The Age of Love (Book #1)

28. Old Crow

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The L'effervescence was a small hidden gem in the surroundings of Minato, not far from Theodore's house. The dim but elegant atmosphere gave it an exclusive-underground feel to it, apparently it was the Hans place to come from what Theodore said.

The small room was filled with soft ambiance music, decorated with round tables facing a large glass window with a natural view.

We enter the restaurant together, I stood between both men, only then realizing what this looked like, surprising every single face on the table in front of us. But to my dismay, the first one to strike my gaze, was the slim paleness of Sapphire face. Staring her deep black eyes on me, always wearing the same snobbish look, and next to her was Mei and another woman I was not familiar with.

Theodore's fingers hardened under my touch, I can't figure out why, the third woman was beautiful, maybe in her 30's, long silky black hair and prominent features, she was the last to leave the table to greet us.

"Brother." Sapphire smiled to him first, then drifting her eyes to me and Hiro, and then back to Theodore.

"Three is a party." She chuckled.

"Sapphire please." Theodore pleaded.

"Oh loosen up Teddy." She giggled cynically. "In fact, love the dress Madison, business is clearly booming."

I let go of Theodore ready to lay my fist on her, when Hiro stepped in.

"A star isn't she?" Hiro referred to me "I love the look Sapphire, vintage thrift shop, goes with your face."

I almost burst into laughter. I've never seen her face fall so quickly.

"Ha. Hiro and his awful jokes." She said aridly "I wasn't aware the circus was performing tonight."

"I'll try my best not to make you laugh, one more wrinkle and your next vacation will be into a nursing home." Hiro smiled gracefully.

If looks could kill, Sapphire's falcon eyes would've burned Hiro alive, I couldn't help it, I was loving every single second of it, while Theodore took no sides, staying neutral on the situation.

She turned to sit down, the rest of the guests greeted us politely, the last two were Mei and the woman. Mei greeted the men only, completely ignoring me as if I didn't exist, the third woman walked slowly always locking eyes with Theodore. In my heart I knew something was about to happen.

I didn't notice before but now up close, she was wearing the same dress as me and the words of the shop lady flowed in my mind.

A client just called in to reserve it for a special occasion.

"Sorja." Theodore said.

"Theo, it's been a while." She smiled to us, traveling her eyes down my - our dress. "You must be the famous Madison."

"I didn't know I was famous." I fake a quick smile.

"Nearly everyone is talking about you two, the latest gossip of Asia Today." Her tone was sad not offensive, but this whole situation was unsettling me.

"Anything is a story nowadays." Theodore calmly added.

"I'm sorry, are you friends?" My curiosity spoke out.

They both looked at me as if my question caught them by surprise.

"Madison, this is my ex-wife Sorja."

My eyebrows lift in shock, the tension not only grew thicker but suddenly the air became too heavy to breathe. I look at Theodore, how could he have hidden this from me?

"But I'm here with my date tonight, shall we sit?"

"Sure." I say, opening my way between them, not very concerned about my manners.

I was always the first person to judge the size of portions in upscale restaurants, but this evening I was glad. I played more with my food than I actually ate, I was well aware everyone was chatting and I was the only one silent, but I was in no mood to make conversation. There were two tables brought together and set for 10, I was sitting in the middle and on my right was Theodore, on my left were some of their friends, followed by Sorja, Sapphire, Mei, Hiro, another couple and Grayson. It was safe to say I didn't exchange a word with Theodore throughout the whole dinner.

I felt lied to, embarrassed and above all I had to endure the incessant chattering in a foreign language between Sapphire, Mei and Theo's ex-wife.

Now drinks were being served, wine for the women, cognac and whisky for the men. I took a long sip of Theodore's whisky, alcohol was the best thing I had in this place.

"Could you please shut up for a bloody second Sapphire, sweet mother of Jesus." Hiro says loudly, surprising everyone at the table.

"Excuse me and who you might be?" She sarcastically remarks.

"Probably the only one decent enough to ask you to shut your noisy mouth. Madison this, Madison that, bla, bla, bla... For fuck sakes, have the balls to tell her! I mean she's right there! we all speak english here! You don't have to hide behind Japanese to protect your own ass." Hiro was evidently drunk, his blunt language managed to silence the room and have every head facing our table.

But he didn't seem to mind.

"Hiro." Theodore warned him, sending him a heavy threatening look.

"Clap, clap, a miserable show of the knight on a white horse, to impress whom exactly? You're nothing but a drunk pig!" She cusses.

"Oh go take a hike you old crow. We all heard very well what you said... And bringing Theodore's ex-wife? That's low Sapphire, you bloody child of Satan."

"If the name cheap slut suits you, I'm all for it, if not, why don't you mind your business Hiro? Are you interested in poor defenseless Madison?"

"Why don't you follow your own advice cousin? Maybe if you kept your tongue inside for a bit you'd still have a husband."

Sapphire stands up abruptly infuriated.

"Don't even think about it!" I stand up pointing my finger at her.

"I will ruin you!" She shouts to him.

"Be my guest. You know what, have my address 19-"

"Enough! This ridiculous show ends here! For god's sake, we are not alone!" Theodore finally speaks out.

"No problem at all. Ladies, gentlemen, it was a pleasure and good evening." Hiro stands up from his chair in a flawless posture.

"Wait no! Theo come on, it's his dinner, he can't leave!" I protest in Hiro's defense.

"It's quite all right darling." He said in his usual graceful tone, closing a single button of his jacket and exiting the room. I couldn't believe Theodore allowed this.

The room went silent, everyone was facing each other, no one even noticed when Sapphire excused herself from the table. No one seemed to care.

"You're not going to do anything?" I whisper under my breath aggravated, feeling my blood boil in silence.

"He crossed limits tonight." Theodore simply said.

"And your sister never does?" I blurted out, well aware now every eye was on me.

"Madison..."

"I want to leave, please." I turn to face the empty seat left by Hiro, wishing I had stormed off with him.