Without warning, he grabbed her hand, carefully linking them with his before going ahead of the staff.
"Excuse me." He told them and they gave him the space he needed.
Mia looked back at the staff members for any suspicious activity but got none. Why then did he insist on going ahead of them?
She looked at Rey for a split moment and thought she saw him smirk. She looked clearly this time but he had his facial expression reverted back to being inexpressive.
"You've got something to say to me?" He asked her while looking ahead.
"No."
"No?" He paused.
Now, she felt he was about to carry out another exaggerated drama and she went stiff, this wasn't part of the whole plan.
"Yes." She replied to him and he raised a brow.
"No, what?"
She wasn't sure about what he meant but she gave it a try. "No…" She thought of using 'Babe' to get back at him but cringed at the word and could not disguise it as it reflected on her face.
'Darling' came to her head too but imagining herself calling her heartless boss darling did enough damage to her mental health.
'Rey. Yes, let's stick with Rey.' She finalized.
"No Rey." She batted her lashes and he nodded as if being impressed by her.
When he wasn't watching, she eyed him and looked ahead of her, wondering why she suddenly felt nervous.
"Here we are." He commented the moment he stepped on the first floor.
She looked around the empty yet romantic looking room and felt her heart flutter. For the moment she forgot all these were just a ploy and wouldn't matter after now. The empty tables were covered in white linens except one which had a vase of red roses in the middle and candle lights to adorn it.
Rey looked at her, he hoped against all odds that she would be touched and express her emotions. He didn't know why he thought that way but he did and when she just stared back at him with a straight face, he almost cursed out loud.
"A date." He declared like she didn't know what it was.
"Yes." She responded.
The plans he had in his head melted like butter placed on the hit pan. "Come." He took her to the special table made for them.
Wanting to be a gentleman, he drew out a seat for her and she did sit without a thank you. Closing his eyes and hoping it panned out as he had planned, he circled her to his seat and when he sat, a menu was brought.
"Give it to her." He told the waiter without sparing him a look, he had all his eyes on Mia who looked back at him but without the wanted emotion in her eyes.
"I'd take this, " She pointed at the creamy asparagus risotto on the menu." The waiter nodded and moved towards Rey.
"Whatever she wants with an addition of champagne."
Slightly bowing, the waiter left them to get their order and the couple started the game of staring at themselves, hardly having a blink. Mia was the first to look away, she admired the flower and the candle light and the atmosphere in general, everything other than Rey.
Rey looked at Mia and desperately wanted to strike a conversation but ran out of ideas on what to say. He knew he wasn't in his right mind with her looking this way, probably after she has gotten out of her outfit and makeup, he would be able to see her like his cook and regain his ability to school his emotions and expression.
Their food came and they ate in silence. Mia wasn't in a rush while Rey felt uncomfortable.
"Isn't it uncomfortable?" Rey asked her, making her pause midway.
Raising her eyes to look at him through her lashes for a brief second while still focusing on her food, she shook her head. "No, it isn't Sir."
"Rey." He hissed but she was quiet.
"Say something." Now he hated the way he felt.
"It's just the two of us." She pointed out.
"It isn't necessary Rey." She smiled at him, refusing to look at his face.
"You are forgetting the rules."
"It says in public." She stopped every body movement and looked only at him.
"We are in public." He emphasized and she noticed with delight that he hadn't even touched his food.
She was unsure about how to unnerve him, but now she grasped it faster, it would be easy to irk him henceforth.
"This is public, Mia." He stared at her smoky eyes and her slow smile made him stifle a grunt. Did she know how great she looks on this? He would have to reach out to Fredrick, probably increase his pay and make him visit often, he did a good job.
"The staff might be listening in on us." At this, he brought his voice lower.
"It's against the policy so I doubt they would." She dropped her cutlery.
"You can never be so sure Mia." He tells her.
"A conversation…" She drawled.
Not answering her, he picked up his cutlery before giving a signal and a staff walked briskly towards them.
"Sir?"
"Uncork the bottle." He orders and the waitress does as she is told before filling up the empty glasses half way.
Raising his glass in the air after the staff member had gone, Rey made an attempt to smile. "Let's really get into the act Mia." He toasted and clink his glasses to hers.
"Let's do that." Mia responded, trying to smile on.
Rey looked forward to enjoying the rest of the evening even though it was going to be a night of pretense but even in that pretense he could find a little comfort.
"How about we talk about my pay?" She said innocently and the wine in Rey's mouth almost went down the wrong pipe.
Seeing the smile die off his face, Mia gave a little smirk but hid it extremely well.
"When would I get a part payment?" She took a sip of the wine hiding her smug smile behind the glass.
"You wanted a conversation Sir…I mean Rey but you don't look so happy about it." She said when he went quiet for longer than usual.