The End of the Littlest One [Completed]

51. He is very charismatic

Nicoletta had been looking forward to the dinner. Even though she was disappointed she wouldn't be seeing Olivia, Sheppard's inn's food was still amazing.

Members of the Laurier family sat with Nicoletta and her husband and his parents at the large dinner table. The walls were painted a deep, dark blue. Candles and various paintings hung on the walls.

The large windows showed an already pitch-black sky. Besides a few stars and the lighting in the garden, the outside was dark.

As by Olivia's request, Nicoletta made sure to keep an eye on the Laurier family. She noticed their youngest son still hadn't arrived. She hadn't seen him the entire week. The man of the Laurier house didn't look at ease at the head of the table.

'Good to hear you are doing well,' the man sitting next to Nicoletta said.

She turned her head and smiled. She had slowly figured out he was the father's brother.

'Thank you,' she said. 'You are good as well, I presume?'

'Certainly.'

Hoping their conversation would end there, Nicoletta shifted her gaze to the table they sat at. The numerous plates were still empty but would soon be filled.

Arthur sat on her other side. He was busy conversing with Thomas. They seemed to be hitting it off well. Almost like they see each other weekly.

'How long will you be staying here?' the man continued.

The doors to the entrance hall opened. Numerous butlers came in with plates in their hands and on their forearms.

One by one, the butlers stood behind everyone's chair. As if on cue, they put down their plates at the same time. A salad greeted her.

Just get through the entrée, Nicoletta thought. The good stuff comes after this.

'One more day I believe,' she answered the question.

'Perfect. Unfortunately, my own son couldn't make it.'

'That is indeed unfortunate. I have not seen him in a couple of years. Does he enjoy this type of social gatherings?'

'He does. He is very charismatic. He has the same age as you as well. Perhaps you will be able to meet him again in the near future.'

'Perhaps I will.'

The butlers quickly left again. Nicoletta looked for the man of the Laurier house. After he would do a small speech about nothing important, she could begin to eat. When she found him, she noticed he didn't have a salad in front of him.

One butler came back in quickly after the others left. He walked towards the man on Nicoletta's side, the brother of the man of the house.

'Excuse me, miss,' he said.

'Go ahead.'

The man stood up and followed the butler out of the room.

Shortly after, the man came back. He glared at his brother before sitting down again. Shortly after that, two butlers, each with a plate, enter the dining room.

One moved towards the man of the house. The other walked towards Nicoletta. He passed her, however. He stopped at Thomas, next to Arthur. Apparently, he hadn't received his entrée yet either.

The man of the house stood up from his chair and raised his glass. All eyes went to him.

'Good evening everyone,' he started.