Love's Cunning Ruse novel Chapter 195

After getting Ivan all dolled up, Julie and Daphne glanced at their watches and realized it was almost time for their rendezvous. So, Julie and Daphne took Ivan and headed to the restaurant a bit early.

“Julie, you and my godson just chill at this table, if things get too heavy,”

“I’ll jump in to help!” Ivan said, glancing at the menu while talking to Daphne.

Daphne and Ivan high-fived in agreement, “You’re awesome!”

“Fix your collar!” Julie stood up to fix Daphne’s outfit.

Daphne gave Julie a bear hug, saying, “Darling, if the guy turns out to be a total dog, come over and pretend to be my true love, okay?”

“Sorry, I just don’t swing that way.” Julie patted Daphne’s shoulder, “Go get ‘em, brave girl!”

“Hold the fort!” Daphne, clutching her newly bought mini skirt, gracefully walked over to the table next door and ordered a lemonade.

Truth be told, Daphne wasn’t too hopeful about this blind date. She had read too many horror stories online and was pretty much prepared for the worst.

Yet, to her surprise, the guy her mom’s friend set her up with wasn’t bad at all.

He was dressed casually in a white shirt, a dark grey blazer and black slacks. Not exactly a knockout, but he was neat and tidy. He seemed to recognize Daphne and gave her a slight smile.

Then he walked over to Daphne, holding a single red rose, and offered it to her like a true gentleman.

One rose, a polite gesture, not too over the top.

Based on the first impression, Daphne was quite pleased with him.

Julie also quietly observed the man across Daphne, he was way more promising than her last blind date.

“Hello, Ms. Daphne, I’m Nigel Ted.” The man flashed a set of pearly whites as he spoke, instantly winning brownie points.

“Hi, I’m Daphne.” She took the rose from him, giving him a slight smile, “Thank you.”

Julie thought it was a good start. She was about to order when she saw Ivan engrossed in his phone.

“Ivan, what are you doing?” Julie asked curiously.

“I’m chasing a girl!” Ivan said proudly.

“What?” Julie looked over and saw Ivan trying to add Julien as a friend on his phone.

Julie thought for a moment, and then said to Ivan, “Don’t you think you’re a bit too young for this?”

“Hmm. Mommy knows best!”

“So, you and Julien?”

“I’m just getting in line. Who knows if she and my godfather might break up?” He suddenly looked hopeful and reached out to Julie, “Mommy, I heard godmother say you know Julien, right?”

Julie nodded, a bit confused. The kid had only met Julien once when Julie was kidnapped, how did he become so fond of her already? But then she remembered that the little guy called her mommy the first time they met. That didn’t seem so weird anymore.

She reluctantly took out her phone, but instead of giving it to Ivan, she asked, “Can you tell me why you like Julien so much?”

“She’s cool! She can protect me!”

This unique perspective left Julie speechless.

Ivan took Julie’s phone, “Thank you, mommy!”

Julie knew that based on Julien’s personality, the kid was in for a disappointment, so she didn’t stop him. It might be more effective to talk to him after he got rejected.

So Julie simply turned to look at Daphne and Nigel. But to her surprise, they were suddenly acting quite chummy. They were chatting away like old friends, so much so that anyone who didn’t know better might think they were a couple!

Julie was taken aback. She didn’t expect Daphne to warm up to her blind date so quickly. Just as Julie thought Daphne was quite satisfied with Nigel, she saw Daphne actually taking the initiative to hold his hand. Looks like she really liked him!

However, the truth was, Daphne was patting Nigel’s hand in sympathy, asking him, “Mr. Ted, be honest, do you have some sort of problem in the bedroom?”

Nigel gave Daphne an embarrassed look, then smiled, “You misunderstood, I’m perfectly normal.”

“Mr. Ted, don’t get me wrong. I think it’s okay, modern life is stressful! Having issues in that department is quite normal. Anyway, you don’t mind my past. I think you’re very honest, which is a good thing. If you really have problems in the sack, no worries, I know a great doctor.”

"What?" Ivan, who had been playing with his phone, suddenly looked up at Daphne, "Godmother, do all you girls like guys with good personalities and good bodies?"

Julie gave Daphne a look.

Daphne quickly laughed and explained to the little guy, "I mean he's good-tempered, has a nice personality!"

"Exactly, that's what she meant." Julie gently touched Ivan's head.

Ivan seemed a bit confused, then he nodded, "No wonder Kerry is always so popular."

"Kerry is indeed a heartthrob!" Daphne laughed happily as she dialed her mom's number.

Julie glanced at the time on her phone, worried that Kieran might be busy, so she chose to text him, "We're done here, should I take Ivan home first?"

"Bring Ivan to the office! And bring me lunch." Kieran replied quickly.

Julie didn't expect it was so late, and Kieran hadn't eaten yet.

So, after saying goodbye to Daphne, Julie gave Kieran a call.

"What do you want to eat?"

"Who else could it be but you?" Kieran's voice came from the other end of the phone.

Julie was taken aback, unsure how to respond. Then the man's voice came over the phone again, "Karl actually asked me who has the final say on hiring a secretary."

So he was answering Karl's question just now, not hers?

Julie stood in place, stunned.

"What did you just ask me?"

"Nothing."

"Could you bring me a salad? You come to the office. I have some news to tell you." The man finished speaking, hung up the phone, the smile on his lips deepening.