The End of the Littlest One [Completed]

27. One more day

In the morning, the dining room, now breakfast room, seemed to be the opposite of what it was the night before. Much brighter, much cooler and much, much quieter.

Benjamin and Dante sat at the same table as the night before. When they first walked in again, they were amazed at how the dining room normally looked. They wondered how the staff was able to clean everything up overnight. There must have been a lot of them.

Waiting for their breakfast, the two men talked about their plans for their near future. After having gone to sleep immediately yesterday, much wasn't discussed yet.

'We could walk around town a bit,' Benjamin said.

'You don't want to move on right away?' Dante asked.

'I've never been here. I wouldn't mind exploring a bit. I never go out.'

'I don't think it's sensible to do that.'

'Just one day, Dante. Please?' Benjamin pleaded.

'We could also leave today and spend a day in a town further away from here,' Dante argued. 'People might have already noticed you're missing and are looking for you. It'd be best to go as far away as possible in the least amount of time. We can relax and sightsee afterwards.'

'Firstly, if people noticed I was missing, they would send people to look for me. Also, those people might think I ran away. In that case, they'd look in town far away from here, wouldn't they?'

'Still...'

'Besides, they think I'm content with my life and all. They wouldn't suspect I ran away. Just on a long walk.'

Dante looked in the man's eyes. The slight pout, the eyebrows knit together, and his innocent look. Dante couldn't resist.

'Fine. One day in this town,' he said.

A smile appeared on Benjamin's face, and his eyes lit up.

'We can leave tomorrow, okay?' he said.

Dante nodded. Behind him, Benjamin saw a familiar face walk into the dining room. Olivia walked towards their table with a plate in each hand.

Someone else had taken their order, so he was a little surprised she came in to bring them. Benjamin thought she'd get the morning off or something, considering she worked till early in the morning last night.

Last morning? This morning? Whatever.

'There you go,' Olivia said when she arrived. 'Who had the omelet?'

Dante put his hand up to signal it was his. Olivia put the right plate in front of him. She put the other in front of Benjamin. He smiled at her as a thank you. Dante had already picked up his fork and knife, ready to dig in.

'Did you guys sleep well?' she asked.

'We did,' Dante said. 'Thank you for asking.'

Olivia smiled at him.

'Good to hear.'

'You look happier than usual,' Benjamin remarked.

'Than usual?' Olivia said.

'You met her yesterday,' Dante said.

'Fine,' Benjamin said. 'I'll rephrase. You look happier than yesterday.'

'Well, I am happier than yesterday.'

'Why?'

'The inn has gotten the opportunity to cater a dinner for one of the wealthiest families in the region.'

Benjamin's eyebrows shot up. My family? He thought. We'd be the only one in the region. Why wasn't I told about this?

'Wow, really?' he said instead. 'What family?'

'Laurier. Have you heard of them?'

'I think so.'

So it is my family.

The two men looked at each other, knowing what they were thinking.

'Apparently one of their guests requested us to cater,' Olivia continued. 'I bet who know who it is.'

'Who?' Benjamin sked.

'Nicole. She's a friend of mine. She would do something like that.'

Behind Olivia, Sheppard walked in. carrying four plates at once, he approached people sitting at a table on the other side of the room.

Dante wanted Olivia to leave, but obviously couldn't tell her that to her face. To subtly hint at her, he started eating his breakfast, and avoided eye contact. He hoped Benjamin would do the same. He did not.

'On the night of the dinner, I might be able to see her,' Olivia said. 'I haven't seen her in such a long time.'

'Did you two hang out a lot?' Benjamin asked.

Sheppard put down the plates and turned around to return to the kitchen. He saw Olivia standing at a guest's table, talking.

'Don't linger, Liv,' he said. 'You have something standing on the stove, remember?'

Olivia turned around and saw Sheppard.

'What's on the- 'she started. 'Never mind.'

She laughed apologetically.

'You're right, sorry,' she said.

She turned back around to face Benjamin and Dante.

'I'm afraid I'll have to cut this conversation short. Excuse me,' she said.

Olivia left the two and went to the kitchen.

'We should ask her to keep an eye on my family,' Benjamin told Dante, as soon as Olivia was out of hearing distance.

'We can't,' Dante said.

'Why not?'

'Then she'll ask why.'

'So?'

'So?' Dante said, raising one of his eyebrows. 'Then we'll have to explain to her about our situation, including our identities. We're trying to avoid that, remember?'

Benjamin hummed in response.

'You're right.'

They went silent and ate their breakfast. After a short while, Benjamin spoke.

'So, we're not asking her to watch my family?'

Dante put his fork down with a sigh. He gave Benjamin a slightly disappointing look.