Lesson Nine: Sometimes trouble finds you on its own.
Summary:
Solas co-owns “Harel Deliss”, a posh restaurant in the heart of town, where the elite class decides to spend their money depending on their whims. The stakes are high. Its rival is a well-known “De Fer’s Bouquet” run by a money-driven French born business woman.
Ellana, our protagonist, gets unfairly dismissed from “De Fer” and finds herself, due to some unforeseen circumstances, in the need of money, and thus goes to competition to earn her due. Life is full of surprises, as they say.
Also on my AO3
“Dancing Crocodile,” Bull repeated the name of his new cocktail handing me another glass. “You should like this better. It’s more… sour in taste.”
I eyed the drink and him suspiciously but his face was of pure innocence. I didn’t buy it and yet I took a sip. Tangy sour with a hint of sugar. I liked it so I smiled at him. He beamed at me and then proceeded to wipe the over-cleaned counter.
I was sitting alone at the east part of the bar where the staff usually gathered after their shift. I finished work half an hour ago and decided to have a few drinks before calling a taxi. Tomorrow was my day off and I planned to spend it with my parents who dogged me for a visit since like… forever. I was going alone as my brother was surprisingly busy at his new job. Varric held him closely paying special attention to him, not allowing any slips and failures. I hoped he would set him straight somehow.
I also was content and a bit confused as only this morning I discovered a huge payment deposited in my bank account. The sum would completely cover my parent’s debt and then leave some for the expenses. That’s what the instruction note said, ‘for your parents’, I hoped I would know who the mysterious benefactor was. I may have told a couple of people when I got drunk the other night, so to discover exactly who that person was wasn’t going to be easy.
“Would you try another one?” Bull leaned on the counter and pushed another glass with a cocktail in it. This one was pink salmon with a bit of blue at the bottom. It was swooshing to the top and passing into green. A slice of orange perched on the brim.
“Are you’re trying to get me drunk, Bull?” I asked innocently. I knew what he was doing. I blame Skinner and her big mouth. Apparently, they had this Thursday night club where they met after work and played poker or chess, or something else between friends. And they drank, so of course they got chatty. Especially Skinner.
“Nah, just trying these new recipes and you’re the only one who’s courageous enough to try them. So…” His head subtly moved to the left to look behind me.
“Ah-ha! Found you!” A whisk of enticing cologne enveloped my senses. Nice one.
“What’s get you?” The bartender smirked at the newcomer.
Dorian frisked and then laughed. “You invited me here! You serve the drinks, right?”
The other man shook his head but started fixing a drink. In the meantime Dorian focused on me. “So… you’re alright?”
I nodded as I sipped on the new drink. Ouff. Too sweet. I pushed the glass towards Bull. “This one is a definite no-no. Too sweet. Sickly sweet. Yuck!”
Bull pushed the ‘Dancing Crocodile’ towards Dorian and took the glass from me. “Fine, no ‘Merry Rainbow‘ for you.”
“W-what? Is that its name?” I chuckled.
Bull shrugged with his back towards me and proceeded with pouring another drink.
“It’s been busy last couple of months. It seems that we may start considering expanding.” Dorian looked at me caressing his moustache. “We’re probably need to find an idea or two for something good but-“ he tipped his glass. “It’s nice to look forward to something pleasant for a change.”
“What do you mean?” I asked while Bull passed me another drink. This one was dark orange mixed with red. I didn’t dare to ask what was in it.
“Well, we had some rough time and then we hit a brick,” he glanced towards me, “luckily at the end we managed to prevent the disaster and now it seems that our gambit paid off.”
I tried to retract the events of the last couple of months. The gambit? The disaster? What was he on about?
“And… it seems that Solas took the brunt of it. I dislike seeing him retreating into that shell of loneliness of his. It’s hard to get to him when he’s focused on work and nothing else. I worry sometimes that he-“ he sighed and then continued, “-that he will end up alone. And he wold not bear that well.” His grey eyes met mine and I saw affection and worry in them. For his friend.
Something clutched at my heart and I had to ask. “Why you’re telling me this?”
Dorian was quiet and met Bull’s gaze. Their hands brushed for an instant longer then appropriate before Dorian brought a freshly refilled glass to his lips.
I caught Bull’s smirking. Oh-oh. So, that’s what had been going on between them? Nice. I usually did not pay attention to rumours but this one seemed to be true.
Dorian put the glass on the counter, then turned his body towards me. “Because he cares about you more than he is willing to show. And he is hurt by you avoiding him.”
“I do not… avoid him,” I protested lamely.
“Sure, and pigs can fly.” Bull muttered under his breath.
“When was the last time you talked to him, Ellana? I mean aside from talking about work.”
“Dorian,” I shot him an uneasy look, “we are not together and whatever you think that happened it’s not-“ I sighed.
He leaned closer. “I know what happened, my dear. And I know how much it affected Solas; how much he wants this, you, and all. And I am not blind to miss the way you look at him.” He straightened and took another sip.
I was staring at my fingers wrapped around the glass. Who was I kidding? I loved the stubborn guy and it hurt me to push him away. And he’s been true to his words, giving me my space and time. And yet, I saw his eyes following me and the yearning in his gaze. I would lie if I said I did not crave him especially late at night, when I thought about us together. If only to see him smirking at me, or caressing me, or-
“Another one, boss?” Bull took the empty glass from Dorian’s hand dragging his fingers alongside his. Dorian coughed and pushed the glass towards the bartender with a strained ‘no’. Bull laughed. Then he turned towards Krem who had just joined our corner.
“If ever you need to talk, or just need anything please-“ Dorian’s gaze moved behind me and he smirked at another newcomer. “Want to join our degustation of fancy drinks?”
I could feel a warm hand slightly touching my back, but before I moved the newcomer replied. “Thank you for the invitation but I must decline. We are quite busy tonight, if you haven’t noticed. I came to collect you.”
He was still at my back and definitely moved closer as I could feel his body heat. Pleasant shivers ran down my back.
“Oh, well… you don’t have to be such a party-pooper, Solas. Come, have one with us!”
Solas sighed. “Thank you but no. I need a favour in fact.” His voice was stern if not a little suggestive. “Table five may require your attention.”
Dorian snorted and yet his gaze turned serious after looking in the table’s direction. I observed him closely, still unwilling to acknowledge the presence at my back.
Dorian looked at Solas. “I see. How do you want me to handle it?”
I turned around moved my gaze onto Mr. Harel. He caught my eyes before turning towards his partner. “As usual, I guess.” To which Dorian nodded and stood up.
“Bull, I would need a couple of those sweet sickly drinks in waiting. Let’s see if we can sugar her up.” Then he winked at him and left.
“I trust you don’t plan on driving tonight?” Solas’ hand touched my arm to direct my attention back to him. His eyes were serious and yet I saw warmth and longing in them. Damn, why did he make it so damn difficult? And now all I wanted was to-
“No worries, boss.” Bull interfered. “I have a taxi waiting for her. I’ll make sure she has reached her home.”
“Thank you. I appreciate the assistance.”
I huffed but said nothing, the way they looked after me was touching and I enjoyed their little gestures of familiarity and taking care of others. Bull was especially good at providing what people needed. He just observed and made things happen; even without being asked.
“Ellana?” Soft question brought me back to focus on Mr. Harel. “Are you alright?”
I wanted to say yes, and then I wanted to say no and then… wrap my arms around him and hug him close and tell him how desperately I needed him. But that would be too much for him and me. And so I just sat there and stared at him while he stared back and a small smile started dancing across his lips and it filled me with such warmth that I could barely breathe.
Suddenly, I felt like crying, so I sighed and looked around. Even as secluded as we were in the east corner of the bar, we were still in public and him standing so close and his hand touching my arm were definitely suggestive signs. My gaze followed the movements of people and then landed on the table five. I forgot to breathe this time for certain. I froze momentarily and watched a satisfying smirk appearing on the customer face. She had a clear sight of me and Mr. Harel. She didn’t need more proof than that. Fucking Madame de Fer.
My brain, even clouded by the alcohol, could see the implications as I tried to not freak out on the spot. Luckily, Dorian broke the line of sight and I found the air to breathe. I couldn’t stay here, I needed to leave! That was my only focus now and that’s what I was doing. I grabbed my things and slid pass Solas to the exit.
And of course, I missed bafflement on Krem’s face or the thoughtful eyes of Solas who noticed my sudden change of behaviour. I also missed him looking at Bull and then tilting his head slightly towards the table in question. I also missed how our bartender nodded his head slightly in acknowledgment.
I missed all that as I was racing towards the taxi waiting outside ’Harel Deliss’ and then told the driver to get the hell out of here only giving him my address after two minutes of working on my breathing. I climbed the stairs towards my flat and I leaned against the closed door.
What now?
*
Cold shivers running down his spine. Not again, he thought exhausted. It was dark and quiet. His body was covered in sweat as the dream slowly started leaving his mind. A nightmare with her on his mind. He was scared and tried to catch her but was not fast enough and she fell into that endless dark hole of nothingness. All the while staring at him with sadness in her green eyes. He could not let her fall. He swore he would move mountains to see her happy.
He turned his head to grab his phone laying on the nightstand to check the time. A bit early but-
Three rings and then a hoarse grunt at the end of the line.
“I need a favour. Of a special kind. You said if I ever needed your… assistance you’d be happy to help.” He said into his phone hoping that the person would agree without asking too many questions.
“Sure. Whaddya need?”
“Find out who’s the source was and how it happened? And what proofs she has.”
A few breathy moments of silence and then a groan and sigh. “It can be arranged. Give me a couple of days.”
Solas closed his eyes and clenched his teeth. These were going to be the hardest days. He hated waiting. But he knew he had no choice. “Thank you. Truly.”
The man on the other end of the line grunted. “You may give me a pay rise as a thank you.” Then he hung up.
If he found the answer he would give him more than a pay rise.
*
“So, have you heard yet?” Skinner puffed out a small ring of smoke as she leaned more comfortably against the wall. We were standing outside ‘Harel Deliss’ taking a break and enjoying the sunshine.
To my raised eyebrow she clarified. “About Silva? He got fired by Mr. Harel the other day. And it was not pleasant.” She smiled and closed her eyes turning her face towards the heat.
“Oh? Do you know why?” I felt only slightly interested but asked anyway.
She smirked at me. “I have never seen Mr. Harel so stern and cold towards anyone. And he was scary as hell.”
“You’ve witnessed it? When did it happen?”
“Two days ago, you were off that afternoon. Silva came to work and was immediately asked to see Mr. Harel. They talked for a half an hour in his office and then Mr. Harel escorted Silva to the kitchen and then outside. Silva was beetroot red and nervous. And Mr. Harel did not relax until he was out of the door. Then he stood there and talked to Mr. Pavus who managed to calm him down. Eventually.”
I hummed. Strange.
“I hoped you’d know more about it… as you’re close to them.”
I shook my head. “What about Bull? Does he not know anything more?”
Skinner shrugged. “I don’t know. He might he might not. You never really know with him.”
“Get him drunk, then he may spill the beans.”
She laughed and then snorted. “Ohh, you have no idea how much drink he can hold! He would drink us all under the table and still keep his wits! He’s indestructible.”
“Well then,” I sighed, “all we need is to wait a bit. I’m sure someone will tell sooner or later.”
She pocketed her e-cig and shoot me a look. “You know… you could always ask Mr. Harel.”
I shook my head even before she finished the sentence. “I won’t and you know it.”
“Just a thought. Anyway, what do you think about Paolo?”
I laughed. Paolo was Patrick’s nephew. It turned out that the chef wanted his nephew to start a career in the industry and thought it would be good to lend him a hand… by supervising him. He also admitted that he had planned to have his nephew to get the position I previously applied for. So, the mysterious reasons for him dismissing me when I came for the interview got cleared up. At least he was honest about it. Even apologised to me on a couple of occasions.
Paolo was a nice guy but he was not really suited for the job. It’s been a week since he was with us and yet he could not find his place. Tom, our sous-chef, was rolling his eyes every so often and mumbling under his breath. He even joked that his new-born baby knew more about food than Paolo.
“I don’t know what to think about him. I’m also surprised that So-Mr. Harel employed him, even if it’s on a trial basis.” I was aware that Skinner picked up on my near slip-up and I blushed. “Anyway, break’s over. Let’s go in before Lacy eats all the marshmallows.”
“Well, you’re the one who told her to make the bunny ears out of them, so how’s that her fault?”
*
“You’re being ridiculous, you know?”
“Yes. Thank you for stating the obvious.”
“And that frown does not improve on your facial features. Stop it.”
Solas took a long breath and managed to put on his usual mask of contemplative aloofness. His eyes darted to one of the booths in the corner of the restaurant. They were still there. Of course they were, as they have just been served the main course. He sighed.
“You really are ridiculous.” Dorian repeated. Exasperation in his voice. “They’re probably talking about her brother or Sera. They both working for Varric, right?”
He knew he was being ridiculous. But the unusual and unexpected request from Mr. Tethras to have Ellana as his lunch companion struck a nerve.
“Hmm… something is bothering her lately,” Dorian murmured after a moment of silence. “I mean more than usual.” He chanced a glance at his friend. And caught him staring at the booth again.
Solas’ glare moved onto his friend. “I know what’s been bothering her. I think I have found a solution to this though.” When his friend did not comment he continued. “I would probably need to pay a visit to our competition.”
A raised brow and a hum. “Is that why you met with Morrigan yesterday?”
“What makes you think that?”
Dorian snorted. “Because we hardly require any advice from the law expert at the moment. At least, none that I know of.”
He could have lied to Dorian but decided against it. He will know sooner or later. His gaze moved over the clients and the staff and then stopped at the booth. “She’s being blackmailed.”
"I'm happy that I achieved my dreams in a short period of time but there was a moment when I fell into a slump due to the hectic schedules. However, I overcame it and found myself stronger than before. During promotions for IOI, I ran into an unexpected drama opportunity. At first, my agency was against it, but I was able to go on it after convincing my label. The drama did better than we imagined, so ultimately it was a good decision.” - Chaeyeon, DIA
