Chapter 5
“Okay, got it.”
Giovanna hung up the phone, looking disappointed.“Ugh, no Michelin dinner for us tonight. But hey, you can’t forget this meal. You’re coming with me to dinner with my brother.”
“Wait…”
Cynthia wanted to ask why she needed to go have dinner with her brother.
At Oriole Eatery.
Cynthia knew Giovanna had a brother but never realized that her brother was Braiden.
It was supposed to be Braiden’s matchmaking dinner, and Cynthia felt completely out of place.
Sitting next to Giovanna, Cynthia looked around and whispered, “This is your family’s dinner. Isn’t it inappropriate to bring me
here?”
“What’s inappropriate about it? I’ve always wanted to bring you here for you to meet my family.”
Cynthia kept a smile on her beautiful face, greeting everyone politely while trying to stay low–key.
Giovanna whispered in her ear, “We’re not the stars of the show anyway, so let’s just enjoy the food.”
That was really the best they could do..
The girl Braiden was being introduced to had good credentials. She studied abroad, and her family was well–established in Chicago, basically a perfect match for Braiden.
Both families were getting along well. As long as the two hit it off, everything else would be fine.
Bur Cynthia still felt out of place in this setting, so she found an excuse and slipped out.
Outside, she finally let out a breath.
“Not cooking for me at home, just so you could come to eat here?”
A voice suddenly sounded next to her ear. Cynthia turned and saw a familiar figure.
She had no idea how it was such a coincidence to bump into Zaiden as soon as she stepped outside.
Pretending not to see him, she turned her head away.
Zaiden was about to take a step forward when his phone rang. It was Belinda.
Cynthia stood nearby, pretending not to hear the voice coming from the phone.
“Did you bring it? I’m so hungry.”
Zaiden’s cold tone instantly softened into something tender.
T
- it. Ill be there soon.”
“Hurry up! I don’t know what’s going on lately, just finished eating and I’m hungry again.”
“Wait for me.”
After hanging up, Zaiden ignored Cynthia and quickened his pace, leaving.
Cynthia gave a bitter smile. No wonder she ran into him here. He was here to bring food for Belinda.
15:00
apter 5
when Cynthia worked late and was exhausted, she’d call Zaiden to ask if he could bring her something to eat, even if it just convenience store food.
len would always say,”
“Can’t you
order takeout yourself? Can’t your assistant help you?”
hat time, she didn’t think much of it. Zaiden didn’t like her working late. He wanted her to stay home and be a good wife.
now it seemed none of that mattered. He didn’t love her. That was why he came up with so many excuses.
thia glanced back at the dinner inside, where both families were chatting happily, especially Giovanna, who was talking aatedly with Braiden’s potential girlfriend.
didn’t feel she belonged anymore, so she hadn’t even brought a bag and planned to text Giovanna after leaving.
this stepped our of the hotel, the cold wind clearing her head.
had come in Giovanna’s car but now reached out and hailed a taxi. A Karlmann King pulled up in front of her.
window rolled down, revealing Braiden’s face.
- in. I’ll take you home.”
thia hesitated.
den’s beautiful eyes looked at her. Or do you want to go back to the suite?”
opened the passenger door and gor in
thia felt she should say something, Tm sorry, L..”
den said, “Giovanna shouldn’t have brought you here I apologize to you on her behalf.”
thia rarely saw Braiden this serious, and it made her feel a bit awkward.
okay. She doesn’t treat me like an outsider.”
den drove while saying, “She doesn’t. You’re the person she talks about most at home.
nthia felt a bit uncomfortable. So you knew about me and her all along?”
den smiled softly, a smile that seemed to dim the sun.
u told me what’s professional stays professional, didn’t you?”
thia thought about how Braiden never went easy on her just because Giovanna was her close friend. She still pushed her
rd at work.
ar date is still here. Is it okay for you to be out?”
aiden glanced at her. Then you shouldn’t have sneaked out yourself. You should finish your meal before leaving.”
this suddenly didn’t know what to say.
inking of work, she wanted to speak.
iden seemed to read her mind, “Work’s over. I don’t want to talk about it now.”
we meet somewhere alone?”
aiden looked at her and said nothing, but his meaning was clear.
nthia gave up.
hen they reached the neighborhood, she hesitated to get out. It was rare to see Braiden and she wanted to make the most of it.
<Chapter 5
Braiden teased, ‘Ms. Cynthia, have you suddenly realized you love me, not Zaiden?”
Cynthia quickly got out of the car.
“Mr. Ferguson, thank you for the ride.” She turned her back and walked into the complex, then suddenly stopped and looked back. “Mr. Ferguson, safe driving.”
“Are you alright?”
Like a drop falling into a calm lake, ripples spread far and wide.
Cynthia suddenly felt like crying.
Since the wedding day, no one had ever asked her if she was really okay.
Life and work went on as usual, but only in the quiet of night did she know how much it hurt.
She never expected the one to ask would be her business enemy,
Holding back tears, Cynthia forced a bigger smile than usual.
“It’s just men, isn’t it? Men are everywhere. Mr. Ferguson, don’t underestimate me. This won’t get in my way. Well, I should get going.”
Almost like a frightened rabbit, she escaped.
At home, Cynthia took a shower.
In the shower, she cried hard.
She told herself this would be the last time. She would never cry again over a scumbag like Zaiden.
In the middle of the night, her phone rang and woke her. Thinking it was a client, she answered groggily.
“Cynthia, I have a headache. Where are you? Bring me medicine now.”
When Zaiden was little, doctors found a crack in his heart. It wasn’t serious, but if it didn’t heal properly, he would suffer headaches often when grown up.
Cynthia searched far and wide for the best doctors. Finally, she found à traditional medicine practitioner who said it couldn’t be cured. But he prescribed medicine that could ease the symptoms.
Cynthia brought back the medicine. Every time his headache kicked in, the medicine made him feel better.
Whenever he was showing symptoms, Cynthia was more anxious than anyone else.
But this time, she didn’t care anymore.
“If you are not feeling well, then figure it out yourself. Cynthia hung up the phone directly.
Zaiden called again, Cynthia silenced her phone and turned the screen away, not letting him disturb her rest.
The next morning, Cynthia had just woken up when she saw the call from Giovanna.
I’m really sorry, I didn’t realize that the party last night would make you feel embarrassed. My brother scolded me harshly, it was my oversight. I apologize!”
“Giovanna, don’t say that. We are good friends. I didn’t feel embarrassed yesterday.”
“I knew you are my best friend, love you, kiss, kiss.”
Cynthia smiled.
*Also, the reason I didn’t tell you that Braiden is my brother is because our family is quite complicated.”
Chapter 5
Cynthia had heard bits and pieces about this before, and didn’t blame Giovanna. Upon hearing Braiden’s voice coming from the other side of the phone, she suddenly thought of something.
“However, I still have to make you pay a little price,” she said to Giovanna.
Giovanna immediately replied, “No problem! As long as it can make you feel better, I’ll do anything.”
I wanted to ask your brother out.”
Giovanna was stunned for a moment.
