Emma

Chapter Eight.

The guests will be here tomorrow night and I cannot wait to see them. It sure brings me joy to see friends of mine.

But for now, I have decided to go out and eat. And for the first time since I arrived, I drove my Rolls Royce. I missed driving and, Ackley is working with the chief, explaining what the menu has to be for our guests. Fortunately, he did succeed in finding halal meat, which I am grateful for.

"Your drink, Madam"

I look up to the waiter and thank him. I am about to continue to eat my dish when I see him looking at me with insistence.

"Yes?" I ask, embarrassed.

He quickly shake his head, excuses himself and leaves. That was not bizarre at all. But, I decide to not pay attention to it.

***

As I am about to call the waiter, I see him talking with a man at the entrance of the restaurant. I wait a few seconds and decide to call another waiter. But, right before I turn around, I see the man he was talking to turning toward me. Once I encounter his gaze, I sigh in disbelief. Is he everywhere? Mr Shelby rushes to my table and sits on the chair in front of me.

"Good evening to you too Mr Shelby," I say, ironically.

"Hello. How are you?"

"I am good. How about you? Is your family all right?"

"All fine, thank you"

"Good"

I am about to call the waiter when Mr Shelby's voice stops me.

"No Ackley with you tonight?" He asks.

"No. Just me"

"Why?"

"Some alone time is good for the soul," I reply. "But, may I help you with something?"

"No"

"Good. Will you please excuse me then? I was about to leave"

I turn around and lift my hand to call the waiter. He sees me and quickly comes to my table.

"Yes, Madam?"

"I would like my car to be driven to the entrance. And the bill, please"

"Your car is ready and the bill was already taken care of"

I frown, not understanding how that can be possible.

"What? I am sorry but I did no-"

"I paid for it"

I turn around to look at Mr Shelby. While the waiter leaves the table, I keep staring at my interlocutor in disbelief.

"Who said that you could pay for my meal?"

"I have things to tell you," He says, getting on his feet.

"Me too" I stand up to face him. "I am a woman who makes extremely good money, more than you could ever imagine. Therefore, I am completely able to finance my own meals"

I turn around and walk to the entrance of the restaurant. The head waiter helps me put on my coat and greets me as I leave the place, Mr Shelby right behind me.

"Getting angry Ms Langdon?"

"Humiliated" I correct.

"Why?"

I brutally turn around to face Mr Shelby.

"You have no right to just come in here and pay for my meal. And, how did the waiter knew I was going to ask him to bring the car?"