Filed to story: The Regretful Billionaire: An Unpredicted Reunion >>
When Eustace was done explaining, Danika asked nonchalantly, “I just asked where she was. Why are you telling me so much?”
“I’m afraid you’ll misunderstand,” Eustace admitted with a wry smile.
Never had Danika imagined that there was a timid side to the dignified Mr. Quincey. “Well, it’s not like we have anything to do with each other, so there’s no need to explain to me,” she replied.
Before Eustace could say otherwise, they arrived at their destination, so he had no chance to speak his mind.
“We’re here.”
They got out of the car and headed to the exhibition together. Danika had rejected the idea of going to the movies with Eustace to avoid being misunderstood by others. However, as they walked into the venue, many people looked at them. From the looks on their faces, they recognized Eustace. Danika regretted her decision. She wished she had worn a mask.
“Mr. Quincey.” Soon, someone came up to say hello to him, seeming rather curious about Danika. “Is this…. your girlfriend?”
“No, not yet.” Eustace’s answer intrigued their curiosity as it alluded that she might become his girlfriend in the future. As a result, they began to look at her in a different light.
Glaring at him angrily, Danika announced, “I’ll go over there to have a look first. You guys carry on.”
Without waiting for Eustace to reply, she marched to a nearby exhibit and began studying the work. After visiting several exhibits, nothing caught her eye. She had come hoping she could scout talented designers as her company didn’t have any. It appeared that she had been too hopeful.
“How is it? See anything you like?” Eustace asked, suddenly appearing beside her.
Turning around, Danika was surprised to see that he had a mask on.
“You-”
“No one will recognize me like this. It was hard enough for me to bring you out, so I don’t want to be disturbed.” The man who had approached him to say hello had greatly annoyed him.
Although hearing that brought her a warm, fuzzy feeling, it could not tame her sharp tongue. “Well, it’s your fault for being the famous Mr. Quincey. Everywhere you go, someone will know you.”
“I already admitted that I was wrong. Can you stop making fun of me?” Eustace grumbled, thinking that Danika was really ruthless to him.
Danika smiled silently and continued to look at the displays. Eustace followed behind her quietly, buying everything Danika liked without hesitation. In his opinion, the one thing he didn’t lack was money. Just like that, they spent the entire afternoon together.
When they left the venue, it was already dark outside. As Eustace opened the car door, he asked Danika, “Shall we go grocery shopping?”
“Okay.” Danika nodded before she changed her mind. “Actually, since it’s already so late, let me treat you to dinner.” Considering how Eustace had spent the entire afternoon walking around the exhibition with her, he must have been exhausted. It would be burdensome for him to go grocery shopping and cook after returning home.
“Don’t worry, it’s fine. Let’s eat at home. That’ll be healthier,” he insisted, already inside the car.
Healthier?
Given Eustace’s lack of work-life balance, Danika doubted he had any consideration for his own health.
Nonetheless, she decided he could tire himself out since that was what he wanted. With that, she got into the car, and Eustace drove to the nearest supermarket.
In the lobby of Perry Residence, Zack glared at Gilbert, who refused to budge an inch. “You really won’t go upstairs?” Zack asked. “We’re already here. Let’s just go up to see Danika, okay?”
“She doesn’t want to see me.” Gilbert didn’t tell Zack that he had visited Danika earlier and how differently she behaved around him.
*And you won’t go to her just because of that?” Exasperated, Zack dragged him into the building. As he tugged on Gilbert’s arm, he continued to say, “Hey, you were wrong. How can Danika forgive you if you don’t make the first move? Let me give you some advice. Tell Danika sincerely that you don’t like her anymore, and promise to see her as your younger sister. If you do that, everything will be fine, won’t it?”
Since the three of them grew up together, Zack hated to see how strained their relationship was. Hence, he tried his best to persuade Gilbert to give up his feelings for Danika. He also brought him to find Danika, hoping they could resolve their misgivings.
Gilbert remained silent. He didn’t want to, nor could he give up his feelings for Danika. Could a person really stop liking someone at will? He had had feelings for her for decades. Asking him to get rid of his feelings was impossible for him.
Despite Gilbert’s reluctance, Zack dragged him to Danika’s door. “Hey, did you hear what I just said?”
Gilbert nodded perfunctorily. However, he didn’t intend to say anything to Danika.
After ringing the doorbell, the door was soon opened. At the sight of Zack, Danika asked delightedly. Zack? Why did you come here unannounced?”
“Must I make an appointment to visit you? Are you afraid I’ll find out you’re hiding a man at home?”
Laughing, Zack pulled Gilbert to the door into Danika’s line of sight. Instantly, Danika’s grin disappeared.
“Gilbert,” she greeted him.
Gilbert nodded at her, pretending he couldn’t sense the change in her behavior toward him. Alas, there was nothing he could do about it.
“Let’s talk about it inside,” Zack announced. With that, he dragged Gilbert into Danika’s house. Since they were already there, they had to set matters straight before they left.
The moment they stepped into the living room, Eustace exited the kitchen with food in his hands. The three men stared at each other awkwardly.
Zack was the first to react. He asked in mock anger, “So, you were hiding a man in your house?”
“It’s just a coincidence,” Danika answered with a helpless smile.
“Hmph, I’d be a fool if I believed that.” Zack, however, didn’t harbor any resentment toward Eustace. After all, he had received Eustace’s help before, and Eustace had rescued Danika several times later. Hence, his impression of him had changed.
He turned to observe his brother, only to find him simmering with hostility. Suddenly, Zack thought it would be good if Danika and Eustace ended up together. At least, it might encourage Gilbert to give up.
During the two years of Danika’s marriage, the siblings had dwelled peacefully with each other. If Danika and Eustace hadn’t divorced, they wouldn’t be in their current predicament.