Chapter 34 Embarrassment
Yvette didn't expect to run into Victor here.
When she heard his voice earlier, she felt it was familiar. Before she could react, he had already walked out. The two of them met so suddenly.
They were both embarrassed. But it was clear that she wasn't the only one feeling awkward.
The waiter had just finished verifying and then smiled at Yvette, saying, " All checked. Mr. Valdemar's reservation is for the Floral Box, I'll take you there."
Victor frowned upon hearing "Mr. Valdemar." He stood in front of Yvette, looking her up and down, but ultimately said nothing.
Yvette glanced at the time and politely nodded at him. "Mr. Thomas, I'll go in first."
"Did Albert invite you?" Victor asked as she was about to leave.
He stared down at Yvette, his expression serious and his tone questioning, which made Yvette feel a slight pressure.
Yvette frowned and nodded, simply replying with a "yes."
Hearing the confirmation, a look of disbelief and slight resentment flashed across Victor's face.
He put one hand on his hip and said irritably, "Do you know this place is owned by our classmates?"
Yvette didn't understand his intention and remained silent.
Victor spoke again, "Let me be clear: this restaurant is owned by Albert and Violet's classmates. This place witnessed their love. Do you think it's appropriate for you to have a date here?"
Yvette's heart suddenly sank. Just a moment ago, she thought he valued this meeting. But her joy was short-lived and quickly shattered.
Yvette felt as if an invisible hand was tightly gripping her heart, making it almost impossible to breathe. But she still tried to suppress her emotions, attempting not to break down in front of anyone.
She slightly raised her head and responded calmly, "Albert invited me. I'm just keeping the appointment."
Victor was extremely displeased and couldn't help but curse, "Albert is such a weirdo."
On the other side, Albert had also arrived.
Albert is typically laissez-faire, showing little concern for the choice of dining venues. The decision of where to eat always rests with his companions; he merely tags along. When it came to meeting Yvette's parents this time, he was unsure about the ideal location and casually settled on a friend's establishment.
Little did he anticipate such serendipity; encountering Violet here was truly unexpected.
After Violet's injury, the company formally notified her to cease working temporarily. Given her back-to-back emergency room visits and issues with alcohol, the company required her to take a break. However, due to her father's influence, Violet's superiors merely mandated a few days of rest. Her recent minor injury also presented an opportunity for management to temporarily halt her work, quelling any rumors among company employees.
Violet felt deeply dejected. Sensing her distress, Victor purposely invited her out for a meal, rallying their friends to accompany her.
Their acquaintance founded this clandestine restaurant. When Violet was still with Albert, they would frequent this place with friends for leisure. Now, things have drastically changed.
Despite her less-than-ideal mood, Violet couldn't help but decline her friends' gesture of goodwill and diligently dressed up for the occasion.
Violet walked through the long corridor and suddenly looked up, seeing the person who haunted her dreams and also broke her heart.
For a fleeting moment, she wondered if she had conjured him in her mind.
The breakup felt like it had occurred just yesterday. Over two years had passed, yet she seemed trapped in a perpetual dream, unable to awaken. Hearing of Yvette and Albert's marriage, she was consumed by remorse. If only she hadn't been so willful and impulsive; if she hadn't incessantly tested his love and patience, would today be different?
As he approached, a faint scent lingered on him, reminiscent of a fragrance worn by another woman. This aroma, akin to Yvette's scent, carried subtle notes of gardenia mingled with a hint of hospital disinfectant.
She thought to herself, 'I must be delusional. Yvette isn't here right now; how could he carry another woman's scent?'
Her spirits buoyed, she asked somewhat meekly, " Did Victor ask you to come?"
Albert furrowed his brow. "What are you doing here?"
One indifferent inquiry shattered all of Violet's fantasies.
'Since he was unaware of her presence, whom could he be meeting here?'
"You're not here to see me? Then what are you doing here?"
Albert glanced at her indifferently and replied coldly, "Having dinner with Yvette's family."
Violet looked at Albert in disbelief. She instantly sank into an uncontrollable emotional breakdown. Her lips trembled as she questioned Albert, "Albert, do you have to embarrass me like this? Do you have to meet Yvette's family here? Do you have to let everyone know I was dumped and you married someone else?"
Upon witnessing Violet's emotional turmoil, Albert's expression began to contort, his dark gaze reflecting a hint of sorrow.
"Sorry, I didn't know you would be here today."
"Albert, even if you don't love me anymore, can't you at least let me keep some dignity? Why do you have to treat me like this? Why did you bring Yvette here? Don't you know what this place means to us?"
Violet completely lost control of her emotions, wiping her tears as she turned to leave. As she left, her heart-wrenching voice echoed in the empty corridor.
"Albert, I hate you."
Victor realized that troubling Yvette was futile. This restaurant operated on a members-only reservation basis, and if Albert didn't bring her, Yvette wouldn't be able to attend either.
However, today, Violet was present. The thought of Violet immediately cast a shadow over Victor's countenance.
Already downtrodden, her beloved man had married another woman, her career was in shambles, and she had been instructed to cease working.
Victor wondered if Violet had arrived and if she had encountered Albert or Yvette's family. If she were to discover that Albert was hosting the Orlandos here, Violet would undoubtedly be heartbroken.
They are truly unfortunate this time. If only Victor had known, he might as well have arranged for a bar instead.
Victor scratched his head and frowned as he asked Yvette, "I suggest you eat somewhere else. This place isn't quite suitable. Where's Albert? Tell him to come find me."
Yvette took a quiet breath and softly replied, "He hasn't reached out to me yet. I'm unaware of his presence." She hesitated to engage further with Victor. "Alternatively, could you directly seek out Albert?"
Before Yvette could even finish speaking, her phone rang.
The screen displayed "Mom" as the caller ID. Yvette apologized to Victor and then turned around to answer the call.
On the other end of the line, Lassie was extremely agitated. "Yvette, come out quickly, and tell your husband to come out too!"
Confused, Yvette instinctively asked, "What's going on?"
Lassie screamed, "A man and a woman are bullying us! Kyle and his mom are being bullied! Their new clothes are all dirty! Hurry, bring your husband with you!"
