Chapter 9 - [9] The real dinner

The private dinner was still in full swing. The soft glow of the dim lighting cast an intimate atmosphere over the room, making it easy to forget we were technically still working. Vanessa had been smiling more than usual, her sharp business tone replaced with something lighter, more teasing. I wasn't sure if it was the wine or just the natural shift that came when people like her finally relaxed after dealing with someone like James.We were halfway through our steaks when Vanessa leaned back in her chair, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Tristan," she said, drawing out my name in that smooth, commanding way she had, "I have a question for you."I paused mid-bite, not expecting her to engage me like this. "Uh, yeah?""Are you interested in older women?"Her words landed like a sucker punch. My fork clattered against the plate as I processed what she had just asked. My mind raced, my face heating up instantly. I was in my 20s, still relatively fresh out of college, and Vanessa... well, she was in her 40s, but with her sharp features, flawless skin, and confident demeanor, she easily looked like she could be in her 30s.I fumbled for a response, my heart suddenly racing. "I... uh..." I cleared my throat, trying to keep my voice steady. "Y-Yes."Vanessa's smile widened, her eyes gleaming with something unreadable. "Interesting," she said softly, leaning forward just slightly. "I suspected as much."I could feel my face burning. This was not how I'd expected this dinner to go. My thoughts were a mess, and I could hardly think straight. Was this some sort of test? Another one of her games?She reached for her glass of wine, taking a slow sip, her eyes never leaving mine. There was a tension in the air now, a kind of silent challenge, but I wasn't sure what I was supposed to do.Vanessa set her glass down and glanced at her plate, then back at me. "Feed me," she said simply.I blinked, caught completely off guard again. "W-What?"She smiled, her voice soft but firm. "Feed me, Tristan. It's part of the job."I hesitated, my mind spinning. Part of the job? This was definitely not in the job description. I wasn't sure if she was being serious or just messing with me, but the look in her eyes told me she wasn't joking.My hand felt shaky as I picked up my fork, cutting a piece of steak. I couldn't believe what I was about to do. My heart pounded in my chest as I lifted the piece of steak toward her, my throat tight with nerves.Vanessa's lips curled into a smile as she leaned forward, her eyes locking onto mine. She opened her mouth slightly, and I placed the piece of steak between her lips. She took it gracefully, chewing slowly, her eyes never leaving mine.I swallowed hard, trying to ignore the burning heat in my face. I could barely focus on anything except the intensity of the moment, the way her presence filled the room, the way she seemed to be testing me in ways I hadn't anticipated.After she swallowed, she sat back, her smile growing. "Well done," she said softly. "You learn quickly."I let out a shaky breath, my heart still racing. "Thank you," I managed to say, though my voice was barely steady.Vanessa took another sip of her wine, clearly enjoying my discomfort. "You'll find that working for me involves... unique responsibilities. Are you prepared for that, Tristan?"I nodded, unsure of what else to do. "Yes, I am."Her eyes sparkled with amusement as she leaned in a little closer. "Good. Because I expect loyalty and... dedication from my assistants. Especially from someone like you."I wasn't sure what she meant by "someone like you," but I had a feeling it was another subtle test. Vanessa Reed was a woman who thrived on control, and this was just another way for her to see how far I was willing to go.She leaned back again, picking up her fork this time and taking a bite on her own. For a moment, I thought the tension would ease, but the charged atmosphere lingered."You've impressed me so far, Tristan," Vanessa said, her tone lighter now but still carrying that underlying edge. "But there's still much more to prove. Think you can handle it?"I nodded, trying to play it cool despite the nerves still coursing through me. "I'll do my best."Her smile widened. "I'm sure you will." She glanced at her plate, then back at me with a glint in her eye. "But I'll remind you—your best has to be better than everyone else's. Understand?"I nodded again, my throat dry. "I understand."She leaned forward once more, her voice dropping slightly. "Good. Because with me, Tristan, there are no second chances."I sat there, still feeling the heat from the encounter, knowing full well that this was just the beginning of whatever twisted game Vanessa had in mind. The dinner wasn't over yet, but I had a sinking feeling I was being pulled into something far more complicated than I had ever anticipated.***After dinner, Vanessa arranged for her private driver to take me home. The sleek black car pulled up outside the restaurant, and before I knew it, I was in the back seat with Vanessa beside me, the city lights flashing by in a blur as we drove through the quiet streets.I sat there, still replaying everything that had happened during dinner, my mind racing. The conversation, the tension, the strange request to feed her—it all felt surreal. I wasn't sure what to make of it, but Vanessa seemed completely at ease, as if tonight had been just another normal night for her.The car finally pulled up in front of my parents' house, and I glanced out the window, seeing the familiar sight of the modest home I grew up in. My stomach twisted slightly. It felt weird going from a private dinner with one of the most powerful women I'd ever met to being dropped off at my childhood home.The driver opened the door for me, and I stepped out onto the sidewalk, feeling a mix of emotions—mostly confusion, but also an undercurrent of excitement that I didn't quite know how to handle.Vanessa leaned out of the car slightly, her sharp eyes catching mine as I stood there, unsure of what to say."I had a lot of fun tonight, Tristan," she said, her voice smooth and casual, but with that same hint of amusement she always seemed to carry.I blinked, caught off guard. "You... had fun?"She smiled, the corners of her lips curling upward in that knowing way she had. "Yes, I did. It's not every day I get to enjoy such... interesting company."I swallowed hard, my face heating up again. "Uh, well... I'm glad. I wasn't sure—""Don't overthink it," she interrupted gently, her voice almost teasing. "You did well tonight. But remember, this is just the beginning."I nodded, feeling like there was more weight behind her words than she was letting on. "Yeah... I'll keep that in mind."Vanessa's smile widened slightly. "Good. I'll see you tomorrow, Tristan. Be ready."I stood there, watching as she settled back into the car. The driver closed the door, and within moments, the car pulled away, disappearing into the night. I was left standing on the sidewalk in front of my parents' house, the cool night air brushing against my skin.As I walked up the driveway, I couldn't help but feel like I was stepping between two worlds—the familiar world of home, with its comforting normalcy, and the strange, unpredictable world Vanessa was pulling me into.I opened the front door quietly, hoping not to wake my parents, and slipped inside. The house was dark and quiet, but my mind was anything but.Vanessa had said she had fun, but something about the way she said it made me wonder just what kind of fun she'd meant. And more importantly, what exactly she had in store for me next.Q: Are you romantically interested in dating an older women?