Chapter 27: "Unspoken Bonds: The Quiet Stirrings of Regret and Hope"

Chapter 40: A Surprise Dinner and Unspoken Words

Timothy's generosity caught them off guard, as he took them to one of the best restaurants in the city, Maple Leaf and Lilac. A place where a meal can cost a small buck, it is a favorite of the elite and the powerful.

Feeling out of place, they decided to delegate someone to speak on their behalf.

"I actually wanted to bring Ursula," Timothy admitted. He was eager to hear what she had been about to say earlier, but he knew this wasn't the right moment.

Samuel, feeling a little embarrassed but realizing that such extravagance was nothing to Timothy, returned to the group with renewed excitement to share the news.

"Whenever I can, I catch up with Ursula. I've just returned to the states, but I still hang out with my old friends quite a bit."

Timothy was clearly the center of attention, except for Ursula, whose eyes sparkled with a different light.

"You must keep busy with friends as successful as you," someone remarked, trying to learn more about Timothy's connection to their Store Manager.

"Fate works in mysterious ways," another chimed in, half-joking about finding someone as good as Timothy.

Timothy, understanding their insinuations, replied with a smile, "Most of my friends are single, but they're a wild bunch. Not everyone can handle them."

Then, turning to Ursula, he said softly, "We went to the same school. I've liked her since the first day I saw her, and I'm glad I waited."

Ursula blushed deeply, caught off guard by Timothy's public declaration.

"How romantic, a college love story," someone sighed.

"But you've been quite secretive, haven't you?" another teased Ursula. "If I had a catch like Timothy, I'd hide him too."

The group laughed, though Samuel was puzzled. She remembered seeing a different man with Ursula and almost brought it up before stopping herself, laughing it off as a mistake.

Ursula was inwardly alarmed, hoping Samuel hadn't seen enough to cause trouble, especially with Dylan around.

"Maybe you need glasses, Samuel," someone joked, trying to defuse the tension.

Samuel agreed, though she was sure the man she saw wasn't Timothy. Timothy himself had some idea who it might be but chose to stay silent.

The waiter's arrival with their food shifted the focus from the awkward topic.

During dinner, Timothy noticed Ursula wasn't eating much and asked if she was okay.

"I'm just full," Ursula insisted, despite her nearly untouched plate.

After dinner, Timothy drove Ursula home. Before she got out of the car, he asked if there was something she wanted to tell him.

Ursula hesitated, then brushed it off, "It's nothing important. Thanks for dinner."

"Want me to walk you up?" Timothy offered, but Ursula declined, assuring him the neighborhood was safe.

Timothy drove off, and Ursula headed inside. The night was dark, and she quickened her pace, regretting not having Timothy walk her to her door. She felt watched and hurried home, cursing her earlier assurance to Timothy about the safety of her neighborhood.