Dear second fiancé

CHAPTER 3. the agreement

Not long after the rather interesting dinner, Lydia was back at her daily routine as if she hadn't been asked to marry one of the most desirable bachelors of the whole country — reported by some article from last year, which Lydia definitely did not find after searching his name online as soon as she got home that night. One is allowed to be curious despite not agreeing to a whole marriage ordeal.

Lydia made a cup of warm latte to an elderly lady who always enjoyed her morning coffee by the large windows, watching the people pass, and each and every day she would dearly compliment Lydia's latte art which she made sure to switch every now and then just for her. Mrs. Holloway's joy which beamed when the coffee was brought to her was one of the reasons why Lydia stayed so inspired to keep learning.

''There you go, Mrs. Holloway.'' Lydia carefully placed the coffee on the table in front of her, with an extra wrapped chocolate on the side of it.

''Oh, thank you dear. And what a lovely swan! You always know how to brighten up my mornings, child.'' Mrs. Holloway gazed up towards her, smiling with a hint of somber in her heavy eyes. Lydia would always make some time to go and talk to her in between her tasks.

By the noon the most hectic lunchtime was over and Lydia went to the back to take care of the accumulated dirty dishes. She took the long faucet tangling over her and squeezed the handle gently while simultaneously using the other hand to gather the dishes in the deep sink, too ambitious with the attempt to multitask resulting into the stack falling and landing in an unfortunate position, splashing the water coming with a pressure directly all over her.

''Agh!'' Lydia let out a surprised shriek while her reflexes forced to take a quick step back.

''Lydia?'' Emma, a colleague also working the morning shift entered right at the same time, ''There's someone to meet you —oh gosh! Are you okay?'' She grabbed a clean kitchen towel and rushed to the soaked Lydia who was still holding the faucet, her shoulders high from the sudden attack of the cold water.

''I'm great— be there in just a moment.'' Lydia couldn't help but laugh, soaked with the water tripping down her hair. She accepted the towel and pressed her face and neck first, then moved to try and press away the moisture from her apron, the water quickly absorbed through and already getting to her shirt, ''I don't have any appointments, not that I remember. Well, at least I'm quite a sight, very presentable, lucky them.'' Lydia kept smiling as she made her way towards the reception.

''How can I help yo—'' Lydia came from behind the corner and out in the open, dropping the towel on the floor with the sight revealed in front of her, ''Why are you here?'' Lydia sounded confused, staring at the man leaning against the receptions counter, conversation with the receptionist interrupted — Dean Livingston.

''I'm here regarding the dinner.'' Dean answered, pushing himself away from the counter and standing tall with all of his confidence. The sleek dark blue suit and silver watch, his hair done up showing the forehead — and the eyes which no one could escape. Especially not the receptionist completely under his spell.

''How do you two know each other?'' The receptionist asked, holding her cheeks while leaning against the table.

But just as Dean was about to open his mouth, Lydia stepped between them to quickly hijack the conversation, ''It's about.. Business! You're just in time —Please, Mister, follow me.'' She began to guide him behind the staff only area while Dean complied, the smirk yet again left unnoticed as his eyes were down at the back of her wet and messy ponytail.

Lydia pulled him behind a wall into a nook where they kept most of the dry ingredients. As Dean looked around at the shelfs, curiously and unbothered, Lydia peeked towards the hallway franticly to make sure they weren't followed.