“Alright, I can bring a friend along, right?”
Caitlin glanced at Molly beside her.
Molly, who was trying her best to appear calm, was internally jumping for joy. The man of her dreams was finally paying attention to them! She couldn’t let this opportunity slip by.
“Of course, welcome,” Simon said graciously.
Molly internally pumped her fist. Yes! Time to get his contact details!
“Thanks! When does the exhibition start?”
“At 2 PM,” Simon answered.
“Great, I’ll go with Molly and we’ll meet you there. You can just send me the address.”
“Sure,” Simon replied before leaving, as he still had surgery to perform.
Caitlin and Molly headed toward the hospital rooms. As they walked, Molly hooked her arm around Caitlin’s and immediately started bombarding her with questions about Simon.
“So, you like my senior?” Caitlin asked, sensing Molly’s excitement.
Molly didn’t even try to hide her starry-eyed expression. “Oh my God, he’s so handsome! I’ve been at the hospital for ages and this is the first time I’ve seen him. I swear, he’s my type! I think it’s time for me to find love! Meeting him must be fate!”
Molly continued rambling on about her plans to find a boyfriend, and Caitlin couldn’t help but smile at her enthusiasm.
“Molly, I get it, but let me give you a piece of advice.”
Molly blinked in confusion. “What advice?”
Caitlin’s tone grew serious. “If a woman is too proactive with a man, things won’t end well. Men don’t like overly eager women. If you’re too forward, he won’t value you.”
Molly, though, seemed to have missed the point entirely. “So, how do I make him chase me?”
Caitlin smirked. “That’s a little hard. He’s more interested in me than you, haven’t you noticed?”
Molly’s eyes widened in realization. “Oh, I get it! If I could be even a tenth as great as you, I wouldn’t still be single!”
Caitlin raised an eyebrow but decided to humor her friend. “Alright, I’ll help create some chances for you, but how to make him fall for you? That’s on you.”
Molly’s eyes gleamed. “No problem! I know how to catch a guy’s attention. Just don’t expect me to show all my tricks yet!”
The two continued chatting until they reached the room.
Inside, Sebastian was in a good mood, making Beatrice laugh with something he had said. He glanced toward the door as he heard footsteps, and upon realizing Caitlin had returned, he turned to his grandmother. “Grandma, my sister’s back. I’ll take Howard home. You rest well.”
Beatrice smiled. “Alright, go ahead!”
Sebastian then turned to Molly. “Molly, can you stay and take care of Grandma? We’re leaving.”
Molly quickly shook her head. “Nope, not today. I’ve already arranged for someone else to take care of her. I’m going out with Caitlin to see the art exhibition!”
“An art exhibition?” Sebastian scoffed. “You don’t know the first thing about art. You can’t even draw a straight line.”
“Hey! Just because I can’t draw doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate it! Besides, Caitlin and I are going. You’re on your own!”
Sebastian’s expression darkened. “You’re seriously going to steal my people away, huh?”
Molly, clearly unfazed, simply waved him off. “Oh, well. You’ll be fine. Have fun with Howard!”
With that, Caitlin and Molly headed out of the hospital. As they walked, they crossed paths with Simon, who had just finished his shift.
“Caitlin, perfect timing. How about I treat you both to dinner before we head over to the exhibition?”
Before Caitlin could respond, Molly immediately piped up. “Sure! We were planning on going out to eat anyway. You can pick the place!”
“Great, then. Hop in my car.”
“Awesome! Saves us the trouble of hailing a cab,” Molly beamed.
The three of them left the hospital, and as they did, Sebastian, watching from behind, immediately realized what was going on. He had overheard their conversation about the art exhibition and dinner and now understood: Caitlin was definitely trying to go with Simon to the exhibition.
Using Molly as a shield was a clever move on her part.
“Xavi, take Howard home first!” Sebastian ordered as he quickly wheeled himself toward the exit.
Xavi, now catching on to Sebastian’s plan, nodded. “Got it, Mr. Vanderbilt.”
Sebastian was not about to let this slip by. “Follow Caitlin’s car. We’re not letting her go alone.”
Xavi hesitated. “Mr. Vanderbilt, you’re planning to follow them, aren’t you?”
Sebastian glared at Xavi, his frustration evident. “Who says I’m following them? I’m just going to check out the exhibition, alright?”
Xavi, wisely keeping his mouth shut, pushed the wheelchair faster.
Meanwhile, at an elegant restaurant, Simon led Caitlin and Molly to their table. Not long after, Xavi and Sebastian arrived, but Sebastian refused to go inside.
“I’m not hungry,” he said stubbornly, choosing instead to stay outside and wait. Xavi, knowing how this was likely going to play out, prepared himself for another round of Sebastian’s brooding mood.
Inside, as Caitlin and Molly dined, they made small talk, but the true agenda was clear: Molly was determined to use this dinner to get closer to Simon.
Once the food arrived, Caitlin excused herself, leaving Molly alone with Simon. This was her chance.
“So, Dr. Smith, I also love art. I was actually quite good at drawing when I was younger,” Molly said with an overly enthusiastic tone, trying to impress him.
Simon smiled politely but didn’t seem particularly moved.
“Really? That’s interesting,” Simon responded.
Molly, not easily discouraged, continued. “By the way, besides painting, do you do anything else in your free time?”
“I play basketball,” Simon answered.
“Basketball?” Molly nearly jumped out of her seat. “I love basketball! We have so much in common! You should call me next time you’re playing, and Caitlin and I will come cheer you on!”
Simon blinked at her enthusiasm. “Really? That sounds fun.”
As the two chatted, Caitlin left the room and passed by a private room when a man suddenly stepped out, noticing her immediately. He called out to her.