Chapter 14
Casting a glance at the clock, Cecily realized it was getting late. "Sorry for the hold-up. Let's go grab a bite. It's on me."
"You said it. I've made reservations at Dragon's Wok Restaurant," her friend quipped with a playful smirk. "And I won't hold back. Let's get going."
...
In the study, Darian heard a gentle but firm knock. "Knock, knock." Ophelia let herself in.
"Darian," she greeted, a tender smile gracing her lips as she sauntered over to Darian's side.
"Mmm." Darian rubbed his temples, slightly pained.
After catching a whiff of Ophelia's perfume, he couldn't help but crinkle his nose distastefully.
Unperturbed, Ophelia cozied up to him. "Darian, I'm heading out to Dragon's Wok Restaurant with Elysia later. Could you pick me up after?"
He glanced at his watch and, without outright refusal, murmured his assent, "Mm."
Ophelia's already bright smile widened, a flicker of calculation barely perceptible in her eyes. "Thank you, Darian."
...
Dragon's Wok Restaurant was a renowned upscale eatery in Silver Frost Capital, known for its exquisite Spanish cuisine. Its vintage decor and romantic ambience made it a favorite among the elite.
Securing a table here was no small feat, and it took Aurelie several days of planning to land the reservation.
Aurelie pulled Cecily down to their reserved table and flipped through the menu, saying, "Scoring a reservation at this place was such a mission; I'm definitely going to treat myself today."
Cecily just smiled, "Order whatever you like, it's on me."
True to her word, Aurelie didn't hold back and ordered a feast.
The food arrived quickly, but Cecily's mind was elsewhere, pondering over the child she saw at the airport and finding herself lacking the appetite.
Aurelie, on the other hand, seemed genuinely starved; she savored every bite with relish.
Just then, Cecily's phone rang. She answered the call.
Blaise's voice, deep and resonant, came through, "Is it handled?"
"All taken care of," Cecily reassured him.
"So, the person you had called the police to arrest was Darian?"
"Yes."
Cecily marveled at how Blaise always seemed to have an uncanny sense of things.
Despite being miles away in Dorde, he effortlessly kept tabs on the events unfolding around her.
"I never should've let you go back."
Cecily let out a slight chuckle, "This was inevitable. You can’t shield me forever, and I can’t keep causing you trouble."
"Who said you're troubling me? I'd gladly rip out his tongue for you."
"I can handle it."
Blaise went silent.
After a heavy pause, the man’s voice, laced with frustration though attempting humor, replied, "I really should stop taking care of things for you."
"Miss Cecily, what a coincidence to see you here again."
A familiar voice unexpectedly chimed in from nearby.
Cecily's gaze flickered, and she slightly raised an eyebrow.
Ophelia was giving her a friendly smile.
Just half an hour earlier, the woman had been throwing venomous words her way, and now, in a crowd, she acted like they were the best of pals. Her acting talent was going to waste.
Accompanying her was another woman—Elysia.
Cecily’s half-sister from her father’s side.
The two peas in a pod were thick as thieves, and their sudden appearance together didn't surprise Cecily in the slightest.
"Coincidence? I think not," Cecily retorted with an icy smile.
It surely was no fluke that they had followed her here.
"Cecily?" Elysia's melodramatic voice called out, "Ophelia mentioned you'd returned. I couldn't believe it at first, but here you are."
"Putting on a show even for a simple meal brings out the worst," Aurelie interjected, biting into a piece of meat with gusto, not even sparing the two women a glance.
As if Aurelie's words had fallen on deaf ears, Elysia stepped forward, concern etched on her face as she faced Cecily. "Cecily, where have you been all these years? Grandma and Dad have been so worried about you."
Cecily's brow furrowed, a wave of revulsion washing over her.
Elysia's eyes raked over Cecily, taking in her non-descript clothing and then glancing at the table laden with food.
With a smug curl of her lip, Elysia found her sense of superiority. "Cecily, it doesn't seem like you've been doing too well. Dragon's Breath Bistro is quite pricey. Can you really afford it with what you're making now?"
Elysia's gaze dripped with disdain as she looked at Cecily.
Beside her, Ophelia couldn't resist a smirk herself, her lips twisting into a sardonic smile.
Cecily's countenance grew colder as she spoke into the phone. "Two despicable pieces of work just showed up; I'll have to call you back."
"Yeah," Blaise's voice turned frostier, having heard the exchange crystal clear.
“Who are you talking to?" Elysia asked, wondering who would be reaching out to her sister.
Cecily's response was dismissive. "Is it any of your concern?"
Confronted with Cecily's frosty demeanor, Elysia put on a face of hurt. "I just wanted to show some sisterly concern. How about this, sis? When you're ready to leave, let me know. I'll cover the tab for your table. It's been so many years; let me treat you."
Her expression reeked of condescension and pity.
"You're dead-set on being obnoxious in a place where people are just trying to eat?" Cecily retorted irritably.
Ophelia pursed her lips and frowned. "Miss Cecily, Elysia is your sister after all. She's just trying to be nice and pick up the check for you. There's no need to talk to her like that."
"And how should I speak, then? Put on a pretentious act like you two? Sorry, but I can't quite master that."
Cecily's voice was devoid of warmth, clearly unwilling to play along with these two shameless women.
Ophelia and Elysia's expressions cooled further.
With a cold snort, Elysia bit back, "All these years and you haven't changed, Cecily. I really don't know where people like you, with nothing to your name, get their confidence and pride from."
Cecily heard this and couldn't help but smirk. "From you, of course. A nobody like me is still worthy of your envy, jealousy, and hate. Isn't that something to be proud of?"
"Who's green with envy, huh? What do you have that's so enviable? Ophelia is about to become Mrs. Fitzgerald," scoffed Elysia, her voice dripping with disdain. "You're just a woman dumped on her heels. If anyone should be jealous, it's you."
Every time the engagement was mentioned, Ophelia couldn't help but beam with pride. She was on the cusp of getting engaged to Darian. She was only a heartbeat away from becoming Mrs. Fitzgerald. It was Cecily who should be eaten up with jealousy.
With that thought, Ophelia crossed her arms, her gaze towards Cecily filled with scorn.
Digging into her purse, she pulled out an invitation card and set it on the table.
"Miss Cecily, I forgot to give you this earlier. It's the invitation to my engagement party with Darian. You're welcome to attend our celebration."
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