Chapter 9. Breakfast & Benjamin Anderson

Harper asked Rachel to drink the chamomile tea on the table while she's going to take a bath, and while waiting for Harper to take a bath, Rachel slowly sipped her tea. She doesn't have any intention to call either Jonathan or Sophia; both of them are going to tell their mother, and problems can arise from there. Her mother has been calling her since she's coming to Los Angeles, but she hasn't accepted her call and is focusing on the audition process.

She didn't know how much time had already passed while drinking her tea; the fragrance of freshly brewed chamomile tea was filling the air. The delicate, floral aroma of the chamomile blossoms wafted through the room, instantly evoking a sense of calmness and tranquility.

Rachel cradled the warm ceramic mug in her hands, feeling the soothing heat seep into her palms. She brought the cup to her lips and took a careful sip, allowing the liquid to gently coat her tongue. The flavor of the chamomile was subtly sweet, with a pleasantly earthy undertone that was both comforting and rejuvenating.

As Rachel savored the chamomile tea, the tension in her shoulders began to melt away. The tea's calming aroma and gentle warmth soothed her nerves and quieted the whirlwind of thoughts swirling in her mind. With each sip, her mind became clearer, as if the chamomile was gently coaxing her worries to the surface and then releasing them.

Harper emerged from the bathroom, her hair wrapped in a towel and a grey loose shirt paired with red shorts framing her slender figure. She smiled warmly at Rachel and said, "penny for your thoughts?"

Rachel looked up from her teacup and said, "Just thinking about today."

Harper sat on the chair in front of Rachel inside the kitchen area and said, "I called Dylan while you were in the bath. She's going to help us and send her friend tomorrow."

Rachel's eyes widened. "Really?"

Just as Harper was about to answer, her phone vibrated with a text message. "It's Dylan; wait a minute," she said.

Inside the text, Dylan said that her friend Benjamin Anderson will come to the hotel at eight and listen to their story. Then they can go meet with the Korean companies after. Harper scanned the message, a smile spreading across her face. "See, I told you, you just need to pick one of them and let me do the rest."

"What's Dylan saying?" Rachel asked, her voice laced with curiosity.

"Her friend is a lawyer in LA and will come to help us. He'll be here at the hotel at eight. So, let's go to bed now," Harper replied, her voice filled with reassurance.

Rachel hesitated, her brow furrowed with worry. "I can't afford a lawyer."

Harper gently took her hand and said, "Don't worry about that. Dylan, don't ask for any money. Now, finish your tea, and I'll wait for you in bed."

Rachel nodded, a wave of relief washing over her. As she finished the last sip of her tea, she couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for Harper's continued support. With Dylan's help and a lawyer on their side, she felt confident she could face tomorrow's event. She already knows which company to choose and is ready to be a trainee for that company.

-

The next day, with the sun shining brightly through the window, Rachel woke up feeling refreshed and optimistic. She knew that today would be a turning point in her life, and she was ready to embrace the possibilities that lay ahead.

"Harper! It's almost eight!" Rachel exclaimed, her voice laced with a hint of nervousness.

"Huh? So?" Harper answered under the blanket; her voice is hoarse, and she hates to wake up in the morning.

"Benjamin Anderson!" Rachel reminded her of a slight tremor in her voice.

Harper's eyes widened in realization. "Oh shit! I forgot about him! Okay, let's go!" she exclaimed, jumping out of bed and rushing to the bathroom.

It took them twenty minutes to get ready, with Harper applying a touch of makeup and Rachel brushing her hair into a neat ponytail. Just as they were finishing, the phone in their room rang.

"Hello?" Harper answered, her voice slightly breathless.

"This is the receptionist. Mr. Benjamin Anderson is here to talk to Ms. Harper Wilson," the receptionist informed her. Harper quickly said yes and received the phone call. It turns out Benjamin is already waiting in the lobby; he's just waiting until eight o'clock to call their room. And Harper asked him to join them for breakfast while talking about everything.

"Are you sure you're eighteen?" Benjamin sounded amused, talking to Harper, who's sounded calm and collected; he doesn't feel like he's talking to an eighteen-year-old.

"Yes, I am. Why?" Harper replied, confusingly.

"Nothing; I'll wait in the lobby." Benjamin said it again.

"He's already here." Rachel asked, glancing at the clock.

"Perfect timing." She turned to Rachel and said, "Benjamin's waiting in the lobby. Let's go have breakfast with him and discuss everything."

As they made their way to the hotel's restaurant, Harper couldn't help but feel a slight sense of nervousness when she saw a tall, handsome man with a warm smile and a briefcase in hand.

"Benjamin Anderson, I presume?" Harper greeted him, extending her hand.

"Indeed," he replied, shaking her hand firmly. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Wilson."

"The pleasure is all mine," Harper said, ushering him into the room. "This is my friend, Rachel."

Rachel stood up shyly and shook Benjamin's hand. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Anderson," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. She's standing next to Harper and keeps clutching Harper's shirt.

"Please, call me Benjamin," he said, his smile widening.

"And you can call me Rachel," she added, a hint of a smile forming on her lips.

"So, shall we have breakfast together?" Harper suggested, gesturing towards the restaurant inside the hotel.

Benjamin nodded. "I'd love to. Thank you for the invitation."

Inside the restaurant at the Chateau Marmont Hotel's, the air is filled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon. The rich, wooden accents and plush, velvet furnishings create an atmosphere of refined sophistication, befitting the hotel's reputation as a haven for Hollywood's elite.

Tables are laid with crisp white linens and gleaming silverware, awaiting the arrival of the hotel's discerning guests. A server, dressed in a smart, black uniform, moves gracefully between the tables, offering fresh-squeezed orange juice and an assortment of artisanal pastries from the in-house bakery.

Harper approaches the breakfast buffet, her keen eye immediately spotting the decadent truffle scrambled eggs. As a foodie, she knows this is a signature dish at the Chateau Marmont and simply has to indulge. She carefully selects a generous portion, the earthy aroma of the truffles wafting up to her nose. Alongside the eggs, Harper pours herself a refreshing glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, a nod to her health-conscious tendencies.

Across the table, Rachel's eyes light up as she stares at the lemon ricotta pancakes. The fluffy, golden-brown discs, drizzled with maple syrup and dusted with powdered sugar, are simply too tempting to resist. Rachel eagerly orders the dish, pairing it with a tall glass of rich, creamy chocolate milk. The combination of the tangy lemon, the creamy cheese, and the indulgent chocolate provides a delightful contrast, reflecting Rachel's young energy and appreciation for the finest things in life.

Benjamin, the seasoned lawyer, approaches the menu with a more practical mindset. His gaze settles on the Breakfast Burrito with Chorizo, a heartier option that will provide him the energy he needs to face the day's legal issues. He orders the dish, accompanied by a steaming cup of strong black coffee. The spicy sausage, fluffy eggs, and warm tortilla speak to Benjamin's no-nonsense attitude and his desire to fuel his body and mind.

And after, the three of them sit on the table with grinning smiles plastered on their faces and say, "Let's eat while talking." Benjamin suggested.

"Agree." Harper replied immediately.