Aberdeen City, Years ago
Inside a dimly-lit atmospheric bathroom, an exclusive scent lingered in the air. It was the women's powder room in a prestigious restaurant, with intricate metallic linings and baseboards, and exclusive marbles as expensive as a normal house.
Sandra looked at herself in front of the mirror, a triumphant gleam of victory filled her eyes as she stared at her reflection.
She felt… beautiful. And that she deserved the best.
Her long black hair was styled by an expensive stylist, cascading down in graceful waves. Her dress was made of red silk and lace that accentuated her curves, revealing just enough skin.
She did not want it to be so revealing that her gentle image would be compromised. However, it was still very sexy, showing just enough skin to entice but keep the mystery alive.
"I'm finally here." She whispered with a smile as she added a bit more color to her lips. She had finally nabbed her ideal man—a man near her age and relatively handsome, not like her previous men who only had money going for them!
It didn't matter that his eyes always lingered on other women, nor did it matter that he had many women out there. The fact was that she was his favorite and that she was likely to be the one to receive his proposal was all that mattered.
His marriage proposal! She would marry him and she would be the madame, and then her life would reach its peak!
The fact that she was invited in this exclusive restaurant—one where he would never take a woman to unless he was serious—was already a huge step forward.
She sauntered back out and joined him, imagining the most wonderful night.
"I'm having such fun, thank you for taking me here."
"Hmm."
"Did you taste this shrimp? It's amazing, I wonder how they did this."
"Hmm."
"I bought a new lingerie tonight, do you want to see?"
"Hmm."
If she didn't know that he was being absent-minded, then she was being stupid. However, she kept her smile and raised her head to ask him if he was having some trouble. After all, she was a good wife, and she wanted him to know he could confide in her—despite knowing full well he wasn't having any problems.
But as she looked at him, she realized that he was ogling shamelessly at another table—right when she was in front of him.
She frowned and pursed her lips. This was much more humiliating than just finding out he had been sleeping around even when he was dating her.
However, she didn't desperately study the high class for nothing. She remained calm and poised, though her eyes furtively turned to look around.
She soon saw that many other tables, men, and women, were staring in a particular direction. They weren't as blatant as her date, but one could see sincere admiration in their eyes.
Her eyebrows rose in curiosity and she followed their sights. But when her sights landed on what they were looking at, she almost dropped her spoon.
It was Althea and Garan, beautiful and handsome as if shining in their own light. She was wearing a simple but pretty light green off-shoulder dress, while he donned a bespoke suit with a matching undershirt.
What was most notable was their appearance, form, and temperament. It was simply not something wearing good clothes and make-up could emulate.
No matter how much she hated the sight, even Sandra could only admit they were a beautiful couple.
As if wanting to torture herself, Sandra couldn't help but look at them closer—especially that handsome man.
At this time, Garan was looking at Althea so dozingly. It was so obvious that Althea was the only person in his eyes. She suspected that even if a beautiful woman danced naked near him, his sights wouldn't leave Althea at all.
Then… Sandra turned and looked at the man she had been chasing the past year, giving her all, forgetting all of her pride just so he'd notice her above his other women.
Worse, he was also ogling obsessively at Althea!
Her eyes were glazed with darkness as she gripped on the soft fabric of her dress.
Unfair!
__________________
Altera Village, Present
The group seated on the largest table on the second floor. It was a carved round table that could easily seat 12 or 13 people. They sat according to their favorite friend, and they continued to chat even as they ordered.
"Here's the menu," The waiter said and handed them thin wooden planks with charcoal handwriting, locked with varnish.
The group was given three such menus and everyone looked at the menu nearest to them. They gulped at the familiar and unfamiliar names of food, and then froze at the price.
So affordable!
The restaurant back home cost them about 20 copper for bread and 15 for gruel. This was already affordable compared to the fallen territories many refugees have been to, but it was nothing next to what they were seeing!
The food here… one could get a full meal with meat with that money! With drinks!
One of the men—the chubbiest man—brightened and looked at the women. "It's my treat!" He said, and the three women clapped their hands, giggling. Especially Ramona.
"Amazing…" Ramona said, smiling. "It's admirable that you can treat us like this!"
"It's fine." He said, smug. "I have plenty of money, and I can easily make the money I lose in half the time."
Ramona looked awed and admiring and the guy looked even more smug.
They ordered pretty much everything to taste, and they felt like all their stomach worms were already dancing in their stomachs. "Hurry up please!" They told the waiter, who smiled amicably and said he'd do his best.
As they waited for their order, the small group and guide naturally got acquainted with each other.
"You're planning on creating a caravan?" Ramona asked the chubby man, blinking more frequently than usual.
Sandra remained poised as she drank the tea, which was wonderful to taste. Her movements were also closely watched by a few men and received the rolled eyes of another Vismont woman.
"Yes, I used to be a businessman and I had managed to get some capital back in Terran." The Vismont man said with a seductive grin. Ramona seemed interested and leaned a bit closer.
Sandra on the other hand was much less interested. After all, she had already snagged one of the more powerful men in the territory, how could she be interested in these small fries?
However, this didn't stop her gentle smiles and demure placing of her hair behind her ears.
Seeing the two women flirting with the strangers, Spike and Ron frowned. They were hired by the men of these two women, what were they supposed to do here?
It was around this time the waiters served them their food and the four viand meals, side, and soup almost made them drool.
Each meal was all plated very creatively, each with a unique aroma that seduced their stomachs. When they placed a bite onto their tongues, it felt even more sublime. No one spoke as they ate and just focused on eating their food.
It was the best meal they ever had…
No wonder the line was so long.
The caravan guy ordered more food and paid the bill, for takeaway.
They headed out of the room with full stomachs and satisfied souls.
They were in a very good mood. Especially Ramona and Sandra, who not only got to eat their fill for free but were also doted on by many men.
However, their good mood dropped a bit when they saw a familiar figure as they headed downstairs. The old man was speaking amicably with the people from the other table.
The two women froze while the two men beside them brightened. Ron smiled and walked to the old acquaintance. "Harold!"
"Ron." The old man smiled, and shook hands with him and Spike.
"How are you?"
"Fine. I work well here, I handle the food here."
"Stop being a humble old man." The guide smiled. And then he turned to look at them. "He's a part owner."
Harold coughed and shook his hand. He was quite shy, "No, no, Ms. Althea was just kind enough to give me part ownership."
The guide, Harold, Ron, and Spike laughed, chatting a bit about this and that. However, the sentence about ownership echoed in the heads of two particular women, and it took them a while to react.
"They own this place?!" Ramona exclaimed while Sandra frowned perceptively.
Harold blinked at the explosion, shaking his head humbly. "The majority owner is Ms. Althea, she did all the investment."
Ron and Spike sparkled in admiration, recalling the cool pregnant woman who pretty much saved their lives. "Ms. Althea is really amazing…"
"Yes, yes." Harold said, "She's the best."
Even the guide beside them gushed, "A goddess, that's what she is."
Every word of gushing gritted on the women's bones.
Not to mention… they saw the popularity and the number of people. Calculating all these dishes bought, they could only imagine how much money could the restaurant made every day!
And they called Althea their boss?!
How could the world be so unfair?!