Filed to story: The Regretful Billionaire: An Unpredicted Reunion
Having her take care of him was already something against her will.
Howard grew agitated the more quiet Evan was.
“Boss, if you’re worried Miss Zellweger won’t agree to come with us, I can always—“
“That’s enough.I’ll consider it.Do nothing until I say so, understood?”
Evan knew what Howard was suggesting, but it was still too early to resort to that right now.
Howard sighed, feeling glad.It being taken into consideration was better than nothing being done at all.
Around midday, Danika knocked on Evan’s study.
“Lunch is ready, Evan.”
The door was then swiftly opened while Evan just as swiftly sat back into the wheelchair.
A gentle smile was on his face.
“Wow.That was fast.”
“Mhm.I’ll wheel you downstairs.”
Danika stepped in for Howard and pushed Evan toward the elevator, heading to the first floor.
Zack spotted the two while setting up the table but said nothing.
Evan turned to Howard.
“Get that Romanee Conti from the cellar.”
“Right away!”
Howard nodded excitedly.His boss had gotten that bottle from an auction years ago.He’d been eyeing it for ages, hoping to get a taste.
Finally, the time had come! As the table filled with people, this New Year’s lunch was bound to differ from all the other years as neither Danika and her siblings were having it at their own home, nor was it just the three of them anymore.
“The first toast belongs to Gilbert, without a doubt.Just look at all this food!”
Danika raised her glass at Gilbert.
Evan continued, “I’m really sorry once again.You’re my guests, yet here you are having to cook for us.”
If only he could have, he would.
“It’s alright.We’re no strangers,”
Gilbert grumbled, not wanting to rain on Danika’s parade.
As glasses were raised and “Cheers!” rang through the room, everyone had a taste of the fine wine.
Zack eyed the bottle, saying, “That’s some good red.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
Evan had saved the bottle just for Danika.
The addition of the rest of these people didn’t bother him since he had achieved his goal.Howard, meanwhile, was buzzing with glee.
“Of course, it was good wine,” he thought.
“It cost the boss several million dollars.”
Sounds Fun
Meanwhile, Eustace’s home was much quieter than Evan’s.He had made several dishes, and though they weren’t as fancy, it was still nutritious and homey enough for the three of them—grandparent, grandson, and butler.
“Come join us, Mr.Duncan,” Eustace called to Warren, who was standing in the doorway.
Warren used to be dismissed during the holidays in order to join his family to have New Year’s dinner, but ever since Old Mr.Quincey’s condition worsened, they could no longer afford to leave the old man alone at home.
To Eustace, Warren was part of their family.
The man had taken care of him since he was a boy, after all.
In fact, it wouldn’t be too strange to treat the man as a second grandfather.
Warren fidgeted awkwardly.
“I’m afraid that might be…”
“Eat with us, Warren.You’ve always been family, now is no different,”
Old Mr.Quincey spoke up.
Warren had no reason to refuse now.
He sat down with Eustace and the old man while Alee gave them each a cup of warm tea instead of wine.
“Here, let’s put our glasses together.It’s customary, after all.The old men shared a gaze and smiled, putting their cups up to Eustace’s.This warm scene replayed across Clusia as families and friends dined together on New Year’s Eve, marking the end of the fruitful year.
While Danika swallowed her food, she recalled what Eustace had told her in the garden.
After a moment’s hesitation, she said, “Eustace actually invited us over to have dinner at his place later…what do you guys think?”
She glanced at her brothers, then at Evan, whose opinion she was most worried about.
As if sensing her worry, Evan shot her a smile.
“Sounds fun.Why don’t we head over in the evening?”
“I’m fine with it, too,” Gilbert said.
“So is Janet and I,”
Zack piped up.
It was obvious Eustace was a much more preferable brother-in-law than Evan right now.
Danika beamed.
“Alright.I’ll let him know later.”
Her bright smile was genuine for all to see.It made Evan feel sad.
If it weren’t for his injury right now, he likely wouldn’t be having this meal with Danika.
But he kept those feelings hidden, as usual.
After lunch, Danika and Zack were about to wash the dishes when Janet came over.
“Why don’t you leave the cleaning up to Zack and me, Danika? Go and take a break in the living room.”
“Yeah.Let us handle it.Go rest.”
Zack agreed, secretly hoping Danika would approve of Janet.
Danika shrugged.
“Thanks, then.”
“Not a problem, really.We didn’t help much with the cooking,” Janet said.
She knew how to cook, but she didn’t want to stay in the same space as Gilbert alone, so she hadn’t gone to help him.
Danika then went back to the living room, where Gilbert and Evan were.
She suddenly felt a tension between them that hadn’t been there before.
Though, she could already guess the cause.
Gilbert was the one who brought Evan back—if it weren’t for her, things wouldn’t have come to this.
“Gilbert, Evan, wanna go for a walk?” she suggested.
It had stopped snowing outside, and the neighborhood looked gorgeous layered in the snow.
Looks Like A Challenge
Gilbert got up from his seat.
“Sure.I haven’t had a chance to get a good look at this season’s snow yet.”
“I’m up for it, too,” Evan said.
Howard then came to wheel him out along with Danika and Gilbert.
They didn’t linger in the garden; instead, they strolled around the neighborhood.
