Chapter 11 - Lunch Date with the Three Gods
~ Daniella ~
The Fancy Pants Club Pledge
I, Daniella E. Rosecraft, of legal age, and a rightful resident of Gracie Mews 401 E 80th Street, New York, do hereby solemnly pledge myself before the Fancy Pants Club President, its Honorable Officers and its Witnesses to practice faithfully my duties as a Member of the Club.
I hold the care of its activities as sacred and I will come to assist the officers with loyalty and honesty. I will not knowingly permit harm to come to my fellow members. I will not partake of, nor administer any unauthorized fancy events or parties without the written or expressed consent of the President.
I will hold all personal matters pertaining to the private lives of the Members in strict confidence. I dedicate my mind, heart and all abilities to the Club. I shall do all in my power to show in myself an example of all that is honorable and good throughout my membership.
And lastly, I will hold true to anything that is fancy as dictated by the President and its Officers.
Signed and verified by the Fancy Pants Club New Member
Ms. Daniella Émile Rosecraft
Signed and verified by the Fancy Pants Club President
Mr. Erik Romano Fancii
This is my official pledge to the Fancy Pants Club signed with my own signature. In the President’s Club office at the second floor of the chateau, Erik handed this to me first to read and then sign. I guess this is for formality’s sake which I understood, but when he handed me a second copy of it revised to suit our arrangements, I thought to myself that to him, this is more important than the first one.
The first few sentences were expected to be reasonable, I just shrugged my shoulder the whole time, but as I read down to the end I couldn’t help inserting a few exaggerated reactions in it and they are as follows...
I, Daniella E. Rosecraft,of legal age, and a rightful resident of Gracie Mews 401 E 80th Street, New York, do hereby solemnly pledge myself before the Fancy Pants Club President(the sole witness of my agreement in this sham)to practice faithfully my duties as his personal maid(uh... slave). Whatever he wishes, I shall grant. Whatever he tells me to do, I shall do. (Are you serious?)
I hold the care of his activities as sacred(really?)and I will come to assist him with loyalty(I doubt it)and honestly. (Heck, I’m no liar!) I will not knowingly permit harm to come to him.(What is he a baby?) I will not partake of, nor administer any service to other persons or any of the club members without written or expressed consent of the President. (What am I a puppet?)
I will hold personal matters pertaining to the President’s private life in strict confidence. I dedicate my mind, abilities, heart and body to him. (Are you freaking serious?!) I shall do all in my power to show complete subservience to the President.
And lastly, I will hold true to anything that is fancy as dictated by the President.
Signed and verified by the Fancy Pants Club New Member
Ms. Daniella Émile Rosecraft
Signed and verified by the Fancy Pants Club President
Mr. Erik Romano Fancii
So this is how it all ended up. I returned the second paper to him after reading it, sliding it across his mahogany desk for him to pick up. Nope, I didn’t sign it because of the two most obvious words I didn’t like. It was heart and body. Erik, who was sitting in his executive office chair, had to raise a bitter brow at me when he saw the encircled words.
I returned the gesture to him just the same, but with crossed arms. “What?” I snapped.
I thought he’d ask to further elaborate my rationale of the encircled words, but he actually didn’t and instead he said, “I am not typing again, Daniella. These corrections are insignificant.”
I scoffed and flipped a hand in the air. “Those two words aren’t just the only problems in that second pledge. It is basically it as a whole. I am no puppet, Mr. President, just to remind you, so I have free will to do anything I want to do even though I am your maid.”
“You have free will,” he corrected which actually surprised me. “You can do anything you want to do while you stay in the chateau.”
“Then what is that second pledge meant for?” I asked, “The first one is just enough. Why do you need to revise it?”
He released a long sigh. “Just sign the damn paper, Daniella.” He glared at me and then handed the paper back.
I wasn’t intimidated at all, but in order to make things quicker, I signed my name but not before putting a large X on the paper. I returned it to him with a victorious grin, but he just stared at me blankly.
“Suit yourself,” he said after taking it back.
It was already a void copy because of my corrections, but he still handled it with utmost care as if it still had a binding effect. I just watched as he placed it in a safe behind his chair.
“Let’s go,” he said when he turned back to me.
I cocked a brow. “To where?”
“Lunch remember? I’m sure two of your ‘knights’ are already waiting impatiently for your presence.” He crossed the room leaving me scurrying out my seat, but then I paused midway from the doorway after realizing something.
“Huh, that’s it?” I said, looking at his back.
He turned to me and raised a questioning brow. “That’s what?”
“Am I going to sign the pledge only? How about the duties and responsibilities of my employment to you?”
He smirked this time, leaving me wondering what plan he was concocting in his mind. “You don’t need to Daniella. You’ll know when you start working for me.”
“And when is that if I may ask?” I crossed my arms.
"Now,” he simply replied. “Come, let’s not keep the others waiting.” And thereafter, exited the door.
I had to blink twice to understand the word in detail.
Really? As in effective immediately I am going to start my services to him? No one day leeway or something?
I hauled a deep breath, closed my eyes and prepared myself mentally. It is my usual ritual whenever I am to go through a situation that needed courage. However, right now, courage is not what I expected myself to have, but nerves of steel and immense luck to deal with this kind of a man for the whole six months.
Erik used his red Ferrari to drive us to our destination. The restaurant Vincent had texted me was inside Beverly Hills, just a three-minute drive away from the chateau. The whole time I was in his car, I felt nervous because of the silence between us. He didn’t even say a word about my seatbelt and just pointed it to my attention.
I never expected that I would ride on this car again after that incident in Lotus Spade, but I guess I will have to change my expectations starting now since I know I will be working with him for months. Under the bright noon sun, looking at Erik’s profile now and how his hands and feet coordinated well with driving the sports car, I couldn’t help but secretly be at awe with him. He just looked good, and cool, and...
“What are you looking at, my precious esclave?” he suddenly said, snapping me out from my fanciful musing. “Liking what you see so far?”
Luckily I understand French, so I was irked with how he called me. I quickly shook my head, gave him a pointed glare, then dragged my eyes away from him to the tinted window. “Nothing, just thinking how égoïste you are.”
He didn’t bother on replying, but I swear I could see a reflection of him smirking at me whilst he continued on driving the car with perfect skill.
I swear, the next time I am going to loose my composure because of this man’s lethal charms, I’m going to stop snacking on TJ’s Speculoos cookie butter, and mind you, I refuse for that to happen because I love TJ’s a lot.
When we arrived in the restaurant, without blinking an eye, I scanned the whole area. This place is just full of romantic elements complete with brick walls, dim light chandeliers and elegant furniture. When we strolled further inside and into where Vincent and Enrique’s table was, I felt Erik’s hand slid around my waist like he was my possessive boyfriend. My breath hitched and my hands clasped in response. I seriously want to swat his hand away because like I said before, touching is a no no in our arrangement, but since we were in a public place, these two are the only quick reactions I could make.
“Daniella!” Both of my ‘knights’, as what Erik had called, exclaimed in unison. They both stood at attention, but thereafter raised their brows as their eyes steered to where Erik’s hand rested. I saw Vincent curve a small smile then, while Enrique stepped forward and approached me.
“I thought you are not joining us, Prez,” he said while glancing at my temporary employer.
“I changed my mind,” Erik answered, then walked passed us, choosing a seat for himself.
I saw both Enrique and Vincent shrug their shoulders.
“Please sit here, Daniella,” Enrique dragged a chair in front of me but Erik swiftly pointed a vacant seat near him.
“No, here,” he said, then pulled the furniture out.
I gave the hopeful Enrique a lopsided smile before choosing Erik’s seat. I have no choice anyway. He is my employer so I chose him. I just hope that this doesn’t cause the two other men vying for my attention any weird ideas (like weird are-you-his-bf or something ideas.)
“What took you so long?” was Vincent’s query when we all sat.
I gave him a slightly nervous smile. Right now, I didn’t want for them to know that I work for Erik because of his stupid-ass blackmail. “Uhm, I had to straighten up some...kinks,” I answered after giving Erik a discreet look.
“And these...kinks, were they...straightened up?” Vincent queried again in a much more deliberate highlight of the words. This made me think that he was suspecting something. He ran his eyes from me to the president, then back and gave a secretive smile.
I dismissed it as just a trick of my mind. “I’d like to believe it had, but it remains to be seen,” I answered.
“Oh really?” he pressed two fingers in his chin and watched Erik who acted as if he was reading the menu.
There was an invisible tension between the three of us but luckily Enrique quelled it by inserting himself in.
“We took the liberty of ordering for you, Señorita, but I’m afraid, since I didn’t know that Prez would join us, we weren’t able to order anything for him.”
Erik snapped the menu shut. “That’s fine. I’ll do it myself,” he announced then raised a hand in the air calling for a waiter. Just as quickly, one came with a pad and pen in hand. Erik enumerated the dishes and drinks he had chosen. The whole time I was raising my brow because it sounded as if he ordered too much for just himself.
I wonder if he is a glutton in secret. I guess that remains to be seen under my six months service.
Since Enrique and Vincent had already waited for us for half an hour, our order were already served and in our side of the table. An antipasto of fried ravioli for Vincent, chicken parmesan sticks for me, and a cup of espresso for Enrique. For the entrée, I got shrimp scampi with pasta and chicken scallopini, while they both got pork chops Italiano and gourmet mushroom risotto.
Yes, I am good with naming these Italian cuisines quite well because I had so many experiences with Italian weddings through my family’s business.
I helped myself with my antipasti first, acting demure and polite in a table full of hot, gorgeous men. However, I couldn’t help but be curious of Enrique’s unusual choice of drink.
“Do you always grab a coffee during your lunch Enrique?” I asked, unable to hold myself back.
He looked up and gave me his Spanish blue eyes. “Yes, why do you ask? Is it odd for you?”
I shook my head slightly. “Not at all, but it makes me think you are a heavy coffee drinker.”
“He is darling,” Vincent butted in, “Because his family owns a plantation of coffee beans in Spain.”
“Oh,” I gaped. Now that was one fact that caught me off-guard. I guess it is understandable since he is of noble blood.
The waiter interrupted our conversation when he came in holding a tray of dishes for Erik. I saw him straighten in his seat while the man arranged the plates.
“Daniella,” he then turned to me after taking a two-in-one plate of beef stew and mushroom risotto.
“Hmmm?” I rolled my eyes at him and then suddenly, I had a premonition that the next words he’d utter would drag me to the seat of embarrassment.
“Eat this,” he ordered in a not-so-polite way.
I blinked at the plate before me. “But I already have a plate of my own.”
“Then discard that and take this plate. This is better,” he pointed.
I looked at both my knights and saw them pause from eating to stare at us.
“What’s the prob, Prez? She is already eating my order,” it was Enrique who boldly questioned that.
“She needs to fatten up. Your order fails to do that,” was Erik’s simple reply.
And then I heard Vincent smother a laugh. “This is the first time I’ve heard you care for a woman’s appearance, President. That’s so...unlike you.”
I watched the one questioned with curiosity and waited for his rebut.
“There’s always a first for everything, Vincent,” he managed to say then inserted the said plate next to my antipasto.
I gathered up my courage to speak since I believe that my final decision would most likely put a period on this unhealthy argument of ours.
“If fattening me up is your goal then I might as well eat all of these,” I stated to him. “I can’t discard Enrique’s order for yours. That’s just downright disrespectful.”
I expected him to counter a firm order, but he just shrugged me off and said, “Do as you wish.”
In the back of my head, I was making a victorious dance. I’m happy that I got my point across him which only means that my free will is still intact. We continued on with our lunch with an awkward silence. No conversations were made and surprisingly, Enrique nor Vincent didn’t open one.
Once I was done eating, I felt my belly full (and as in really full.) After eating four different dishes, who wouldn’t be right? I am not one who wastes food so I tried my best in storing them in my stomach, but damn, I feel like I’m going to throw up right now.
“Could you excuse me for a bit, I need to go to the powder room,” informed I to the three men with me. After they nodded, I stood up and raced towards my refuge.
Once there, nope, I didn’t throw up, but I did take a lot of deep breaths to organize myself. I was glad that the ladies room provided cushioned seats and a soothing aura, at least I was able to rest myself there for minutes without the need to observe proper decorum. I slumped my shoulders, rested my head back against the wall and closed my eyes, letting myself get lost on the male Italian bossa nova singer through the wall speakers.
“What are you doing?” without warning, I heard a male voice say.
Yep, a male voice in a female comfort room.
I shot my eyes up and looked at the trespasser standing a few feet in front of me.
“Erik!” I exclaimed as I stood up. “My God, why are you inside? Go out now!” I strained to shout.
When he didn’t move, I neared him, then pushed him out with great force on his back. Fortunately, he let himself get pushed along.
Thank God there was nobody inside the ladies room except me.
“Why are you taking too much time in the comfort room, Daniella?” he asked when we reached the small hallway.
“Nothing! I just want a piece for myself after you made me eat all of those dishes!” I wasn’t angry at him, just frustrated that he had placed me in this kind of situation.
“Oh, I see,” he smirked at me, realizing what my dilemma was.
When he didn’t apologize, I placed my arms akimbo and asked, “What’s the big idea anyway, Erik? Why bother fattening me up?”
My query was met with silence. He didn’t immediately answer, but scan me from head to foot he did, so intense that it made me feel self-conscious.
Bloody hell, I don’t like this kind of reaction at all.
“For your employment,” he then answered with no intonation whatsoever.
“What’s the connection of it?” I narrowed my eyes at him.
He leaned in close to me, so close that his mouth was almost touching my forehead. I had to step back an inch away as a response. “If you’re going to be my maid woman, you should be healthy and plump or you won’t withstand my chores for you.”
Huh, chores. Figures.
“Are you going to make me lift heavy objects, Mr. President?” I twisted my lips.
“That depends,” he answered vaguely.
That depends on what? Shit, what is he up to?
I would have asked further, but he ended our conversation by walking away, I bet to return to the table.
If looks could start a fire, probably Erik’s back would have been aflame right now. I waited for him to exit the hallway, then counted to twenty before joining them back. When I arrived there, two pair of confused eyes met me, so I just smiled at them and said, “Sorry for the long wait.”
Enrique waved a hand in response, “Not at all Señorita Daniella.”
When I sat, I immediately saw a chocolate-dipped, raspberry mascarpone in a small glass container sitting on my side of the table.
“I took the liberty of ordering this dessert for you, darling,” said Vincent to me with a smile.
Oh, Vincent. He doesn’t even know that my stomach could take no more.
But to show good manners, I smiled at him and said, “Thank you.”
Taking a dessert spoon next to the mascarpone, I tasted it and made a pleased sound, “It’s good,” I commented whilst looking at Vincent.
“That it is,” he replied, lifting a spoonful of his own mascarpone higher.
Enrique had his own share too, so he started eating it. Erik had one sitting on his front but didn’t touch it. It looks to me that he is no fan of sweets at all.
“Would you mind if I visit you in New York, Daniella?” Enrique opened up a new conversation, but it instantly placed me in yet another dilemma.
“Uhm...” I shifted my eyes uneasily, “I...ah...I actually changed my mind. I’ll be staying in the chateau for...longer than I expected.”
“Really?” his eyes twinkled. “That’s great news!”
“Why the sudden change of mind, Daniella?” Vincent raised the question then.
To tell you frankly, I don’t want to use any alibis or even make a white lie just so to hide the real reason behind my stay. I really wanted to tell them about my arrangement with their president, but I realized it was better to zip my mouth than face the consequences later.
“I have...I have some...” Realizing I was stuttering, I cleared my throat and then ensued, “I have some few issues with—”
“I asked her to be a member of the Club, Vincent,” was Erik’s volunteer announcement. I tossed him a look of surprise, the same as that of my two knights.
“What?!” they both said in unison.
The President sighed. “You heard me.”
“Erik...” Vincent drawled in a dark tone. I saw his face darken and his eyes turning into a stormy violet. Preferring his prince charming looks, this kind of expression from him really knocked my air out.
“I know,” I heard Erik say, so I glanced at him with confusion.
“We need to talk about this later,” Vincent advised, whilst putting the spoon down.
“We will,” was the former’s sure reply.
To clear the male tension, I had to voice out, “Why? What’s the matter? It sounds as if you guys are against me joining the club.”
“No, no,” Enrique immediately stated. “You don’t need to worry about anything, Daniella. We love your company very much. Don’t misunderstand our reactions earlier.”
I gave him a worried face. “But really, you guys don’t need to hide anything from me. If I’m unwelcome, I—”
“Daniella,” I glared at Erik, the source of my problems, who so most smoothly interrupted my sentence again.
“What?” I bit.
From his mesmerizing orbs, I could see his actions. It rolled from my face down to my cellphone I had placed in my lap. “Your phone is ringing.”
Really, I had forgotten about it since I turned it to silent mode during our car ride.
“Oh...” I swiped it up and when I checked the screen, it registered Ericka’s number. “Uhmm, excuse me for a bit gentlemen. I’ll have to take this call.”
My two knights nodded at me.
Before I could stand however, the ringing stopped. I paused in my chair to check on a text message she had left and typed back a reply.
Hey, Dani. Where you at? The papers your mother asked are already printed.
Out on a lunch date. BRT.
Releasing a deep sigh, I looked up to the three men who seemed eager to listen to me. “I’m sorry guys,” I made a sorry face (to Enrique and Vincent specifically), “I need to go now. I need to sort out some paperworks before my team leaves later.”
Knowing that I won’t be able to leave with my team back to New York, I will have to sign the paperworks like ASAP. And while I’m at it, I’m going to inform Ericka and phone my mother about my change of plans for the next six months. I bet Ericka’s going to fangirl on me when I tell her about my contract with the President, and I bet I’m going to have one heck of a time explaining my alibi (which I badly need) to my mother.
“I’ll drive you back to the chateau, Señorita,” Enrique immediately offered, standing up before Vincent and Erik could.
I awarded him a grateful smile. “Ah, thanks Enrique.”
After a casual glance on the two remaining men on the table, I managed to say, “I’ll go now,” and off I stood (rather speedily might I add) before Erik could order me again.
I couldn’t explain it thoroughly, but my goodness, I feel as though my back was burning when Enrique and I glided out of the restaurant. I’ll bet my sanity that it wasn’t because of his hand on the small of my back, but because of something else... something that Erik alone could specifically make me feel: dread.
In Enrique’s black Bugatti, we rode back to the chateau. I threw him wild praises of how his car looked cool and classy which I couldn’t when I was with Erik in his drool-worthy Ferrari, but he just smiled at me and quickly changed the subject.
“Hey, listen,” he started, glancing at me briefly. I have a feeling this is his serious side. “Don’t misunderstand what happened earlier. It’s definitely not about you why we questioned the President on your membership. It is another...confidential reason that is beyond your concern.”
I curved a small smile and lowered my head down. “I understand. Don’t worry, I’m not going to let it bother me.”
And then smoothly, he released one hand from the wheel and wrapped it with my left.
“Good,” he said.
I glanced at him and saw how his face looked expressive.
“Daniella, since our lunch date is a disaster, can I invite you to dinner tomorrow? And, I mean just the two of us.”
My breath hitched. Wow, what a way to pick up the pieces, Mr. Noble.
“That’s so kind of you Enrique,” I gave him an apologetic smile, “but I still need to take care of some matters. I’m afraid my schedule is full for now.”
It was my safest answer since I actually don’t know yet how full my schedule was. Since I work for Erik, he alone owns my time whether I like it or not.
Enrique let out a long sigh, “I see,” and then released my hand, but not before kissing the back of it. “Then, I will just patiently wait. Thank you for being honest, Señorita.”
For that reason, I felt we have created a sense of camaraderie even though we have just been introduced to each other for three hours. “Thank you for understanding me,” I said as I felt a blush creeping up my face.
Letting him focus on his driving, I remained silent thereafter. When my phone buzzed a message, I checked on it and found an unknown number. I almost jumped from my seat when I discovered it is the same as that number who called me in Lotus Spade.
I wonder from who this is? I asked myself before opening the message, but when I read the name, I choked on my saliva.
Shit.
Oi, go to your room, get your bag and wait for a man called “Ian” to guide you to your NEW ROOM - Erik
Erik?
This is Erik’s number the whole time?!
I rolled my eyes. I guess it was expected since he was the one who pulled that hostage-taker stunt on me last night.
I read his message again after I was over with my initial shock, and then it dawned on me that he wanted me transferred to a new room. To where? That was my question, but I guess it seems I’ll find out soon enough.