Chapter 51 51

Chapter 51 51
Zara’s POV

Darius pulled out his chair and sat down at the head of the table with effortless authority, like he owned not just the seat but the entire room.

Which, in truth… he did.

I hesitated for a fraction of a second before lowering myself into the chair beside him, acutely aware of the closeness. We were close enough that I could feel the heat radiating off his body and could catch the faint intoxicating trace of his scent every time I breathed.

It made focusing difficult, soon a maid hurried in carrying a polished tray with a bottle of wine and another of apple juice.

Her movements were swift and practiced as she poured a glass of wine for Elara then juice for Matthew. She circled the table gracefully, stopping beside Darius to fill his glass with deep red wine.

When she reached me, she offered a polite smile. “Wine, ma’am?”

My answer came quickly almost too quickly.

“Apple juice, please.”

There was no way I was drinking while here, I needed to keep a clear head and as of right now, I didn't trust drunk zara when it came to him.

The maid blinked in mild surprise but nodded, pouring me a glass of juice instead before stepping away.

Elara tilted her head slightly, her curiosity obvious. “You don’t drink?” she asked.

“Only when I have to,” I replied lightly, forcing a small smile. “Or when the situation calls for it.”

And this situation?

It absolutely did not and before she could respond, another maid entered, pushing a serving cart laden with covered dishes. The aroma hit me instantly very rich, savory and and mouthwatering.

My stomach tightened in anticipation.

She lifted the first lid, revealing thick T-bone steaks, still sizzling, their juices glistening under the warm light and the scent alone made my mouth water.

One by one, she plated them in front of us.

Then came creamy mashed potatoes, perfectly whipped and infused with garlic, followed by butter-roasted vegetables that added color and warmth to the plates.

“Is there anything else you require, Alpha?” the maid asked once everything was set.

“That will be all,” Darius replied, his voice calm e controlled then, almost as an afterthought.

“Thank you.”

The maid visibly brightened at the rare acknowledgment before retreating from the room.

“This looks amazing,” I murmured, unable to hide my appreciation as I took in the meal before me.

“Our staff is exceptional,” Elara said with a proud smile, already lifting her fork.

I followed suit, cutting into the steak and It was perfect very tender, juicy and it was practically melting against my tongue as the flavors exploded with every bite.

A soft breath escaped me before I could stop it, my body relaxing despite everything especially since he was sitting inches away from me.

For a moment… I forgot the tension and danger. The forbidden pull that kept drawing me toward the one man I should stay far away from.

“How are the lessons going?” Darius asked suddenly glacing at Ethan who was picking apart his steak and eating around the fatty edges and his voice cut cleanly through the moment.

He looked up, clearly surprised by the attention. “They’re great,” he said after a brief pause, a grin spreading across his face.

“Zara is the best and she teaches me things no one else ever did.”

“That’s because the others didn’t know what they were doing,” Elara added with a dismissive wave.

“Honestly, Dad, where did you even find those tutors?”

Darius hummed softly, not denying it and heat crept into my cheeks at the praise, and I quickly took another bite of food to distract myself.

“Yeah, they were useless,” Ethan muttered under his breath.

“Watch your language,” Darius corrected calmly.

Ethan immediately stiffened, muttering a quiet apology before focusing back on his food.

The conversation faded after that, then Elara and Ethan slipped into light chatter, but I barely registered their words. My awareness kept drifting unwanted and uncontrollable toward the man beside me.

The way his hand moved when he cut his steak and the slow, deliberate way he lifted his glass.

The subtle tension in his jaw every time silence stretched too long and once… just once…

I caught him looking at me not casually but intently like he was trying to figure something out or worse he already had.

My pulse quickened, and I quickly looked away, pretending to be far more interested in my food than I actually was.

By the time I finished eating, I was more than full and I was overwhelmed.

Carefully, I pushed my plate away and leaned back slightly, putting distance however small between myself and the edge of the table.

The maids returned, clearing the dishes with quiet efficiency.

“Dessert, Alpha?” one of them asked as she refilled his wine glass but Darius didn’t answer immediately.

Instead… he looked at me like the decision somehow depended on me.

My breath caught. “I should go,” I said softly, offering a polite smile.

“Thank you for dinner, It was… wonderful.”

For a moment, he just watched me like he wanted to say something but holding something back then he simply nodded.

“My driver will pick you up,” he said. “It’s late.”

The concern in his tone was subtle but it was there, so I swallowed nodding in return. “Thank you.”

I rose from my seat, smoothing down the fabric of Elara’s borrowed outfit. Before I could take another step, he stood with me and then motioned for me to go ahead of him.

I wasn't expecting him to follow me to the door, but he did and I could feel his eyes watching my every move and the worst part was that a part of me didn’t want him to stop.

Third Person POV

Neither Darius nor Zara noticed the two sets of eyes watching them as they left the dining room.

Elara leaned back slightly in her chair, her gaze thoughtful, calculating but Ethan on the other hand, looked hopeful.

“Did you see that?” he whispered.

Elara’s lips curved slowly into a knowing smile.

“Oh, I saw.”

She had been curious about Zara from the moment Ethan took a liking to her and that alone had been unusual enough but tonight confirmed it.

The stolen glances and the tension between them, more importantly was the way her father’s attention kept drifting back to Zara without him even realizing it.

Elara tapped her fingers lightly against the table, her smile deepening.

Something was really going on between Zara and her father.