Christopher and Emilia were so engrossed in their conversation that when someone approached the table, they both were startled.
"Christopher?" A man asked.
Christopher looked up, surprised that someone dared to interrupt them.
"Joe?" He mumbled. His voice was not filled with the same level of excitement as the man's.
"How are you doing?"
"I'm okay." Christopher furrowed his brows in suspicion.
"And you?" The man turned to Emilia. "I don't think we met."
"No, we didn't. I'm Emilia." Emilia stood up and shook the man's hand.
"Joe." He rudely introduced himself. His handshake was firm and well practiced. "It's unlike Christopher to be accompanied by a lady." Joe mused, at which Christopher shifted uncomfortably. "In a broad daylight? At the fine dining restaurant? Very out of character for him."
Emilia wasn't sure how to respond. She felt uncomfortable at that statement, feeling as if it was laced with some subtext that she didn't understand.
Christopher looked at her and noticed the concern and confusion ever so slightly twinkling in her eyes.
"I think Joe is accusing me of dating." Christopher sneered as he said to Emilia. "I went with Joe to the same university. We were in the same class." He explained.
"I see." Emilia nodded as she slowly sat back down. Christopher didn't bother getting up from the seat, instead he leaned back as if he was trying to show off how chill and relaxed he was and that no comments ever had any effect on him. It wasn't true, of course, as even Emilia could tell that he felt uneasy. His fingers dug into his own arms turning slightly white and his jaw was barely noticeably clenched. But yet, the difference was startling. He spoke to her freely when solely in her company and in Joe's presence he measured his every word carefully.
"I think that Joe believes he uncovered some horrible secret about me." Christopher smiled at Emilia. His eyes seemed to soften as he looked at her. Almost twinkle. Emilia's stomach turned as she noticed it. He seemed to be comfortable in her presence. And so he should. He chose to marry her even if it was for the inheritance. There was a reason as to why he chose her even if it was a mad process and criteria that he picked.
"Hardly horrible." Joe said as he still looked at Emilia, studying her with curiosity of a predator that looked at the prey. His gaze definitely didn't out Emilia at ease. "Although, from the tone of your voice I can tell that you're not really dating. A new secretary?"
"A new managing partner." Christopher corrected Joe. A pride could be heard in his voice with a hint of disdain over a suggestion that Emilia could be his secretary. Emilia's lips curved upwards at Christopher as his calmness was reassuring. "When are you going to stop staring?" Christopher turned to Joe suddenly, his voice gaining the sharpness that it lost with Emilia.
"Ma'am, you have the most splendid smile I have ever seen." Joe directed his statement to Emilia which made her blush.
"Thank you for the compliment." Her answer was shy, filled with another bout of discomfort.
"What are you managing?"
"We established that Emilia will be looking into our business sustainability at Crimson Tech." Christopher answered for Emilia, hoping to draw the attention away from her.
"Fab." Joe turned to face Christopher. "Did you hear about this girl that Bleams managed to get? She's apparently some genius that worked out a model for sustainable business. Her name was Va-, Veeee-…, Vi-…"
"Vincent?" Christopher offered his help.
"Yeah, it sounds about right. Apparently Jacob Bleam has a bit of an eye for her."
Christopher shifted uncomfortably at the latter comment.
"Do you mean, perhaps, Emilia Vincent-Hayden?" Christopher asked as he looked at Emilia. Emilia flushed in deeper red and looked down to avoid his gaze.
"Yes, I-…" Joe stopped as something clicked and he looked back at Emilia. "Vincent-Hayden?"
"Emilia here is known as Dr Vincent through her professional work, especially around sustainable business model." Christopher explained patiently.
"Hang on. Vincent-Hayden?" Joe repeated, his eyes widened and moved from Emilia to Christopher and back again.
"Uh-huh." Christopher seemed increasingly annoyed at how slow Joe was in comprehending the situation but offered no help.
"Does it mean that the announcement was true?"
"What do you mean?" Christopher squinted his eyes.
"The statement your company released? That you have married?"
"Has it not been released on my official channels?"
"Well, yes, but everyone speculated that you faked it to get out of the social gatherings and the dating pool."
"Don't speculate unless you can make it a full time job." Christopher replied which made Emilia look up with a smile that indicated her trying to stop a bout of laughter. She recognised the quote easily from her finance module and learning. It was a famous quote from even more famous financier and statesman. "What brings you back here?"
"I'm opening two new clubs in the area of London. You should pop by the one we're opening in Soho."
"Meh."
"Mrs Vincent-Hayden, could you influence Christopher to come?" Joe asked her jokingly.
"He might be too scared of the possibility of glitter bombs." Emilia laughed as her eyes were glued to Christopher.
"Glitter bombs?" Joe was confused but Christopher chuckled.
"You know what my answer is Joe."
"What's so special about your club?" Emilia asked instead, looking at Joe with her curious and intelligent eyes, titling her head as if she was quizzing him.
"We have themed exclusive nights with A-list celebrities and elitists."
"What themes?"
"Some pretty standard. We have a masquerade ball in one of the older clubs."
"Masquerade ball?" That made Emilia interested more so than the fancy people.
"Yes. Venetian masquerade theme. Stunning decor to match it. Best musicians with classical background. Very classy. Very fantasy style as well."
"Sounds amazing."
"The other big one is a modern set up with Cirque du Dance. We're talking acrobats, dance floor, DJ."
"Both sound kind of amazing." Emilia nodded in approval. "But I'm afraid that I have no influence over Christopher."
"When are they?" Christopher asked in defeat.
"In a few weeks. Masquerade ball is in December and Cirque du Dance is in January."
"Send me the details across." Christopher sighed. "I'll decide later."
"And you've said that you have no influence." Joe laughed. "Good seeing you, mate. And it's wonderful to meet your unicorn wife. No one's going to believe me."
"See you around, Joe." Christopher managed to mumble unenthusiastically as Joe walked off to attend to his business.