Master of Lust

Chapter - 271

The night draped the city in a quiet stillness, with only the distant hum of traffic and the occasional chirp of a cricket breaking the silence. The skyline was a sea of glowing lights, flickering windows in high-rise buildings, signalling the late hours. In the upper floors of one of the tallest buildings, nestled deep within the heart of the city, was the office of Marnus Warner.

Warner's office was a reflection of the man himself—rich, sophisticated, and oozing a no-nonsense attitude. The room was large but impeccably organized, with dark mahogany furniture polished to perfection.

Shelves lined one wall, filled with leather-bound books and accolades, while the other wall was dominated by a massive floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the city, the lights below twinkling like stars.

In the center of the room was his expansive desk, made of solid oak, and on it were meticulously arranged papers, folders, and files, all related to the various business empires he controlled.

Marnus sat behind the desk, his face set in concentration as he scanned through paperwork with calculated precision, his reading glasses perched on the bridge of his nose. He leaned back slightly in his chair, the leather creaking softly, his mind moving a mile a minute as he reviewed financial reports and contracts.

Beside him stood his right-hand man, an impeccably dressed assistant who radiated quiet authority. The assistant was on the phone, his voice low and serious, though Marnus could still hear the conversation. His assistant asked, "Have you solved the issue?"

The voice from the other end, muffled but confident, responded, "Yes, boss. We've given sufficient amounts of... persuasive threats. Shouldn't be an issue for now."

A moment of silence passed, the assistant lowering the phone slightly as he fell into deep thought, his brow furrowing with concern.

After a moment, he replied, his voice laced with caution, "But if a father is desperate enough... vile enough to try to kill his own son, we can't be sure simple threats will be enough to suppress him." He glanced at Marnus, whose face remained expressionless but whose eyes flickered with subtle acknowledgment.

The assistant's voice grew more commanding as he raised the phone to his ear again. "You should make sure he's taken care of."

The voice on the other end hesitated. "Yes, boss".

The assistant's tone sharpened, leaving no room for misinterpretation. "But don't do anything stupid. No murder, abductions, or direct attacks. It needs to be done in a way that doesn't raise even the slightest suspicion toward us. Whatever happens, it has to look natural... a course of action no one would question."

Another pause lingered on the line, before the voice replied with determination, "Understood. I'll handle it."

[AT THE RESTAURANT]

Rick and Jemimah followed the maître d' through the softly lit restaurant, the gentle clinking of glasses and faint chatter forming a pleasant hum around them.

After passing a few tables, the hostess gestured for them to enter a more exclusive section, separated by graceful arches adorned with lush green vines and warm, cascading fairy lights.

This area exuded sophistication and intimacy, with each table carefully spaced to provide complete privacy while still offering a stunning view of the grand piano and string quartet nearby.

As they approached their table, Jemimah's eyes widened, her cheeks turning a deep shade of pink. A single candle sat at the center of the table, its soft glow casting a warm, golden light that flickered in rhythm with the gentle melodies filling the air.

Fine crystal glasses, delicate silverware, and a perfectly arranged bouquet of roses adorned the table, each detail thoughtfully chosen to create an enchanting ambiance.

Around them, musicians played a tender, romantic tune, filling the space with a timeless charm that only heightened the allure of the evening. Jemimah stood speechless, a look of awe on her face, sparkling, momentarily stunned by the lavish setting that felt like a scene from a dream.

"See! Only the best for you", Rick replied with a smile.

Jemimah blinked, pulling herself back to reality, though her cheeks were still warm and blushing. She looked up at Rick, hesitating, and whispered, "Rick, this...this is too much. It must've cost a fortune. I mean, it's so beautiful, but it feels… excessive."

Her face betrayed her true feelings—despite her gentle protest, she was thrilled, her eyes shining with the kind of happiness she didn't quite know how to contain.

Rick chuckled softly and waved a hand, as if the expense was a minor detail not worth mentioning. "You're worth every bit of it, Jemimah," he said with a playful smirk. "Just enjoy yourself and forget the rest."

He pulled out her chair with a gentle grace, holding her hand as she sat down. Jemimah stopped protesting, her cheeks glowing as she looked up at him, starry-eyed.

The hostess, wearing a perfectly polished smile, began her introduction with elegance.

"Good evening, Mr. Rick and Ms. Jemimah. Tonight, you are in for our exclusive 'Étoile Romantique' dining experience," she said.

"You have chosen the 'Celestial Sensations' seven-course menu, our most refined option, crafted to delight every sense."

She paused and continued, "Your evening begins with a delicate amuse-bouche of roasted beet and truffle puree on a parmesan crisp, meant to awaken the palate with subtle earthiness. From there, we move to the first course: our signature scallop carpaccio with a honey-lime vinaigrette and microgreens."

The hostess gestured, describing each dish with flair, "For the entrée, we present the 'Château de Velours'—a tender, peppercorn-crusted lamb loin served with a rosemary-infused potato puree, delicately charred broccolini, and a rich Cabernet reduction. The warmth and fragrance pair harmoniously, designed to melt on the palate. Each course flows into the next to elevate the senses."

Jemimah's eyes widened in amazement, her cheeks blushing with excitement as she listened.

The hostess leaned in slightly, almost conspiratorially. "And for your pleasure, a touch of aphrodisiac, our famed pomegranate and honey sorbet, will be served as the palate cleanser, adding a hint of passion and sweetness." She smiled.

"As for dessert," she added, "you will enjoy our decadent, signature chocolate soufflé paired with a wild raspberry compote and a subtle hint of rose, followed by a finale of our homemade petit fours—each as exquisite as the last."

"Our first course will be served momentarily, with subsequent courses arriving approximately every twenty minutes.

However," she added with a warm smile, "if you wish to speed things up or prefer a slower pace, simply ring the bell, and we will adjust to your liking."

Just then, a waiter entered with the amuse-bouche artfully arranged on their plates, placing each dish carefully in front of them with a graceful bow.

"Should you need anything at all," the hostess said as she excused herself, "please ring, and I'll be with you promptly. Have a wonderful evening, and enjoy each course to its fullest." With a final nod, she slipped away, leaving Rick and Jemimah to their first course in the glow of candlelight.

Rick took a bite and glanced across the table at Jemimah, who was eagerly tasting her dish. He leaned forward, giving her a playful smile. "So, is it living up to the hype? Or are you secretly wishing for a burger and fries?"

Jemimah laughed, her cheeks pink with warmth. "I think I could get used to this," she replied, her eyes glimmering as she tasted a small bite. "I mean, this is... beyond words. The flavours, the whole vibe here. I almost feel like a movie star."

"Only the best," Rick replied, grinning. "After all, you deserve it." He winked, making her blush even deeper.

"Rick, you really know how to sweep a girl off her feet," she said, biting her lip. "Honestly, I don't think I've ever had anything this fancy... or romantic." She gestured around, her eyes lingering on the soft candle glow, the gentle clink of glasses, and the soothing notes of the cello playing softly in the background.

"Well, I had to see that look on your face," Rick teased. "I'd say mission accomplished."

As they laughed and enjoyed their food, Rick's gaze drifted across the room, almost on instinct. That's when he noticed her—a waitress from across the floor, watching their table.

Her brow was furrowed, her expression slightly off as if she were trying to place a memory. Then, her eyes widened as recognition seemed to dawn on her, and she quickly raised her phone, subtly snapping a photo of Jemimah.

She typed something and sent the photo, all while glancing back at Jemimah with a look that was difficult to read—somewhere between intrigue and surprise.

Rick's smile didn't falter, but his attention now turned sharply to the waitress. Who are you, and how do you know her? he thought, keeping his expression relaxed.

It was all too possible that she knew Jemimah's true identity as Nadia. The thought simmered as he considered his options. Was this waitress a friend, someone from Jemimah's past life, or someone that would stir up trouble?

"Is everything okay?" Jemimah's voice brought him back, her eyes filled with warmth as she looked at him. Rick softened his gaze, putting away his worries, at least for now.

"Better than okay," he replied smoothly, his focus entirely back on her. "I mean, I get to share this evening with you."

They continued chatting and savouring their food, Rick throwing in playful comments while Jemimah responded with laughter and smiles. Every few minutes, his eyes flicked over to the waitress, but she seemed to have moved on, returning to her other duties.

"Whoever she is", he thought, "she's not making a move for now" . "But I'll be ready.", He looked back at Jemimah, watching her enjoy the meal.

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