Writer's note: I was actually halfway through this chapter when suddenly my progress disappeared. It was heartbreaking, and I tried so many things in hopes of recovering my lost progress. Sadly it doesn't seem like it was possible since Blogger doesn't keep previous versions, so I'd suggest anyone making blog posts here to keep another copy elsewhere. This is a short chapter, but enjoy!
To read the other chapters, click the links below:
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the pictures
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Flambéed Love
~Time~
"You're the heir to the Regenstein household?"
Klaus sighed, hesitating for a moment before he finally replied, "Yes, that is true." The sudden revelation was something he didn't see coming, yet he kept his composure, and remained calmer than most people.
Minori, on the other hand, was caught completely off guard, with thoughts running through her mind. Never once did she expect Klaus to be from such a highly distinguished family. Yes, he is a gentleman and he acts noble, but she didn't expect him to be a literal noble man. She blinked a few times, unsure of what to say about the newfound information.
"Minori, if I could please ask you one favour..." Klaus interrupted the silence. "Would you please keep this to yourself? I wish for my real identity to remain hidden.." he requested.
"Oh, okay. Sure, of course!" Minori quickly replied, followed by a short pause. "But Klaus.. if I may ask.. why are you trying to hide it?"
"Before I answer that, thank you for agreeing to my request, Minori. You have my trust." he smiled, making sure to continue being the gentleman that he is by thanking Minori. "I have a few reasons, but perhaps.. I mainly just wished to be treated equally.. and for who I truly am."
But his voice began to unusually trail off as he spoke those last few words, and he remained quiet. He kept his vision straight, blankly staring into whatever object is in front of him, until he decided that he felt more secure looking downwards towards the floor, where he can possibly avoid eye contact. Minori immediately noticed the strange behaviour that Klaus would usually never emit, and can't help but wonder why it became such a big deal for him to hide his real identity. She started regretting her actions, for prying too much into his life, and for bringing him to such a state. She frowned, and was visibly looking guilty.
"Klaus...." she called out to him, pulling him back from his trance. "I'm so sorry.. I shouldn't have pried into your life like that.."
"Oh!" he uttered, "There is nothing to be sorry about, Minori, in fact I should be the one to apologise for my rude behaviour." he gave a gentle smile to reassure Minori, as he observed that she seemed rather troubled by the current situation. As he was trying to comfort her, he suddenly felt a squeeze on his palm, and he turned to see that Iris was holding his hand to show her love and support. She knew of his past, and what he was probably thinking, and she knew he probably needed to know that she's always by his side. Klaus smiled upon seeing her kind gesture, and squeezed her hand back in return.
"Minori.." Klaus continued. Minori immediately looked into his eyes, awaiting for his next sentence. "I apologise once again for my earlier behaviour. I.. started recalling about a past incident that I wish would never have to happen again." Klaus made a pause, and sighed before he continued, "Some people in the past suddenly began to treat me differently once they found out about my background, and.. you could say that it did not end well."
"I'm sorry, Klaus. I really shouldn't have asked.." Minori apologised again.
"You don't have to be, Minori. The past is the past, and I know you meant no harm." he gently replied. "But I still do wish for my family background to remain undisclosed."
"O.. of course! Not even Raeger, I promise." Minori declared, followed by another smile from Klaus as he observed her genuine reaction.
"Klaus..." Iris suddenly interrupted. His attention was immediately turned towards the novelist, and she looked down as she nervously continued, "I'm sorry again Klaus.. I really should've been more careful." she frowned. She knew how important this matter was to Klaus, she was there for him - he told her everything. And Klaus is a very important man for her, and yet, how did she manage to carelessly screw up?
Klaus looked into her eyes with concern, worried that she might continue being haunted by guilt that shouldn't have manifested.. haunted by something that she shouldn't have to worry about. He placed his large hand on her lap, softened his expression, and calmly comforted her. "Iris.. I told you everything is okay."
"But Klaus...." she hesitated.
"Iris, trust me, you don't have to worry about this." he looked firmly into her eyes. "In fact, you don't have to worry about anything anymore; it's.. not good for the baby." he shyly looked away.
Her pupils expanded with the growing realisation of how true his words were. She's now not only caring for herself, but for another growing body as well. She stared intently into his face, and finally her tense expression softens, slowly nodding in agreement before she finally smiled, earning a satisfactory kiss from Klaus. The pair approached each other at the same time, and lovingly wrapped their arms around each other, staying in a warm embrace. Minori smiled lovingly upon seeing her two friends' love for each other, yet at the same time, she started feeling lonely from the absence of her own partner. She missed him terribly, wanting nothing but to be in his arms right at this moment. She's done her fair share of work for the day, and perhaps she could pay him a little visit today, after she's done with her visit at Iris'.
...
The restaurant was bustling with customers coming just in time for dinner, and Raeger started busily taking their orders. He's carefully planned and prepared a few new Spring-exclusive dishes, and he couldn't wait to hear what his customers have to say about them. He was just about to head towards the kitchen after he finished taking orders when the bell by the front door started chiming, indicating yet another customer coming in. He was already happy with the current turn out, and so the additional arrival delighted him even more.
"Welcome to the restau.." he turned his attention towards the front door, and was about to properly greet the new customer when the very sight of her stopped his train of thoughts.
"Minori!" a smile instantly formed on his face as he sped up his pace towards her, and Minori ran up to him in reciprocation. She immediately hugged him in his work outfit once they closed the distance between them, and she beamed in happiness.
"Mi.. Minori! I'm dirty from doing all those cooking.. You don't want to hug me..." he hesitated to hug her back.
"I don't care, hehe" she chuckled and buried her face into his embrace, and Raeger gently smiled at the gesture, returning the embrace lovingly. The hug was brief, yet contentful.
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming?" Raeger began. "I would've cleaned up and prepared some food for you."
"I just suddenly missed you Rae" she began sheepishly. "We've both been pretty busy lately after all..."
"I know, honey.." Raeger uttered softly -yet sadly-, before he gestured Minori to follow him towards the end of the counter, just before the entrance of the kitchen. He would love to just leave everything and start spending time with her, but he's committed to his work and would never want to make his customers feeling upset. "I'm very sorry I'm busy now.. but what do you say we spend some time tonight together? We can do anything you want." He smiled. "In the meantime, I'll cook some dinner for you."
"I can help around...?" Minori offered.
"No, no. I know you've been taking every single order at the trade depot recently so I want you to rest as much as you can."
Seeing Minori hesitating, Raeger immediately continued, "Please honey, I insist." He smiled gently and caressed her cheeks.
"Okay... but I'm only eating when you are!!" She firmly stated, before her expression softens. "I wanna have my dinner with you..."
"Okay.. sounds fair to me." he looked at her lovingly, highly looking forward to their dinner time now. "Do you want to wait for me upstairs?"
"Is that okay?"
"Of course. I'll join you as soon as I'm done, okay?"
Minori nodded, and Raeger gave her a small little peck before he disappeared into his kitchen, quickly preparing the list of orders already waiting for him. Minori smiled as she observed his hardwork from afar, and slowly headed upstairs where they'd promise to meet.
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