One year, one love by Aurora Miller

16:13 Fri, 28

Chapter 42

Chapter 42

She added, “If you feel awkward going alone, you can bring a friend.”

Lewis found no reason to feel awkward. It’s not like her friend would eat him alive or something.

“Got it. I’ll pick you up after work,” Lewis agreed without hesitation.

Lola, who had been listening the whole time, grinned with satisfaction at his response.

Since Lewis didn’t seem the least bit annoyed, Doris felt less uneasy about the whole thing. “No need, I’ll ride with Lola. I’ll send you the restaurant address. See you tonight.”

Lola picked Bistro Alloy.

Doris sent the address to Lewis and told him to meet at 6:30 PM.

After work, due to traffic, Lola and Doris arrived ten minutes late.

The restaurant was tucked away in a quiet spot, featuring elegant architecture with green tiles and white walls.

Stepping inside felt like entering a garden–lush groves, vibrant flowers, and an artificial pond with a stone bridge where guests could watch the fish.

They took the elevator to the third floor, to a private dining room named “Paris“—this floor had rooms named after cities.

As soon as they stepped out, they ran into Ivan. “Mr. Mitchell, good evening.” Doris greeted.

“Doris, Ms. Bates, hello.” Ivan’s smile was charming.

“Are you here to welcome us?” Lola looked beautiful tonight in an off–shoulder beige dress, cinched at the waist with a brown. belt that highlighted her slim figure. Her long, fair legs added a touch of mature elegance.

Ivan looked puzzled.

“We’re meeting Lewis for dinner here. Didn’t you come with him?” Doris assumed he was the friend Lewis had invited.

“Oh, I’m actually here with other friends,” Ivan replied with a knowing smile. “You two go ahead. I’ll drop by later.”

As he watched Doris and Lola walk away, Ivan’s brows furrowed deeply.

He then pushed open the door to the “London” private room, where a group of people was gathered.

Ivan, she got up and walked over gracefully, her eyes shimmering with anticipation.

to Lewis, the man she had been longing for.

school, she hadn’t expected Lewis to end up in the same country.

intensified her longing for him, so she had asked her father to reach out to Lewis,

families‘ relationship, Lewis did check in on

wasn’t busy, they’d have meals

was limited, she was

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and she followed soon after. Today’s gathering was

dinner tonight. He won’t make it, Ivan lied. “Don’t

disappointment clouding her

back for a while now–she had visited the Hartman family’s Springwood Manor, checked his residence

her welcome dinner. Yet, once again, he wasn’t there.

wanted to

her sorrow evident. “You’re his best friend. Tell me, what did I do wrong?

not that you did anything wrong,” Ivan said, feeling conflicted, knowing the truth. “He’s just really

clearly not buying that excuse.

ten

we’re meant to be.

to go abroad, I also worked hard to

though he never took the initiative to ask me out, I was willing to be the one to make the first move for

has ever

as there was no other woman in his life, I still had a chance. I was willing to

“Does he have someone

brow twitched slightly, but he remained calm. “We’re close, but we don’t interfere in

really want to know, you’ll have to

her

would shatter and that she wouldn’t even have

anymore.

you?” Ivan pulled her closer, then raised his glass

lively atmosphere, Zoe couldn’t bring herself to

her glass and downed

and Lewis sat together, with

Wishing you both a happy marriage and a lifetime of love.” Lola raised her glass with a sincere blessing.

you, Ms. Bates.” Lewis lifted his glass in response.

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wine glass