Chapter 364 A Toast to You
Anna looked up at Colin, her eyes serious and probing, as if waiting for his answer to confirm something.
She said, "You've had plenty of women before, right? If we get together, can you handle being as celibate as a monk? We're in a long-distance relationship now, so it's not much different. But if you cheat on me, then forget I said anything."
Colin was momentarily surprised by her words, but quickly regained his composure.
He took a deep breath and answered earnestly, "Anna, I know you might have heard things about my past, but that's all behind me. Since meeting you, I've decided to change. I admit, I had many women before, but that was before I met you. Long-distance is tough, but I will stay true to our commitment and not betray you. Do you trust me? But at least let me enjoy a little. If you don't agree, I won't do anything. I'm a man of principles, and after we get married, we can be together every day."
Colin's words, though slightly playful, instantly dispelled Anna's discomfort. She was amused by his comment and playfully glared at him, saying, "Get out of here! Every day? Who does that every day?"
Colin, relieved by her playful demeanor, smiled and replied, "Alright, I was wrong. But after we get married, we can be together every day, right?"
Anna gave him another playful glare and stepped out of the elevator first.
When they arrived at the private dining room they had reserved, Bella and the others had been waiting for a while.
Colin's restaurant was indeed high-end, with decor and service exuding an upscale vibe, making Serafina and the others, who were dining there for the first time, feel a bit out of place.
They sat at the table, feeling awkward and worried that their behavior might not be appropriate for the setting. Colin noticed this and smiled, reassuring them, "Relax, make yourselves at home," trying to ease their tension.
Isadora, the oldest among the women and there with her daughter Novi, seemed more at ease. She looked at Colin and said apologetically, "Sorry for making you spend so much."
Colin shook his head with a smile, "It's no problem. Order whatever you like."
Lily and Colin's eyes met for a few seconds before they both looked away. This subtle moment left an almost imperceptible tension in the air, making the atmosphere in the private room slightly awkward.
As the dishes and drinks were served, Lily was the first to pick up a wine bottle, gracefully pouring Colin a glass. Her movements were smooth and natural, but her eyes held a deep, indescribable meaning. After pouring Colin's wine, she filled everyone else's glasses.
Anna, immersed in the food and joyful atmosphere, didn't notice this subtle change. However, Bella, with her keen senses, picked up on Lily's unusual behavior.
Bella knew Lily's typically cold demeanor and her rare acts of kindness. Today, Lily not only poured Colin's wine but also kept glancing at him, which was out of character for her.
Bella couldn't help but feel a twinge of suspicion. She discreetly observed the interactions between Lily and Colin, trying to discern any clues. However, both seemed to be maintaining a deliberate distance, with minimal verbal exchanges and only occasional eye contact.
Bella's concerns were not unfounded. As Anna's close friend, she couldn't help but worry. Colin's past was indeed troubling, and a playboy's lifestyle isn't easily changed.
Lily's unusual attention towards Colin made Bella even more vigilant. She knew how sensitive and vulnerable Anna could be.
In Bella's view, even if Colin had changed, his inherent nature might be hard to alter. His carefree lifestyle might make it difficult for him to completely rid himself of his womanizing ways in a short time. How could Anna possibly handle that?
Bella keenly noticed the subtle changes between Lily and Colin, especially when Lily, after pouring the wine, took the initiative to sit to Colin's right. This set off alarm bells in Bella's mind.
For Anna's happiness, Bella decided to intervene, trying to break up any potential misunderstandings.
Bella smiled at Lily and said, "Hey Lily, mind switching seats with me? It'll be easier for me to chat with Colin and Anna."
Lily didn't show much emotion. She quietly got up and moved to the seat Bella indicated.
Bella, feeling relieved, sat down and naturally asked, "So, how long are you planning to stay this time?"
Colin's answer was slightly ambiguous. He looked at Anna and said, "That depends on how long she wants me to stay."
Anna, a bit shy, gave Colin a playful glare and pretended to be annoyed, "I hope you leave tomorrow."
However, Bella could see through Anna's facade. She remembered how Anna had been eagerly waiting for Colin, always talking about wanting to eat his cooking. Now that Colin was here, Anna was too embarrassed to express her joy directly.
Bella found this amusing and teased Anna, "Stop pretending. You were always talking about wanting to eat his cooking and waiting for him to come. Now that he's here, you're too shy to say it. You weren't like this before."
This comment exposed Anna's true feelings and lightened the mood. Anna, a bit embarrassed, smiled happily, while Colin watched them with a loving and gentle expression.
Bella, seeing this, felt a bit more at ease. Despite Colin's troubling past, he seemed genuinely devoted to Anna, which reassured her somewhat.
Suddenly, Lily broke the silence at the table. She elegantly raised her glass, her gaze steady and deep as she looked directly at Colin, as if the whole world had paused in that moment.
"Mr. Rivera, a toast to you," she said, her voice clear and strong, each word carefully chosen.
The table fell silent, and all eyes turned to Lily and Colin.
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