New Eden: Live to Play, Play to Live

Chapter 826 Late Introductions

"Of course, I'll bring that right up. What about the ladies?" the owner asked, smiling at them.

"Umm. I'll have a menu, please?" Guylaine asked, a bit embarrassed.

"Oh, my. Where are my manager's manners? He didn't leave you one? I'll have that fixed immediately," he answered, looking appalled.

The owner rose and left with a quick gait, rushing to get a menu, and from their perch, they also saw him look sternly at his manager as he grabbed the menu.

The man looked shocked he had forgotten such a basic thing, and his face turned sour.

"How did you know the menu?" Kary asked Alex in a whisper.

"I didn't. I just said the first thing I imagined this place would have. Lucky guess," he replied.

Kary had to hold back the chuckle rising in her as she imagined he had panicked momentarily at the question as they did, but hid it better.

When the owner returned, he handed the women a menu and sat across from them, looking Alex in the eye.

He slid the pen and paper over the table, keeping his mouth shut.

Guylaine saw this and wondered if this was some code, and her theory of Alex being a criminal grew more staunch in her mind.

Alex grabbed the pen and rapidly scribbled something on the paper before sliding it back.

When the owner glanced at the note, his eyes widened for a second, and he crumpled the note before returning to his wide smile.

"So. Have you ladies decided what you want to start with?"

"Ah, yes. I'll have a gazpacho as well," Kary answered.

She barely had enough time to glance at the menu, but most entrees were cold things. And the Gazpacho was the least weird thing, in her opinion.

"Another Gazpacho, very well. And you, milady?" the owner asked, looking at Guylaine.

She became flustered and slammed the menu shut.

"I—I'll have the Salmon Tartare, please."

Kary looked at her mother with a grin.

She knew her mom detested raw fish just as much as her. This was the most expensive item in the Entrée section.

She assumed she only took it because of its price tag, not even knowing what a tartare was.

Smiling, the owner took a sip of wine and got up again.

"I'll have the kitchen start those up and be right back. Thank you for picking my restaurant," he said, giving a slight bow.

Once he had left, Kary whispered in Alex's ear again, trying to make sure her mother didn't hear.

"How did you know he was awakened? I haven't seen reports of him from Jack yet."

"When I flew back from the north, I sensed all the people in this city. Geminae's detection abilities are incredible, precise, and way longer range than I expected. So, I was able to pinpoint all the Awakened in the city in one flight. I sensed him."

Kary looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

'Every awakened? How many are there?' she wondered.

Jack knew of at least half a dozen who weren't already on their list. But Alex made it sound like there may be much more than that.

"What are you two mumbling about in secret again? You aren't pulling my daughter into some shady business, Mr. Leduc?" Guylaine asked, squinting at Alex.

"The thought never crossed my mind, Ms. Deveille. I am merely asking her if it was too pompous for me to bring you here."

Guylaine didn't believe his words and only huffed in response.

"The note I slipped him said that your mother is not awakened and not to talk about it in front of her," Alex whispered into Kary's ear.

Kary nodded lightly before going back to a smile.

"Don't worry, Mom. Alex isn't like that at all. I'm sure he would readily jump in front of danger before letting me come into contact with it. Not that I need protection," Kary giggled, putting her hand on her mom's.

"I know you're a capable woman. But you stay my daughter, and it is my job to ensure nothing happens to you. Call it a mother's duty," Guylaine replied, smiling lovingly at her daughter.

"As for you," she added, glaring at Alex.

"If anything ever befalls her while she's with you, you'll have hell to pay."

"Mom!" Kary whisper-shouted.

"What?! He needs to know I mean business," Guylaine rebuked.

Alex laughed it off.

"Don't worry, Ma'am. I would never let anything harm even a hair on her head. Rest assured that she is safe with me."

Alex wasn't sure of his own statement, but he couldn't let the woman believe he was a danger to her daughter. He also couldn't let Kary think he doubted himself.

'For now, let's play the confidence card. It's better if everyone thinks I'm in control one hundred percent.'

The owner soon returned, holding the bowls and a small plate in his hands. He set them down on the table before pushing them in front of each of their owners.

"Here we are. A Salmon Tartare for the lady and two gazpachos for the lovely couple," he said, smiling at them.

"Thank you, uhm…" Alex started saying, but froze.

"Dear lord, how rude of me; I forgot to introduce myself. I'm so used to people coming here, begging to meet me, that I forgot you didn't know my name. Gabriel Duffour. It's a pleasure meeting you," he introduced himself with a curtsy.

"Pleasure to meet you, Gabriel. I'm Alexander Leduc."

"And I'm Kary Deveille. This is my mother—"

"Guylaine Deveille! The pleasure is all mine," Guylaine interrupted her, batting her eyelashes.

Gabriel leaned in, grabbed her hand, and kissed the top of it.

"Nonsense, Ms. Guylaine. The pleasure is all mine," Gabriel said, winking at her.

"Ahem!" Kary cleared her throat loudly.

Her mother sat there, red as a tomato, her heart pounding, while Gabriel laughed it off like it was nothing.

"When you are ready to eat your main course, please give me your order directly. In the meantime, let's talk. I love meeting new people, especially ones with similar interests," Gabriel said, sitting back down and grabbing his cup of wine.