Chapter 3: An Unexpected Proposal (1)
As the evening continued, we were led into a very grand dining room. The table was set with the finest porcelain china, and the lights in the room were slightly dimmed, creating a moody atmosphere.
I took my seat at the table beside Morgan and patiently waited for the food to be served.
My heart was still beating rapidly from Christian’s introduction, so I made a conscious effort to keep my eyes from wandering over to him.
Instead, I carefully studied the beautiful bouquet that was carefully arranged on the table. It consisted of pure white peonies that were in the peak of their bloom, overflowing out of the small crystal vase they rested in.
Thankfully, the food was quickly served, allowing me to distract my racing mind with many dishes of perfectly cooked and delectable food. The delightful fragrance wafted through the dining room, but I was the only one who noticed.
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Dinner events, such as this one, were the few times a month I was allowed to eat whatever I wanted.
I waited until the food was fully served and for the host, Christian, to lift his fork before I began to enjoy the dishes in front of me.
Ignoring the rest of the family, I immersed myself in enjoying the food. My favorite among the dishes was the roasted chicken, which was so tender it melted in my mouth.
My father continued to pester Christian with small talk, doing his best to butter him up. My mother smiled and chimed in occasionally, always agreeing with my father’s words.
Anthony was....well, Anthony. He sat beside my father, pushing the food around on his plate with a fork, only looking up when my father forcefully brought him into the conversation.