Page 16 of Shattered

“Can I bring you something to drink, Mr. Devera?” she asked as she leaned in to me, completely ignoring Sara.

Still never making eye contact with the brazen woman, I looked at Sara and said, “What would you like to drink, sweetheart?”

Sara blinked quickly before simply replying, “Unsweetened tea, please.”

Finally glancing up at the waitress, I said, “I’ll have what she’s having.”I smiled at the awe-struck woman, letting her know I was clearly taken by someone, and that someone definitely not being her.

Once we were alone again, I repeated my question.“What did you ask me before?”

I touched her leg under the table with my foot, pretending as if I was simply getting comfortable.But I saw what I’d done to her.She stumbled over her words, trying her best to right herself.

“I…uh…I asked you about your family.”

“What would you like to know?”

“You mentioned before you had a sister.Can you tell me a little more about her?”Her question was innocent enough, but it made me uncomfortable just the same.I never talked about my sister.It was too painful, her memory torturing yet comforting me from time to time.

I didn’t want to be rude, but I certainly wasn’t in the mood to discuss something as heavy as my late sister.“Maybe another time.”I couldn’t help but notice her look of disappointment.I knew she was trying to get to know me better, which was great, but there were some topics which were off-limits for the time being.“What else would you like to know?Ask away.”

Showing her I was open to talking about other things, she instantly relaxed and dove right in.“What about your parents?Are they still living?”

“No, they both passed on quite a few years ago.My father died when I was younger, much like your mother did.Unfortunately we have that in common.Losing a parent is never easy, especially when you’re young.They miss out on so many milestones, don’t they?”

She simply nodded.

“Anyway, my mother passed about twelve years ago.She’d gone in for a routine surgery and contracted an infection.It spread throughout her body, killing her three days later.”

“Oh, my God, Alek.I’m so sorry.”

I couldn’t hide the sad look in my eyes, allowing Sara to witness a small part of my sorrow, something I’d kept hidden from everyone else.“Thanks,” I simply said.“I think she gave up the will to live after my sister...” I trailed off, not even wanting to say the worddied.Once I took a much needed deep breath, I continued.“Thankfully, I was close to my grandfather, spending all my time with him and learning everything I could.He’d inherited his money from his father before him.But instead of doing what I did and opening up businesses, he gave a lot of it away to charities he was passionate about.He loved helping others, a trait I truly admired about him.”

Sara reached across the table again and grabbed my hand.“He sounded like a great man.”

“He was.”

Before we could continue our conversation, the waitress approached with our drinks.Placing them on the table in front of us, I saw her eyes land on our clasped hands, a look of displeasure written all over her face.

This woman needs a course in subtlety.

“Do you want to hear the specials today, Mr. Devera?” she asked as she pushed her tits out further into my personal space.I glanced over at Sara and saw the look on her face.She clearly didn’t like the woman.

This is good.Very good indeed.It means she cares.

“That won’t be necessary,” I answered.“Sara, what would you like to eat?”

“What’s good here?Do you have any recommendations?”Her gaze relaxed off our waitress and flew to her menu, intently searching for something to choose.

“The salmon is amazing, but they also make a mean filet mignon, if that’s what you are hungry for instead.But if you’re not sure, I can order for us both, if you like,” I offered.

She agreed with a nod.

After the waitress left, Sara surprised me with what came out of her mouth.I knew she didn’t particularly care for the woman, but I never expected her to say anything to me about it.

“I’m surprised our waitress actually left,” she said, her tone indicating obvious jealousy.

Again, this is very good.

“Why do you say that?” I asked, playing dumb.I wanted to hear what she’d say next.

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