“Hello, miss. Do you have a reservation?” the waltress at the entrance asked.
Rachel communicated in sign language, and the waitress was at a loss of what to do. Thus, she peered into the restaurant, trying to locate Justin.
“Miss Rachel, over here!” A crisp, clear voice came from a table next to the windows, and it was Gloria waving her hand at Rachel. She was dressed in a pale yellow dress with her hair down around her
shoulders, and her smile was refreshing and warm.
Rachel felt her heart drop, and her grip on her handbag tightened without her realizing. The seat was at the table next to the window, and the view outside was the bright lights of the city.
Why are you here?
“Justin is making a call right there,” Gloria explained, pointing to the outdoor dining area.
Through the French windows, Rachel saw his tall figure with his back facing the restaurant while he spoke into the phone, and a complicated look flashed in her eyes.
“What would you like to eat, Miss Rachel? We placed our orders earlier, but you should take a look as well,” Gloria said, pushing the menu to her. Rachel only managed to glance at the menu when Gloria added, “Why don’t you try this, Miss Rachel? I think it’s not bad, and this dessert as well. I ordered one earlier. Would you like one as well?”
Rachel froze for a moment and decided to stop flipping the menu, pushing it away. You can decide.
“I hope you won’t mind that I’m joining you guys for dinner.”
Curling the edge of her lips, Rachel forced a smile. I don’t mind. We’re here to discuss work, anyway.
“Actually, it was only both of you having dinner together tonight, but I asked if I could join when we were getting off from work, and Justin agreed to let me tag along.”
Narrowing her eyes, Rachel could clearly feel a trace of pressure.
“For a business marriage like yours, actually you have no relationship to speak about besides business, right?”
“Don’t get me wrong. I’m not interested in the title of Mrs. Burton, so you don’t have to worry about me as a threat. However, I won’t leave Justin’s side in this lifetime. We’ve known each other for ten years
Instantly, Rachel dug her fingernails into her palms. Ten years… she repeated in her head. Justin already knew this girl for ten years. How old was this girl even ten years ago?
Just what is your relationship with him? Rachel asked.
Giggling, Gloria peered over Rachel’s shoulders and said, “You’re done with your call? I just finished ordering the food with Miss Rachel.”
The glass on the window reflected Justin’s figure as he walked up from behind Rachel and naturally slid into a seat next to Gloria without hesitation. In comparison, Rachel was the one who seemed like an outsider.
“What were you chatting about? You seem so excited.”
“Miss Rachel just asked me what’s our relationship, but you came back before I could answer her.”
Hearing that, Justin glanced at Rachel and said, “You didn’t seem like such a curious person to me
Rachel was startled, and Gloria quickly said, “She was just asking casually. Why are you being so fierce? It’s kinda terrifying.”
The muscles on Justin’s face eased up, and he changed the topic of conversation. “How are things going with Hudson Pharmaceuticals?” Rachel cast a glance at Gloria, and he explained calmly, “It’s okay. Gloria is not an outsider. Just speak your mind.”
His words sent a wave of jealousy over Rachel’s chest, leaving her feeling bleak. On the other hand, Gloria merely chuckled. “I’m not the least Interested in your official business. You guys can continue while I go to the washroom.”
Rachel passed a document to Justin. Just as you expected, Hudson Pharmaceuticals is in a financial crisis after falling out with Pacific Inc. Now, they’re in a desperate need for funding, and Jefferey wants me to ask for help from you. As part of the deal, I requested access to the original accounts, and I’ve already gone through a part of it.
“The financial situation of Hudson Pharmaceuticals is worse than I imagined.”
What do you plan to do?
Closing the document, Justin looked up at her with a composed face. “Isn’t Jefferey hoping that I’ll help him out? I’ll do as he wishes and help him.”
Startled, the things Justin just said made Rachel’s heart pump faster. She could totally imagine that Jefferey would be so furious when he heard this news, and she was afraid he might even pass out because he couldn’t catch his breath from the sudden rush of anger.
Are you really doing this? What if he flips?
“Does he have the guts to?” Justin asked calmly instead. “After having an argument with Pacific Inc. and losing his only backup, where else could he retreat if people within the industry knew that he fell out with the Burton Group as well?”
From the moment Amber stole the information, he had played along with her, planning to lure her. Everything was a trap he set up for Jefferey, and he was so shrewd that it gave Rachel the chills.
Suddenly, the sound of a piano playing came from the stage in the middle of the restaurant, attracting everybody’s attention. Lifting her head to the source, Rachel saw Gloria seated at a white grand plano as her fingers danced across the keyboard.
She played the plece ‘Canon’ very smoothly, and it was filled with robust and lively emotions. The notes chasing after each other in the melody was like she was telling a tale of longing and pursult.
When she finished, the restaurant burst out in a round of applause.
A group of children gathered next to the stage Immediately clapped. “You’re amazing! Play another one!”
Smiling brilliantly, Gloria then changed the tune beneath her fingers, playing a merry piece this time. On
Then, Rachel suddenly saw the warmth in Justin’s dark eyes across her as he watched Gloria. It was a peaceful look that she had never seen before.
When Gloria was back from playing the piano, she asked, “Are you guys finished? I’m famished. Can we eat now?”
As Rachel watched Justin passing a piece of napkin to Gloria for her to clean her hands, she felt a bitter taste coming from her throat. I’m leaving first, then. You two enjoy your meal.
“What are you saying, Miss Rachel?” Gloria said, looking curiously at Justin.
Frowning, he asked, “Why are you in such a rush to leave? Do you have something on?”
Yes, I’m going back to check the accounts, and to prepare for work tomorrow. Also, I need to prepare the Information on the thing you just mentioned. Enjoy your meal.
“You’re so busy that you’re skipping dinner?”
I’ll eat when I get back. Rachel had already stood up with her handbag in hand as she waited for Justin’s reply.
Justin was quiet for a couple of seconds before the words left his lips. “Go, then.”
After giving him a nod, Rachel turned and left.
“Why are you leaving, Miss Rachel?” Gloria asked, standing up.
“Don’t bother about her,” Justin interrupted, looking a little sorrowful. Even his jet-black eyes seemed very gloomy.
Seeing how depressed he seemed, Gloria wiped the smile off her face. “Actually, you still care about her a lot, don’t you?”
“How can you tell?”
“From everything.”
With a knot between his brows, Justin avolded this topic and switched to another, saying, “Didn’t you
say that you’re not playing the plano anymore?”
Since she was young, Gloria had learned to play the piano, and she was very gifted. Originally, the best for her future would be to continue this study abroad, but she didn’t want to. Instead, she went behind Justin’s back and enrolled into a university in Riverdale. After throwing a round of tantrum, she vowed not to play the piano again, and more than six months had passed since she threw that fit.
“I felt like playing all of a sudden,” she answered, looking at her own hands. “Playing occasionally is
good. Maybe I can be a piano teacher in Riverdale one day.”
“But your talent is wasted in Riverdale.”
“I don’t think so. I think, Gloria wanted to say something else, but stopped suddenly when she realized that Justin seemed to be in a daze. She rolled her hands into fists as she told herself, Forget it.
