire me."

He took a few steps closer to her, "Tsk, not wise words. You'll never again get a job in your miserable life if you stand against me."

She held the edge of the table, seeing his evil side and gritted, "You're cruel. This is unfair."

"Better get used to it." Her perfume was tantalizing but the moment wasn't right to think about this.

"Back off, bastard." Feeling cornered by him, she slowly reached for the stem of her half-finished wine glass and in a sudden movement, she splashed the red wine at him. He jerked, cursed her as he wiped his face and she shoved him away, seizing that opportunity to run for her life. This was a nightmare.

James instantly called her and when she didn't stop, he chased her, not considering the fact that they were in a five-star restaurant. She gasped as he almost reached out to her and she accidentally bumped into a waiter who was carrying several plates of French dishes on his arms. And failing to maintain his equilibrium, the waiter spilled a plate of oysters and it had the perfect trajectory of falling smoothly over the CEO of Torres Corporation.

Sierra victoriously reached the door, panting heavily as she rapidly opened it and when she heard the cacophony of plates breaking, she instinctively turned for a moment and saw James, looking furious as ever. She was tempted to just leave him there and go but something stopped her. Despite her, she couldn't just leave him there. She was also partly at fault.

Struggling between what she should do and what she shouldn't, she opted for the second choice.

Ignoring all the stares, she courageously made her way back to him as he was having a heated argument with the poor waiter. She grabbed James' sticky arm and said, "Just pay the waiter for the damage and let's go."

When he stupidly refused, she allowed herself to dive her hands in his pocket, take out his wallet and remove a thick bundle of banknotes before handing it to the waiter, "We sincerely apologize for the mess and hope this will be enough to compensate. We'll take your leave now."

The waiter was quite surprised and was about to refuse when Sierra grabbed James' gluey hand and dragged him out of the restaurant, not allowing him to protest further.

And once they were outside, she released him and tossed his wallet back at him, preparing herself to listen to his taunts. She turned away, anxious. What did she do? Pulling off something like with a person of this stature... She was basically ruining her own life here.

The chilly night wasn't comforting at all but she was prepared for it. Whatever the consequence, she would face him. Even if it meant jeopardizing her job. She looked at him again, seeing his annoyed face as he stared at his wallet, trying not to soak it in oysters' juice. It was hilarious. He deserved the worst right now!

James frowned as he looked at his wallet and without thinking about it anymore, he gritted, "Are you happy now?!" He was actually confused to hear her giggling, an amused expression all over her face. She was trying so hard not to laugh right now.

She bit her lips and turned her back on him to laugh at him openly now, "God, you sure deserve that!"

"I don't see what's funny, Ms Danvers."

She approached him, held his shoulder and stood on the tip of her feet to remove the sticky oysters that were found all over him, "Yuck, you stench." He groaned. She plucked one from his hair, brushed off a few which were hooked on the designs of his suit, her amusement not leaving her face as she saw the viscous liquid running down his hair. "I kind of feel a little bad for you though. Do you have water?"

With a heavy sigh, he walked to his car and he removed his ruined coat, tossing it in the boot with a disgusted face. She opened the water bottle and said, "Um, can you...?"

He grumbled as he bowed a little, "This could not be worse." He closed his eyes as he felt the cold liquid running over his head.

She mocked as she emptied it, "Wine and oysters, eh? Nice perfume."

He grabbed the small towel from his car boot and dried his face and his hair, taking in a good breath of fresh air when he was done. His hair was so messy and yet, she felt that this only added to his natural charm. His eyes met hers again and she chuckled, "I think you'll manage now. I'll take your leave, Mr Torres."

"Get in the car. I'll drop you."

"No, thank you."

"That was not a question."

"I have my own car", she pointed to her Honda parked right opposite his, "Goodnight."

He watched her as she distanced herself, reaching the 2012 car and when she got in, he opened his own car door, ready to go. Then he heard the unmistaken humming of an engine refusing to come to life. He smirked a little bit, taking in the frustration that was displayed on her face as she failed to rev the engine. After a few more minutes, she stepped out of her vehicle, took out her phone to probably dial a taxi and he walked to her, "Come. I'll drop you." "No...it's fine." Though it was clear that it wasn't.

Sierra glanced momentarily at her stupid car, not believing it was letting her down at such a crucial moment. "I insist. Unless you want to wait in the cold." She mumbled, "I need to call a tow-truck and send it to the mechanic." He observed how she carefully considered her options before she shook her head, "Fine. Let's go."