“You fo
fool!” Mrs. Henderson smacked the back of his head. “Hannah’s just being shy. If you can’t be charming, at least be quiet.”
My face burned even hotter.
I’d never felt so awkward.
Thankfully, the maid soon called us to dinner.
In Brookshire, I’d had to maintain a perfect facade at business dinners, always smiling and pleasing others.
At home, I could just focus on eating
Davis did the same.
Mom had noticed my stomach issues since my return and insisted I see a specialist yesterday. He’d prescribed medication and recommended several healing broths. I’d been dutifully having them before meals.
+15 BONUS
These past few days, I’d drink the soup before meals.
After dinner, the Hendersons had tea for a while before preparing to leave.
But at the car, Mrs. Henderson turned to me. “It’s still early. Are you free, Hannah? Davis should take you out, do something
young people enjoy.”
Thesitated. “I’m free, if… if Davis has time.”
“Oh, he’d better have time,” Mrs. Henderson said firmly before closing the car door.
The black Bentley drove away, leaving Davis standing in our courtyard.
His dark eyes studied me as he asked, “Shall we go out?”
“Yes, okay.”
Since we were meant to spend
elves for getting to know each other sooner wasn’t a bad idea.
I grabbed my car keys and we left together.
The city lights were coming on.
Eastbrook’s skyline glowed in the dusk
The warm lights softened Davis’s sharp features, creating an unexpectedly peaceful atmosphere.
“Hannah,” he said suddenly, seeming to hesitate before continuing, “Do you really not remember me?”
His cool voice held a hint of disappointment.
I stopped at a red light, thinking “Maybe we met during holidays?”
Then apologetically added, “I have a bad memory though, don’t take it personally.”
Something I said made Davis fall silent.
After asking his preference, I drove to a plaza where locals gathered after dinner.
It was lively.
Filled with the sounds of families and children.
In Brookshire’s autumn, I rarely experienced such warmth.
As we walked side by side, a little boy ran toward me. Davis pulled me into his arms while steadying the child with his other hand.
+15 BONUS
His fingers were cool.
But
this embrace was warm.
The boy’s mother rushed over, apologizing profusely. “Thank you, I’m so sorry! Did this troublemaker bump into your wife?”
I blushed again.
Davis smiled faintly. “It’s fine, he didn’t hurt my wife.”
Though born and raised in Eastbrook, his accent was refined and pleasant.
After they left, I looked up at him. “Thank you.”
“Not calling me Mr. Henderson anymore?”
I replied sheepishly, “I heard your mother call you Davis. Can I call you that too?”
He wasn’t quite satisfied, raising an eyebrow. “…For now.”
“What do you mean ‘for now?”
Just then, my phone rang.
Unknown number.
I frowned and answered. “Hello?”
“Hannah… it’s me.”
A voice I knew instantly.
I took a silent breath. “What is it?”
“I want to see you.”
“I’m not in Brookshire anymore.
I glanced at the tall man beside me, deciding to be honest. “Nathan, we shouldn’t meet anymore.”
“I know.”
Nathan seemed to ignore my last words, insisting, “I’m in Eastbrook. Hannah, there’s been a misunderstanding. We need to talk face to face.”
“There’s nothing to discuss. Don’t call me again.”
I’d never been one to waver in my decisions. When I chose him despite my family’s opposition, my commitment had been absolute. Now that I’d chosen this new path, I wouldn’t let myself be caught between two choices.
+15 BONUS
That meant there was no point in meeting. Misunderstandings or not, none of it mattered anymore. I wouldn’t let myself get pulled back into uncertainty.
But Nathan wouldn’t listen. “I’ll stay in Eastbrook until we meet.”
