Amanah entered the restaurant, her stride seductive and her royal air on full display. She was letting all the diners know that she was a future queen. These humans didn't know the power she wielded. That was fine. Soon, that would change.
She hid a smirk at the looks of interest from the male diners as she followed the hostess to her table. Some got into trouble with their female companions. That's right, human females, hide your males. I will happily gain new toys.
She spotted Romeo, a predatory smile gracing her face when he stood. He pulled out a chair for her. She didn't disguise the lust she felt for him. Time to reel in her future consort.
"Hello, Romeo," she purred, her eyes following his every move.
"Good evening, Amy, and welcome to tonight's dinner," he said and returned to his seat.
"I'm so glad to be here. I couldn't wait to have a meal with you," she gushed, reaching over to caress his arm.
He moved his arm away from her fingers, and she hid a frown. How dare he act repulsed by her?
He stared at the entrance and said, "I wonder where Sera is? She normally isn't late. That's something I like about her, her punctuality."
Amanah snarled inwardly. He dared mention her sister in that doting tone when she was sitting next to him?
"Who knows? Maybe my little sister got cold feet and decided not to come," retorted Amanah and shrugged. Who cared anyway? He needed to focus on her, not her twin.
"That's fine. I know Sera gets anxious easily. We can wait a few more minutes before ordering an appetizer."
A flash of irritation crossed Amanah's face before she smoothed out her expression. It wouldn't do for him to see her jealousy. She couldn't stand the fact that her sister seemed to have him wrapped around her finger. He was her prey. The sooner he learned that, the better.
They sat in silence, sipping their drinks. Amanah kept her gaze locked on Romeo. He suddenly smiled, and she decided to engage him in conversation.
"So, I heard that I'm moving up the ranks. Pretty soon, you'll have to worry about me for competition," she bragged. Of course, she wasn't the one doing the work, which would be Serenah. But hey, who cared? It was the weak and useless who had to make the powerful look good.
Romeo nodded, and she continued talking about her minions and her plans for the upcoming semester's dances.
Her speech was interrupted by her phone's notification ringtone going off. She glanced down at the message from her minion stationed outside.
Your sister just arrived.
Damnit! Now Romeo's focus would be split. She glanced up when her twin sense let her know Serenah was near. Amanah got a glimpse of the dress and stifled her laugh. A malicious happiness bubbled inside her heart. Lady Lilian had outdone herself.
Serenah was dressed in an ugly, flowing, lime green dress with puffy sleeves and frills. Her hair was braided into pigtails to make her appear like a child playing dress-up. Compared to Amanah's mature, elegant look, her sister looked like a foolish, uncultured child.
Amanah pouted when Romeo jumped up, went around the table, and pulled out the other chair for Serenah.
"Sera," he greeted her, his voice soft.
Serenah flinched and sat. Romeo stroked her back and returned to his seat. Amanah wanted to curse him. He should be touching her like that, not her sister! Amanah heard the other diners whispering about her sister. None of them was kind. Happiness surged in her at this development.
Once Romeo realized that her sister could do nothing for his reputation, he would cast her aside. She would swoop in and claim her prey then.
In her sweetest voice, Amanah spoke, "Tsk, tsk, Sera. Why are you so late? We almost started without you." She didn't give her twin a chance to respond before continuing, her words jabbing at Serenah's self-esteem. "And what is up with your hideous dress? You're not some elementary kid. You should know how to dress for this kind of place."
Serenah raised her head, her gaze going to Amanah, her face flushed in embarrassment. "Sorry," she stammered, her gaze again dropping to the table.
An uncomfortable silence fell. Romeo signaled for the waitress. He quickly ordered some appetizers. Amanah didn't say anything. She let the silence eat at her twin. The longer it continued, the more Serenah would shrivel up and reveal her unsuitableness.
Unsurprisingly, Romeo broke the silence. "While we wait on our food, I have something for both of you."
Amanah frowned at his wording. She was hoping that he would only bring a gift for her. She would have to tolerate it. Her gift was bound to be better anyway.
Romeo reached under the table and brought out two long boxes. Each box had a different colored ribbon on it. He handed the one with a purple ribbon to Serenah. To Amanah, he handed the box with the black ribbon.
Amanah frowned. On Earth, the color black was associated with death, darkness, and ominous things. Was Romeo trying to say he wished her ill? Was he saying she was ominous? Irritation rose, sharp and biting at her assumption of the ribbon's meaning.
She was miffed that he gave Serenah a purple ribbon. On Earth, the color purple was tied to royalty, luxury, and power. That was laughable. All those things her twin lacked.
"Go ahead, you can open it," Romeo urged.
Serenah opened her first and gasped. Amanah saw that a red rose was inside the box. She knew that roses were used as symbols of love and passion.
Not wasting any time, Amanah slid the ribbon off her box and opened it. Inside was a sunflower. She frowned. She didn't know the meaning behind this Earth flower. She grabbed her phone and did a quick search. She saw the meaning, her hand gripping her phone so hard that the screen cracked from her rage.
How dare he give her such a flower! She glared at Romeo, who looked at her nonchalantly. "Do you like your gift?"
"Is this flower meant to be an answer?" demanded Amanah.
"It is. The flowers represent my feelings toward you. Your father asked for this dinner date and the stipulation that I make a choice. The flowers are my answer to his demand," Romeo explained.
"You dare reject me?" hissed Amanah. She swept out her hand, knocked the box to the floor, and surged to her feet. "You will pay for this! You've made the wrong choice tonight!"
"No, I made the right choice. You just don't want to accept it."
She gritted her teeth at his calm expression. He dared humiliate her! She was a crown princess. No one would treat her this way. She glared at Serenah, who stared at her wide-eyed, mouth agape.
"You, too, little sister. You'll regret this!" She had a moment of satisfaction at her sister's fear. She glared one last time at the pair before leaving the restaurant in a fury.
Outside sat her car. She got in, slammed the door, and snapped, "Take me home now!"
The driver said nothing as he started the car. Amanah sat in the backseat, stewing. She needed to make sure Serenah bled for ruining her plans. She couldn't wait to tell her father about the dinner. She grinned at the thought of the punishment Serenah would get. Yes, she couldn't wait to hear her sister's screams.