The Chrysalis Project - Chapter 19

We both pretty much sat there in silence while we were trying to eat our food. It really wasn’t that I didn’t feel like talking, but I just didn’t know how to bring up anything else that would make myself less embarrassing in front of him. Hayden certainly didn’t seem to mind the silence though, he had mostly kept to himself and seemed to have understood the air between us, as strange as that sounded.

I guess he just won’t talk unless I initiate the conversation and it’s the best that way, otherwise I might not have known what to say or think. The only thing I can really think about was how embarrassing and clumsy and how pathetically under-educated on basic table manners I really was compared to him.

Now that I think about it, Hayden Whitehall really had it all – the support and foundation for all kinds of success since he was born into his wealthy family. He was probably taught how to behave and adapt, and how to handle every type of scenario with how a person of his class should act around others. Fine dining and every other upper class activity must come to him as second nature, but for someone like me who hasn’t been completely exposed to the elite culture, it really gave me anxiety knowing that nothing I was doing seemed to be on par with what he naturally understands.

And to that realisation, I sighed as I took in the last piece of the filet mignon into my mouth and relunctantly chewed.

“Food’s not good?” Hayden asked curiously, sounding concerned.

“No, it’s not that,” I sighed again, gently placing the silverware onto the plate, “I just feel so out of place, like I don’t belong here and I don’t fit with this type of environment.”

“I get that, but it just takes some practise and getting used to and I think everyone goes through this sometime in their life.”

“Yeah, but it’s different, like you’ve gone through it with your friends when you were young, but I’m going through this as a full adult by myself, and it’s just embarrassing,” I admitted, “I just feel so embarrassed and humiliated and it’s nobody’s fault but my own for not knowing basic etiquette.”

“How would you have known though?” Hayden asked, “I hardly think it’s anyone’s fault, including yours. I admit initially it was pretty funny, but you clearly are bothered by it and I apologize if I made you uncomfortable.”

“Don’t apologize, seriously.”

“Why not?”

“Initially you were mean and rude, but now you’re nice and supportive,” I added, “you’ve been nothing but helpful these past few days and I still don’t understand why you’re being so nice to me.”

“What are you trying to say?” he asked hesitantly.

“What I’m trying to say is that I don’t understand you, Hayden Whitehall. I still don’t understand how any of this benefits you at all. I don’t bring you any value compared to your elite friends, so why did you pick me?”

“Do you really want to know?” Hayden finally said as he stared directly at me, his tone completely serious.

“Yes, I’d really like to know so I can stop wondering, it’s killing me and I can’t help but to think that you’re just playing around like I’m a bet you have to win between your friends or whatever.”

“You’re thinking way too much, I’m not that cruel, or at least I don’t think I am that cruel,” he chuckled at the thought, “but if you really want to know, then I have a plan.”

“What kind of plan?” I asked, “and how does this plan tie in with your answer?”

“You’ll see what I mean in the end, just go along with it,” he smiled brightly and waved Francine over.

As our waitress approached with lightning speed, Hayden had instructed her to pack our desserts in take-out boxes. Francine nodded and quickly headed back into the direction of the kitchen, a couple of minutes later she came out with two nicely packaged giftboxes and placed them on the table. Hayden and I both thanked the waitress and he had stood up from the table, signalling at me that it was time to leave.

“So we’re not staying?” I asked.

“No,” he said as he swiftly picked up both small boxes, we’re ditching this fancy place and we’re going on an adventure.”

“What kind of adventure?” I said as I followed suit and stood up from my chair.

“One that you get to decide.”

“So, I get to decide where we are going after this?”

“Yeah, you said you were uncomfortable at fancy places, so take me to places where you feel comfortable and we’ll go from there,” Hayden said gladly.

“Um, alright?”

“You don’t sound confident, I’m worried now.”

“Well, it’s not that simple, I’m not much of a nightlife person so I rarely do anything outside, especially at night.”

“Then take me to places where you would go during the day,” Hayden concluded.

“Are you sure? I don’t really go out,” I said wearily.

“Yeah, why not? It’ll be fun, plus the night is still young and it’s still the weekend,” he shrugged.

“Fine, but I’m taking you to these places because I’m assuming you’ve never been to them,” I blurted.

“I probably haven’t,” Hayden laughed, “I’ll admit I mostly just hang out with my friends at private places and fancy places like Marin, so not as lavish or scandalous as how TV shows portray rich young people.”

“Not even a little?” I said dissappointed.

“Maybe, certainly when I was younger, but not anymore. I’m a changed man, but that doesn’t mean I’ve experienced a lot of commoner stuff.”

“Right, not really fun to just visit the city alone on commoner things like us peasants, I understand.”

“When you put it that way it sounds awful, god,” Hayden said regretfully.

“Just teasing you,” I smirked.

“Enough teasing and more action, ladies first,” he said as he gestured me to follow the exit.

“Okay, but shouldn’t we pay first?” I asked.

“Our family comes here a lot so they know to just add the charge, so there’s no need to actually pay when we leave,” he explained.

“Oh,” I said, “of course.”

“Again, I know that sounds obnoxious but it’s just the way it is,” Hayden sighed.

“Right,” I raised my tone, teasing him again as I walked out of the restaurant, Hayden followed closely behind and scoffed at my response. The waiter stationed at the entrace of Marin had bid us farewell and we were on our way.

“I can’t wait for what you’re going to show me,” he said excitedly.

“I’ll try,” I laughed.

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