Chapter 31 - THE DIFFERENCE OF CAYENNE

Cayenne and Stefan had a peaceful dinner since there wasn't anyone they should be wary about. "By the way, I'd like to take a leave on Friday from my work at the hotel. I wanted to attend my brother's awarding ceremony. Do you think it's still possible? Or should I just swap my schedule with someone?"

Stefan thought about it for a while since it was the first time that she was asking a favor from him. He wanted to help her as much as she helped him. "Ask your manager if it's allowed or if there's anyone who will be willing to swap their schedule with you. If none is possible, let me know so, I can do something about it."

"Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet, I haven't done anything."

"You've done so much for me already. I have so many things to thank you for. You might not know it but so many positive things happen in my life because you're here."

"Hey, it sounds like a confession to me."

"Ha? Which part?"

"Secret."

"Stop fooling around. I'm not confessing anything. Dream on."

"Dream on? So, you will never fall in love with me?"

"Of course. Why would I fall in love with you? If I know, you will be the one who will fall in love with me."

Stefan laughed heartily upon hearing her response. She's got some confidence in herself and he likes it. She talks to him openly. She's open with her feelings as well. She didn't hide anything from him which made her a little weak. However, Cayenne was only showing this side of her to him. She was never like this to anyone, not even to her own family.

"Alright, when time comes, I'll just accept my loss."

"Huh? What loss?" Cayenne asked. They were talking about confession and who falls for who, and now, he was talking about his loss. Sometimes, she couldn't really understand how his brain works.

"Just forget it." Stefan responded and continued to eat.

It was the first time for Cayenne to eat in a fine dining restaurant with someone of the opposite sex. Even with Arthur who was her longtime friend, she has never spent her time like this with him. She would always have an excuse to stay away from being alone with him. She didn't know why but, her alarm bells would ring whenever she's with him.

Although, he never did anything which overstepped her boundaries, she was still wary of him. There was this danger in his eyes that she couldn't seem to understand. Every time he looks at her, it was as if he was looking at his prey. She was worried.

"Are you leaving early tomorrow morning?" Stefan asked while drinking his juice.

"Yup. I should be there before ten in the morning or my brothers would start to question me."

"Alright. I'll send you there tomorrow."

"Send me?"

"Yeah. Why not?"

"Then, people will see you with me."

"I won't come out of the taxi."

"Why do you want to send me there? I can go by myself."

"It's safer when I'm with you." Cayenne was at loss for words. She didn't know how else she can refuse his offer. "Do you want to have some desserts?"

"Let's not." Cayenne refused. "It's night time already and we won't be able to exercise. It's bad for our health."

"I know how we can exercise." Stefan wiggled his eyebrows at her which made her blush. "Do you want to know?"

"No, thanks." Cayenne deadpanned at him. Looking at his expression, she knew that he was only teasing her. "Let's go back home and rest. Do you not want to sleep early?"

"Home huh." Stefan rolled the word 'home' with his tongue. This was the only thing he missed for the past fifteen years and this time, he's got someone to come home to. "Let me pay for the bill first."

"Okay." Cayenne waited for him while she fixed her cap and face mask. The waitress came back with the bill and gave it top Stefan. She saw Cayenne earlier but she didn't say anything. When she watched them interact earlier, she found out that she wasn't like the other girls that he brought to their restaurant before.

Stefan had been to their restaurant for several times but he never reserved a private booth for them. He was always casual and flirty. For the first time, he reserved a private booth and he was also considerate of Cayenne's opinion. She thought he was truly in love with her. She had no idea that they were just an employer-employee, dining together with no strings attached.

After getting the card, she swiped it in front of him and asked him to sign the receipt. Then, she left without saying anything else.

"Let's go." Stefan stated and reached out his hand.

"What's that hand for?"

"To hold you?"

"Why are you going to hold me?"

"Because it's cold outside and you need to keep yourself warm."

"I have a jacket already."

"Your jacket isn't thick enough."

Cayenne looked at his stretched-out hand before raising her head to look at his face. "You are not doing this to make me fall in love with you, right?"

"Oh! You found out! I am indeed doing this to you for that reason." Stefan went along with her words and decided to take her hand voluntarily. He held her hand and led her out of the booth, satisfied with the warmth flowing from her hand to his.

Cayenne was helpless with his action so, she just followed along with him. Stefan walked beside her and he always made sure that her face was hidden under the baseball cap that she was wearing.

"You think he's in love with her?" one of the waitresses, who saw them walked out, asked the lady who served them upstairs. "I just saw the post online and it was the same girl. Compared to his women before whom he brought to hotels and resorts, this time, they were seen at the grocery store buying stuff. It's rather special compared to being f*cked and paid with a hush money."

"Who are you talking about?" The restaurant manager arrived and found the employees chit-chatting about their customers. She was one of the women that Stefan bed with before.