Chapter 207 Who’s Playing Favorites?
Dave’s captivating storytelling held Hera and Leo spellbound, causing them to lose track of time. Unbeknownst to them, half an hour had already passed since they placed their orders, and now, their food had arrived. Servers entered the room one after another, wheeling in carts laden with dishes concealed beneath stainless steel domes, ensuring the warmth of the food remained preserved against the chill of the air conditioner.
The dishes were methodically placed on the table, each one handled with care. The woman overseeing the servers stood nearby, ensuring everything proceeded smoothly. As the last dish found its place, the servers began to filter out one by one. Soon, a distinguished middle-aged man entered, his hair impeccably combed back, a monocle adorning his left eye as he wheeled in a cart laden with bottles of red wine.
He positioned the cart next to Hera’s table with practiced precision, effortlessly uncorking the bottle of red wine. His movements were almost theatrical, a display of mastery. After pouring himself a sample and savoring it, ensuring its quality, he meticulously filled a glass for each of the three guests.
Having executed his task flawlessly, he retreated to stand beside the woman, poised and attentive. He waited patiently for Hera, Leo, and Dave to take their first sips, ready to replenish their glasses promptly.
Dave, accustomed to a plethora of wines due to his career and social engagements with dignitaries worldwide, possessed a discerning palate. While not as refined as Luke, who resembled a sommelier in expertise, Dave could still distinguish the quality of the wine. It was evident to him that the hotel had selected its finest vintage to accommodate their distinguished guests.
His contemplation was abruptly halted by the arrival of another group, who promptly gathered around the grand piano nestled in the corner of the room. With the soft strains of violin and cello, they began to weave a serene melody, filling the space with tranquil notes. Though purely instrumental, the music washed over Hera, imbuing her with a sense of relaxation that complemented the culinary delights before her.
Observing Hera’s enjoyment of the meal, Leo smiled and continued to plate more food for her. He took extra care to ensure his hands remained clean as he expertly began to shell the shrimp by hand. Aware of Hera’s fondness for seafood and her reluctance to inconvenience others, Leo took it upon himself to handle the messy task, allowing Hera to relish her meal without worry.
Dave, meanwhile, didn’t leave all the work to Leo. He attentively served Hera with dishes he knew she would relish. Taking on the task of dealing with the large crab claws on the table, Dave expertly cracked them open one by one, skillfully extracting the succulent flesh and arranging it neatly on a separate plate for Hera’s enjoyment.
Hera’s eyes took on a crescent shape as she watched Leo and Dave attending to her needs as if she were royalty. It was a new sensation, being treated so lavishly, and she began to grasp why Alice, in the novel, was unwilling to relinquish any of her suitors. The allure of such devoted attention was becoming clearer to Hera with each passing moment.
Hera couldn’t help but notice the stark difference in Leo and Dave’s attentiveness compared to Alexi’s demeanor. It made her realize that to truly win over the male leads, she needed to do more than just be present. As she contemplated how to build better connections with them, Leo and Dave’s actions seemed to offer her an unexpected opportunity to deepen their relationship.
In appreciation of Leo and Dave’s attentiveness, Hera returned the gesture by serving some food onto their plates while they were occupied attending to her. "Don’t only give me food, eat too."