Glacier AU

Dinner

(Zane's P.O.V.)

  How did I get dragged into this? I thought as I walked down to the upper-class dining room with Jay. Oh right, I was being a heroic person, I remembered with the shake of my head.

  Earlier today, I was walking around the deck of the ship after we departed, wanting to get some fresh air when I heard screaming. I ran towards the source and saw a woman dangling over the edge. Then I did what every sensible person should have done, I saved her. Turns out the person I saved was that irritating lady from earlier who was yelling at that poor maid. 

  After I saved her, her handsome fiancée came by and thanked me. Later on, he offered Jay and I dinner for saving her life, which Jay accepted without my consent. I would have agreed too, but I think it would've been awkward for me if I found the woman's fiancée attractive.

  "What did you say your name was, young man?" Asked Mr. Hence,  the father of the fiancée said.

  "I'm Zane Julian," I introduced.

  "And I am Jay Walker," Jay answered after.

  Mr. Hence stared at us before glancing at our attire, which was pretty shabby compared to his expensive suit. It was lucky Jay and I packed anything fancy at all.

  "Cole," the fiancée said, shaking my hand with a smile.

  "Thank you so much for saving my future daughter-in-law's life." Mr. Hence thanked me, fixing his cufflinks.

  "It was no problem, really, I just did what every proper gentleman would have done in my position," I replied with a small smile.

  "I'm starving, may we go in? I haven't had a decent meal since I left our manor." Clarissa, the insufferable lady I saved, complained.

  "Yes, shall we eat now?" Cole inquired, letting Clarissa slip her arm through his before leading the way into the grand dining room.

  The moment we stepped inside the grand room, Jay and I knew we were out of place. For starters, the food they were serving seemed to be over our budget by thousands, and the place was filled with so many people in fine outfits that made ours look like trash. I started regretting coming along.

  "There's our table," Mr. Hence said, gesturing towards a table with expensive-looking utensils that would have been more valuable than anything I owned.

  "Stop looking so tense, you got us this dinner," Jay whispered to me as we took a seat around the table.

  "You accepted the invitation," I retorted quietly.

  Once I was seated, I realized Jay had put me beside Cole while he sat across from me with a smirk.

  "Champagne?" A waiter questioned, holding up a fancy bottle of alcohol.

  "Do you have 1811 Château d'Yquem?" Jay asked the waiter, surprising me with his knowledge of liquor.

  "Ah, fine taste," Mr. Hence agreed with a nod,  "I haven't met a young man interested in something so old yet extravagate."

  "I like the finer things in life," Jay stated with a grin.

  If I was drinking anything, I would have spat it out hearing Jay's proclamation. The Jay Walker I knew slept in the back seat of a car because he was too lazy to go up to his room. Listening to Jay claim to 'like the finer things in life' sounded like the president saying he was in love with men and gave everyone, despite their colour or gender, free money and education.

  "What about you, Zane? Mind some alcohol?" Mr. Hence inquired.

 "Um... I am fine without," I replied uncomfortably.

  While under the influence of alcohol, I see people pretty emit some pretty embarrassing things. I don't want to do that in front of Cole.

  "I'll like the Château d'Yquem as well," Clarisse agreed,  "And so does Cole." 

  I eyed Cole after his to-be-wife answered for him, who looked too exhausted to argue against her. Well, if I had a fiancée liked that, I'll be pretty tired of her antics and break up with her. 

  I wonder why he's still with her, is it for love, or is it for family affairs?

(Cole's P.O.V.)

  It was hard not to think about Zane, the person who saved my fiancée's life, throughout dinner. It was even worse not to look at him. I'm engaged, I reasoned with myself, I can't be thinking about other people, especially males. If my father ever found out I liked men over women, he would send me to a psychiatric ward or get me shock therapy until I'm 'cured'. 

  I love my father, but he can be... how you say, old fashion. He thinks what best for me is what best for our family. If I marry Clarisse then it will benefit our family's wealth and get us a successor for our oil empire. To be honest, I don't even like her that much. She can be VERY bossy and high maintenance.

  "Are you okay, Cole? You haven't tried the alcohol." Clarisse pointed-out, faking worry. I've known her long enough to know when she fakes something, like her love for the necklace my mother gave to her before she passed away.

  "I'm not feeling up to drink today," it was true, I didn't like drinking that much compared to my dad and fiancée.

  Growing up, I was closer to my mom, who was much calmer and mature than Clarisse, who does anything that gets her money, fame, or fashion. She's more materialistic than my mother who treasured everything that was given to her. That's why I looked up to her so much, and I still do.

  "Aww... just one sip for me?" Clarisse pouted, earning her some glances from other people in the dining room.

  I decided to give in, not wanting her to make a huge scene. 

  I took a small sip, trying not to gag at the flavour. I managed a small smile instead.

  "See, not that bad?" Clarisse pecked me on the cheek before complaining to a waiter about the doneness of her pasta.

  "You love her, huh?" Zane questioned me as he and I waited for our meals.

  "Y-yeah, why else would I be engaged with her?" Technically it was an arranged marriage agreed on by both of our fathers, but she doesn't know that. She thinks I picked out that ring and planned on my own the 'spectacular' proposal. Well, both proposals because she claimed she wasn't 'camera ready' in the first one.

  Zane eyed me oddly, not seeming to buy my lie, but he didn't question me further, opting to talk to his friend instead.

  "THIS IS BLOODY RAW, YOU FOOL!" Clarisse screeched, standing up and yelling at the frightened waiter.

  Another reason why I was engaged to her because her parents think my influence will help with her anger management skills. However, they were wrong.