Chapter 9
“Ms. Jordan, it’s been a while.” Simon wore his usual black suit with a white shirt, the tie completing his polished look. His natural poise made him stand out in the café, drawing glances from other customers.
“Mr. Quinn, what a surprise seeing you here.” Cecilia’s eyes widened slightly as she took in his appearance. “Are you working nearby?” Her voice carried a note of genuine curiosity.
“Yes, just wrapped up a meeting.” Simon nodded toward her laptop and paperwork. “Looks like the exhibition is keeping you busy, Ms. Jordan. Mind if I join you for coffee, or would I be interrupting your work?” His tone was polite, leaving the choice to her.
Cecilia glanced toward Hall Group’s building again. There was still no sign of Mr. Hall, but she wasn’t ready to leave yet. “Not at all,” she said, straightening her papers.
Then the thought of their dinner plans suddenly came to her. “Mr. Quinn, do you need to get back to work? We did say dinner tonight, but I might be here till past six.”
“No need to go back. I’m off work.” Simon ordered a black coffee. The late afternoon sun slanted through the window, casting a warm glow. When his eyes met hers, there was a quiet intensity in his gaze, like he had more to say but wasn’t saying it.
“You’re lucky to be able to just leave like that,” Cecilia said with a tired smile, glancing up from her paperwork. “I’ve been pulling late nights all week with this project.” She kept sorting files as she spoke, but made sure to look up and meet his eyes whenever she answered.
“You really throw yourself into your work.” Simon’s eyes dropped, his voice lowering slightly. “Ms. Jordan, if you don’t mind me asking, have you ever been on a blind date before?”
Cecilia’s cheeks turned slightly pink as she shook her head. “No, this is my first time.” She fidgeted with her coffee cup, avoiding eye contact for just a second before looking back up with a shy smile.
Simon noticed her reaction and casually asked, “So is this blind date your idea, or are your parents pushing you to settle down?” He kept his tone light, but watched her response closely.
Cecilia’s fingers paused on her coffee cup as the question hung in the air. A shadow crossed her face before she caught herself. Seeing this, Simon immediately softened his tone. “We can skip that question if you’d prefer.”
“It’s fine. These are perfectly normal blind date questions.” Cecilia propped her chin on her hand, watching the street outside. “Truth is, I’ve had this silly childhood dream about the perfect age to marry and start a family. Mom’s never pushed me, but now that I’m…”
She hesitated, then gave a small shrug. “I used to think marriage was about timing, but now I know it’s about the right person.” Her fingers tapped lightly against her coffee cup before she looked up. “What about you, Mr. Quinn?”
“Actually, this is my first blind date too,” Simon admitted with a quiet chuckle. “My family’s been dropping hints about settling down lately.” His tone was open and sincere, without a trace of his usual professionalism.
“Looks like your family’s eager to see you married,” Cecilia remarked. Talking with Simon made the long wait much more enjoyable than staring at her paperwork alone.
Simon checked his watch, then scrolled through restaurant options on his phone. “What would you like for dinner, Ms.
1/3
12:44 Tue, Aug 12 GG
ס
94%
X
+15/
Chapter 9
Jordan? I’ll make a reservation now.”
“Anything is fine with me,” Cecilia said with an easy smile, closing her laptop. “You pick. I trust your taste.” Then she stood up, “I’ll go to the restroom first.”
At that time, her phone suddenly vibrated with an incoming call. It was from a number she didn’t recognize. Cecilia stared at the screen for a second before swiping to answer.
“Is this Cecilia Jordan?” The gruff voice sounded like a frequent drinker. “It’s Henry Quinn. About last week’s date, work got crazy and I completely forgot. My uncle just asked about it, so I figured I should call you myself.”
Cecilia was instantly stunned. Her gaze turned toward the man sitting by the window. ‘That’s not Henry? Then who is he? Oh God, I’ve been talking to the wrong guy this whole time. But why would he play along?”
Henry’s voice turned impatient on the phone. “Ms. Jordan? You still there?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “Look, my Saturday evening’s open. Let’s meet then.”
“Sorry, Mr. Quinn. I’ve been very busy lately. I think we should postpone.” She ended the call and returned to her seat, her mind still racing from Henry’s unexpected call.
Simon looked up, smiling warmly. “The steak at this restaurant is quite good. I’ve already reserved a table. Shall we head over now?”
“No need. There’s no point in having this meal.” Henry.” She watched his face as she spoke, catching the briefest flicker of surprise before his expression smoothed into calm composure.
becilia didn’t want to waste any more time and said coldly, “You’re not
“Look, I made the mistake that night, but I don’t get why you played along. I don’t like being lied to.” Cecilia grabbed her bag, her face stone–cold. “We’re done here. Don’t contact me again.”
“Ms. Jordan, wait.” Simon rose abruptly, a hint of urgency in his movement. He took a business card from his wallet. “Didn’t you come here specifically to meet with me?”
Cecilia halted, giving him a long, hard look. She took the card between two fingers, scanning it slowly. The name stared back at her. Simon Hall. CEO of Hall Group.
The card nearly slipped from Cecilia’s fingers as her eyes flew to his face. “Wait,” she swallowed hard. “You’re actually Mr. Hall?” Her tone hovered between accusation and stunned realization.
Cecilia slowly sank back into her chair, her movements slightly rigid. What she had thought was just an embarrassing mix- up now felt completely different. This was Mr. Hall himself, the man she had been desperately trying to meet. Maybe this mistake was actually her lucky break.
A slightly forced smile touched her lips, though inside, a wave of relief washed over her. “Mr. Hall,” she began, her voice steadier now, “I apologize. I had no idea I was speaking with you this whole time.”
“No harm done.” Simon relaxed into his chair, casually draping his arm across the table. “I saw your message on the appointment list. You’re the designer of A Wishing Girl.”
Cecilia seized the opening. “Yes. That was my first and only creation,” she explained. “When my family went under, everything was sold off, including my designs. For this exhibition, I hoped to borrow back that one piece to represent my
work.”
2/3
12:44 Tue, Aug 12
–
94%
X
+15
Chapter 9
Simon flipped through her proposal, the silence making Cecilia uneasy. When she thought he was just her blind date, she had felt at ease. But now, knowing he was the Hall family heir, she tensed up. She didn’t need explanations about his earlier act. Right now, all that mattered was getting his approval.
“Ms. Jordan, this is a well–considered proposal.” Simon tapped the documents lightly. “As the original designer, you can borrow the piece.” He paused, his calm gaze holding quiet command. “As for the loan terms, we’ll discuss those separately.”
“Of course. I’ll await your decision.” Cecilia exhaled quietly in relief. There would be no awkward favors involved, just straightforward business. With his status, anything less formal would raise eyebrows. This was the cleanest way forward.
Simon’s phone buzzed with a restaurant confirmation. He glanced at the screen, then offered casually, “Since it’s our first time working together, why don’t we continue this over dinner? My treat.”
“I’d be delighted,” Cecilia replied with a small but genuine smile. With the last exhibit finally secured, a celebratory dinner seemed fitting, especially with the man who had just made it possible.
Over dinner, their conversation moved from the mistaken identity to business matters. But Simon’s schedule was packed. A phone call cut their meal short. “The piece is at Hall Manor,” he said, rising. “I’ll arrange delivery and be in touch.” Cecilia nodded her acknowledgment.
After saying goodbye, Cecilia headed to the elevator while texting her team the good news. Scrolling through her contacts, she stopped and changed the name from “Henry Quinn” to “Mr. Hall.”
Suddenly, someone called her name. Cecilia turned, surprised to see Xavier standing there. “What a coincidence,” she said, wondering what had brought him here.
Xavier hurried over, his face confused. “Gavin’s in the emergency room,” he said. “Didn’t you get the message? Why aren’t you at the hospital?”
