Chapter 444 Comprehensive Dating Services for Couples
Ashley was skeptical, but it was hard for her to imagine Damian eavesdropping at the door, so she concluded that he must have been standing there smoking after coming up.
"But wait, how did you know I was on this floor?"
Damian frowned, unsure whether to praise her for being smart or call her dumb. "The elevator stopped at this floor. Hard to guess?"
Ashley shrugged. "Okay, I didn't think of that."
This building had two apartments per floor. He probably wasn't sure which door she went into, so he waited by the window, right?
Back in the car, Ashley wasn't in a great mood. When she pranked Trinity, she was out for revenge and didn't hold back. Trinity had caused her to lose her professional license, and she wanted to ruin her completely in return.
But Paula was her cousin, her uncle's future in Dreamvale was uncertain, and her mom needed an explanation. If Paula did something even more foolish, she might have to help clean up the mess.
Greedy and stupid, being used as a pawn—utterly speechless.
Thinking about it, Ashley sighed.
The sigh broke the silence in the car. Damian frowned and glanced sideways. "Didn't go as planned? Didn't meet your expectations?"
With such skills, she not only handled her cousin but also took care of a small celebrity.
He had underestimated Ashley's ability to multitask.
She was so capable that his plan to burst in and save the day wasn't even needed.
Ashley leaned against the passenger seat, her slender fingers running through her hair, supporting her head. "Although it's not quite appropriate to tell you this, I have no one else to talk to right now. Could you, Mr. Hearst, reluctantly be my listener?"
Damian's frown deepened. What a way to put it, really asking for trouble. "If you don't want to talk, then don't."
Still putting on airs.
Ashley knew he had a temper, and this tone meant he agreed. "I just saw my cousin. She teamed up with Trinity to report me, causing me to lose my job. But she's still my cousin, so I can't be too harsh."
Damian snorted. "Did she think of you as her cousin when she almost had someone assault you? Did she remember you were family when she teamed up with outsiders to mess with you?"
"If I were as cold as she is, I'd be the kind of person I hate."
Damian sneered. "You're not cold? I think you're even harsher than she is."
For example, when dealing with him, sometimes she was as polite as a stranger, sometimes as cold as an enemy. To keep her around, he had to use extreme measures.
Ashley pretended not to understand, her gaze shifting to the bright city lights outside. "Where are you going? Not going home?"
"Going home to cook now? I'd starve to death waiting. Let's eat first, then go back."
Ashley had forgotten about dinner and nodded guiltily. "Alright."
The city's streetlights had pushed the night to the outskirts, the lit lamps like countless stars, showcasing the hustle and bustle.
Damian's stern face alternated between light and shadow under the streetlights, as if speeding through a dream of light and shadow.
A few minutes later, the car stopped by a small road.
Ashley looked around; there were no restaurants nearby, but she still got out of the car with Damian.
Damian had his right hand in his pocket, slightly raising his chin. "This way."
Ashley guessed he was heading to a private kitchen in the alley and followed. The alley had only one low-wattage streetlamp, emitting a glow like an old movie. The cobblestone path was specially laid, and a misstep could easily twist an ankle.
These days, restaurants were becoming more and more unconventional, not only competing in dishes and decor but also in unique facilities. Who knew what theme this place had, making customers walk 1600 feet into the alley, all on small stones? Was it to help with digestion in advance?
Ashley was distracted while walking and almost slipped, nearly hitting the wall.
Damian reached out in time, grabbed her arm, and then, without a word, held her hand. To be safe, he interlaced his fingers with hers, holding tightly.
Ashley's palm suddenly felt warm. Damian's warm, dry hand gripped hers, a slight electric current flowing through her body with the summer heat, making her steps feel light.
It must be the quiet and deliberate environment that made her feel a soft pink ripple.
The restaurant was a two-story French-style house, with tall trees and potted plants in the yard. The lighting was dim and hazy, creating a sense of romantic secrecy.
Ashley wondered if something was wrong with her head. Why did she always think of such things when she was with Damian?
The dining area was in a private room on the first floor, and through the stained glass windows, she could hear piano music from the hall.
When they entered, she saw a musician playing live. The current piece was Chopin's "Piano Concerto No. 2."
It was said that Chopin composed this as a secret love confession to soprano singer Konstancja.
Ashley picked up the tea on the table to soothe her throat, brushing away inappropriate thoughts.
Damian was a VIP here, and the manager personally attended to them. Seeing him with a female companion, the manager's eyes were full of questions, but his face showed no sign, respectfully suggesting tonight's dishes.
Damian nodded, and the manager left.
The elegant private room was filled with historical traces. The prints on the walls featured old-time celebrities, giving a strong sense of history, both beautiful and fleeting.
They hadn't even started eating, and she was already deeply moved.
Dinner was served gradually, each dish a perfect work of art, with rose petals on every plate. Then the main lights went out, and warm-colored light strips lit up around them. Candles on staggered candlesticks were lit, and a bouquet of roses highlighted by small bulbs adorned the center of the table.
Ashley almost dropped her fork. "Mr. Hearst, did the restaurant make a mistake? This is clearly a romantic candlelight dinner set for couples."
Damian held his fork, calmly tasting the food, seemingly satisfied. "So much fuss over a meal? Not enough light? Are you going to eat with your nose?"
Ashley didn't mean that. The atmosphere was just too intimate!
The ambiance was strange, but the food was excellent. Fish, shrimp, meat—these dishes could be found elsewhere, but the texture here was far superior.
Ashley was starting to believe those exaggerated chocolate commercials. But a piece of chocolate couldn't compare to their dishes.
"Is your love life always under scrutiny?"
Out of nowhere, he asked this. Ashley didn't get it at first, her bright eyes looking over, a question mark clearly on her forehead. "What?"
Damian's face darkened. "On the phone, you said, 'Do you have to control whether I date or not?' Who was that about?"
Ashley thought, why is this guy eavesdropping on my calls? "A pretty cute and smart girl."
Damian swallowed the shrimp in his mouth, his thin lips curling slightly. "The girl who sat next to you at the lecture, shouting the loudest?"
Ashley chuckled. "Mr. Hearst, you pay that much attention to me? Out of all those people, you knew where I was sitting?"
Damian's expression didn't change. "That sign was the most conspicuous and ugliest in the whole place. Hard to miss."
If Hannah heard that, she'd cry!
Ashley opened her mouth. "You..." How could he be so mean?
She hadn't finished when she heard a familiar voice outside. "Mr. Long is here? Long time no see, please come in!"
Ashley's eyes widened, whispering, "Hendrix?"
Damian remained unbothered, calmly saying, "Unless there's another Mr. Long in Rochester City."
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