Chapter 8 - Condition (1/2)

Suddenly the door opened.

Lily was annoyed at the bursting in of the waiter, who was apparently specialized in arriving at the wrong moments.

She was frustrated with his timing of serving the appetizer. As he fumbled with the plates and the salad, he refilled the glasses carefully.

Finally, Lily had found the right words. But now, her mind was blank. She did not know where she found so much courage. But she was proud of herself. She had to bargain. At least she should try.

She knew she was in the devil's kitchen and he would weigh every word on a scale.

She had to remain alert. She should not be guided by her feelings. She was not allowed to be guided by her fear. Lily just had to keep a cool head.

Because she knew he was right, they both had only benefits from this marriage. So she could try to set conditions.

Meanwhile, Lily picked up the fork and speared a tomato.

”Adrien, do you want a tomato?” Lily lovingly whispered to Adrien, who was still hiding under Lily's hair. He wrapped his arms tightly around Lily's neck. That gave him security. Safety he needed. Lily was his safe haven. His refuge. Only with her did he feel really safe. After learning that he would not see his parents again, Adrien barely spoke. He clung to Lily as if she were his last saving straw.

The strange man was scary. Adrien was afraid he would take his Lily away from. So he clung to his Lily even tighter. Did not dare to let her go.

Lily rubbed his back anxiously until Adrien lifted his head and opened his mouth. Lily gently pushed a red cherry tomato into his mouth. She wanted to give her little angel a second tomato. But Adrien briefly shook his head before he put his head back on Lily's shoulder. He was waiting for spaghetti.

”Do you want a cucumber?” Adrien shook his head again. Before he decided to turn around. He scanned the table with his big puppy eyes. ”I want to eat that, Lily.” Adrien pointed to the breadsticks in the bread basket with his chubby little fingers. Lily dropped the fork and handed him one of the grissini.

”Is it tasty?”, Alexandre asked dryly and took a sip of wine, before he sent the waiter away with a single glance.

Adrien's expression changed as he saw the stranger. He felt threatened.

The brave toddler bit into the grissini demonstratively, staring at the threat in black with sparkling eyes. The black guy would not get Lily. Adrien nibbled on his grissini, nodded, but never let the unknown man out of his sight.

Amused of the bunny couple, Alexandre turned back to Lily. ”And the conditions would be?”

Lily straightened up. She straightened her shoulders and looked straight into his eyes.