Chapter 247
“Sign the contract?” Raymond hesitated, a bead of sweat forming on his brow. “Is it urgent? Perhaps we could postpone it until the evening?” Bryan lifted his gaze, his lips pressed into a tight line as his eyes bored into Raymond, sending a shiver down Raymond’s spine.
“Okay, I’ll contact Mr. Vance immediately.” Raymond retreated quickly, exiting the office.
After calling Denzel to tell him to bring the contract, Denzel could barely contain his joy that Bryan was willing to sign it. “If we delay any further, the project timeline will be thrown off, and we’ll be hit with penalties!” Denzel said.
Realizing the gravity of this business lunch, Raymond ended the call with Denzel and returned Eileen’s call. “Miss Curtis, Mr. Dawson has an extremely important business meeting at noon today, so he won’t be able to join you for lunch. Perhaps you guys could have dinner together?” he said to Eileen. Just moments ago, Raymond had claimed there were no pressing matters for Bryan, but after consulting him, he suddenly had a very important business lunch.
“I understand. Thank you,” Eileen replied before she hung up, her lips curving into a bitter smile.
A spark of anger flickered within her. Was Bryan being petty and avoiding her? It seemed unlike his character, yet his repeated evasions were a fact.
“Ms. Curtis!” The receptionist hurried over. “The Yates family called; they’re coming to make a payment and collect an invoice.”
“Okay, find out Mrs. Yates’ preferences and book us a restaurant. I’ll take her to lunch,” Eileen replied. As lunchtime neared, it was only polite for Eileen to extend such an invitation.
Eileen had secured three of the five students Bailee had found for tutoring. The Harrison family was clearly not giving Eileen a chance. Another family had said they would consider it but never followed up. Eileen suspected that opportunity had fallen through as well, given that family’s ties to the Harrison family.
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But with three students, she was still busy, and she didn’t dwell on it. Treating her current clients well was the priority.
At noon, Mrs. Yates arrived at the education center. Upon seeing Eileen, a radiant smile bloomed across her face as her eyes scanned the space behind Eileen.
“Is Bailee around?” Mrs. Yates asked.
“My sister has been unwell these past two days, resting at home,” Eileen explained. “When I visited your home last time, you asked about her as well. You seemed quite fond of her.”
Mrs. Yates made no attempt to hide her attitude toward Bailee. “Indeed, it is clear at a glance what a bright girl she is. I really do like her. It’s nothing serious with her health, I hope?”
The receptionist brought over a cup of coffee, and Eileen gestured for Mrs. Yates to help herself. “Convey your kind concern to Bailee. It’s nothing too serious; she’ll be back on her feet after a few days’ rest.”
Mrs. Yates took a sip of the coffee. She didn’t mention anything about business matters like payments or invoices, but she seemed quite interested in the educational institution.
With the lunch hour upon them and having left for lunch, Eileen seized the opportunity and said, “I’ve already made a reservation. Would you honor me by joining me for a meal?”
“Of course,” Mrs. Yates agreed readily, much to Eileen’s surprise, as she had expected the woman to politely decline at first.
“Okay, let’s go.” Eileen stood up and drove Mrs. Yates to the pre-booked restaurant.
It was a lovely establishment that offered great steaks. The receptionist had discovered that Mrs. Yates favored steak and similar fare when dining with friends.
Sure enough, Mrs. Yates’ face lit up at the sight of the restaurant. “This place requires a reservation. Did you book a room in advance?”
Eileen nodded with a smile, “Though I couldn’t be certain you’d grace me with your presence. Opportunity favors the prepared.”
With her full figure, tidy short haircut, and forthright personality, Mrs. Yates, nearing fifty, exuded warmth.
The waiter ushered them into a private dining room, and after placing their orders, Mrs. Yates initiated the conversation. “Ms. Curtis, are you and Bailee sisters?” she asked.
“Bailee’s my stepmother’s daughter, but we’re very close,” Eileen replied candidly, having never concealed her relationship with Bailee.
Mrs. Yates seemed surprised. “So Bailee comes from a single-parent family? Apart from you and your stepmother, does she have any other family?”
Eileen shook her head, suddenly realizing why Mrs. Yates had so eagerly accepted the lunch invitation. Was it because of Bailee?
“Is Bailee seeing anyone?” Mrs. Yates asked bluntly.
The sudden question caught Eileen off guard. “To tell you the truth, I have a son a few years older than Bailee. He’s quite accomplished but has been so focused on work that he hasn’t found a girlfriend yet! Oh, I like Bailee very much…”
Inside the private room, Mrs. Yates’ effusive praises for Bailee seemed endless. Eileen tried interjecting several times to no avail.
She hadn’t expected that Mrs. Yates wanted to make Bailee and her son a couple. But she knew Bailee already had Huey by her side, and Bailee had mentioned that morning that Huey would be visiting her.
“So, I’ve already given my son Bailee’s contact information,” Mrs. Yates stated matter-of-factly.
Eileen’s lips twitched involuntarily upon hearing that. “This is a matter best left for Bailee to handle herself. I hope if the outcome is unfavorable, you’ll accept it gracefully.”
She felt compelled to prepare Mrs. Yates for the bad outcome. Mrs. Yates seemed unfazed. “Don’t worry; I’m not narrow-minded. If Bailee doesn’t take a liking to my son, it must be because of my son’s shortcomings.”
“I appreciate that you think so highly of Bailee,” Eileen replied politely.
Eileen ordered a bottle of red wine—Mrs. Yates’ favorite—while opting for a lighter drink herself.
Mrs. Yates savored every bite of the meal. Before they could finish eating, Eileen excused herself to the restroom, taking the opportunity to settle the bill downstairs.
The elegant restaurant was quiet, the crisp clink of cutlery only adding to the refined ambiance.
Benita, accustomed to the privacy of secluded dining rooms, was less than pleased at having to take her meal in the main hall. “Dawson, do you think it’s appropriate for us to discuss business out here?” she asked.
Bryan’s well-defined hands cut into his steak as he conveyed an air of nonchalance. “There’s nothing inappropriate about dining here. We’ve covered everything; all that remains is to sign the contract.”
Benita felt resigned upon hearing that, the once mouthwatering steak now flavorless.
“You’re doing this intentionally, aren’t you? With your stature, how could you possibly agree to dine here? You simply don’t wish to be in the same room as me,” she said.
The clink of Bryan setting down his utensils punctuated the taut silence before he dabbed his mouth with a napkin. “Miss Freguson, I’ve afforded you the courtesy of saving face. You’re the one insisting on pointing it out; don’t blame me.”
The implication rang clear. That might be the case, but Benita didn’t need to voice it aloud.
“Reverse psychology?” Benita suddenly laughed. “Well, I won’t fall for it. If I can’t finish this meal, don’t expect my signature on that contract.”
Bryan shrugged nonchalantly. “As you wish.”
His plate was already cleared, and he leaned back into the plush sofa, eyes downcast as he fiddled with his phone.
Eileen hadn’t called or even messaged him.
“Mr. Dawson, if you’d be so kind as to put away your phone and grant me ten minutes of your undivided attention, I’ll sign the contract immediately after,” Benita said, displeased by Bryan’s constant phone checking.
A flash of distaste flickered across Bryan’s eyes, but he knew ten minutes was preferable to Benita dragging this out further. He tossed his phone casually onto the table and turned to gaze out the window, the picture of indifference.
Descending from the second floor, Eileen immediately spotted Benita seated by the window. Though the man across from Benita had his back turned, Eileen recognized him at a glance. It was Bryan.
The crisp black shirt only accentuated his distinguished aloofness in the midday sunlight.
Eileen could see Bryan’s plate was empty while Benita had just begun eating, leisurely conversing about something.
Bryan seemed to be listening intently, so… Was his supposed lack of time for lunch with her due to this appointment with Benita?
An ironic thought crossed Eileen’s mind: Benita and Bryan made quite the striking pair dining together like this.
Eileen pressed her lips tightly together as she averted her gaze. “Miss, may I assist you with anything?” The waitress approached with concern, noticing Eileen motionless on the stairs.
Eileen’s voice trembled slightly. “I’d like to settle the bill, please.”
“Of course, there’s no need for you to come down. I can bring the bill up to you.” The waitress led Eileen back upstairs. Eileen climbed a few steps, stealing one last glance at Benita and Bryan before they disappeared from view.
From this angle, she could make out Bryan’s chiseled profile, his dark eyes fixed intently on Benita.
Benita seemed pleased, energetically saying something.
“Miss!” the waitress called out when Eileen failed to follow. But Eileen remained still, and the waiter raised her voice. “Miss!” The loud call snapped not only Eileen’s attention but also that of the other people downstairs.
“My apologies, I didn’t hear you before. Let’s go,” Eileen quickly made her way back to the private room.
As Eileen’s figure vanished around the bend, Bryan turned his head, a faintly familiar voice reverberating in his ears. He scanned the entire restaurant, unable to locate the figure he wanted to see. With a sigh, he averted his gaze.
Eileen paid the bill at the entrance of the private room and entered to find Mrs. Yates hastily gathering her belongings. “Ms. Curtis, you’re back just in time. An urgent matter has arisen at my home; I must leave immediately,” Mrs. Yates said.
“I’ll drive you,” Eileen swiftly collected her things, phone in hand, and accompanied the hurried Mrs. Yates downstairs.
Spurred by the urgency, Mrs. Yates moved with brisk, nearly running strides out of the private room.
Her high heels clacked crisply against the stairs.
In her flats, Eileen could barely keep pace. “Mrs. Yates, be careful!”
Mrs. Yates turned to respond, “Alright, thank you, Ms. Curtis—oh!”
She reacted mid-step; Mrs. Yates collided squarely with someone. Benita cried out, stumbling backward.
Bryan, ever the picture of cool composure, instinctively caught Benita. At that moment, his gaze inadvertently met Eileen’s.
.