The one and the Only (Nathan Cross) novel Chapter 9

Chapter 9 Phoenixia

Thomas Dunn’s unctuous expression took a pause as his face turned beet-red with flaring nostrils the moment he heard those words from Nathan!

He turned and glared at the security supervisor and his men, “What a bunch of idiots! You are all fired, scram!”

He sacked them on the spot and chased them away immediately.

He then turned to Nathan and resumed his fawning smile, “Please follow me, Sir.”

Nathan glimpsed at his bare feet and reminded him, “You’d better put on your shoes first.”

Thomas Dunn was dazed when he lowered his eyes and saw his two bare feet. He realized with a pang that he had completely forgotten about his shoes when he rushed out in a frenzy.

His secretary came over and squatted down to help him put on his shoes.

Thomas Dunn slipped back into his shoes and stifled an awkward grin before he invited Nathan into the restaurant, “Sir, this way, please.”

After a comical encounter, Nathan and company finally stepped into Cloud Palace.

As if they were stepping into a real palace, they were awed by its interior, which was exquisitely furnished and exuberantly lavish.

“Please come this way, Sir. This is our best VIP room.” Thomas Dunn led them to a large room.

Leah fidgeted and suggested, “Why don’t we just dine in the main hall? Let’s skip the VIP room.”

She knew that it would cost much more to dine in a VIP room. It was the unwritten rule in every entertainment or dining outlet.

The lush decor of this place made the palaces she had seen on television pale in comparison.

Fearing that they might not have been able to pay for the bill, Leah suggested skipping the VIP room.

“So my mother-in-law doesn’t like to dine in a VIP room,” Nathan relayed her suggestion to Thomas Dunn.

“Oh, I see. Do you like a more cozy feel? Let’s sit in the main hall then. I’ll get you a table by the window so that you can enjoy the view as well.” Thomas Dunn presented them a gummy smile.

“That would be fine,” Nathan agreed.

So they tucked in at a table near the window while Thomas Dunn asked for the menu from his captain. He would personally take their orders.

Penny and the rest held their breath as they saw the prices on the menu.

Wagyu beef at eight thousand per pound, caviar at thirty grand per pound, bluefin tuna at nine thousand per pound...

As if he was sitting on a boiling cauldron, Benson was about to eject from his seat in fear, “These are way too costly for folks like us. There’s no way that we can afford it. We shouldn’t stay any longer, let’s leave now.”

“Wait, don’t be alarmed by the prices.” Thomas Dunn explained, “How could I let you pay a single cent for the meal? Don’t you see what it means to me to have Mr. Cross and his family dine in my restaurant? It’s an honor that no money can buy.”

“Mr. and Mrs. Smith, you’ll never have to spend a single dime to dine here for the rest of your life.”

“Just take this to be your house. Come and dine whenever you feel like it. There’s no need for the formalities with me, please.”

Are you kidding?

Free for the rest of our lives?

Benson and Leah exchanged a stupefied glance with one another, their mouths hanging wide open as if they had been gagged by an invisible cloth.

“Dad, Nathan has a very good relationship with Mr. Dunn, that’s why...” Penny struggled to make them understand.

Nathan jumped in and explained, “Thomas used to be my subordinate, that’s why he treats us like his family, there’s no need to feel uneasy about that.”

Thomas Dunn was almost moved to tears when he heard Nathan mention that he was like their family, “Yes, oh yes, that’s so true...” He quivered in his strident voice, “We are family. It was Mr. Cross who took pity on me when I was down and out. I wouldn’t be what I am today if not for Mr. Cross. Please make yourself comfortable, don’t stand on ceremony here.”

Despite his reassuring speech, the Smiths were still hesitant to order their food. Thomas Dunn took the liberty and ordered his captains to serve them the most sumptuous dishes of the restaurant, including lobsters, Wagyu beef, and more.

Thomas Dunn even ordered ice-cream and desserts for little princess Queenie.

To top it up, he opened up a bottle of grand Chateau Lafite, which could cost up to a hundred thousand grand per bottle.

Nathan lifted his drink and cleared his glass with Thomas Dunn. “I do not wish to be disturbed when I’m having a meal with my family. Do you get what I mean, Thomas?” he demanded.

Heated by wine, the Thomas Dunn’s face was flushed with ecstatic joy. The chance to have a drink with Nathan filled his heart to the brim with pride and satisfaction.

“Sure, I got it, Sir. I’ll leave you and your family to enjoy a quiet meal,” he replied while nodding with gratification.

After leaving the table, Thomas Dunn instructed Jack, his sidekick, to ensure that nobody would disturb Nathan and his company while they were enjoying their meal.

Penny and her family were served a succession of exquisite cuisines that would cost over three years of their combined income.

“What wonderful food we’re having here!” Queenie let out an elated mewl, “They all taste so yummy. Look, Papa, there’s even ice-cream. Don’t you think that they are better than what we saw at great grandpa’s banquet? I love you, Papa, you’re my hero.”