Chapter 179
He smiled softly, then turned to hang up his apron and headed for the bathroom. Every dish on the table was among Eileen’s 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. “Will you head over to the educational agency later?” he inquired.
“Yes,” Eileen responded, nodding. “I need to get two presentations ready. Tonight, I’m tutoring at the Vance’s.”
Bryan’s brow furrowed slightly. “I’ll give you a ride.”
Eileen seemed preoccupied, likely absorbed in the day’s schedule. Bryan realized they probably wouldn’t see each other again until tonight. Eileen bit into the egg and uttered through her mouthful, “No, thanks. I’ll drive myself and get back on my own tonight.”
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.
“Let me drive you,” he insisted, his tone firm.
Eileen eventually conceded. “Okay, but let’s keep it lowkey. I don’t want everyone to know we’re together so soon.”
Even though many people were aware that Bryan was dating a home tutor, Eileen’s colleagues at the educational agency were still in the dark.
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“Except for Jacob, it’s up to you whether or not you want to let others in on our relationship,” 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 couldn’t get through. So he drove straight to Jacob’s apartment.
He knocked on the door and immediately heard Jacob swearing as he approached. “Who the hell is bothering me now?” 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, “If you want to continue what you were doing just now, tell me who’s messing with the White family’s finances directly.”
Bryan stood at the entrance, resting against the door frame instead of going inside. His gaze drifted over Jacob’s lower body with cool detachment. He let out a dismissive snort.
Jacob shifted uneasily. “Weren’t we supposed to meet up tonight?”
“I can’t make it tonight.” Bryan had obligations. He would be driving Eileen to the Vance’s house and wouldn’t be back until late. Besides, he found the idea of spending his evening with Jacob far less appealing than other activities.
“Forget it then!” Jacob snapped, his frustration evident as he clenched his jaw. “Kian is the one who’s been messing with the White family’s finances. Benjamin has been here to deal with this recently.”
Bryan’s expression darkened. “I see. Enjoy yourselves then,” he said, turning away to leave. He strode back to his car, and after buckling up, he dialed Raymond’s number.
“Check what has been going on with the Warren family,” he commanded as soon as the call connected.
“What?” Raymond sounded taken aback. “We’re in Wist Land now. Why investigate the Warren family all of a sudden?”
“Just do it,” Bryan snapped. “And cut the back talk. Do you still want your job or not?”
“I’m on it,” 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 couldn’t 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.
“When are you heading to Vance’s tonight? I’ll pick you up at the educational agency and give you a ride.”
Eileen had already arranged to carpool with a coworker to Vance’s, 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.
“Who’s giving you a ride? Is it a man or a woman?” he asked directly.
For a brief moment, Eileen’s mind went blank. Realizing something, she quickly said, “I was just joking. Actually, I’ve had a change in schedule with Adanna. I’ll be there at five and head home by seven.”
“Then I’ll see you at five. Wait for me,” Bryan responded without hesitation.
Relieved, Eileen let out a sigh. “Okay, see you then.”
“Wait a second.” Bryan’s voice carried a hint of irritation over the phone. “Eileen, are you reporting work to me or talking to your boyfriend?”
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 couldn’t do it now that Bryan had directly asked her to.
“I’m actually busy right now,” Eileen admitted softly, her voice tenderer than before.
“I’ll let you off for now. Looks like you have some practice to do once you get home,” Bryan said seriously before ending the call, a smile curling his lips.