“I stumbled when I ran away from him. I need to go to the doctor tomorrow to check my feet. But tonight, I will have dinner with Constantine.”
From her stare, my mother seemed to disapprove of me going with the man she didn’t know. But Constantine saved me from Kenneth. So, it was the least I could do to appreciate his help.
“Are you sure you want to leave tonight? It’ll be better to go when you have recovered.”
I shook my head. “It’s okay, mom. Besides, it’s just dinner, nothing else.”
Constantine smiled. “No worries, Mrs. Ross. I will send your daughter home as soon as we have finished eating. I promise.”
Finally, my mother nodded and told me to enjoy the dinner. Then, we went to the most prestigious restaurant in Moon City. Though my feet weren’t quite well, I managed to walk, though slowly.
When the host saw Constantine, he immediately nodded and smiled widely. “Mr. Night, what an honor to see you here!”
“Is my table available?”
“Certainly, sir. Please, follow me.”
The host showed the way to what Constantine called his table. It was the table in the center. All the tables and chairs in the room are black granite, yet the center table is exceptional since the table and chairs are gold-plated.
The host pulled the chair for Constantine while a server came and pulled the chair for me. The server handed over the menu book to Constantine and me. However, he ignored the server. The host moved his chin, signaling the server to hold the menu instead.
Constantine then asked the host, “What are the specialty dishes for today?”
“We have the best imported Wagyu beef, specially imported from Japan. We also have Peking duck from China.”
Constantine nodded. “Okay, we order that. What else you have?”
“For the appetizer, we have seared scallops and asparagus and crab soup,” the host said.
“Good. For dessert?”
“Special cheesecake with blueberry and five flavors of ice cream.”
Constantine glanced at me. “What do you want?”
“Both seem delicious, but I’ll choose the cheesecake.”
“Very well, madam.” The host waited for Constantine’s answer.
“I don’t like sweets. Okay, please bring us the best champagne you have.”
“Right away, sir.”
The host smiled at Constantine and me, and the server picked the menu book from me. Later, both the host and the server left.
I wasn’t excited that Constantine had ordered the meals without asking me. However, since it would be the only time we would go together, I didn’t want to fuss about it.
The restaurant is impressive. First, a musician played live music from a single grand piano. Then in the corner of the room, there is an artificial fountain and fish pond. Finally, roses and candles were placed on each table. The aroma of the pinus tree filled the air; I was hungry now.
The server came with the champagne and two wine glasses. “Do you want me to pour the champagne now, sir?”
“Yes.”
After the server poured it into two glasses and served them to us, I nodded and thanked the server. However, Constantine didn’t say anything.
He waited until the server left, then lifted the glass. “For the beautiful woman in front of me.”
I blushed, then lifted the glass too. “For the great man who saved my life.”
We clunked the glass and sipped the champagne.
“So, tell me about yourself.”
I smiled. “What do you want to know?”
“Well, you can start from the basics, about your family and work.”
“Ah, okay. I have no siblings. If you notice, my family name and my mother’s are different. It’s because she is my adoptive mother. Yet, I feel like she’s like my birth mother. She loves me so much, and so do I.”
Constantine listened while sipping his drink. “I see. Why do you become a librarian?”
“Why not?”
My voice might be too offensive since Constantine immediately said, “I don’t mean to offend you.”
I took a deep breath. Hunger causes unstable emotions. “Sorry. Well, I love reading and quietness. So, being a librarian is a good choice.”
“Not an ambitious person.” A statement, not a question.
“Yes, you can say that. I enjoy my life.”
“Don’t you want a more prestigious job that can help you earn more?”
I shook my head. “No, I don’t think so. Why?”
“Because I can offer you one if you are interested.”
“What is it?”
“I haven’t told you about myself. I am a nobleman. I have a castle, and I need someone to take care of it.”
“Taking care of the castle? In what way?”
“As the bookkeeper.”
“But I don’t have any experience as a bookkeeper.”
Constantine smiled. “If you are interested in the job, I can ask my current bookkeeper to train you.”
“Will you replace them with me?”
“Yes, after a while. Since my bookkeeper has been too old.”
“Oh!” I thought for a while. Then I asked, “How much salary will you offer?”
“How much do you get as a library?”
“Well, around 3,800 Moon dollars, but I will get a bonus for a special occasion. For example, if the library accepts a visit from tourists, I should explain the library system to them. It’s apart from my regular work. So, they will give me an extra. It’s rare, though.”
“I see. I will offer 7,500 Moon dollars, but you should stay in the castle. It is a full-time job, so you should stay there.”
I gaped since Constantine offered almost twice my salary. However, I didn’t like him. Thinking of working for him was not promising. Suddenly, my head was spinning. I took a deep breath to calm myself and prayed that it would be better.
“Are you alright, I?”
“I-I’m alright.”
Constantine smiled a little. Then he raised his hand, and the server came.
“Sir, is there anything I can help with?”
“Bring mineral water.”
“Yes, sir. Right away.”
Then the server came back with a bottle of mineral water and an empty wine glass.
Constantine pointed at me. “For the lady.”
“Yes, sir.” The server opened the bottle and poured the water into the glass. Then he nodded and left.
“Drink it. You will be better afterward.”