Novel Squares
Chapter 96
In the bustling heart of the city, Shawn arrived at a renowned seafood bistro with his wife and daughter in tow. As they stepped out of the car, Mirabella took in the opulent decor of the establishment, her gaze lingering on the details that screamed expensive taste.
Shawn went off to park the car, and Delilah, after taking a few steps, noticed her daughter hadn’t followed. She turned, a puzzled look on her face. “Mira, what’s holding you back?”
Mirabella blinked, her tone earnest. “I was just wondering how much a meal here costs. We’re not exactly rolling in dough.”
Delilah couldn’t help but laugh at her daughter’s remark. “Don’t you worry about it. Even if we dined here every single night, I could still afford it,” she reassured. After all, they owned the place.
Still, their daughter had always been under the impression they were strapped for cash, which both Delilah and her husband found rather amusing, so they hadn’t bothered to set the record straight.
Half–joking, Mirabella replied, “I’ve got this sneaky suspicion you’re keeping things from me.” Like, how come they were supposedly poor, but it looked like they were anything but?
Clearing her throat, Delilah deflected, “Nonsense, darling.”
Mirabella gave a drawn–out “Hmm,” clearly not convinced.
The bistro manager, who had been tipped off by the bosses, was waiting at the entrance. He hurried over to greet Delilah with the utmost respect, “Madam, welcome.” Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.
At the sound of “madam,” Mirabella’s eyebrows shot up. Her glance at her mother was heavy with implication as if to say. “Is this what you meant by ‘nonsense?“”
Delilah touched her forehead, realizing the charade was up too soon. She cleared her throat and steadied herself, then nodded at the manager before turning to her daughter, “See, isn’t the service here exceptional?”
The manager stood awkwardly to the side. Was the boss‘ wife commending him?
Mirabella’s lips twitched as she observed the ever–bowing manager and the grandeur behind him, sensing her experiences of a modest life slipping away. After a moment, she nodded. “Quite good.”
“Carry on with your work. We’ll head up to our booth,” Delilah instructed the manager, sending him a discreet signal to leave them be.
Although the manager didn’t quite grasp the underlying dynamics, he was adept at reading the room. He quickly excused himself and made sure the staff knew not to disturb the family’s meal.
Satisfied with the manager’s response, Delilah led her daughter upstairs to their private booth.
12:25
Chapter Up
The booth was spacious, its interior as lavish as the rest of the place, dripping with
extravagance.
“Sweetheart, take a look and order whatever you’d like,” Delilah said, presenting the menu to Mirabella.
Mirabella opened the menu, and upon seeing the prices on the first page, she fell silent once again. It felt like she’d stumbled Into the wrong script.
Just then, Shawn, who had parked the car, returned. Rolling up his shirt sleeves, he mentioned, “Zach just called. He’s going to join us for dinner.”
Delilah was surprised, “He’s back in town?”
“Yep, got in yesterday,” Shawn confirmed, then turned to his daughter. “Mira, you’ll get to see your brother Zach soon.”
As Mirabella handed him the menu, she casually asked, “What does Zach do for a living?”