Chapter 179:
He smiled softly, then turned to hang up his apron and headed for the bathroom. Every dish on the table was among Eileenâs favorites. Starving, she savored each bite.
After Bryan showered, he came back and took a seat beside Eileen. He peeled a boiled egg and gently placed it on her plate. âWill you head over to the educational agency later?â he inquired.
âYes,â Eileen responded, nodding. âI need to get two presentations ready. Tonight, Iâm tutoring at the Vanceâs.â
Bryanâs brow furrowed slightly. âIâll give you a ride.â
Eileen seemed preoccupied, likely absorbed in the dayâs schedule. Bryan realized they probably wouldnât see each other again until tonight. Eileen bit into the egg and uttered through her mouthful, âNo, thanks. Iâll drive myself and get back on my own tonight.â
She liked doing things on her own; it was more convenient. Before they were together, she had managed her daily commute alone. Now that they were together, she preferred maintaining that independence.
However, Bryan felt differently. He wished he could dismiss Raymond and bring Eileen back to work as his special assistant now. That way, they could spend time together, easily catching glimpses of each other throughout the day.
âLet me drive you,â he insisted, his tone firm.
Eileen eventually conceded. âOkay, but letâs keep it lowkey. I donât want everyone to know weâre together so soon.â
Even though many people were aware that Bryan was dating a home tutor, Eileenâs colleagues at the educational agency were still in the dark.
g Ɐ ln Ï Î½ð® ðsâ¤com, home to the best fiction âExcept for Jacob, itâs up to you whether or not you want to let others in on our relationship,â Bryan said.
Bryan knew his own situation was delicate; his relationship with Eileen was not yet ready for public revelation. But he would not keep Eileen waiting too long. He ate little, spending most of the time ensuring Eileen had everything she needed. Noticing something on her lips, he gently wiped it away with a napkin.
After some thought, Bryan decided to meet Jacob after he dropped Eileen off at work. He tried calling Jacob in the afternoon but couldnât get through. So he drove straight to Jacobâs apartment.
He knocked on the door and immediately heard Jacob swearing as he approached. âWho the hell is bothering me now?â Jacob grumbled, clutching the waistband of his pants, his torso bare and a fresh scratch visible on his neck. Scattered from the porch to the stairs were high heels, a dress, and lingerie. They were clearly signs of a hasty romantic encounter.
It was clear to Bryan what Jacob had been up to. Cutting to the chase, Bryan said, âIf you want to continue what you were doing just now, tell me whoâs messing with the White familyâs finances directly.â
Bryan stood at the entrance, resting against the door frame instead of going inside. His gaze drifted over Jacobâs lower body with cool detachment. He let out a dismissive snort.
Jacob shifted uneasily. âWerenât we supposed to meet up tonight?â
âI canât make it tonight.â Bryan had obligations. He would be driving Eileen to the Vanceâs house and wouldnât be back until late. Besides, he found the idea of spending his evening with Jacob far less appealing than other activities.
âForget it then!â Jacob snapped, his frustration evident as he clenched his jaw. âKian is the one whoâs been messing with the White familyâs finances. Benjamin has been here to deal with this recently.â
Bryanâs expression darkened. âI see. Enjoy yourselves then,â he said, turning away to leave. He strode back to his car, and after buckling up, he dialed Raymondâs number.
âCheck what has been going on with the Warren family,â he commanded as soon as the call connected.
âWhat?â Raymond sounded taken aback. âWeâre in Wist Land now. Why investigate the Warren family all of a sudden?â
âJust do it,â Bryan snapped. âAnd cut the back talk. Do you still want your job or not?â
âIâm on it,â Raymond replied hastily. He hung up the phone, his mind swirling with confusion. An uneasy feeling settled in his gut. Somehow, he felt he might be fired soon, although he couldnât think of anything he had done wrong.
Eileen stepped into her office at one in the afternoon and immediately started preparing her presentations. It typically took her half an hour to put together one, and today, she managed to record two back-to-back. After finishing, she glanced at her phone and noticed a message from Bryan that had come in forty minutes ago.
âWhen are you heading to Vanceâs tonight? Iâll pick you up at the educational agency and give you a ride.â
Eileen had already arranged to carpool with a coworker to Vanceâs, intending to save Bryan the trouble. She quickly texted him back to let him know. Barely two seconds after sending her reply, her phone rang. It was Bryan calling.
âWhoâs giving you a ride? Is it a man or a woman?â he asked directly.
For a brief moment, Eileenâs mind went blank. Realizing something, she quickly said, âI was just joking. Actually, Iâve had a change in schedule with Adanna. Iâll be there at five and head home by seven.â
âThen Iâll see you at five. Wait for me,â Bryan responded without hesitation.
Relieved, Eileen let out a sigh. âOkay, see you then.â
âWait a second.â Bryanâs voice carried a hint of irritation over the phone. âEileen, are you reporting work to me or talking to your boyfriend?â
Her reply came off as formal and detached, more suited to a business exchange than a personal conversation. Eileen never liked to be too affectionate. Perhaps she had been lovey-dovey subconsciously before, but she couldnât do it now that Bryan had directly asked her to.
âIâm actually busy right now,â Eileen admitted softly, her voice tenderer than before.
âIâll let you off for now. Looks like you have some practice to do once you get home,â Bryan said seriously before ending the call, a smile curling his lips.
.
.
.