Chapter 217
Chapter 217:
Ruby sat on the sofa, smiling warmly at Benjamin. She gestured for Eileen to invite Benjamin to sit and signaled Bailee to fetch some fruit.
Benjamin set down his gift and said gently, “Mrs. Curtis, I just stopped by and will be leaving shortly.”
Bailee eagerly urged him to stay. “Just stay a bit longer! It’s getting dark. You can have dinner with us and leave afterward. Your flight is tomorrow anyway.”
Ruby quickly nodded, her subtle movements clearly expressing her wish for Benjamin to stay longer.
“I can’t; I have some matters to deal with tonight,” Benjamin insisted, his tone firm.
Bailee and Ruby then turned to look at Eileen, expecting her to persuade Benjamin to stay. Feeling the weight of their gazes, Eileen snapped back to the moment. After a moment of thought, she said, “He has other plans. We can always have dinner together another time.”
Ruby looked at Eileen with disappointment, and Bailee appeared puzzled as to why Eileen didn’t try harder to convince Benjamin to stay.
Benjamin offered a resigned smile and said, “Let’s plan to have a meal together another time.”
After exchanging a few more words, he bid them farewell and asked, “Eileen, could you walk me out?”
“Of course.” Eileen stood up and accompanied Benjamin to the door.
It was early evening, and the neighborhood was illuminated by streetlights. Eileen was dressed in a shirt and jeans, her long hair tied back in a ponytail. Benjamin noticed how much more mature Eileen seemed compared to her college days, and he felt a greater distance between them than during their last encounter.
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“Have you decided to be with Bryan?” Benjamin stopped to look directly at Eileen.
Hearing that, Eileen paused and turned to face him. “Whatever decision I make, it’s after careful consideration, not on a whim.”
Benjamin studied her for a moment before letting out a deep sigh and looking away. “I can’t offer you my blessings. It seems we’re destined to be adversaries moving forward.”
“I won’t help you anymore. Take care of yourself.”
disarming; even if he were to do something unforgivable in the future, Eileen believed
that, I’m thankful.
boundaries. She chose not to mention that
quickly texted Huey as
returning to Onaland next Monday. Please look after her
long Bailee would be staying in Onaland.
unease persisted, prompting her to provide Bailee with further instructions. She urged Bailee to avoid
that you and Benjamin have to
Eileen said without hesitation. “Think of
her with a nod.
the windows, and suggested, “Spend more time with Mom tomorrow. I’ve arranged your flight for you, and I’ll drive
As she entered the villa, the scent of cooking wafted through the air. She switched to her slippers and noticed Bryan in the kitchen.
the kitchen, Bryan stopped her. He remained focused on his cooking, not turning around, which led her to believe he simply didn’t want
me help
okay.” Bryan finally turned, leaning back against the cupboard, his gaze landing on Eileen’s face. “Didn’t you
a few seconds, she couldn’t help
was palpable. He remained motionless, a frown etching displeasure on his
he declined,” Eileen replied, deliberately choosing words she knew Bryan wouldn’t like to hear. “He works for Kian, so
eyes slightly narrowed, noticing even the faintest
pressed his hand against the edge of the cupboard. “Haven’t you thought that being close
stepping closer, wrapping her arms around his waist, and resting her chin against
she need to worry about trouble when her
felt warmth on her wrist as Bryan tried to pull her hand
just joking,” she said, rising on her toes to kiss him
“I’m not mad, just
at his reaction. “Don’t you know
immediately tell that the
this way when he had been in
He knows we’ll be at odds from now on. There’s nothing more between us,” Eileen clarified, her body bathed in a
kissed her forehead gently. His kisses trailed from her forehead to the corners of her eyes, from
air from the soup
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R9Ko6KeEH+ms30/Plq+CDV2jdhucate6/h/sE1W2qSieSTXwdxEqDQN1i9iV9MRBPGpT5d5f0hcpya10Mr14IdyT7O9oPtHLsKKFD2qhShkBxmyPTP+0S2APem/+GcqXTS+/pKaHI1fPSL1N9kC7jmrNsZXF17XGkt1LVRKTQVvZSbTKsOX713Enq254Hi9uiTi1Jp9C8cAyJ1dp2+xg964EpXd+O9HNXzovQ8mgxNapEhWrmJVVonLbEp75OHXrGGeTq6fSX6+6kGil
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