Episode 4: Dinner

The ordeal was finally over. The registration was complete at last.

Hayden led Mr. Edgar downstairs, leaving only the newlywed couple to themselves in the study.

Damon's phone buzzed. He stepped to the other side of the room to answer it, his voice low and clipped. Mira didn't bother listening. She was too busy examining the study—the dark grey walls, the black oak desk, the single white orchid on the corner. Everything in its place. Everything cold. Everything Damon.

A knock came at the door.

Aunty Carter's voice drifted through. "Madam, sir, dinner is ready. Will you prefer having it in your rooms or at the dining table?"

"The dining table," Damon said, already walking toward the door. He didn't wait for Mira. He didn't look back.

Mira followed.

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**THE DINING HALL**

The dining hall was meticulously arranged. A long rectangular oak table sat in the center, polished to a deep glow. The table was covered with dishes that steamed and shimmered under the warm light—mushroom soup, salmon with lime, warm rolls, caramelized carrots, fried vegetables, baby potatoes, and more.

Mira's stomach growled.

Damon took his seat at the head of the table, sitting majestically like a king acknowledging no one. Mira didn't wait to be asked. She sat beside him—not too close, thanks to the spacious arrangement, but close enough to see his face.

She looked at the food. Then at Damon. His face gave nothing away. She looked back at the food. Then she picked up her cutlery.

Hayden stood at the side, waiting for orders.

Mira ate like she hadn't eaten in days. Because Aunty Carter's food was that good. She savored every bite—the salmon, the potatoes, the carrots. Her eyes fluttered closed at one point. She didn't care who saw.

Damon ate too, but his face revealed nothing. Pleasure? Disgust? Hunger? His expression was a locked door.

Mira swallowed a piece of salmon, then pointed at the glistening dish with her fork.

"Hey. Look. Try this. It's really delicious. You'll love it."

"No."

Mira blinked. Then she leaned forward like a persistent child.

"Just try it. It's really nice. Okay?"

"No."

She studied him. Her mismatched eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

"Wait. Don't tell me. You're afraid of sour food? Or you don't like sour food?"

"Neither."

"Then why aren't you tasting it?"

Damon's jaw tightened. "It's none of your business. Just focus on your food."

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Dinner continued.

Mira ate most of the dishes. Damon watched her from the corner of his eye, wondering where she put it all. Her tiny frame shouldn't have room for that much appetite.

Then Mira's voice rang out.

"Is that a chrysanthemum tree?"

She pointed toward the large glass windows overlooking the lake. Damon turned to see what she was talking about.

The next moment, Mira was beside him.

Before he could turn his head back toward her, she used the opportunity of his open mouth to shove the salmon from her chopsticks straight in.

Hayden froze.

Aunty Carter froze.

*Oh no,* Aunty Carter thought. *Why didn't I tell madam that sir doesn't like sharing things with people? The worst of it all—saliva. Oh my. This is all my fault.*

Both of them stared wide-eyed, waiting for Damon to do something terrible. The thing they were used to.

But nothing happened.

Damon didn't explode. He didn't glare Mira into ash. He just... sat there. A look of shock and surprise on his face. He chewed slowly. Swallowed.

Hayden stared. He knew his boss well enough to recognize that look.

"Boss," Hayden said carefully, "do you mean you can—"

Damon shot him a look. A look that said *be quiet*. Hayden closed his mouth.

Mira tilted her head, studying Damon's face.

"So," she said, "don't tell me. You've never tasted this before?"

Damon looked at her like she was a fool. "Says who?"

"You really looked surprised. That definitely means you haven't tasted salmon before. Or you haven't tasted it as sweet as Aunty Carter's." She turned and walked back to her seat, talking over her shoulder. "That's really bad for you. But don't worry. I'm here to help you explore all of Aunty Carter's recipes. Her hard work won't be in vain."

Damon was quiet for a moment. Then he spoke.

"Good. Then you must be at the dining table with me from now on."

Mira turned. Her eyes sparkled.

"Awww. That's so cute. Already acting like a clingy husband, huh?"

Hayden held back his laughter. The maids bowed their heads like their survival depended on it.

Damon's voice was flat. "Don't flatter yourself. I just don't want people pointing fingers at me, saying I can't even feed one of your little self. Looking at how skinny you are, I might be called an irresponsible man."

Mira raised an eyebrow. "Oh. So you mean reputation. Don't use that as an excuse, husband. You know that's a lie." She smiled sweetly. "But I won't call you out on this one. This sushi needs me for emotional support." She pointed at the mountain of sushi on her plate.

Damon was speechless.

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The rest of dinner passed with Mira talking and Damon replying at some points. Not many. Just enough.

Eventually, they each went to their respective rooms.

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