Chapter 109
Trapped between Theodore and Raphael, Eliana thought, ‘Please give me a break!
The next instant, she caught Theodore’s lips twitching as if to speak. She lunged forward, clapping a hand over his mouth and shooting him a desperate look to stay quiet.
Theodore’s brows knit, annoyance flashing in his eyes. He thought, ‘I’m not some boy toy. Why hide me like this?‘
Once Eliana ended the call with Raphael, she turned to face Theodore.
His chiseled features were downright stormy, so she quickly pulled her hand back, only to have him snatch her wrist and sink his teeth in.
“Ow!” Eliana gaped at the red mark. “Are you a puppy?”
Theodore bared his teeth. “Wrong. I’m a wolf.” Dogs lick.
“Right, a wolf–as in womanizer,” she shot back, trying to scramble off the bed.
But Theodore hooked an arm around her waist and hauled her back down. He said seriously, “Talk. What’s your deal with Raphael?”
Eliana batted her lashes innocently. “We work for the same company.”
“Doesn’t he have a manager? Since when do you fetch his breakfast?”
Ever since his sight returned, he’d lost those little “privileges“. “Why is Raphael getting Eliana to run errands before dawn?‘ he wondered.
“We have a collaboration,” she said.
Theodore’s lips quirked. “Since when did you break into the entertainment industry?”
Eliana’s cheeks flushed. “It’s Mr. Yates. Remember? He said Vellum Glow needed a watch spokesperson and asked if Starlight Media had any A–list male
stars.
“I mentioned Raphael, and the next thing I know, Mr. Yates showed up at Starlight Media demanding me to handle the endorsement contract.”
That clicked. ‘Wait, Felix helped Eliana out without even giving me a heads–up?‘ Theodore thought.
“Are you
done grilling me? Let me get up already.” Eliana pushed at him. She still needed to make up for the mess.
“Hold still.” Theodore glanced at the wall clock. It was only 4:30 a.m. Raphael was clearly trying to give her a hard time.
Plus, Joyful Kitchen was a famous upscale restaurant. Their breakfast menu was secondary. You needed a week’s reservation to get in. Even if Eliana rushed over now, she’d come back empty–handed.
Though annoyed, he didn’t want her running around for nothing. “Just tell Joyful Kitchen what you want. They’ll deliver.”
“Huh?” Eliana blinked. “But they don’t do delivery.”
Theodore nodded to her phone. “The Joyful Kitchen owner is in that group chat I added you to.”
It clicked for Eliana. She thought, ‘So the restaurant owner is Theodore’s friend?‘
Thanks to Theodore’s help, she managed to catch a few more winks.
When she got up at 7 a.m. and went downstairs, the Joyful Kitchen spread was already laid out. One box was packaged separately, while the rest covered the long table.
1/3
Chapter 109
Theodore walked In from the rooftop gym, took a seat, and said, “What are you waiting for? Come try it.
“O–oh, right.” Eliana stepped closer and caught a glimpse of the bill. Her eyes locked.
How many zeros are there?!‘ she wondered.
Just then, other Russell family members filed in for breakfast. Seeing Theodore and the gourmet spread, Lainey quietly led Jayden away, thinking that no need to stick around for food that wasn’t meant for them.
Only Barbara stayed, resting a hand on her chair, and asked cautiously, “Theodore, did you order all this?”
He gave a nonchalant “Mm.”
Barbara added in a hushed voice, “Can I have some?”
Theodore grunted again. His expression remained flat, but he didn’t show the same distaste for Barbara as he did for other Russell family members.
“Thank you.” Barbara pulled out a chair and sat down. It wasn’t about the food. She simply cherished any time with Theodore. As for Eliana, she might as well have been air.
After picking up a piece of truffle cod, Eliana suddenly asked, “Oh right, where’s your grandpa?”
Daniel usually returned from his walk now.
Theodore replied, “He headed back to Amberhold at dawn.”
“Already?” Eliana stared. “Why didn’t you tell me last night?”
Theodore turned to her, catching her slightly sulky look. “What, missing him already?”
“A bit.”
Eliana was straightforward that way. She treasured anyone who was good to her, and kept a mental tally of those who weren’t. She didn’t refrain from retaliation. She just bided her time for the right moment.
Theodore seized the opening. “Then spend Christmas with me in Amberhold. Meet Grandma too. Agree?”
Christmas? Eliana thought it over. Finding it sounded doable. She nodded.
This scene stabbed Alice as she walked in. Back when she was with Theodore, she’d always joined him in Amberhold for the holidays.
His grandparents had all but acknowledged her as his fiancée, even promising to give her the family’s heirloom emerald necklace. Now she had nothing but an empty title.
“Morning, Theodore. Morning, Eliana,” Anthony said.
After greeting them, he spotted the “Joyful Kitchen” engraving on the plates. His eyes flickered as he turned to Alice. “Alice, isn’t this the Joyful Kitchen breakfast you used to love? Come and sit. You haven’t had this in forever, right?”
At those words, Eliana’s contented expression faded, the food in her mouth suddenly tasteless.
Watching Alice’s awkward silence–neither confirming nor denying–Eliana realized Anthony wasn’t bluffing.
‘So that’s why Theodore ordered such a spread. Some of it is clearly for Alice,’ Eliana thought
Alice, lost in thought until now, finally noticed the Joyful Kitchen feast and felt a pang of nostalgia.
Ever since her breakup with Theodore, she’d been blacklisted by the restaurant owner and hadn’t dared set foot near the place.
Chapter 109
“Is Theodore ordering Joyful Kitchen today because he misses out past?‘ The idea made Alice’s heart skip a beat.
But Eliana had lost her appetite entirely. “I’m done. You guys eat.”
Theodore’s gaze snapped to her.
When she grabbed the separately packed bag he’d ordered and started to leave, his eyes hardened. “Is delivering food to that guy more important than taking care of yourself?”
AD
