The Mysterious Chairman Keith

Chapter 29

A LIGHT GESTURE 

“Ladies are not always fast with things…” Manuel said, already sitting at the dining table, waiting. 

A maid walked over to him, “you have a date, sir?” 

Though, she immediately bent her head over after saying it. 

Manuel wasn't surprised at her reaction, the servants always treated him like a very big figure, even though he was. 

“Uhm, not really, it's just dinner…” he said finally after thinking it through. 

He didn't know if he should call dinner with Laura a date yet. To him, that was too far. 

The maid nodded and smiled at her, while walking away with her head still bent over. 

Manuel stood and looked over the hallway and there was no sign of Laura yet. He tapped his foot gently.

“Patience Manuel…” he said to himself, while tapping his fingers on the table repeatedly. 

In no time, Laura showed up calmly, but Manuel didn't know. 

She coughed to draw his attention, “did I waste so much time??” 

Her voice sounded so soft in Manuel's ears and he couldn't help but look. 

When he raised his head, the sight that beheld him left him speechless. 

He forgot to breathe for a second, he was lost completely. 

“What the…” the word hooked in his mouth, staring straight at her.

She was wearing a red body fitting gown that showed her shape and figures. This was the first time Manuel saw her lady figure well in a dress.

Laura stopped at the last step, suddenly aware of his stare. “What?” she asked, fingers brushing the side of her dress unconsciously.

“You’re stunning,” Manuel said plainly.

The word left his mouth before he could filter it.

Laura blinked as her cheeks went red. “You’re exaggerating.”

He rose from his seat slowly, eyes never leaving her. “Did you dress like this for me?”

Her lips parted in surprise. “Of course not,” she replied quickly, “I just changed because I didn’t want to look…” She stopped herself, embarrassed. “It’s nothing.”

Manuel crossed the distance between them. Laura barely had time to react before he gently took her hand. His thumb brushed her knuckles once, almost hesitantly, as if asking for permission.

Then he bent and pressed a light kiss there and it stunned her completely.

Laura froze, her heart pounding so loud in her chest. This was the first time anyone ever did that. Men usually were scared of her, scared of her aura and Manuel was the first to break her.

“Thank you for coming,” he said simply, withdrawing back to his seat, after taking the seat out for her.

She nodded, still a little dazed. “You’re welcome.”

They sat.

The dining table was well lighted and placed with different delicacies, and it looked as though they were having many guests.

The maids appeared almost immediately, placing dishes still on the table. Another was pouring wine and keeping different drinks ready for them according to Manuel's instructions. 

Laura noticed the way Manuel barely touched his glass, but didn't say anything yet. 

The maids looked at each other, but didn't dare say a word.

Soon, they were done serving everything and they withdrew back inside.

They ate for a few moments before Laura spoke. “The board meeting tomorrow… they’ll push back on the revised projections.”

Manuel nodded. “Let them. They’re afraid because they don’t understand the direction yet.”

She smiled faintly. “You’re unusually calm about it.”

“I’ve learned fear wastes energy,” he replied. “We’ll restructure the logistics arm first. It’ll force Nexagen’s hand.”

Laura leaned forward, interested. “You think Tommy will react?”

“He already is,” Manuel said. “Pressure doesn’t come without intent.”

Their conversation flowed easily. 

The familiar ground steadied Laura, but she noticed Manuel was growing quieter as the plates were cleared.

His gaze drifted toward the far end of the table, and Laura followed it.

“How’s your father today?” she asked gently, even though she went to the hospital with him.

Manuel’s jaw tightened. “Stable,” he said, then corrected himself. “That’s what they call it. It's just a matter of time.”

Laura pushed her chair back and stood. She walked around the table and stopped beside him.

Manuel didn’t look up.

“They say time heals,” he continued quietly. “But time is what’s killing him.”

Laura placed a hand on his shoulder.

The contact was magical and it looked as though it shifted something in her.

Manuel inhaled sharply, then finally looked at her. 

“I should have protected him better,” he said.

Laura shook her head. “You didn’t poison him. You’re fighting to save him. That matters.”

He searched her face, as if looking for something solid enough to hold onto.

Then he smiled. “Thank you.”

She squeezed his shoulder once more before stepping back.

“I should get back to my study,” Manuel added after a pause. “There’s research I need to finish tonight.”

Laura nodded. “Don’t stay up too late.”

He hesitated. “Good night, Laura.”

“Good night, Manuel.”

Laura watched him walk away, while she was still sitting, the plates staring at her.

After like two hours, Laura went to look for him and she knocked, she wanted to know how he was doing because she was feeling unsettled.

She stepped closer to the door. “Are you alive in there, or should I come back later?” She teased.

Manuel looked up and then went to open the door. “You’re safe. For now.”

She laughed softly and then she took a chair close by. “Thanks for dinner, I didn't get to say that.”

Manuel smiled, “I should say that…” 

She leaned closely. “You’ve been… different lately.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Different how?”

Laura shrugged. “You are calmer and more focused now. Like you’re always five steps ahead of the room.”

He leaned back, studying her. “Is that a complaint?”

“No,” she said quickly, then paused. “Just an observation.”

“I'll accept that as a compliment then.” Manuel said, staring at her. 

She nodded with a smile, “that's much better.”

Soon, she stood to leave but she hesitated. “Just… Don't burn yourself out, okay?”

Manuel nodded, a smirk spreading across his face.