Formal Introductions (flashback) / Audrey & Donovan
Life was about balances—and Audrey embodied that concept in everything she did. Charming but assertive, gentle but firm, and now, comforting but observing. Observation was everything to her, it was how she assessed so easily what persona to transform into in order to reap the most benefits from her interaction. Her eyes were warmly glancing over him, taking in his presence and his stature and already making a mental list on how to transform him into the portrait of the Billings name. In all honesty, she wouldn’t have some outsider taint the name she had worked so hard to maintain, but he didn’t seem horribly dreadful to be around.
He takes his coffee black. Another note stored somewhere in her mind in a folder labeled Donovan Mendoza in elegant cursive. It would come in handy later, perhaps if she were stopping by wherever he was and felt like it would be nice to bring him coffee, and knew exactly what he wanted. A small act like that could mean strides in a relationship. People liked being remembered, even if there was little to be noted as memorable about them. “Are you sure you wouldn’t like something to eat—you’ve just come from a shift, right?” Audrey suggested politely as she watched the waiter walk away. It wasn’t a question that needed an answer, because she already knew he had, but it was less demanding then: you have to eat something because you just came from work. “I personally like the croissants they sell here, there’s little chocolate chips on the outside and a creamy chocolate filling inside,” she continued, eyes darting to the pastry counter.
Another gentle smile took it’s place on her lips at his next words, a kind glimmer in her eyes. There was a bit of sympathy poking at her, as she knew what he was saying even jokingly was true. “Of course,” Audrey replied, nodding as if to assure him it wasn’t that big of a deal on her part and not completely addressing the part about her family. It was childish, in her opinion, but that’s why she stepped up and assumed responsibility. “I can imagine how it must be difficult just being thrown into this world,” her eyes left his to glance around, an affectionate look on her face. This was the life she was born into, after all, all she had ever known, “And when you’re in a new situation with new people—sometimes you need a friend,” she offered a smile now completely directed at him. Friendly was certainly a word people would use to describe Audrey on a very superficial basis, but she was friendly and trustworthy—but she wasn’t a friend.
The mention of him getting off a shift took him off guard for a moment, wondering how she knew, before deciding she must’ve just assumed. Perhaps he still smelled like kitchen. While the place was usually brimming with good foods and smells, it didn’t stop him and the rest of the staff breaking out a little sweat during rush hour. Thankfully, he had left just before it reached the peak, so hopefully all he smelled like was rosemary or something.
She probably just assumed, Donovan thought to himself as the coffee was placed in front of him. Was it really that much of a stretch to presume Audrey Billings had looked up everything she could about Donovan--which admittedly amounted to a passing mention of his rise to sous chef in a still-rising restaurant in Manhattan. But he figured she still had her ways.
Outright denying her seemed rude, but he was still paranoid about looking like a neanderthal when eating in front of her, so he said as politely as he could, “No, thanks -- I’m fine.” He was about to mention he’d gone hours without food at a time before, for the sake of rush hour, but stopped himself just in time. If she insisted he ate after he implied he actually was hungry, Donovan didn’t think he’d wiggle out of that one.
“I’ll try the croissants the next time I’m here, though,” Donovan finished before taking a sip of the coffee. Honestly, though, he was pretty sure he’d never come back to this place of his own volition again. Or most places in the UES, frankly. He just didn’t quite fit in with the backdrop.
“It’s definitely been an adjustment,” Donovan laughed lightly as he placed his cup back onto the table. “But, you know, I’m happy I got a chance to reconnect with the rest of my family.” Even if half of them don’t even acknowledge my existence.
The thought of having Audrey as a friend caused a string of scenarios much like this one where they were sitting about and laughing as if they’d known each other for years before he mentally swatted them away. Right, that’s happening. Still, he said, “Yeah, you do. Thanks for stepping up to the plate.”
