Through Ash and Dust (ROTB)

Chapter 5

Sitting at a table in Ocean Prime, Saphira held the menu in her hands as she looked over what was on offer. Arthur and Nicholas already ordered a bottle of wine for themselves to share, while Saphira just ordered a coke. It was a little awkward, since she was not quite old enough to drink alcohol just yet. But she was fine with not having alcohol. Her mind was racing about becoming someone to oversee relationships with their overseas investors as she was so excited. When Arthur gave her a job when she was sixteen, both she and Arthur knew they had somewhat bent the laws a bit back then. But Arthur wanted to help Saphira and it was the best thing that has ever happened to her.

"Arthur has been telling me all about good news about the overseas investors that have taken interest in his company. I bet it was quite the shock when he gave the exciting news to you." Saphira looked up from the menu with a smile on her face as Nicholas spoke to her. "Arthur has been in talks with the investors for a few weeks, and then several days ago, he came home and practically tackled me with that exciting information."

"I imagine you know what it feels like since you have connections with your French investor. It is probably a lot like winning the lottery for many people. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity." The two men both nod as that is exactly what it feels like. "And I am a lucky girl to be told about it before anyone else in the company. Thank you for trusting me. I will keep it to myself from everyone until you the meeting, Arthur."

"I have every confidence that you will." Arthur looked down at the menu. "Hmm, I am having a hard time deciding. Should we get the shrimp cocktail to share before we get our main, or should we all get our own appetizers?"

Saphira hummed and looked at Arthur with a smile. "I am quite happy to just get one thing, Arthur. The menu's expensive here, and while I know you can pay for it, I don't want you spend a hundred dollars on my meal."

Arthur appreciated her concern and he gave her a sympathetic expression. "Saphira, I told you dinner was on me tonight. I know this restaurant is expensive, and I am grateful you want to be thoughtful of me. But you don't have to worry about the cost."

"If you say so." Saphira looked back at the menu as she looked over it before looking back at the men. "Well, I was thinking the French onion soup and the sea scallops."

"That's s nice choice," Nicholas said as he gazed at the menu. "As for myself, I was thinking the shrimp cocktail and twin lobster tails." Arthur smirked as he listened to his boyfriend.

"I was thinking the same thing." Arthur looked at Nicholas in amusement. "Though we do tend to have that almost all the time when we come here." He set the menu down as they wait for their waiter to take their order. "Anyway, what are your thoughts on this opportunity, Saphira? Are you excited? Nervous?"

"Bit of both, honestly. It was only a few years ago that I escaped my home, and you were the only one who would even take me in to work. And I will forever be grateful, and that is why I worked so hard every day. So of course I never thought this would happen to me." She chuckled a little as the two men smiled. "Especially since I am only nineteen. It's a good thing that no one knew that I was sixteen at the time too."

"I know, the laws are a little odd here in this country. In other parts of the world, working full time in an office isn't completely unusual for a teenager." Arthur grabbed his glass to sip some water. "But it is what I do. I don't hire people based on their qualifications alone, I hire people based on personality as well. And I knew when I met you, you would be a great worker."

"And you helped me get a rental, so I gladly stand by with you on everything with the company, Arthur. I hope we also get investors from England and Australia. We could become a global franchise..." Saphira gasped as he suddenly had a good idea. "How about if I work on creating attractive promotional material that can be used to reach out to international organizations to show who we are? I can work on it before the meeting...but when do you plan on having it?"