Page 15 of The Payment

Chef Tony’s arrival provided a welcome distraction.The aroma of truffle-infused risotto filled the air.He frowned as he noticed her outfit.

“Madame, the black dress I laid out would complement this dish perfectly,” Tony ventured with an exaggerated wink.

“The sweats are fine, Tony,” Tatiana replied flatly.

Tony set down the plates with a flourish.The dish was a work of art.Each grain of Arborio rice was perfectly al dente, suspended in a creamy sauce that caught the light like silk.Seared sea scallops crowned the dish, their caramelized surfaces gleaming golden brown.Shavings of black truffle and micro herbs provided elegant decoration, while the aroma of seafood, butter, and earthy fungus created an intoxicating symphony.

“The 2015 Puligny-Montrachet pairs beautifully with this dish,” Jarek commented, watching as Tatiana took her first bite.

She merely grunted in response, but her closed eyes and the way her tongue darted out to catch a stray grain of rice spoke volumes.Each careful forkful was consumed with obvious pleasure, though she tried to hide it.

“Ah, young love,” Tony sighed dramatically.“Sometimes it needs...seasoning.”

“Believe me, I’d rather eat grass covered in mud,” she snickered.“For now, I prefer to taste the decadent seasoning of your dish, Tony.”

“Hardheadedness must run in this newly acquired family,” Tony sighed dramatically as he stomped back to the kitchen.“Please, just don’t choke on my food.I made a special effort to make it romantic, and watching the two of you sparring swords instead of sharing kisses is just disheartening.”

They ate in tense silence.Jarek watched Tatiana’s reflection in the dark windows, noting how she avoided his gaze.Still, he couldn’t help but smile as she scraped her plate clean, clearly savoring every last morsel despite her proclaimed preference for muddy grass.

“Tell me about your day,” he said as she set down her fork.

“I’d rather not.”

“Enough with the childish sulking,” Jarek cut in sharply.“What’s done is done.We can make this arrangement work, or I can make it considerably more difficult.Your choice.But we will share a bed, and we will work on creating an heir.You decide if that happens with tenderness or...otherwise.”

Tatiana's eyes flashed.“Do you rehearse these villainous speeches in the mirror?”

“Only on Tuesdays,” he shot back.“The rest of the week I’m too busy being despicable.”

“How efficient of you to multitask.Though I suggest you dedicate more time to your villainous pursuits.Your current performance lacks imagination.”

His lips twitched.“Perhaps I should hire you as my evil consultant?Your creative insults suggest untapped potential.”

“Sorry, my rates for assholes are astronomical.”She took a deliberate sip of wine.“You couldn’t afford me.”

“I already own you, dear wife.”His voice remained velvet-soft, but the words carried steel.

“You own a signature on paper.”Her smile was razor sharp.“My mind and soul remain distinctly outside your portfolio.”

“For now.”He leaned back, projecting casual confidence.“Five years is a long time.”

“Long enough to perfect the art of murderous thoughts.”She batted her eyelashes.“I’m considering writing a book on creative ways to dispose of unwanted husbands.”

“I’ll happily provide a foreword.”His chuckle only seemed to infuriate her more.

“I’d rather have you provide a practical example.”

Tony’s arrival with the main course interrupted their exchange.He set down plates of perfectly seared duck breast with a cherry reduction in movements sharp with annoyance.

“Madonna Santa!Your conversation is making my crème Brulé curdle in the kitchen.Please, for the love of good food, stop trying to verbally murder each other and eat!”

The silence that followed him leaving was broken only by the quiet sounds of cutlery.Jarek noticed how Tatiana’s shoulders gradually relaxed as she focused on the meal.

“Shall we try again?How was your day?”

He watched her lips tighten perceptively as she glanced at him.The credit for her resistance softening could only be credited to Tony’s delightful meal.

“We signed a national distribution deal with Vitro Manufacturing.”Her entire demeanor transformed as she detailed the negotiations.Her eyes sparkled while she gestured animatedly as she outlined projected numbers.

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