Chapter 120 - 119: Exchange Of Favors I
"So, that's it for the day." Geoffrey said as he adjourned their meeting early.
Serena was absent-minded through out the meeting. Everyone did notice but did not comment. They too were not in the mood to discuss anything as the midterm exam just finished and they were all exhausted. They decided to move the discussion for the intramurals next week.
Serena only noticed that they were done when everyone stood up to leave. She checked her wristwatch to look at the time. It was 11:00. Plenty of time left to go to her next meeting. The restaurant they will be meeting in was only a half an hour journey from school.
"Should I escort you back to your dorm?" Geoffrey asked. He wanted to invite her for lunch and maybe discuss the fundraising activity, but she seemed a little tired for today. Besides, they have to go to the orphanage again tomorrow.
Leonard was also present. It was just that Geoffrey asked her first.
"No, I still need to meet with Mr. Easton for lunch." Serena replied.
Geoffrey was surprised. He didn't know that Serena was already working on it. "Should I escort you there?" he offered. He also doesn't think that it was proper for Serena to meet a man alone.
Serena wanted to decline but thought that Geoffrey was also part of this project. Thinking it convenient so that she won't have to explain things later, she nodded her head. "Okay, it's also good for you to know my plans for this project." Then, seeing that Leonard was also still in the room, she added, "Brother Leonard, please come with us too."
"Okay." Leonard agreed.
--
The three arrived at Simpson's in the strand at about 11:30 in the morning. They arrived 30 minutes earlier than the appointed meeting time. Upon entering, Serena observed that the dining area was huge. It looked grand and was clad in aged oak. They were welcomed by a receptionist who asked if they had a reservation.
Serena mentioned Edward's name and hearing that, the receptionist instructed a waiter to escort them. They were led to a rectangular table with four seats. Serena took a seat, and Geoffrey sat beside her. Leonard can say nothing and just settled on sitting in front of Geoffrey leaving the seat in front of Serena empty. While waiting, the four of them were served with teas and pastries.
At 11:45, Mr. Easton arrived.
"Good morning Ms. Serena. If I knew you would be here early, I would have arrived sooner. Anyway, it is pleasant seeing you again." Edward began while still standing offering his hand for a handshake.
Serena stood up from her seat. "No Mr. Easton, that's alright, I also did not know I will be arriving here at an earlier time. It is also nice to see you again. By the way, I hope you don't mind, but I brought company. May I introduce you to Prince Geoffrey William and my brother Lord Leonard Maxwell."
Leonard and Geoffrey stood up to shake Edward's hand.
Edward immediately bowed to Geoffrey, "Your highness, it is my honor to meet you. I am Edward Easton."
"No need to bow Mr. Easton, I am just here to accompany Miss Serena. Also, please just call me Geoffrey, people might start finding it strange." Geoffrey said as he offered his hand for a handshake. Although he was the crown prince, not everyone knew his face.
Mr. Easton immediately took his hand. Who knew he would be meeting their country's next ruler today? Then he looked at Leonard, "It is also an honor to meet you Lord Maxwell."
"You can also just call me Leonard." He replied taking the man's hand for a handshake.
After, the four of them sat. the waitress approached them with the menu while Edward asked the waiter to add another chair to their table.
"My apologies, I also invited another person to come today. I hope you don't mind." Edward explained.
The waiter handed them the menu while another seat was added at the side in between Serena and Edward.
"It's alright Mr. Easton, however, the topic I wish to raise is quite confidential. Can we trust the person who will be joining us?" Serena asked, being on point.
"Ah! Well, there he is." He said as he saw Charlton through the window.
Serena turned around to where Edward was looking at. She did not see the person though.
"I thought that it would be alright for him to join us as he has been your partner for the last two songs, thus I invited him so that I can also thank him properly. Sorry but, would there be a problem?" Edward asked confused.
Who else could he be talking about? Serena felt her heart beating like a drum in her chest. This will the first time that they would be in close proximity and would have to engage in a civil conversation since they broke up. She suddenly felt her tongue was heavy and she could not breathe. She even forgot that she had to answer Mr. Easton's question.
Leonard saw Serena paling. He did not like the turn of events, but he understood that there was no escape. They could only face what was happening head on lest Geoffrey figure out what was the relationship between the two beforehand.
Leonard was the one to reply to Edward, "It is quite alright Mr. Easton. Charlton is aware of the project Serena will talk to you about."
--
Charlton received the invite from Edward Easton last week. In the letter he said that he wanted to meet him to congratulate him for the success of his and Serena's songs. Charlton noted that he did not mention Serena was coming so he thought that it was just between the two of them. At first, he wanted to decline. There was no need for Edward to do this, and he was also not in the mood to celebrate. Yet, thinking it through, he wanted to tell Edward that all the rights of the two songs belong to Serena and that he doesn't need to inform him about the profit or what not any longer. Thus, he decided to accept his invite. He just received the confirmation letter with the time and location of their meeting the other day.
He entered the restaurant and spoke with the receptionist. A waitress was delegated to guide him to his seat.
Then, that was when he saw her. The last time they met was two weeks ago. That day did not go well, and he ended up angry and blaming her in his heart. Thankfully, the exams made him busy, so he did not have to think about her too much.
Seeing her today was a surprise. Suddenly, all his feelings for her resurfaced as if wanting to overflow. He just wanted walk over and hold her again in his arms. However, his musings were put to a halt and he felt like he was again punched in the gut. Geoffrey was sitting beside her and he was suddenly reminded of reality.
He deliberated for a second if he should just turn around and leave. However, Edward already saw him and waved him over.
--
TBC