"Have you prepared everything?" Mikael asked Alison, who was walking by his side together with the company's General Manager, Jenna Kayne, and the new Director of Finance, James Anderson.
"Everything has been sorted out, Boss," His secretary assured him.
The four of them walked out of the office, down the aisle towards the lifts, and it just so happened that Klara had left the work as well.
"Good Evening, Mrs Zarayne," Jenna immediately greeted her, and James, who was not aware of the relationship between this young lady and his Boss, was surprised.
"Good evening, Miss." He too greeted her respectfully, and Alison followed suit.
"How was your day?" Mikael asked his wife when they entered the lift, and she smiled at him.
"It was fine. How about you?"
"Perfect," he answered, and recalling everything she had heard last night and before she left for the office in the morning, Klara could not help but blush a little.
Alison, Jenna, and James said their goodbyes, and as soon as they left, Mikael grabbed Klara's hand and led her to his car.
"Where are we going?" She nervously asked.
"I want to take you out on a date." He straightforwardly said, and she blushed.
"It's not good. Raeya and Anaiah are waiting for us..."
"Nope, they are not. They have gone out to a friend's house, who's getting married next week.
"Oh, yes..." She knew whom he was talking about, and then became even more nervous.
In the end, she did not say anything and obediently sat down in the front seat of his car.
He was her husband, and there was nothing wrong with going on a date with him.
"Are you going to take me someplace you have already taken a girl before?" She asked.
"No."
Klara was a little surprised at his words and immediately became curious about the new place he had found.
Her curiosity intensified when he entered the southern district of the City, which was not a posh place and had quite an unruly environment.
Now she finally understood why he had not brought a more lavish car than this Benz. It really allowed them to blend in and not attract too much attention.
A while later, on a busy Foodstreet, where despite the rainy season the business was booming, he stopped at a public parking lot.
She raised her brow when she watched him take off his jacket and put it in the back seat, and he even took off his watch.
Then, he rolled his sleeves up just under his elbows and got out of the car.
She watched as he received a package from his guard, Archer, and walked over to her door.
"Here, change your shoes. It's inconvenient to walk on the street in heels."
She felt warm in her heart at his thoughtfulness and then blushed when she saw him sit down and open the box.
"What are you doing?" She asked, and he flashed her a smile.
"Helping you change, of course."
Mikale did not even give her the time to say anything more and gently grabbed her left foot before taking off the heel.
He did the same with the other foot, took out a fresh pair of ankle socks, and then helped her wear the white sneakers, which complemented her work suit.
She was quite relieved that with this design she would not appear dumb for wearing sneakers under a work suit.
"You picked it?"
"Yes." He nodded and then tied her laces. "Like them?"
"Mhm." She blushed and got out of the car, and as she tested the shoes by walking a few steps, she found them very comfortable.
"Alright, let's go." He grabbed her hand, intertwined their fingers, and then stepped on the Foodstreet with her.
Archer was right behind him, vigilant as ever, and he too was in casual clothes today.
Mikale led her inside a very simplistic open restaurant, and as the aroma of meat skewers greeted her senses, her mouth salivated.
There was an old man at the grills with three young boys who looked no older than 16, and an old lady was sitting at the desk, working as the cashier.
There were a few young people, likely high-school students, who were working as waiters and waitresses, and overall the ambience was really nice here.
"There are no empty tables." She commented after looking around, but Mikael led her straight inside at the desk where the old lady was sitting.
"Old Nan, it's good to see you in good health." He greeted the old woman after she cleared the bill with a customer, and her eyes brightened even before she looked at him.
"Mikael!" She happily stood up and came over to hug him, and he allowed her. "How long has it been this time? You promised you would come here often."
"I was really busy these past few months." He told her and smiled when she looked at Klara.
"Oh, my... such a beautiful young lady. You brought your girlfriend today, I am very happy."
"She's not my girlfriend, Old Nan." He chuckled. "This is my wife, Klara."
"You got married?!"
"Ahaha.. yes. Didn't Archer tell you?"
"Oh, you know him. He doesn't tell us anything." She complained but then smiled at Klara. "You are very lucky to have him as your husband, Child. And I am sure he's very lucky to have you as his wife. I promise we will serve you the best food you have ever tasted."
"Thank you, Aunty. I am looking forward to it."
"Good, good." She happily nodded her head and then walked past them to hug the tall and muscular man.
However, she did not share any words with him.
"Old Nan took care of Archer after his parents died. They were neighbours. So, he's like a son to her." Mikael informed her, and Klara finally understood how her husband managed to find such a place.
Before they even finished the greetings, the young waiters immediately set up two make-shift tables for them inside the shop, and Mikael thanked them before he led her to sit at one.
Archer sat down on the other one, and they were immediately served with a large pitcher and some disposable glasses.
"What's this?"
"Aunt Nan's secret limeade. Try it." He said and poured it in two glasses.
He laughed as he watched her scrunch up to the tangy, citrusy, and sweetly sour taste of it. However, once the taste settled down, she sipped it again.
She finished the glass and wanted more, but he pulled away the pitcher.
"You can have more after or during the meal." He told her, and she subconsciously pouted at his words.
They chatted for about 20 minutes before the waiters started bringing food to their table.
Lamb Chops, Lamb Kidneys, Lamb Skewers, and Kebabs, Beef Brisket, and then there were Chicken Gizzards, an aubergine dish, mashed potatoes, six sauces, and a bowl of seasonal berries.
Klara was a little intimidated by so many things on the table, but once she started trying the food, no matter which dish she tasted, she fell in love with it.
This barbecue was the closest to the taste of what their Master used to make for them, and she had missed this type of good food the most.
They did not even talk much as they focused on devouring and savouring their meal, and an hour later, she was dismayed when all that was left were empty plates.
She found herself craving for the limeade, and as if reading her thoughts, Mikael poured a glass for her and then for himself.
The waiters soon came over to clear the table and asked if they wanted anything more, and Klara did not hesitate to order two more servings of Chicken Gizzards.
Mikael did not share it with her and just amusedly watched her eat, which made her blush.
"So, I take it that you loved the meal?"
"Duh..." She rolled her eyes and then blushed as she realised how carefree she was with her response.
"Good." He laughed and then chatted with her until the pitcher of limeade was finished by them.
For a normal person, eating this much food was simply not possible. But neither of them were human. They were Ashaya, Aurors, who could cultivate, and though eating this much was rare even for them, it was not abnormal if you were very hungry.
Archer alone had eaten more than the two of them combined, but then again, he was much stronger than them.
"We did not even pay." Klara felt very unwell after returning to the street.
"It would have made them feel depressed." He gently told her. "I have helped them a lot, and they consider it their way of paying me back. Therefore, I do not refuse their goodwill. If I pay, it will make them feel even more indebted to me."
"Oh," She nodded her head in understanding and inadvertently looked at their hands which were locked.
"So, this is why you don't come here often. You don't want to harm their business."
"Yes." He smiled at her.
"How long have you known them?"
"Two years. I met them when I recruited Archer. Old Nan and Old Sam had two children. Their eldest joined the military and died in service at a young age. The younger son is now a teacher at the South District High School, and all these youngsters are his students who work here part-time...." He told her more about the old couple. "Even though they no longer need to continue with their restaurant, they do it because they don't want to disappoint their Loyal Customers, and Uncle Sam believes in earning your food. He does not like sitting at home and being fed by people."
"They seem happy, and I am sure they are genuinely nice people."
"They are." He smiled. "Archer takes care of all the expenses at home, so, whatever they earn from the restaurant, after keeping their share to meet daily needs, goes to the orphanage. Good souls like them are very rare in this world."
The two arrived in the parking lot, and he gently lifted her from her waist and helped her sit on the boot of the car. Then he climbed it as well and sat next to her.
There were stars in the sky tonight, a rare sight during the rainy season, and he stared at them, lost in his thoughts.
Klara felt very comfortable and safe by his side, and the comforting silence between them brought them closer to each other.
"Mikael."
"Yes?"
"May I ask what you think of your father?" She nervously questioned, and regretted it immediately, fearing that she might have just ruined his mood.
"He's a great man. Very responsible, and loves his family a lot. He's someone I used to look up to until I realised that we were not the same."
"Do you dislike him?"
"Why would I dislike him?" He laughed. "I love him, and he loves me. It's just that I have been a constant disappointment to him, and have created a lot of difficulties for him. I still keep doing it. So, if he ever beats me or shouts at me, it is totally deserved." He chuckled as if he had a very funny thought in his mind. "You know, even though he was mad at me and kicked me out of the family, there are still people keeping an eye on me, making sure that I stay safe."
"Oh..."
To say that she was surprised at the answer she received would have been an understatement. She was never expecting any of what he told her.
There was not even a hint of resentment in his voice. And in her heart, she was very relieved and happy for him.
"So, why did you not go back to the Family Manor?" She curiously asked.
"I am just stubborn and like to make him mad." He mischievously said. "It's fun. Besides, not living there allows me to do things more freely."
"I see."