Camille emerged from the private room, and Crystal was standing by the door.
Their eyes met, and Crystal immediately asked, “How did it go?”
Camille simply smiled, without answering her question. She replied, “I have something else to attend to. Yessica is still waiting for me. As for today’s meeting…”
“Don’t worry. I know what to do,” Crystal assured her. Camille didn’t want to say anything more. She nodded slightly and left.
Just as Camille took a couple of steps, Crystal called out, “Camille, let’s have dinner tonight!”
“Sure!” Since she was in Flento City, it would seem odd if she didn’t meet with Crysta. That would make Camille appear as if she were hiding something.
So, everything would proceed as it normally would, and that way, Ayan wouldn’t have any doubts.
When Camille returned to the private room, Yessica was sitting there with her tea and looking at her phone.
Seeing Camille back, Yessica immediately asked, “Why did you take so long?”
“I had to handle a few things, but it’s all sorted now. Do you want to head back to the hotel and rest?” Camille casually picked up her purse, explaining to Yessica that she needed to have a private conversation with the head of Bluesky Properties, so it wasn’t convenient with others around.
Yessica, who always trusted Camille, didn’t think much of it.
Now, hearing Camille’s words, she promptly nodded. “How did the conversation go?”
“Pretty well. It went smoothly. Let’s head back to the hotel. Someone’s treating us to dinner later.”
“That’s great! Who is it?”
“You’ll find out tonight,” Camille teased, taking Yessica’s hand as they headed out.
After a busy morning, both of them were quite tired.
Camille took a shower and put her phone on silent before going to sleep. She saw Ayan’s messages but didn’t reply, not knowing how to respond. Perhaps she just wanted to ignore him.
The main reason for her reluctance stemmed from Kathleen’s earlier comments, which had been weighing on her mind. Honestly, she was affected by them.
Yet, she didn’t doubt that her Grandpa Winnie and the Simpson family’s kindness toward her was genuine. She knew it deep down.
But some things were just hard to articulate, and it felt unreasonable.
Camille fell into a deep sleep and dreamed. In her dream, she was floating in a vast ocean, exhausted and longing to find a harbor. She could see the person she wanted to reach out to, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t grasp him.
The feeling of helplessness was overwhelming, leaving her at a loss.
When she woke up, she found herself quietly cocooned in her bed.
Yessica was still asleep, and it was only a little past four in the afternoon.
Camille didn’t want to disturb her, so she sat up silently, lost in thought.
Her phone buzzed with a message from Crystal. “Camille, are you done? I’ll take you to try something unique tonight.”
Crystal was really going all out with her act.
Camille decided to play along. “Sure!”
Crystal sent her the location, instructing her and Yessica to head directly there.
Camille threw off the covers and got out of bed. She walked over to Yessica and gently shook her awake. “Get up! We’re going out for dinner. Crystal is treating us to dinner.”
Yessica opened her eyes, looking at her in disbelief. “Camille, are you a fortune teller? Did you really predict someone would treat us to dinner?”
“It’s not a prediction. I specifically called her before we came here. How else would she know to treat us?”
Camille smiled and returned to her phone.
Finally, she replied to Ayan. “I was tired and took a nap. I just woke up.”
She didn’t explain why it took so long to reply.
Just as she sent the message, Ayan called her almost immediately.
His response was alarmingly quick, making Camille wonder if he had been waiting by his phone.
Camille answered, her voice weary. “Hello?”
She sounded drained, and Ayan immediately asked, “What’s wrong?”
“So tired.”
“Is it that bad? Don’t go on business trips next time. If you need, I can arrange for someone else to go in your place.”
“Yeah, I was thinking that, too. I find flying so exhausting. I just woke up and don’t feel like moving, and I have a social engagement tonight!”
Camille expressed her fatigue, and there was no hint of anything unusual. Yet, the more she acted this way, the more Ayan’s suspicions grew.
He asked, “What’s it about tonight?”
Camille didn’t hide anything. “I’m having dinner with Crystal. She’s taking me to try the local food.”
“That sounds nice.”
“And you? What are you doing now?”
Camille asked casually.
Ayan replied, “I’m at the office, getting ready to leave. According to your instructions, I’ll get back to check on Grandpa and Timothy.”
“Great, Mr. Simpson. As a reward, I’ll bring you a gift!”
“A gift? It better not be something half-hearted!”
“I’ll pick something out later!” Camille laughed, then added, “When you get back, you can bring some pastries for Callum. Just make sure he doesn’t eat too much.”
“Sure,” Ayan replied obediently.
Then he asked, “When are you coming back? Have you booked your flight?”
“I’ll have Yessica book it later. I’ll ask Crystal if she wants to go back with us during dinner!”
“Okay, let me know after dinner.”
“Why? Are you afraid I’ll cheat on you?”
Camille didn’t break the charade. She just responded as she saw fit, feigning innocence.
Her reaction puzzled Ayan, as they both knew each other well but assumed the other was completely oblivious, fostering doubts instead.
So they continued to play mind games with each other!
Their conversation ended when Yessica was ready to go out.
Crystal booked a table at a private restaurant renowned for its delicious local food. Upon learning that Camille was coming to Flento City, she immediately made a reservation.
Crystal was already at the restaurant waiting for Camille and Yessica.
The dinner was just the three of them.
After eating, the three of them went shopping, as Camille wanted to buy a gift for Ayan, and Yessica had her own surprise in mind for Kian.
They didn’t return to the hotel until after nine o’clock.
The evening had been relaxing, lifting their spirits.
With several bags in their hands, Yessica linked arms with Camille, chatting happily. Suddenly, Yessica’s expression turned serious as she spotted a familiar figure not far away. Camille noticed her sudden silence and asked curiously, “What’s wrong? Why don’t you say anything?”