As Hannah and Sheldon made their way toward the dining hall, they walked past a long corridor adorned with an impressive collection of family heirlooms. Each piece, whether purchased or gifted, held a rich history, passed down through the generations of the Salvador family.
The Salvador residence, once a grand palace belonging to their ancestors, was originally constructed during the 17th century when their family held royal status. Nestled in the heart of the eleven hectares that comprise the Salvador estate, it stood as a testament to the family's noble legacy.
Over the centuries, the mansion had been inherited by each new generation, each one contributing to its grandeur and preserving the legacy of their forebears. With careful restoration and a deep respect for its history, the Salvador family had maintained the palace's timeless beauty, ensuring it only grew more magnificent with age.
Today, it stands as a family heirloom, a symbol of the Salvador clan's enduring legacy, passed from one heir to the next, each new generation entrusted with its care and preservation.
When they finally made it to the dining hall, they found the table laden with a variety of delectable meals that were waiting for them.
Seeing her favorite dish on one of the many platters, Hannah excitedly sat in her seat, followed by Sheldon.
"It's a shame Shaine isn't feeling well. She loves this dish more than I do," Hannah said quietly, but Sheldon's hearing senses were sharp enough to hear her.
"Where is she, anyway? I haven't seen her ever since I got here," Sheldon wondered as he carefully sliced the steak on his plate into bite-size pieces, a habit he picked up from taking care of his kids.
"Arthur told me that she wasn't feeling well, so she locked herself in her room," Hannah explained.
Hearing this, Sheldon paused for a second, feeling slightly guilty for what he was about to say, before cautiously opening his mouth.
"Hannah... there's something I need to ask you, and I'm not sure how you're going to take it," he said, a slight edge of guilt creeping into his tone.
Hannah, ever the curious sibling, raised an eyebrow at his serious demeanor, pausing mid-bite as she looked at him expectantly.
"Come on, Shelly, you're making it sound like it's something big. Just say it already!" she urged, her expression a mix of amusement and curiosity.
She continued to enjoy the shrimp on her plate, savoring the taste while waiting for her brother to gather his thoughts. The silence stretched on for what felt like a lifetime, and just as she was about to say something more, she noticed the shift in the atmosphere. Sheldon seemed uneasy, and that made her feel a growing sense of unease too.
Finally, breaking the silence, she playfully teased, "Come on, Shelly, spill it. I can take it—just don't tell me you've got another woman pregnant, okay?"
But what Sheldon said next completely caught her off guard.
"I was hoping..." he began, his voice barely above a whisper, "that you could go and have lunch with the son of my business partner. You know, just... meet him. Get to know him a little."
Hannah blinked, her hand halting mid-air as she processed his request. Her mind reeled, and she set the shrimp down, her eyebrows furrowing.
"Wait, what?" she muttered in disbelief, her thoughts struggling to catch up with what she had just heard.
Sheldon sighed, looking down at his plate, clearly uncomfortable with the idea of putting her in this position.
"I know it sounds strange, but it's important for my business... and I thought it'd be a good idea for you to meet him. Just, you know, to get a feel for the situation."
"..."
"..."
Sheldon's words hung in the air like a weight, and for a long moment, neither of them spoke. They simply stared at each other, the silence stretching uncomfortably between them.
Even the maids, standing by the wall, seemed to hold their breath, as if afraid to make a sound and provoke the storm they knew was coming.
Hannah was the first to break the stillness, her voice laced with confusion and a hint of irritation.
"Wait, hold on. So, by 'getting to know him,' you mean... like a date?" Her brow furrowed as she tried to make sense of what her brother was suggesting, her tone making it clear she didn't like where this was going.
Sheldon sighed heavily, clearly knowing he wasn't going to get off easy. He gave a reluctant nod, his eyes meeting hers with a certain sadness.
"I know this is out of the blue, and I really didn't want to put you in this position," he began, his voice softer now, as if trying to smooth things over.
"But right now, I need your help. I'm working on a deal with this woman that could bring in forty-four billion dollars every month to the company," he explained, hoping his reasoning would make the request sound less outrageous.
"I can't afford to let this slip away, and she wants me to introduce you to her son. It's important for the partnership."
Hannah's expression soured even more, her lips pressing into a tight line. The idea of being set up on some kind of blind date didn't sit well with her, especially knowing it was for her brother's business.
She sat up straighter, her voice hardening. "So, you're asking me to go on a date with some random guy just to help with your business deal? Is that it?" Her eyes narrowed, a mix of frustration and disbelief clouding her gaze.
Sheldon sighed again, this time feeling the weight of his sister's reaction. "I wouldn't ask you if it wasn't important. I know you don't like this kind of thing, but—"
"But nothing, Sheldon!" Hannah cut him off, her patience running thin.
"You can't just pawn me off to some stranger just because you're chasing a deal. I'm not a pawn in your business games." Her voice was laced with anger, the kind of frustration that only a sibling could bring out.
Sheldon flinched, realizing how upset she was. "I'm sorry, Hanny. I never wanted to make you feel like that. I just need this to work out, and this is the best way to get it done."
But Hannah wasn't about to let it go that easily. "You could've gotten that deal in a way that doesn't involve using me like this," she muttered, turning away slightly, her annoyance palpable.
The tension hung between them as they both processed what had just been said, the weight of Sheldon's business ambitions now looming over their conversation.
"Hannah--" Sheldon tried to speak but was immediately cut off.
"Sounds to me like you're trying to sell me off, Sheldon,"
***🦋***
Author's Note
Uh-oh, looks like Sheldon's return and their dinner together aren't as innocent as they seemed! With a favor hanging over Hannah's head, it's clear that things are about to take a much more complicated turn. Sheldon's request for his sister to go on a date with the son of his business partner has definitely put a twist on their reunion. But here's the big question: Will Hannah agree to go along with it, despite her obvious frustration? Or will this cause a rift between them, leading to a heated argument?
The tension is building, and the real drama is just about to unfold. What will happen next? Will the siblings find common ground, or will this blind date set the stage for a much bigger confrontation?
If you're as curious as I am to find out how this all plays out, don't wait any longer! Keep turning the pages to dive into the next chapter—where the surprises are just beginning. Trust me, you won't want to miss it. Happy reading, sweetie!