Baldwin's Mansion
Savannah was torn between entering the room or lingering at the door to observe the unfolding scene. "Ms. Miller," a voice called out, and she spotted Arthur beckoning her from the corner. "You're right on time, come," he signaled for her to join the gathering. As she made her way inside, the door closed behind her, and she found herself standing by a chair, taking in the scene with a more focused gaze.
The dining area was incredibly spacious, with a grand wooden table at its center adorned with what appeared to be luxurious dishes from around the world. The sheer extravagance of it all was overwhelming, as Savannah knew she couldn't even dream of affording a taste of everything laid out before her. The soft glow of the candles added a touch of romance to the scene, while the dim lighting further heightened the sense of romance in the air.
Modernity meets extravagance in this dining room bathed in an ethereal, golden glow. An Empire dining table dominates its center, a contemporary masterpiece that commands attention effortlessly.
"Please, have a seat," a voice said. As Savannah looked around the room, she suddenly felt a presence behind her. Turning around, she found herself locking eyes with Blaze, who was now dressed in a different outfit. She couldn't help but notice how handsome he looked, but she kept that thought to herself.
To her surprise, he pulled out a chair for her, and she couldn't help but feel a bit flustered as she thanked him and took a seat.
Savannah waited for him to take his seat, but no one moved. A flicker of confusion crossed her face as she turned—only to find him still standing behind her, one hand wrapped tightly around the back of the chair. Their eyes met again, and this time she noticed the way the tension in his jaw sharpened the angles of his face—it suited him in a way that felt deliberate, almost guarded. Something unspoken passed between them in that moment, something neither was ready to name. Then, without a word, he broke the gaze and walked away, choosing a seat at a quiet distance, as if space might settle what the silence could not.
He picked up a knife and fork, and Savannah inquired, "Mr. Baldwin, you wanted to talk?" He gazed at her while still holding his cutlery, "We can discuss it later, Ms. Miller. I know you're hungry, so please start eating."
It seemed like he understood her needs as well. "I'll take my leave," Arthur said with a bow and vanished behind the wooden doors, making sure to close them behind him. This left Blaze and Savannah alone in the quiet room, the soft clink of silverware filling the space between them.
After almost five minutes, Savannah was still undecided about what to eat. She had assumed that Arthur's message from last night would be the usual casual chat about his father, but she hadn't realized it would include a lavish feast. The array of dishes in front of her was the cherry on top of her confusion.
"Let me help you," Blaze said gently.
Savanna looked up, startled by his voice. About to refuse but the words hovered on her lips—I'm fine, really—but before she could refuse, he was already rising from his seat and walking toward her.
Had he been watching her this whole time?
The thought flickered through her mind, unsettling and oddly comforting all at once. Her eyes drifted to his plate—still full, untouched. He hadn't eaten a single bite. Something about that struck her.
"May I?" Blaze asked politely before pulling a chair closer to Savannah.
She nodded in agreement, and he took a seat. Rolling up his white shirt's sleeves, he scanned the dining table as if searching for something. Finally, he picked up a plate filled with what appeared to be crab and placed it between them.
She looked at him with confusion, but he was too focused to notice. After finding what he was looking for - a pair of hand gloves - he put them on and expertly began to crack open the crab, using a twisting motion to extract the meat from the legs and claws. With skillful precision, he then broke open the body to reveal even more succulent meat inside.
After carefully extracting the inner meat, he gazed at her.
As he placed the succulent piece on her plate, he urged her to try it. After a few moments of contemplation, she indulged and savored the flavor. Her impressed expression prompted a rare smile from Blaze, transforming his handsome face even more.
Blaze watched her take the first bite, his eyes quietly studying her reaction.
"How's the crab?" A hint of anticipation in his voice.
Savanna looked up at him, her face lighting up almost instantly. "Too good," she said, the excitement written all over her features and echoed in the warmth of her voice. "Seriously, I've never had anything like this."
He gave a small nod, as though quietly satisfied with her response.
She turned her attention back to the crab, savoring each bite with growing enthusiasm inside. The rich, sweet flavor of the meat was unlike anything she'd tasted before—succulent and tender, with just the right balance of brine and butter. She was so caught up in the experience that she didn't notice it at first.
But after a while, between bites, something tugged at her attention.
Blaze hadn't moved.
He was still seated right beside her, quiet and still. He wasn't eating—just watching her. Not in a way that felt strange or unsettling, but with a quiet sort of focus, like he was more interested in her reaction than in the food itself.
She glanced at him, then back at his untouched plate across the table. "Aren't you going to eat?" she asked, the question gentle but edged with concern.
Blaze met her gaze. "I will," he said after a moment. "But right now, I'd rather make sure you're enjoying it."
Before she could respond, he reached for the crab and began to extract the meat, his movements practiced and deliberate. He placed a piece on her plate without a word.
She paused, then spoke quietly. "I can do it now. You don't have to."
But he didn't stop. "Let me do it, Savanna. You just eat."
She studied him for a moment. "But you haven't eaten anything yet. You should too."
"I can eat later," he said simply and gently, and continued working.
Savannah felt bad but there was something disarming about his calm presence. He wasn't being performative or trying to impress her—he was just... attentive. Unhurried.
"It's king crab, if you were wondering," he added getting her attention back from her thoughts, not looking up. "That's why it tastes a little different."
She nodded slowly. "That explains it. Can you tell me more about it?"
He finally glanced her way, and for the first time since they sat down, a real smile formed on his face—quiet, but unmistakably warm. Then he began to explain, voice low and even, speaking with the ease of someone who knew what he was talking about but didn't need to prove it.
And in that moment, he smiled again.
Both times, it suited him far too well.
Author's Note:
Thankyou for reading. Do let me know your thoughts<3 and please use power stones if you can <3
Good night