Filed to story: The Regretful Billionaire: An Unpredicted Reunion
Her impression of Jade as a stern workaholic had changed as well.Now Jade seemed more gentle and soft at the edges.
“Oh, stop it.Why don’t you tell us what’s going on between you and Leonard?”
Jade quickly changed the topic, not wanting to be the only one at the women’s mercy.
Stephanie glanced at Leonard several feet away.
“We’re just friends, nothing else.”
“Just friends?”
Bullshit.
Who’d bring a “friend” to that sort of occasion? Stephanie cleared her throat.
“For now, at least.”
She couldn’t promise what that would change into in the upcoming future.
“Oh, I see.So friends now, but dating later, right?”
Jade giggled.
Stephanie smiled, embarrassed, though she neither confirmed nor denied it.
Melanie was stunned hearing the exchange, however.
Did Stephanie already have her sights on someone else? So soon? What about Paul, then? She glanced at Paul, noticing how furrowed his brow was.It didn’t look like he was enjoying it one bit.
Melanie felt sad.
It should’ve been a good thing for her since Paul might actually give up on Stephanie, which means a chance for her to step up.
But seeing Paul in so much distress wrenched her heart into a ball.
She only hoped to see the man happy.
When Melanie saw Paul go to the washroom, she tagged along, hoping to console him.
The man stopped halfway, noticing someone was following him.He turned around.
“The hell are you doing?”
“I wanted to comfort you,” Melanie said frankly.
“Steph likes someone else now, and I know it upsets you, but you still have me.I want you to remember that.”
“You? You think you’re on the same level as she is?” Paul scoffed.
Melanie paled instantly, looking like she was about to cry.
“I know you don’t feel the same way about me like I do for you, but I’m not going to give up.”
“Idiot,” Paul hissed, then went into the washroom, leaving Melanie to stand alone, feeling awful.
Pretend I Said Nothing
Danika and Eustace had bore witness to the drama from the second- floor landing.
“Do you think…do you think Melanie has a chance?”
Danika asked with a sigh.
Melanie was a kind, sweet girl.
Of all the other men in Bardoff City, why did she have to fall for Paul? Eustace sighed as well.
“An incredibly slim one.Paul doesn’t grow affection for someone that easily, and it’s even harder for him to lose it.”
He wouldn’t give up even if Stephanie and Leonard ended up dating.
“Why don’t you talk to him?”
Danika didn’t want him to continue being a nuisance in Stephanie’s life.
Plus, Paul would be lucky to have someone like Melanie.
Eustace shook his head.
“You can’t force people to like or dislike each other, Danika.”
“Alright…fine.I just hoped you could convince him to let it go.”
Eustace nodded.
“In that case…I’ll try my best.”
But even he knew his best would amount to nothing.
Danika glanced at the room Old Mr.Quincey was staying in on the second floor.It had been some time since Alfred and Mortimer went inside.
“…Do you think they’re doing okay?”
“Yeah.Warren’s in there watching out for Grandpa.”
Eustace hadn’t gone downstairs just in case something happened.
Just then, the door opened.
Alfred wheeled out Mortimer.
“You don’t mind us sticking around for dinner later, do you?”
He’d helped Eustace back then.
One dinner together was reasonable, right?
“Whatever.”
Eustace waved his hand nonchalantly.
He’d just ignore them during dinner.
Just like that, two more people were added to the list of dinner attendees.
Five minutes before dinner, Eustace was still lounging outside.
Danika guessed what he’d done at that point.
“Did you order food already? we “Mhm.No way could I cook for so many people all by myself.I’m not that capable.”
Eustace grinned.
“Plus, I only like cooking when it’s for you, not for anyone else.”
Danika rolled her eyes for the nth time tonight.
“As if your cooking’s any good.”
“Oh? I thought I heard someone smacking their lips when I made dinner for her on several occasions.”
Danika pouted, refusing to admit it out loud.
Eustace’s cooking really was delicious.
But she wasn’t going to let him have the win right now.
“You should go tell Grandpa it’s time for dinner.I’ll go tell the others.”
“Alright.”
Danika went downstairs, sidling right up to Stephanie.
“Are your parents celebrating New Year’s Eve on their own?”
“Yeah.We already had New Year’s lunch, and they know we get more active at night.” Stephanie grinned.
Her parents had literally pushed her out the door so she’d spend more time outside.She wasn’t getting younger after all.
All they hoped was that she’d find a nice young man to settle down with soon.
“When will you bring Leonard over for dinner with your parents? I’m sure they’ll love him.”
Danika thought Leonard was the kind of guy all parents wanted for their daughters.
Stephanie scoffed.
“What are you talking about? Why would I do that?”
