Chapter 2025
“Balfour, thank you.”
The gratitude in Ivy’s voice was unmistakable and heartfelt in a way she had never experienced before. It was a first for her to be on the receiving end of such consideration.
As they chatted, the door to their cozy booth swung open, and the waiter came in with a tray of food.
“Well, isn’t this a surprise,” came a voice behind the waiter, and in walked Giselle.
Ivy’s smile vanished at the sight of her.
Since their sharp exchange in Colton’s office, Ivy’s impression of Giselle had been less than favorable.
Balfour was just as taken aback by her appearance, His decision to come here had been spur-of-the-moment, not something he had broadcast. So why was Giselle here? A stroke of luck?
“Weren’t you just saying you had to deal with something back at the office?” Giselle’s eyes darted toward Ivy, a hint of aggression in her gaze. “And now you’re here having lunch with Ms. Dunhill?”
The office emergency had been a convenient excuse for Balfour to ask of Giselle, only he had not expected his little lie to be exposed so soon, “Hungry,” was Balfour’s nonchalant reply, seemingly indifferent to her feelings.
Giselle clearly did not buy Balfour’s excuse, but with it out in the open, she had to play along.
“Oh, I see! I was starving, too, thought I’d grab a bite before heading back to set, and look, here we all are. What are the odds? Since fate keeps throwing us together, why not have lunch together?” Without waiting for an invite, Giselle slid into a seat beside Balfour, grabbed the menu they had been perusing,
and flipped it open. “Why so few dishes? There are three of us, we should definitely order more. Today’s meal is on me!”/
Ivy’s tone was frosty as she said, “No need, Giselle. I think what we’ve ordered is plenty. Ordering more than we can eat would be wasteful.”
Giselle had never been fond of Ivy, but with Balfour present, she maintained a facade of civility. Ivy’s outright dismissal, however, was a slap in the face. “Ms. Dunhill, I think you’ve got the wrong idea! I just wanted to treat you to a nice meal, no strings attached, but you’re not making this easy. I’m really hurt, Giselle said, her eyes downcast, playing the damsel in distress-a role she knew all too well.
Ivy could not stand this act, but with Balfour there, she did not bother to engage further and turned away, signaling she was done with the conversation. Giselle, receiving no response from Ivy, turned to Balfour, who had been silent the whole time. “Balfour, I never realized you were still so sentimental, still favoring this place’s flavors.”
Balfour did not want her there, but he could not just kick her out now that she was. “Just used to it,” he said.
“Yes, you’ve always been like that, haven’t you? Nostalgic!”
Giselle chuckled, reminiscing. “I-remember you were obsessed with a certain candy when we were kids. You had to have it every day and always shared it
with me.”
She laughed, patting Balfour’s arm. “Do you remember? Ldidn’t even like it at first, but I eventually acquired a taste for it because it was from you! It’s a shame that the company stopped making them. You can’t find that candy anymore,” she said with a wistful sigh.
