Chapter 3: A Taste of Gold

    Oliver didn't look back at his brother and head straight to the table that was prepared for him. He look at Herald who is following behind him. 

‘Should I ask him if he wants to sit with the same table as me? Or should I ask for another table for him to sit at?’

He shook his head and remember that Herald never dine with him even for once. Why? Herald is the type of person that won’t do anything if he wasn’t asked to do it. Oliver is not the type of person who will ask about other’s feeling. Since childhood, Oliver never had the chance to feel that others are wishing good for him. He never had the situation in his life on where somebody ask his condition nor ask his opinion. That may be one of the many reasons why Oliver never ask others about their feelings and thoughts. He won’t know it unless people convey their feelings or thought. 

Oliver sat in the chair that looks comfortable and expensive. Still, that seat is not comparable to the one he have in his office.  Herald is still standing beside him. If his memory he have serves him right, Oliver will always give a takeout food for Herald whenever he have the chance to. He will always say that it is his left over but every time Herald open the food, it would always be the one that looks as if it is newly bought. 

Herald knew very well that Oliver is the type of person that treat people the same way. He never give specialty to someone nor show any favoritism. Still, whenever he have the chance to, he will help others without that person knowing it. Those simple gestures makes Herald’s respect to Oliver grow and grow until he didn’t notice that he is looking up and idolizing Oliver. 

“It is not fun to dine alone. Would you mind joining me? Herald?”

It is the first time that Oliver ever invited him in something. All this time he will just instruct him about what he should do or what he shouldn’t. This is also the very first time that Oliver ask someone to accompany him while dining his meal.

Due to the shock, tilting is the only thing that Herald can do. 

‘How cute.’ Oliver thought as Herald reminds him of the he little puppy he saw when he was a child.   

*Flashback*

A little boy is walking in the neighborhood. With a big pile of newspapers in his hand, he saw a little puppy not far from the sidewalk.

“Hello little puppy.” He said after bending his knee to see the dirty white puppy. It have a small collar in its neck. He saw it and realized that the puppy have owner. 

“Are you lost?” he asked but instead of barking, the puppy tilted making him get amazed. 

“Wah, do you understand me?” he excitedly asked as if the puppy can really understand him. The puppy let out its tongue and wag his tail. The little boy pet its fur and smiled. 

“You know, I want to bring you back in the orphanage but you already have your owner…”

They played but soon after, the owner of the puppy came looking for him. The puppy with a white fur rush and jump as it see its owner. The little boy smiled bitterly. He wants to play with the puppy some more but it is now gone. Its real owner took him back. Even so, he is happy for the puppy. At least, the puppy have a place it could called home and it has an owner who cares for him. 

‘Unlike me… who do not have any parents nor place I can call as my home. Puppy… you are lucky. I am happy for you.’

*End of Flashback*

He didn’t notice that he zone out after remembering the puppy he saw back then. A hand wave in front of Oliver’s eyes. The owner of that hand is none other than Herald. After finally catching Oliver’s attention, he gestures his hand with an ‘okay’ sign or the thumbs up hand gesture. Oliver look sideways and laugh. Herald’s face frown as he saw that Oliver laughs at him. 

“Pfftt, hahaha. I’m sorry… you look…” after looking at Herald, Oliver can’t finish his words. 

‘What a bully.’ That is the face that Herald is creating. Oliver can’t help but feel bad for him. 

“There, sit down and join me in this meal.”

Herald shook his head as he find it not good to dine with his master. A servant isn’t fit to join the one they are serving to a meal, let alone sit with them in the same table. 

“Alright. Sit in the table beside this.”

This time, Oliver is the one who points the table that is placed beside him. He then gave Herald a thumbs up with a poker face. Herald on the other hand didn’t want to disobey Oliver. That is why he sat in the chair that Oliver pointed without any complain. 

“Give us all the best foods you have.” 

‘Why is he doing that? Is he mad at me? Surely, he won’t be firing me right after this…’

Herald thought as if he is letting him eat since it is his last day on work. He didn’t mean to look at him as if he is a bully a while ago. Herald thought that he was mad at him because of that.

Looking at Herald’s face, Oliver saw a figure of a worried puppy. Herald saw Oliver smile. He gulp as he find his smile odd. ‘Is he not satisfied with this place?? Is he mad because he met his younger brother? Sir Oliver, I really don’t know what is going on in your mind.’ He thought.

‘How cute, if I recall it correctly, he is not far from the age of Marco. Herald is someone that is nice to be friend with. I wonder if they can be good friends in the future.’ 

Thinking back, he never saw anyone approach Marco with no other objectives. He may not be with his brother 24/7, they may not be close and have a bad relationship due too them being half brothers, but oliver do get information about his brother. Especially if that have concerns with the people around him. What is the reason? Oliver didn’t have the chance to think about that as he saw the waiter from a while ago approaching him.

The food was served based on Oliver’s order a while ago. All the dishes are among the best sellers of the restaurant. There are steak, pork ribs, teriyaki, sushi, pasta, macarons, salad, and many more. Those food that Oliver never experienced being served in front of him in his whole life. Even the original Oliver doesn’t have such memory of having a feast. Maybe, the reason is because for Oliver, there is no occasion worth celebrating for. His birth, no one even remembers his own birthday. He just celebrate it just like any other day. His graduation, only some classmates gave their greetings. He did congratulated by others but that is because they are the teachers and principal. 

Rubbing the tips of his right thumb and middle finger, Herald notice it and open his mouth. He then close it and type something in his phone.

[Are you okay? Is the food not your liking?]     

Herald showed it to Oliver who smiled and shook his head. “No, I am just lost in my thoughts.” 

He looked back at the food that is elegantly organized in his table and so do Herald. “Let’s eat.”

With that, Oliver took the liberty of enjoying that meal. He first took a bite in the steak. The flavor and the meat texture… he close his eyes and smile.

“That is the best among the best, Sir. Do you like it?”

The waiter asked as he pour a wine in Oliver’s glass. He nodded.

“I like it. Good Job.”

The waiter smiled and nod. Oliver wipe the sauce in his lips. Even if he said that he likes the food, the likings is far beyond the word itself. The taste is something that seems so impossible. 

Oliver is enjoying his meal and so do Herald. Everything is nice, not until a notification flooded Herald’s face. He looked at Oliver with a worried face. Before even having the chance  to ask what is the problem, Oliver received an email coming from his secretary. That email made Oliver choke the food he is eating.