Nis glanced at Rusty out of the corner of her eye and noticed her pale face. She fell silent, clearly accepting, Sullivan’s words.
From then on, neither of them exchanged glances, speaking only to Ruby individually.
Once dinner concluded, Sullivan offered to drive them home, but Nyla declined
Sullivan quickly resumed his previous gentle facade. “Nyla you’re not still holding onto what happened earlier, are you? If you’re really upset, I can apologize ”
No need, Sullivan. It’s out of the way for you, so I’ll just take a cab home,” Nyla replied.
Just as she turned to walk toward the curb, Ruby grabbed her arm. “Nyla, I’ll go with you. It’s on my way.”
Nyla turned to Sullivan and said, “Sullivan, it’s getting late. You should head home too. Drive safely.“.
Sullivan didn’t push further, simply nodding. “Alright, let me know when you get home.”
“Sure,” Ruby replied.
Sullivan turned toward his car only after Nyla and Ruby hailed a cab and left.
In the taxi, Nyla apologized to Ruby. “I’m sorry, Ruby. If it weren’t for me, the atmosphere wouldn’t have been so awkward tonight.”
Ruby shook her head. “It’s fine, Nyla. I think what you said was right.”
She had invited Sullivan to dinner because he’d saved her, and she felt obligated to help him if he needed anything. Yet, she couldn’t shake the feeling that he had ulterior motives.
“Ruby, I hope you always stay this alert. There are many ways to thank Sullivan for his help, but don’t let your gratitude lead you to accept his feelings too easily,” Nyla cautioned.
“I understand,” Ruby replied.
“Good,” Nyla said.
After chatting for a bit longer, Ruby got out of the cab.
Nyla was left alone, her mind drifting back to the scene she had witnessed earlier in the restaurant. A pang of bitterness rose in her chest.
Suddenly, her phone buzzed.
Seeing Damon’s name flashing on the scree moment, she decided to pick up.
“What’s up?” she asked.
she over whether to answer. After a
it her lip and hesitated
“Didn’t I ask you to send me the address for dinner? Why didn’t you?” Damon replied.
Nyla looked down, fiddling with the tassels on her bag. “There’s no need. I’m soon.”
There was a pause on the other end.
on my way back now. I’ll be there
After several seconds, Damon’s deep voice finally echoed. “Alright. I’ll wait for you at home.”
1/2
After hanging up, Nyla stared out the window, feeling a tight knot in her chest. She reminded herself that she and Damon were just putting on an act. She had no right to be angry about him being close to another woman.
She would gradually get used to it. Even if Damon kissed another woman in front of her one day, she would remain unfazed.
As the cab pulled up to the villa, Nyla’s mood had calmed.
After paying the fare and stepping out, she saw Damon standing at the entrance, gazing at her with a serious expression.
She hesitated for a moment before approaching him. “Why are you outside?”
“I was waiting for you,” he answered.
Nyla shrugged off Damon’s hand and answered with her head lowered, “It’s nothing. I’m just a bit tired. If you don’t have anything else, I’m going to head in.”
Without waiting for his response, she quickly walked into the villa.
Watching her hurried departure, Damon frowned. He felt that Nyla’s attitude toward him was off.
After hesitating for a moment, he called Spencer. “Check where Nyla had dinner tonight and who was with her.”
In less than ten minutes, Spencer sent him the results of his investigation.
Hearing his voice, Nyla bit her lip, put down her pajamas, and walked to the door to open it. She asked, “What is it?”
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