𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐎𝐃𝐎𝐑𝐄 ✔

ᴇʟᴇᴠᴇɴ

𒊹︎︎︎ A little wine, a little dine.

Inez smiled at the delicious smelling food as she took a bite of peking duck and hummed in content. "It's scrumptious!" she commented excitedly as Theo chuckled at her "It indeed is. Thank you John" he said as he nodded at John who smiled before leaving them alone.

"But why is this place so empty unlike the rest of the restaurant?" Inez asked the question which was bothering her while she took a sip of her orange juice. 

"This is my floor" Theo responded simply. 

Inez's eyes widened as she gaped at him. Surely owning a whole "floor" at such a high - end would have cost a fortune. "Y-You own a floor?" she asked surprised as Theo couldn't help but smile at her response. 

"You can say that. I own this restaurant but I have specifically reserved this floor for myself-" he said as gasped in shock. Woah. "-I usually come here to relax when I am stressed from work. It has a calming effect on me, it is the first time I brought someone with me to this floor" he said, his tone getting serious as he reached out for his wine bottle and poured himself a drink. 

Inez cleared her throat while going back to eating, feeling a little embarrassed and a little happy. She was the only one who he has brought here? Does that make her special?

"No! Stop assuming things Inez!" she scolded herself as she scowled at herself for her desperation. He was her uncle for God's sake ! Step brother or not, still uncle!

"T-Then what is John?" she asked trying to change the subject, continuously looking down on her plate. 

"Oh he? He is the managing director, he looks after a few hotels for me" he said nonchalantly.

Her gaze flickered towards her glass when she noticed shimmering liquid filling it. She looked up at Theo to see him filling her glass with the exorbitant white wine immaculately. 

"I could make an exception today" he said, answering her unasked questions with a soft smile as Inez smiled back at him. "Thank you" she chirped excitedly before picking her glass and sneaking a taste.

Flavors burst into her mouth, a light fruity with the correct amount of tartness filled her mouth. She closed her eyes in ecstasy, savoring the outlandish palate. 

"This is so amazing!" she commented, once she had fully relished the flavors.

"Is it? You should taste Romanée conti. It is far more delicious than this, it is such a shame that it is not available at the moment" he said with equal enthusiasm as they immersed in deep conversation.

After half an hour of magnificent dining they heard footsteps as their head snapped towards the direction of the door. John walked in with a covered plate and a huge smile on his face. Theo frowned, he didn't order anything else.

"Since today is the young missy's birthday, we would like to offer her the best cake offered by our chef." he said smiling as Inez squealed excitedly "You are the best!" she said to him.

Theo chuckled as he kept looking at her changing expressions. He couldn't look away, he felt happy when she smiled. "Maybe that's how a guardian feels" he told himself. 

John put down the plate as he held the handle of the silver cloche. Inez's eyes were fixed on the plate as she waited for him to open the lid. John slowly moved his hand as the lid was completely removed. Inez's smile fell as her fingers clenched up in a fist.

Raspberry sponge cake. The cake she had prepared for her parents on the same day they died.

Inez sucked in her breath as all the bad memories came rushing back. It was as if she was experiencing the worst day of her life all over again. The heartbreak, the whimpers, the sadness, the guilt.

She forced a smile on her face as she thanked John with fake enthusiasm as John smiled happily before wishing her one last time and disappearing in the hallway.

Theo noticed it all, the sudden change of atmosphere bothered him. He was concerned and his heart hurt seeing her trying her best to smile. It reminded him of himself. 

His hands reached out as he grabbed her slightly trembling hands on the table and squeezed them reassuringly. "Love, what's wrong? Don't you like the cake?" he asked a little concerned as he saw her silver eyes shinning a little brighter than before because of her brimming tears.

"I-I-I am fine" she responded as she took a sliced piece of the cake with shaking hands. Theo's jaw clenched when he saw her stuttering just like when she was having a mental breakdown. He knew she wasn't "fine".

He watched with gritted teeth as she struggled to eat the cake. A lone tear escaped her eyes but she wiped it quickly and put a piece inside her mouth and closed her eyes. She gulped it down without even chewing as her face twisted in pain, as if it was the hardest thing ever.

"Inez stop it" Theo said as he held her hand tightly but she continued. "I said I am fine" her voice cracked as she stuffed her face with another bite. "Stop" Theo said again as he grabbed her plate but she clutched it.

"Let me eat it!" this time her voice completely broke as she sniffled on her tears and reached out for another bite but Theo grabbed her hand. "I SAID STOP!" his voice boomed throughout the room as Inez flinched and instantly let go of the plate.

Theo took the plate as he slammed it on the ground "You are not eating that god forsaken thing ever again!" he said as he stood up abruptly. Inez backed away on her chair as she choked up on her cries. He came and kneeled in front of her, she flinched as she tried to back away a bit, still scared of his sudden outburst.

His hands went towards her cheeks as he wiped her tears with his rough thumb. He brought his thumb to his mouth as he licked it "Don't cry" he said as his eyes softened.

Inez blushed a deep red as she looked at him, completely baffled by his actions. "I'm sorry" she whispered as he closed his eyes for a minute and sighed.  He held her hand as he stood up to his full height "Let's go" he said softly as Inez nodded and slowly stood up.

"Let's go back home" he said softly as he held her hand again and led her towards the stairs. They walked the way back without a word being exchanged between them. Inez was embarrassed because of ruining such an amazing evening.  She felt bad for Theo because he tried so hard to make her happy.

But she ruined it.

"Mr. Cunningham?" just as they were about to leave, they heard a deep manly voice rasp behind them as Theodore turned back in surprise.

God damn it.

_

𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐧 ✰

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