Chapter 127
It had been ten minutes since Summer had sent out the message, and yet, there was no reply. Anxiety began to bubble within her. This was something that never happened before. With a sigh, she sent another text, (Emmitt, I’m at our usual spot.]
On the other end, Emmitt was zoning out with his phone in hand. When he got Summer’s first message, his initial reaction was to reply instantly. But the events of the previous night, coupled with the words his family had said, froze his fingers. He couldn’t type a word.
He had been taking care of Summer ever since their childhood, and he knew her better than anyone. Even after she rejoined the Gilbert family, he never saw her as a stranger. The thought. of doubting her had never crossed his mind – until now.
Emmitt massaged his temples and opened Summer’s second message that just came in. After a moment of silence, he finally stood up, grabbed his car keys from the drawer, and left the office.
At an upscale bistro downtown, within a private room on the second floor.
Summer had been there since the class was over, having instructed her driver to drop her off. From five o’clock straight through to six, as the sky darkened outside the window, her heart sank a little more with each passing minute.
…if
Emmitt hadn’t responded to any of her messages. She didn’t know if he was simply busy or intentionally ignoring her. It felt like ever since that phone call last night, something had shifted silently between them.
Clutching her phone, Summer wanted to call Emmitt, but she resisted the urge repeatedly. She kept telling herself to stay calm, not to panic.
Finally, at nearly seven, the door to the private room creaked open.
Hearing the sound, Summer stood up so fast that her phone clattered onto the table, which she ignored. Her eyes, slightly reddened, locked onto the belated Emmitt. Her lips trembled, and her voice was choked with emotion. “Emmitt, I thought you weren’t going to show.”
Emmitt met Summer’s restrained, wounded expression and instinctively wanted to explain. Yet, he found himself looking away. His tone was as casual as ever, “Sorry, got held up by a client at the office.”
At his words, Summer’s face turned a shade paler. Her whole frame seemed to sway as if she might collapse. She steadied herself on a nearby chair, sniffled, and said in a subdued voice, “It’s okay… I can wait for you.”
Emmitt’s hands clenched at his sides before he pulled out a chair and sat down, avoiding her gaze. He nonchalantly picked up a menu. “What’s your fancy? Dinner’s on me tonight.” He pressed the service bell promptly, summoning the waiter.
Chapter 127
“I’m fine with anything.” Summer murmured softly.
“Then let’s go with the usual” Emmitt said, closing the menu and rattling off a few dishes to the
waiter.
As soon as the waiter departed, Summer looked up to Emmitt across the table. Her smile was tinged with bitterness. “Emmitt, are you mad at me about last night?”
“I know I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions. When I couldn’t reach Granny, I thought Mira took her. I hardly slept all night, worrying about the misunderstanding it might cause. I apologized to Mira today, but she seemed like she didn’t want to see me… Emmitt, I’m sorry. You can yell at me. It’s all my fault.” Her voice broke as she spoke, and her pale face looked all the more pitiable.
