In too deep.

Chapter 11

The following week went by quickly much to Esmeralda's surprise. Tuesday was fun for her. Her dress was beautiful and with Katrina as the flower girl and Natalie as her maid of honour, the pair was complete. The three of them had gone through several dresses until they found the superb one according to Natalie.

And here was Wednesday. It was noon and the food tasting would be in an hour. Tensor said he would make it. He told her that morning he was going in but would be home early for their meeting. He was late. No way they would make it to the hotel in time. Its in the other side of town after all. Lately Tensor seemed to be the type of guy to expect less from. His work occupied much of his time. Esmeralda asked herself if that's how it would be when they were married. It hurt her, a lot. He promised her they would discover things together. Things she didn't know.

Oh you sound pathetic Esmeralda. Just stop dreaming.

Suddenly she heard a car roar and rushed to the door. To her dissapointment it wasn't Tensor at the door but his personal assistant, Valerie. She was pretty.

Prettier than I am actually.

And she spent a whole lot of time with Tensor. Who is to say they don't have a relationship. All the times he comes home late maybe he is with her.

"Miss Gilbert, i was sent by Mr Salvatore to escort you to the hotel. He will meet you there he said."

Wow. Even the proximity of a greeting is too much for her. What a woman.

"Is something wrong with him?"

"No. He just said it would be a waste of time for him to come back here while you could meet him there." At least she was smiling.

"Very well. Let me get my purse." She hurried to her room and came back. A quick glance at her wrist watch told her they only had fifteen minutes left. They started the ride and got to the hotel five minutes before time. She searched around until she was greeted by the attendant.

"Miss Gilbert, its lovely seeing you again. Please follow me this way."

"Thank you." She answered and was led to the back where she found a table was already set and the foods arranged in courses. Then she saw Tensor talking to the chef. He looked tired but that was no surprise because he worked much. What surprised her was what came next after he turned.

"Valerie, u made it on time. Always efficient thank you." He  noticed her assistant first and it hurt. And what was she doing here until now? Her train of thought was cut short when she heard her name being called.

"Yes." She blocked her feelings and replied with a smile.

"I asked if you had any trouble coming here." Tensor told her.

"None thank you. Shall we proceed?"

"Certainly madam. I want you to taste a variety of starters and desserts since the main course we have already agreed upon. For dessert I made a steamed jam pudding coated with ice cream and some strawberries and i made a Victorian sandwich cake. Shall we?" The chef said while leading Esmeralda to where the desserts where displayed. He could feel tensor following them. They reached the table and Esmeralda was immediately captivated with the pudding.

"This looks yummy." She told the chef with a smile.

"I assure u it tastes delicious. Here, try it." He cut a piece for her and was about to feed her when they heard Tensor's voice.

"I think Esme is capable of feeding herself." He had a stern look on his face.

"My apologies sir." The chef replied and handed Esmeralda the saucer. She tasted the pudding and moaned in delight. The pudding was so sweet she had to close her eyes. The sound of her moaning sent Tensor's brain into overdrive.

"You should try this Tensor. Its so delicious." She told him and licked her lower lip to remove the prickle of ice cream left there.

I'm sure you are delicious right now.

"No need. I trust your choices." He replied and for the first time since the week started their eyes met. They both stood there facing each other until Tensor's phone rang. He took the phone out and said, "Excuse me. I must take this."

"Of course." Esmeralda replied and turned back to the chef. She heard Tensor's shoes clicking meaning he was moving away. She continued tasting different starters and the other cake. By the time Tensor came back she had tasted all of them.

"So have you decided what you want Esme?"

"Yes. I think we will take the pudding for dessert and that soup i just tasted although i have no idea whats inside." She answered and smiled an actual smile this time. So the food tasting cheered her up he noticed.

"Is that okay Federico?" Tensor asked the chef.

"Splendid choices madam. I shall get on to it then. Ill see you on Saturday." He replied cheerfully.

"Thank you Federico." He added and shook his hand. "Shall we go Esme?"

"Yes of course." She replied and they headed back to the car.