This Crazy Rich Boy

If Claire is shocked at Claudia's behavior, she doesn't show it. Instead, she stands, graciously smiles, and gives Claudia an air kiss.

Claudia stands there, unsure of what to do. Then after a moment of hesitation, regathers her angst. "Answer me, you two," she hisses. "How on earth are you able to dine here, like God's own children, while I, who have been a good patron of this place, is being told to sod off?" Then she turns to Dale, who has been trying to buŧŧ in. "And don't you repeat to me that it's by order of top management! I'm not buying that shit!"

Claire doesn't lose her cool. She reaches out for Claudia's hand and squeezes it, as though they've been best friends forever. "Who says you can't dine here, Claudia? You're very much welcome to join us."

Claire gestures to a seat right next to Mary, who has been watching in silent horror as the scene unfolds.

Claudia hesitates for a moment, her rage drying up. Without a word, she takes the seat indicated, throwing Mary an icy glance.

Claire tells Dale the all-around concierge to tell the chef to add another diner for the lunch. Dale obsequiously makes a bow, as though Claire owns him heart and soul. As Dale leaves, Claire (as "Bella") says, "I'm glad you could join us for lunch, Claudia."

"I, uhh," Claudia begins, trying to find the right words. Right now she's confused: who is this Bella Xavier person, and why does she have this exclusive privilege at her favorite boutique hotel? Isn't she MERELY an executive ȧssistant, a glorified secretary? Something definitely doesn't add up. "Uhh, thanks, Bella. But I wonder, really, how you are able to pull this off. Did you inherit this building from some filthy rich uncle?"

Claire fake-laughs. "Oh no, I just have some special business arrangement with the building's owner." She smiles. "Let's just say I have a 'quid pro quo' sort of thing with him—he scratches my back, I'll scratch his."

Claudia's—and Mary's—brows knit in confusion. What kind of back scratching did it take to get this level of exclusivity?

"Bella offered to treat me to lunch, and I only happily accepted," Mary chirps, too cheerful for comfort. "And I was surprised, too, really. I didn't know Bella here, who has just started today, this morning in fact, could be so fabulous." Again, Mary titters, so nervous that her terror boss is now sitting just beside her in what moments before was a blissful lunch date.

"Hmmm," Claudia groans. "Let's see what this place still got after they seem to have been shuttered up."

Claire simply smiles and doesn't take the bait. A few minutes later, a server arrives, placing a plate for each of them containing a little strange-looking morsel of food. "Ladies," he says, "today's amuse-bouche is egg custard served straight out of an egg shell. Please enjoy."

Claire stares longingly at the food—it is the first time she has ever seen such a marvel. She has never ever eaten such a fine thing, being only on her second day at the Residence. Her stomach grumbles aggressively, as though it's commanding her to gobble up the entire table. Yet, she smiles and theatrically says, "Oh, it's my favorite! Egg custard! Served in an actual egg shell! I love how the chef makes this, it's superb!" She scoops it with a tiny teaspoon and takes a cute bite, yet it is enough for the heavenly flavors explode in her mouth.

Mary giggles. "Oh, my! An actual expensive egg custard!" Aping Claire, she also takes a cute bite, even though the rest of her face says she wants to put the whole thing in her mouth pronto! She closes her eyes in pure pŀėȧsurė.

Claudia frowns. She takes a scoop of her amuse-bouche and, to the chef's credit, some of the hard edges on her face actually softens as the food touches her tongue.

The empty shells of the amuse-bouche haven't turned cold yet when the server reappears, this time bringing something a bit more extravagant: "A plate of foie gras terrine decorated with gold leaf, ladies, for your utmost pŀėȧsurė," he says, as he carefully places each plate before them.

OH MY GOD, Claire's stomach jumps around in delight. Is this actual gold, like the jewelry, and are they eating it? For reals?

"Oh my God! Gold leaf!" Mary chirps, grabbing a fork. "I can't wait to see what comes out of me in the morning!"

"Shut up, Mary," Claudia snaps, red in the face. "Can't we have our lunch like civilized people?"

"I'm sorry, Miss Claudia," Mary mutters, although her other hand is still trying to make little stabs at the terrine.

Claire sighs. Maybe it's a mistake to bring Mary here, of all places. Especially now that Claudia's part of the regrettable equation. Didn't she just endanger their little cover? What if any of these two realizes who she really is, and what their boss, Gabriel Tan, is up to?

So many questions. But for the meantime, before them is a morsel of heavenly food. And it's only the second course.

About an hour later, just as they savor the last of the chef's decadent chocolate ganache dessert, Mary and Claudia seem to be still unready to go back to the office—you can see on their faces how exquisitely sated they are. Mary's even lightly scratching her belly. Claire tries to stop herself from grinning.

The chef reappears by their table. "Ladies, did you enjoy the humble meal we served you?"

"Humble meal?" Mary says. "That's the understatement of the century. Thank you, chef. After your meal, I think I can die happily now."

Claudia stares sharply at her, embarrassed. "Sorry, chef. And thank you. That was truly marvelous."

"Thank you, chef," Claire simply says. She stands up. She can't wait to be back at the office. She feels the longer Claudia and Mary stay here, the riskier it is. She stews in that realization—how stupid can she get? Why didn't she realize that at the start?

But at the main lobby exit, they bump into someone they didn't expect: Gabriel Tan, looking dapper and smart in his white suit.

"Oh, here you are, Claire!"

Although the sight of Gabriel has instantly turned both Claudia and Mary into fawning little girls, Claudia doesn't fail to catch the name. "Wait, did you just call her Claire?"

Gabriel chokes on realizing the mistake. "Uhh, no, I said, 'clear'. It's very clear now where I can find you at lunch." He sheepishly grins. "So, Bella, how's your first day?"

"Shut up, Gabriel! Quit the small talk!" Claire tries to tell Gabriel through her eyes. "I'm already in trouble as it is."

But Gabriel doesn't get it. "Did you ladies love the food here?"

"Oh, Gabriel," Claudia purrs. Claire takes mental note of the familiar way Claudia speaks to her boss. "You know I've always loved dining at Ritzi's. But I think they're not called by that name, anymore."

Gabriel shrugs. "Change in management. Maybe we'll put up a new name." Then to Claire. "I need you to stay. We'll hold a meeting right here at the Residence."

It takes Claire a moment to respond. "Okay, uhh, Mr. Tan, sir."

"Can I join the meeting?" Claudia says, squeezing Gabriel in the arm. "I'd love to present to you a new big partnership I'm on the verge of finalizing."

Claudia flashes the sweetest smile it could actually solidify into molasses.

"Present it to me later, at the office," Gabriel says. Then maybe he had too much on his mind, or maybe he isn't thinking straight, but he takes Claire's hand like a lover. "Let's go, Clai—I mean, Bella."

Claire freezes as she let him lead her: Gabriel's hand is so soft and warm—and this whole gesture is too revealing. She glances back and there's Claudia and Mary staring at them, their mouth hanging open, shocked and confused at this seeming closeness between the big boss and her new secretary.

It's nothing short of scandalous. And in her heart of hearts, there's going to be nasty gossip at the office.

Or worse.