Not Too Late

Chapter 22

Amaya's POV

I left the store heading to the car like Lucas asked me to. I wonder what he wanted to do. Today was rather surprising compared to his attitude last night. Come to think about it though, I haven't really gotten to know him, apart from the fact that he doesn't want this marriage. Why do I feel like there's something more to all this. I was really shocked when we pulled up at 'Carl's accessories', surely I had to be cause it was way above my standard but not his obviously.

Lucas came out of the store after a while, holding two bags now. Looks like he bought something else. He placed the bags on the back seat before he put the car in reverse to leave. "Are you hungry?", He asked.

"No, I'm good", I was quick to answer but my traitorous stomach betrayed me by grumbling. Traitor. I blushed in embarrassment. What good timing tummy.

"Hmmm", his face curved up in an almost smile before it went back to it's expressionless state. He didn't say anything else but from the direction he was headed, I could tell that we weren't headed back home.

I was once again star struck, I mean how wasn't I meant to be. This cute, angry, grumpy, sweet, annoying husband to be of mine just managed to shock me two times in a row. I'lld have to give him that at least.

I was once again standing in front of another shocking building. The 5-star restaurant 'LO' was one of the newest uprising restaurant right now. The restaurant sprouted out of nowhere and instantly took it's place in top 5 restaurants gradually making it's way  to the top last month. It's owner has remained anonymous and just keeps on hitting unexpected blows at the rival restaurants. It was so famous that you would have to book a reservation at least three weeks before for you to be able to eat here. The place was always packed.

And here I was sitting not just in the restaurant but the VIP room of this distinguished restaurant. Just how rich was this guy. We sat in awkward silence until the waitress brought the menu. She was putting on her uniform which was really short, tight and very revealing. I mean is that even allowed? She's looking very unprofessional. I looked at Lucas who hadn't looked at her since she came in. He was busy looking at the menu.

"I'll just have some steak and red wine", he said as he finally looked up at her.

"Sure sir, anything else?", She flashed her revealing breast at him as she bent to retrieve the menu, her breast almost pouring out of her cloth. That made me frown, her entire attention was on him, not paying heed to me sitting opposite him. I could tell from the sign of disgust on his face that he wasn't pleased at all.

"Yes actually. Your manager", he said with his usual expressionless face now paired with a hint of anger.

"Why sir?", The colour had drained from her face now at the mention of the manager. Instead of replying her, Lucas picked up his phone dialing a number and placing it on his ear.

"Come to the VIP room now", and cut it. Just few minutes later, a man in his late 30's rushed in with some guards behind him. His eyes immediately meeting Luca's, shock evident on his face.

"Mr O'Brien, I didn't know you were around, I would have come welcome you by myself. Has there been any problem?", The managed asked frantically, his eyes narrowing on the waitress on her knees now.

"The standard of this restaurant is going down, are we employing anybody now?", He barked at the manager.

"I'm really sorry sir, she's new here. It won't happen again", The manager begged. "Apologize to them", he shouted at the waitress.

"I'm sorry sir, it won't happen again", She begged frantically still on her knees.

"Yeah right, it won't happen again because you're fired", Lucas said, his expression not showing any hint of emotion. I agree the girl was wrong and she was being very unprofessional but isn't that too much.

"Please sir, I'm sorry", her eyes were glossy with tears now.

"Get her out of my restaurant and get me a new waiter"

"Yes sir", the manager replied as some guys came and dragged the shouting waitress away.

"Wasn't that too harsh?", I asked him once they had left the room.

"This is business Amaya. If you want to ensure that things don't go out of control then you have to be lenient with your workers. Every slight mess up results in a bigger mess", I understood where he was coming from and I guess he was right. I decided to drop the matter as a new waiter knocked on the door and came in.

He took our orders, his hands shaking, obviously having heard what happened to the previous waitress. So this is what Lucas was talking about. He took our orders and our food arrived few minutes later. I ordered lasagna and some after desert with red wine. We ate in a sorta comfortable silence.

Something clicked from what Lucas said earlier about "his restaurant". "You own this restaurant?", I had to ask to clear my doubts.

He just nodded still cutting into his stake. "Hmmm". Of course, LO, Lucas O'Brien, I should have known. That's why we were able to get in so easily. Once we were done eating the waiter came again to get our plates and left.

"Shall we?", He asked after a while. I nodded as we stood up and headed out to the car. The manager met us at the door to bid us goodbye. The poor man was literarily sweating. Lucas got the door for me as I entered the car, he did the same as he drove off.

I stared out of the window the fresh air hitting my skin was so refreshing, the weather was so cold but I've always liked it.

"Put your head inside, you'll catch a cold", Lucas said after a while. I looked at him to see him concentrated on the road but i could tell that he was referring to me. Did he actually care? Or was this something else?

I didn't argue this time around though. The drive back to my place was awkwardly silent, none of us uttering another word. We pulled up at my parents driveway as Lucas got down to open the door, a habit of his I presume that I had gotten used to.

"Here", he handed me one of the bags he got from the jewelry store.

"What is it?", I asked as I took it from him.

"Just something. Goodnight Amaya"

"Goodnight Lucas", I replied as he got into the car and drove off. Well that's strange.

The house was quiet when I went in, the housekeeper said dad had some pressing matters to attend to at the office while mum went to see a friend. I walked up the stairs to my room. I was really exhausted. I took off my shoes and plopped on my bed, I decided to open up the bag that Lucas gave me. I was shocked would be an understatement when I saw what was inside. It was the really pretty pendant that I was staring at at the jewelry store. It was really pretty and unique that it caught my eyes. I was startled when Lucas caught me staring but I never imagined that he'd get it for me. A smile made it's way to my face while l was staring at the pendant.

Maybe Mr arrogant isn't that bad afterall.

1295 words.

Phewww

First chapter I could get out after a while. Not my best I would say but I promise it's going to get better. Thank you all for your continuous encouragement. I hope we can continue to grow our family.