BENEATH THE CREST: A CHARTERHOUSE NOVEL

The sleek black Mercedes pulled up smoothly across the street from The Gilded Spoon. Jayden cut the engine, the lingering taste of awkward conversation and forced smiles still on his tongue.

Ditching Stephanie had felt surprisingly liberating, a small act of rebellion against the gilded cage of his life. Since the Walton mansion was indeed in Hudson Yards, this part of the city was familiar, yet tonight, his destination felt different.

He crossed the street, the Friday night energy of his own neighborhood surprisingly novel as he focused on the brightly lit diner. He peered through the window, his eyes immediately finding Louisa amidst the bustling activity.

She was wiping down a table, her movements efficient and focused. There was a weariness in her posture, a subtle slump of her shoulders that he hadn't noticed during his previous, more distant observation. He felt a pang of something akin to concern.

She was working so hard, juggling school and this demanding job, right in his own backyard, a world he usually only glimpsed from the tinted windows of his car.

He hesitated, his hand hovering near the door. He was still dressed in the expensive but now slightly rumpled suit from his disastrous dinner.

What was he even going to say? "Hey, sorry I was a jerk and bailed on our non-date, but my dad's trying to marry me off, and I just ditched her?" It sounded utterly ridiculous, even to him.

Taking a deep breath, he pushed open the door, the chime announcing his arrival. The noise and warmth of the diner washed over him. Scarlett, her eyes widening in surprise, spotted him first.

"Jayden?" she said, her voice carrying a hint of suspicion.

Louisa turned at the sound of his name, her eyes widening slightly when she saw him standing there, looking out of place in his formal attire amidst the casual diner patrons.

A flicker of something unreadable crossed her face before she schooled her expression into a polite neutrality.

"Can I help you?" she asked, her tone professional, the waitress persona firmly in place.

Jayden felt a wave of awkwardness wash over him. He hadn't thought this far ahead. He just knew he needed to see her.

"Uh, yeah," he stammered, feeling uncharacteristically flustered. "I… I was just, you know, in the neighborhood… thought I'd grab something to eat?"

He knew it sounded weak. He rarely ate at places like this.

Scarlett shot Louisa a knowing look, a silent commentary passing between them. Louisa simply nodded, her gaze steady.

"Of course. Find a seat and I'll be with you in a moment." She turned back to her task, her focus unwavering.

Jayden awkwardly scanned the crowded diner, feeling conspicuously overdressed. He found an empty booth near the back and slid in, his eyes following Louisa as she finished clearing her table and headed towards the service station.

He had no idea what he was going to say, but he knew he couldn't just leave. He was here now. He had to try.

Jayden watched as Louisa approached his booth, her movements professional and her expression carefully neutral. She held a notepad and pen, her eyes meeting his with a polite, almost distant courtesy.

It was a stark contrast to the fleeting moments of intensity he'd glimpsed on the beach.

"What can I get for you?" she asked, her voice calm and even.

He leaned back slightly, a wry smile playing on his lips, the familiar charm beginning to surface. "Just coffee, black. Though, seeing you in action, I might be tempted to try whatever culinary masterpiece you'd recommend." He gestured around the bustling diner with a disarming grin.

Louisa's expression remained carefully neutral, though a flicker of something – perhaps surprise, perhaps annoyance – crossed her eyes. "I'm a waitress, Mr. Walton, not a culinary consultant. Black coffee it is."

She wrote down his order, her focus returning to her notepad. "Anything else?"

He held her gaze, the charm softening into something a bit more sincere. "Actually, yes. I wanted to apologize. For my… less than stellar behavior lately. After the beach, and at school. It wasn't my finest moment."

He offered a self-deprecating smile. "Understatement of the year, probably."

Louisa remained silent for a moment, her expression still guarded but perhaps a touch less distant. Scarlett, however, still hovered nearby, her arms crossed, her gaze unwavering.

"Things have been… complicated on my end," Jayden continued, his tone more earnest now. "Family stuff. Pressure that makes a pressure cooker look like a spa day." He gave a brief, humorless chuckle. "Not an excuse, just… context."

Louisa finally met his gaze, a hint of curiosity replacing the coolness. "Complicated how?" she asked, her voice softening slightly.

Before Jayden could elaborate, Scarlett interjected, her tone sharp. "Louisa has tables to attend to, King. Spill it or ship out."

Jayden held up his hands in a gesture of peace. "Understood. Just wanted to say I know I messed up, and I'd like a chance to make it right. Maybe… outside of your very demanding work hours?" He offered a genuine, hopeful smile.

Louisa hesitated, her eyes flicking between Jayden and the waiting customers. "I'll bring your coffee," she said finally, a hint of consideration in her voice. "Then I have to get back to work."

As she walked away, Scarlett gave Jayden a long, assessing look. "Tread carefully, King. She's not one of your usual playthings."

Jayden held her gaze, his own earnest. "Trust me, Scarlett. I'm starting to realize that."

When Louisa returned with his coffee, she placed it in front of him, her eyes briefly meeting his. "Thank you for the apology, Jayden. Now, if you'll excuse me…"

She turned and gracefully returned to her duties, leaving Jayden sitting in the booth, the bitter taste of coffee now mixed with a sliver of hope. He had at least made a start.

The rest of Louisa's shift at The Gilded Spoon was a blur of taking orders, serving food, and clearing tables. But beneath the surface of her professional demeanor, Jayden's unexpected appearance and his awkward apology replayed in her mind.

Part of her wanted to dismiss it entirely. He was Jayden King Walton, used to getting whatever he wanted. His apology could just be another tactic, a way to smooth things over so he could go back to his privileged life without any lingering guilt.

Scarlett's warning echoed in her ears: She's not one of your usual playthings. Louisa knew Scarlett was right. She wasn't some game to be played.

Yet, another part of her, the part that remembered the surprising vulnerability he'd shown at the cove, the unexpected kindness of the pistachio ice cream, couldn't completely write it off.

His admission of acting like a jerk had sounded… almost genuine. And the mention of family pressure had resonated, even though their worlds were vastly different. Everyone had their own battles, their own complications.

She found herself replaying his hopeful smile, the way he'd looked genuinely contrite. Could he actually be… sorry? Or was he just bored, looking for a new form of entertainment?

The memory of his intense stares at school still lingered, a confusing mix of unsettling and… something else she couldn't quite name.

As she wiped down a table, the scent of rich food and strong coffee filled the air, momentarily distracting her. But the image of Jayden, looking so out of place in his expensive suit amidst the diner's casual atmosphere, kept intruding.

There was a vulnerability in his awkwardness, a stark contrast to his usual confident façade at Charterhouse.

By the time her shift ended and she was walking home with Scarlett, the weight of the day and the unexpected encounter had left her feeling drained.

"What do you think?" Scarlett asked, nudging her gently. "About King showing up?"

Louisa sighed. "I don't know. Part of me thinks it's just another game. But… he did actually apologize."

Scarlett remained skeptical. "Don't let his charm fool you, Lou. Guys like him don't change overnight."

Louisa nodded, knowing Scarlett was probably right. But a tiny seed of doubt had been planted. Maybe, just maybe, there was more to Jayden King Walton than met the eye. Or maybe she was just being naive.

She pushed the thought away, focusing on the familiar comfort of walking alongside her friend, the city sounds a familiar lullaby. She had a job now, a way to be independent. That was what truly mattered. Jayden and his confusing actions could wait.