Chapter 26: Romantic Dinner

Angeline stared at Bryan, who remained silent in response to her question. For Angeline, who didn't understand much, Bryan's behavior at that moment was deeply heartbreaking. Angeline had fallen in love with him and maybe she still had feelings for Bryan. She couldn't understand why Bryan had suddenly stopped and walked away, even dropping the red rose he had given her. He had broken her heart before their relationship had a chance to blossom. Bryan sighed, knowing that telling her the truth would only hurt Angeline more. He believed that their feelings couldn't unite because his marriage to Angeline wasn't meant to be a harmonious, loving one. His goal was to save his father's company from falling into the hands of Mrs. Rose, who had already begun to look for weaknesses in Bryan's position. Becoming romantically involved with Angeline would distract him and possibly cause him to lose sight of his primary objective. That's why Bryan had decided to end the day without answering Angeline's question and had retired to the house. Seeing Bryan's return to his aloof demeanor made Angeline smile weakly. She had lowered her expectations and decided to continue planting her flowers, trying to forget her recent encounter with Bryan. "I should never have asked. I should just forget everything. Pretend it never happened," Angeline said to herself, trying to find her resolve. In the evening, Angeline stayed in her room, isolating herself since Bryan left her in the garden. She no longer ventured out and lost all motivation for anything. She even lost her appetite and hadn't eaten since noon. In his office, still busy with his work, Bryan remembered Angeline's question that morning. He felt guilty for not saying anything. He thought that he should at least give Angeline some understanding and prevent her from holding on to false hope. Bryan left his room and went looking for Angeline, who seemed to be nowhere to be found. "Bibi, where's Angeline?" Bryan asked the nanny. "Miss Angeline is in her room, sir, but she hasn't eaten since noon. She only had a piece of bread and an apple this morning," the nanny replied, expressing her concern for Angeline. "All right, I'll try to persuade her to eat." Bryan went to Angeline's room, hesitated for a moment, and then knocked on her door. "Who is it?" Angeline asked weakly, feeling lethargic from not having eaten after a day of gardening. "It's me, Bryan. Would you like to eat outside?" Bryan asked with a hint of hesitation, not getting an immediate answer. After waiting a few moments, Bryan was about to knock on Angeline's door again when it suddenly opened. Angeline was standing there, ready to go out for dinner. "Are you ready?" Bryan asked in surprise. "Yes, I want to go out for dinner. I've been bored sitting at home all week doing nothing," Angeline explained enthusiastically. "Okay, wait for me outside. I'll change first," Bryan said and went to his room. Angeline went to the front terrace and waited for Bryan who was getting ready. Now they were in an upscale restaurant. Angeline was pleased with their seating near a fountain. The dimly lit atmosphere with candles on their table added to the romantic ambiance. "Why are we eating here? I thought it would be a good place for a date," Angeline asked curiously. "No particular reason, I just like the food here. It suits my palate," Bryan replied casually, disappointing Angeline. "Okay, so what's the best dish here?" Angeline asked eagerly. A waiter arrived and brought hot steak and pasta along with an expensive bottle of wine. "We haven't even ordered yet. Do you only serve two kinds of food?" Angeline asked in amazement. "I guess you've never been to a restaurant like this before. But it seems like you know how to eat here," Bryan said as he started to eat his steak. "I've been to places like this before, you know! I just wonder why they don't give us a menu and let us choose," Angeline said as she started to taste her steak. "It's delicious, how did you find a place like this?" "I made a reservation before we arrived, so they had the food already prepared when we got here." "What? But why?" "Do you know why the steak here is so delicious?" Bryan asked seriously. Angeline shook her head in ignorance. "It's because they cook it very slowly, with great care, and the result is extremely flavorful. That is why many people make reservations in advance and place their orders half an hour before they arrive." "Ah... that's why we were seated right away without looking for an empty table?" Angeline continued to be surprised by all the new experiences she was having. Bryan's life was very different from hers, and there were many things she didn't understand or comprehend. But Angeline didn't say much and enjoyed her dinner. After they finished eating, a waiter brought a large piece of cake and two delicious ice cream sundaes. Angeline looked at Bryan, touched and shy. "I'm sorry, but I didn't order this," Bryan said, dampening Angeline's excitement. "This must be the wrong table." "But the chef said this is what you ordered," the waiter said, looking confused. Bryan was even more confused because he hadn't ordered any of this. "Never mind, you can just pay for it, right? Besides, it would be a shame not to eat it," Angeline said, preparing to dig into the cake. But Bryan stopped her, took the cake plate and gave it back to the waiter. "Tell the chef I didn't order this and I decline the offer," Bryan said. The waiter complied and took all the desserts away. "Oh, what a shame. Why did you refuse?" Angeline protested, eager to taste how fresh and sweet the food was. "Don't you know who you're married to?" Bryan asked, leaving Angeline looking confused. "What do you mean? What does ice cream have to do with being married to you?" Angeline asked confused. "I am the owner of a large company with many competitors and enemies. It's possible that the food could be poisoned." Angeline opened her mouth in shock. She couldn't believe that such a thing could happen. Angeline thought it was only fiction in the movies she had seen.