Chapter 25 More Thrilling, Isn't It?
<Chapter>Chapter 25 More Thrilling, Isn't It? </Chapter>
"Ashley, stop stirring the pot. My annoyance isn't with him," retorted Trinity.
As Ashley lifted a bottle of wine, her arm crossed the table to pour the drink into Trinity’s glass, her voice warm and playful, "My bad, did I get under your skin? Should I be the one to make amends to you?"
Damian's mouth twitched ever so slightly; it was hard to tell if he was actually smiling.
Trinity nearly put down her spoon in frustration. She couldn't figure out what was going on between Ashley and Damian, and it left her feeling played and embarrassed, "What are you trying to do?"
Ashley was uninterested to do anything, particularly avoid their company, "I apologize, but I don't like to be coddled. Let's just eat, as satisfied tummies make people happier."
Damian, with a casual and delicate movement, picked up some greens, "This actually tastes good, try some."
Trinity shot him a glance. She was tempted to maintain her indignation, but his voice had a rare warmth, and she couldn't push her luck, "Is it all vegetarian?"
Sean, who had been watching the exchange without a chance to speak, chimed in, "We're in the season for greens and sweet shrimp. The ingredients might seem modest, but they are exquisitely prepared and absolutely delightful."
The dish glistened emerald and translucent, its tender leaves fashioned into a pastry-like form, sprinkled with a layer of finely chopped nuts.
Carefully avoiding Damian's gaze, Ashley's attention fixated on the dish, "What is this?"
Sean mused, "Verdancy heralds the spring. The name might be a tad pretentious, but it's seasonal. April has dressed the leaves in shades of lush green, and now we are about to enjoy a dish that echoes the world outside. Doesn't that add an extra zest to the experience?"
Ashley, who also studied law but lacked Sean's penchant for literature, responded pragmatically, "Let's have a taste. Perhaps I can guess what the plant is."
However, Ashley overestimated her palate and underestimated the chef's culinary finesse. The dish, with its subtle hints of fresh greenery and expertly crafted seasoning, had a smooth and crisp texture that truly felt like a bite of springtime.
As Sean savored the dish, he could tell from Ashley's expression that she was quite taken with it. "Can you tell it's peas?" he asked.
Surprised, Ashley replied, "Peas? I've got to hand it to the chef for such culinary wizardry."
With a hint of sarcasm, Trinity, who had also been inquisitive but had not been given an explanation, put a piece onto her tongue and asked, "What's next, foraging for wild greens? It's a bit comical that we've resorted to this, isn't it?"
Damian, with a nonchalant air, teased, "Ashley's tastes are as... unique as ever. She's always had a thing for the wild and untamed. After all, they say the wildflower’s scent is sweeter than that of the garden's bloom. Guess farm-grown veggies can't beat wild pea shoots for an exciting flavor, right?"
Remarks full of innuendo.
Ashley wasn't one to be easily pushed around, her voice oozed satisfaction as she continued to relish the dish, "You, my friend, have a point. When you've had your fill of delicacies, sometimes you crave the simplicity of wild greens. I used to be dazzled by the 'flowers on the high ridges,' but now I find charm in the ordinary. Everyone's green in their youth, who hasn’t had their growing pains?"
Damian was being sarcastic, so she didn't hold back her retort, insinuating that not everyone is yearning for a pretentious display; she certainly wasn’t charmed by his type.
Damian showed no change of expression, but his words reflected a wise man who had seen it all. "A few years apart, and Ashley, your eloquence has certainly sharpened. You've mastered the art of subtly insulting."
Trinity jumped in, "No wonder there's a saying, 'Rather be a mute than argue with a lawyer.' Facing Ashley's capability, I'm outmatched!"
Ashley crushed the last bit of the dish in her mouth, "Impressive, truly. Sean, see how powerful a couple can be when they gang up on me."
Such drama was rare, and Thomas found himself rooted to the spot, thoroughly entertained.
The anxious manager, fearing Damian's wrath might affect the restaurant’s business, wiped his brow. "Thomas, what’s going on? Mr. Hearst's acting quite out of character today."
Thomas replied casually, "When was the last time you saw him act out of the ordinary? Think hard about that."
"Hmm," the manager mused, straining to remember. Damian was notoriously stoic, his expression unyielding, inscrutable to outsiders. As for the last time...
Like a bolt of inspiration, he recalled, "Oh, it was also here dining with Miss Astor. I didn't catch their conversation but Damian was furious. He almost flipped the table; it scared the daylights out of me."
Thomas nodded quietly, "Think about it, take your time."
The manager felt out of his depth, his gaze shifting from Ashley to Damian, then to Trinity, and finally to Sean. "Come on, Thomas, don't put me on the spot. Such a tangled web they weave; I can't make heads or tails of it."
Who was in control here, and who was at the mercy of others? Why did everyone look so troubled?
Thomas chuckled lightly, "When gods go to war, it best for the pawns to steer clear; stay out of the crossfire. And hey, these cakes are pretty good. Get me some to go."
Sean was still trying to puzzle out the odd dynamics. Rivals in love? Didn't seem likely. Competitors? Not quite.
What started the argument anyway?
Clueless about the overall situation, Sean just offered a gentle smile, "It's not right to gang up on a single lady. At this rate, Ashley will be driven to tears by you all."
Damian retorted, "Ashley can hold her own, she's not the one who'll end up crying. Women are unpredictable, Sean, watch your back, don’t be a pawn in someone else’s game."
Sean felt a twinge of dismay. There must be some past grudge between Damian and Ashley; why else would he speak so harshly?
"Even if I became a “pawn in one’s game”, I'd be complicit out of affection. True friends are worth their weight in gold. I admire the way Ashley handles herself. Our acquaintance may be brief, but she's worth getting to know deeper."
Touched by Sean's defense, Ashley felt a wave of gratitude surge within.
Damian, however, simmered with annoyance. Underneath his placid façade churned a storm of resentment. "Getting to know her deeper? Ha! What do you mean by that?"
Ashley realized his insinuation, and anger made her hand tremble.
Trinity couldn't help but snicker. She thought Damian still had feelings for Ashley, but as it turned out, the opposite was true; his hatred ran deep.
So much for his pride; he was openly mocking Ashley in public, a clear sign he was still hung up on past events.
Instinctively straightening her spine, Trinity glanced to her right, "Don't let him get to you, Ashley. He's just blunt and can't stand pretense; it's kind of gentlemanly in a way."
Gentlemanly was not the word Sean would use. Damian's underhanded comments were anything but gentlemanly. "Rochester isn't that big or too small; it's fate that we've crossed paths. Why not bury the hatchet with a smile?"
He raised his glass in a gesture of peacemaking.
No one responded.
The silence was deafening.
After a lengthy pause, Sean awkwardly set down his glass, "I got so caught up with the food, I never caught your names."
