A la Carte

Chapter 5

"You stay here?" Charlotte asked in disbelief. He laughed.

"Don't look so surprised. I think I should rather be asking you that question." He said. Charlotte was offended, so she chose to ignore him, until the lift came up.

"Shit, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that." He apologised. She didn't say anything, just turned to look at him. Big mistake. His green eyes were particularly dark this morning and he actually looked remorseful.

"It's fine." She relented. Angry that she really could not seem to stay mad at the arrogant businessman.

"So, may I join you, wherever you are off to?" He asked her.

"Would you like to come to the grocers with me?" She asked surprised.

"You know what, I actually need to do a food run, it's good you reminded me. I'll just accompany you there."

"If I didn't know better, I'd think that you are trying to hang out with me."

"You always say that," He mused, " If I didn't know better... why wouldn't I want to hang out with you? And am I really that repulsive?" He asked, mocking hurt.

"No, it's just you are a rich successful businessman and I'm just the waitress who serves you in a restaurant." She explained.

"But what if I find you interesting?" He said, turning to her as they stood in the lift.

"I'm as boring as they come." She scoffed, he just looked at her, she stared back but the look he was giving her was as if he was trying to unravel all her secrets; expose her for who she really was.

"I hope you realise, we're walking." She said as he took his car keys out his pocket when they got to the reception area of the building.

"Why would you want to do that?" He asked.

"To get fresh air and the weather is great. Didn't your mother tell you that Vitamin D is good for you." She teased. He laughed, pocketed his keys and followed her out the reception doors.

"Thanks Frank." She said as she passed the doorman. Dimitri looked at her weirdly.

"What?" She asked.

"Nothing. I just never knew his name was Frank." He said with a shrug.

"Maybe you should've just asked."

" So where do you originally come from?" Dimitri asked as they walked down the street.

"Boston. And you?" Charlotte asked.

"My family is originally from Italy, but my mom married my dad who was American and so I've had the good fortune of growing up in New York and spending holidays in Italy."

"So you can speak Italian?"

"Yes, among other languages."

"How many?" Charlotte asked, intrigued.

"English." He winked, "Italian, French, Mandarin and possibly a bit German."

"Possibly a bit of German?" She laughed.

"Don't really have to speak that much of it, the men I deal with prefer to deal in English."

"Any siblings?" She asked. Dimitri laughed loudly.

"I have five." He said with a chuckle, "The eldest is Italia, then there is Logan and Markos the twins, me, Laurel and the youngest Kylie."

"Not all Italian names?" Charlotte asked surprised.

"Well Italia is, but my parents didn't want us to be an all Italian family." Dimitri said with a shrug.

"Well I only have an older brother," Charlotte said, "We don't really get along."

"Why not?"

"Too different, I suppose and I suspect my parents loved him more." Charlotte said sadly, she recalled the day when her dad told her she was a disappointment to the family and that he was ashamed of her, she would never forget it.

"I'm sure they loved equally as much, how could they not? You're an amazing person Charlotte!" Dimitri said seriously, his emerald eyes boring deep into her soul, stirring emotions within her that she kept at bay for a long time.

The Grocery store sold mainly fresh produce and the owners were really helpful and friendly, it was one of the many hidden gems in New York and the instance Charlotte stepped inside she knew she would come back here often.

They both shopped for various food items, often grabbing the same packet of carrots or lettuce, Charlotte never knew whether he did it on purpose or not. He made her feel giddy, but at the back of her mind something told her he would only hurt her, so she repressed her excitement and the butterflies that fluttered in her stomach and her beating heart and acted as if everything was normal.

The day ended too quickly, before Charlotte knew it, she had said goodbye to Dimitri and Betty was taking Ed to the airport.

"Thanks Ed for everything!" she said giving him a hug.

"Only a pleasure." Ed said, giving her a warm smile and then disappearing out the door, Betty and suitcases in tow.

Work was slow, customers came and went and there were the occasional mishaps in the kitchen, with Francois, the head chef, yelling at everyone to get a move on. Perry looked a little bleak and when Charlotte asked her if she was feeling okay, she paled significantly.

"I don't know what's wrong with me!" She groaned, tears forming in her eyes.

"What are your symptoms?" Charlotte asked, concerned for her friend.

"I'm nauseous basically all the time and the smell..." She waved her hand in the air, "Of food..." She smacked a hand over her mouth, waited a few seconds before deeming it safe to remove it.

"That is not healthy." Charlotte commented, "When was your last period?" She asked. Perry's eyes widened, she paled and this time grabbed the dustbin and heaved her stomach contents into it. Charlotte worked quickly, pouring her friend a glass of water and stroking her back soothingly as she cried her eyes out.

"Matt is...is g-g-going to leeeeave meeee...." She cried.

"Why would he do that? He loves you, dummie!" Charlotte said.

"I can't be pregnant... I'll be an awful mother!"

"No you won't! And we don't know for certain and before you get worked up about it, take the test first and talk Matt." Charlotte reassured. Perry gave her a weak smile and pulled her into a hug.

"Thanks Char, I owe you one." Perry smiled at her through her runny mascara and red nose.

"Anytime." ————————————————————————————————————————————

Another Chapter! Okay so its a little short, just shy of 1500 words,but in my defense I'm a week away from exams and haven't started studying yet, so you might not hear from me in a while...I give you my sincerest apologies, but after that a 4 week break and lots of chapters to follow! Like, vote, comment! I really appreciate your comments they really are motivating! Thanks a bunch! xx