Chapter 27: Chapter 27

Chapter 27:

Bailee chimed in swiftly, cutting off any chance for Eileen to refuse. She said to Huey, “You know, Eileen leans towards lighter fare. Find somewhere that fits the bill and text her the details later.”

Huey caught the hint of reluctance from Eileen and quickly nodded in agreement. “Alright, you’ve got plans. Don’t let me hold you up.”

He offered a parting wave and settled into his vehicle. Eileen let out a soft sigh as she slid behind her wheel, and Bailee hopped into the seat beside her, securing her seatbelt before offering a playful smirk.

“We seem like a match. A little young, maybe, but he’s impressive. He’s taken a shine to you, and since Mom introduced him to you, why not give it a try?” Bailee said.

With a gentle rumble, the engine came to life. Eileen peered out at Huey’s departing car and chuckled softly. “Is now really a good time for me to dive into romance?” The question hung in the air, unspoken thoughts of Bryan lingering in Eileen’s mind.

Bailee’s eyes widened in sudden realization. “Are you still tangled up with Bryan? With all the media buzz about him and Vivian, I’m surprised he hasn’t ended things with you.”

The puzzle of Bryan’s intentions was a riddle for Eileen as well. “Maybe, just maybe, he has actually fallen for you?” Bailee speculated.

Eileen’s laugh was light, her gaze filled with mockery. “Are you joking? That’s impossible.”

Bailee was earnest. “No, I’m not! You have everything going for you—beauty, brains, and you’re genuine. Without considering your family background, you’re way better than Vivian.”

“So, you’re pushing me to compete with Vivian for Bryan’s heart? Is that your plan?” Eileen was blunt.

Your storytelling destination is gαℓησν𝒆𝓁s․com Bailee hesitated, the weight of her own words settling in. “You know what? Never mind all that. Huey’s a catch, and he’s into you. You can’t miss this opportunity to be with him,” she said.

Eileen just stayed quiet.

Bailee’s youth shone through her words, blind to the tangled web of Eileen’s circumstances. If things with Bryan ended in shambles, Eileen would be left in ruins. What prospects could she possibly hope for after being entangled in such a messy affair?

Inside the hospital’s somber and bustling walls, Eileen’s and Bailee’s presence felt like a burst of sunlight. The ward seemed emptier and more peaceful, with just the trio remaining after a patient transfer.

Ruby was delighted to see them and soon began chatting. Huey became the topic once more. “Mom, you heard from Eileen, right? They’ve kept in touch. What’s the rush?” Bailee chimed in, her tone light. “Eileen’s grabbing lunch with Huey today. You don’t need to worry about this.”

This seemed to energize Ruby, and before eleven, she gently nudged Eileen. “Don’t let time slip by. Off you go to see Huey.”

Eileen found herself nudged out of the hospital’s embrace sooner than expected. Huey had texted her a location not long ago, and there was still time to spare. With no shelter from the harsh sun, she opted to head to the restaurant ahead of schedule.

Settled by the window, a glass of juice in hand, Eileen surrendered to the digital world, her fingers dancing across her phone’s screen as she awaited Huey’s arrival.

In the secluded space on the second floor, surrounded by glass that revealed the bustling scene below, Bryan was nestled in a corner, his attention fixed on his phone. Jacob fidgeted with his phone beside him, his complaints filling the air.

“Why pull tight into your dinner with Vivian? It’s awkward for me to be here. Plus, she’s already late,” Jacob muttered with a frown.

On Bryan’s screen, a persistent friend request from ‘KnockWood’ lingered—an alias he recognized as Eileen’s boyfriend. Bryan’s mind replayed Eileen’s boyfriend’s words: “Eileen, I’ll protect you!”

He scoffed, dismissing the request with a swipe.

Jacob glanced over, confusion written across his face. “Something on your mind? You’re not usually one to play the waiting game.”

Bryan’s response was a frosty look and a nudge against Jacob’s chair. “Just drop it, will you?” he said sharply.

Jacob rose, biting back any retort, and wandered over to the French windows. His eyes searched the crowd below.

Vivian was absent, but Eileen was there, her juice half-finished, her focus locked on her phone, showing no signs of urgency—clearly, she wasn’t the one running late.

Jacob nudged Bryan gently. “See? Eileen’s the whole package. She’s got it all, even punctual for a simple date.”

Bryan’s eyes shifted to catch a glimpse of Eileen. The light dress she wore played with the sunlight, lending a gentle glow to her features. A mole near her eye stood out against her clear skin, her appearance a picture of softness not seen in her work attire. At that moment, she was the epitome of femininity, waiting for someone else. Bryan’s eyes darkened.

“If you tell grandmother you want to marry Eileen, will she approve?” Jacob asked Bryan.

Bryan gave him a look that was hard to read, a small crease forming between his brows. Jacob caught the change in his demeanor. “Hey, I’m just thinking out loud here. And even if you want to, Eileen won’t marry you. She has someone who’s already winning the race.” He turned, catching sight of a figure approaching. “And here’s her date, flowers in hand and all.”

Downstairs, Eileen’s reaction to the vibrant roses was one of visible surprise. Huey’s muffled voice broke through the floral display. “Eileen, hurry! I’ve been hurt by a thorn!”

Eileen rose swiftly to accept the bouquet, only to see Huey grappling with a thorn on his face. Laughter escaped her as she witnessed his small misfortune.

“My mom insisted I bring flowers. Don’t read too much into it,” Huey explained with a light-hearted shrug, removing the thorn from his face.

Eileen arranged the roses beside her and gestured for service, her composure seamless.

Eileen and Huey’s rapport flowed easily, devoid of any awkwardness. They were like close friends. But for Bryan, witnessing their effortless interaction seemed to illustrate a tender portrait of romance.

Meanwhile, Vivian made her entrance, her eyes narrowing upon spotting Jacob.

Jacob couldn’t resist a tease. “Fashionably late, aren’t you? Good thing Bryan’s the patient type.”

Bryan gestured to the vacant seat beside him. “Sit,” he said, his voice calm.

Vivian settled in, shaking the tension with a practiced smile. “You know it’s almost a ritual for me to take my time getting ready. Waiting is just part of the gentleman’s code, right?”

Jacob reclined in his seat. “I’m starving now.”

As they dined, Eileen felt at ease with Huey, their conversation flowing effortlessly like that of old friends. She listened to his family stories and chatted about her day at work.

Post-meal, Eileen signaled for the check. Then, she caught sight of Jacob on the upper floor; Jacob’s smile at her was unmistakable.

“Isn’t that one of your colleagues, Eileen? I saw him before at the resort,” Huey said.

Eileen’s eyes followed Huey’s gaze, spotting not just Jacob but also the unmistakable silhouette of Bryan.

“Should we drop by for a quick hello?” Huey asked.

Eileen exchanged a knowing look with Jacob from a distance, then turned to Huey. “It’s not necessary. He’s more of an acquaintance through my friend. He is the one who played that game with us before.”

A thought seemed to strike Huey as he peered again toward the private area. “Then is Apex here?”

At that moment, Bryan glanced their way, his gaze briefly meeting Huey’s.

Taken aback, Huey asked, “Is that your boss?”

Eileen confirmed with a nod, her expression neutral.

“And the lady with him, who’s she?” Huey asked. His world revolved around gaming, far removed from the corporate gossip mill. The headlines about Bryan and Vivian had slipped by him unnoticed.

Aware of Bryan’s request for Eileen’s room key before, Huey now observed Bryan with another woman, their closeness unmistakable. He couldn’t help but wonder if Eileen was caught in a web of unsolicited advances at work. It might explain her prominent role within the company—yet, there was no disdain from him, only empathy, considering Eileen’s sacrifices for her mother’s health expenses.

Driven by a protective instinct, Huey made a decisive move. He escorted Eileen upstairs, directly to where Bryan was.

Taken off guard by Huey’s assertive manner, Eileen found herself following him. Huey didn’t hesitate, swinging the door open and wrapping his arm around her shoulders intimately.

“Hello! You’re acquaintances of Eileen’s through work, right? Just stopping by to say hi,” Huey said with a warm smile.

Eileen was momentarily speechless, processing the current situation. Vivian and Jacob were both taken aback by Huey’s bold move.

Jacob’s gaze swung to Bryan with an air of excitement. “Looks like you’ve got visitors.”

Bryan’s reaction was subtle—a hint of amusement graced his expression as he gestured toward the empty seats.

“Feel free to join us,” he said.

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