Free Web NovelChapter 87: Chapter 87 Ghosts From The Past
Elara
Nancy and I had only exchanged a few simple words during her interview, so I never expected we’d end up having dinner together like this.
"Elara, you can just call me by my name," Nancy said with a warm smile.
I couldn’t help but return her smile. "Sure, and please call me by my name too. At work I’m the CEO, but after hours, we’re all equals."
Nancy seemed to appreciate my straightforward approach. "Alright, Elara."
Orion usually loved eating, and today his plate was piled high with mini cakes and various meats.
But instead of digging in, he was staring intently at Nancy across the table, barely blinking.
He looked afraid that if he closed his eyes for even a second, she might vanish.
Nancy seemed curious about his behavior. "Do I really look so much like your mom?"
Orion had calmed down a bit by now. "Yes, very, very much!"
Nancy sensed this might be a sensitive topic—perhaps the little boy’s mother had passed away—so she didn’t press further.
I was equally in the dark about what was happening.
All I could do was look after Orion while making small talk with Nancy.
"Why did you decide to move here from Boston? I’d imagine career opportunities would be similar there," I asked.
Nancy seemed used to this question. "My family relocated here, and I’m planning to marry my boyfriend who’s based here."
"He wanted to build his career in this city, so I followed him," she explained simply.
"Congratulations. Are you getting married soon?" I asked.
Nancy didn’t hide anything. "Probably by the end of next month. Would that be a problem for Park Hotel Group?"
I shook my head. "Not at all. You don’t strike me as someone who’d become a stay-at-home soccer mom after marriage."
Nancy’s lips curved upward. "Definitely not. Being a full-time housewife might be great for some, but it’s not for me."
That cleared away any concerns I might have had about her commitment to the job.
I sent Dominic a quick message—after all, Orion was his nephew, and he would know best how to handle the situation.
When the server brought the check, Nancy and I both reached for it at the same time.
"Let me get this," Nancy said, pulling out her credit card.
"No way, this one’s on me," I insisted, gently taking the check folder. "You’re new to the company - welcome dinner is my treat."
Nancy smiled but didn’t argue further. "Thanks, Elara. Next one’s on me though."
"Deal," I replied.
Although Orion was holding my hand, his eyes hadn’t left Nancy for a single moment.
"Can I know your name, ma’am?" Orion asked, seemingly accepting that she wasn’t his mother after all.
Nancy gently stroked his neatly cropped hair. "Of course. My name is Nancy. You can call me Aunt Nancy."
"Aunt Nancy, where do you live?" The little detective wasn’t giving up his investigation.
His questioning was finally interrupted by Dominic’s arrival. "Sorry I’m late. Orion, why are you asking such personal questions about someone’s address? That’s not appropriate."
Orion usually seemed somewhat intimidated by Dominic, but now he stood his ground defiantly. "Uncle Dominic, I have a reason!"
"She looks just like my mom!" he insisted.
Dominic’s eyes narrowed. "You’ve never seen your mother, Orion."
"But I dream about her sometimes," Orion whispered. "And she looks just like Aunt Nancy. I can feel it here." He pressed his small hand to his chest.
"It’s getting late, and you haven’t finished your homework. Let’s go home," he said firmly.
Dominic scooped the boy up, but Orion struggled wildly.
I couldn’t help but laugh at the pair of them.
"Sorry about this, Nancy. You should head home. See you tomorrow!" I said.
Nancy looked at the little boy with sympathy. "It’s fine, don’t be too hard on him. See you tomorrow."
As soon as Nancy was out of sight, Orion burst into tears.
"Orion," Dominic said sternly.
"Why are you being so harsh with him?" I called out Dominic.
"There, there, Orion. No more crying, okay?" I tried to comfort him.
Orion jumped out of Dominic’s arms and grabbed my hand tightly. "Dominic, I don’t want to talk to you anymore!"
Orion cried all the way home.
I sat with him in the back seat while Dominic drove in silence.
Worn out from all the crying, by the time we reached the pack house, Orion had fallen asleep.
I moved to carry him, but Dominic stopped me. "Let me. He’s too heavy for you."
I didn’t argue and followed Dominic inside.
By this time, Hunter had already gone to bed.
Dominic called for the housekeeper to look after the child.
He stood by the window, talking to his brother for a long time on his phone.
I decided to step outside for some fresh air, settling on a bench in the garden to give him privacy.
A few minutes later, I heard footsteps behind me. "Beautiful, isn’t it?"
I turned abruptly, my eyes wide with surprise like a deer caught in headlights.
Dominic chuckled softly. "I meant the moon, not myself."
"Though of course I am good-looking too," he added.
I couldn’t help but mutter, "Ego much?"
"What was that?" Dominic leaned closer, cupping his ear dramatically. "I didn’t quite catch that. Care to repeat that?"
I felt my cheeks flush. "If you didn’t hear it, forget about it."
Without asking, he took my hand in his. "Come on, let’s make up. Stop giving me the cold shoulder. You’ve been avoiding me, and it hurts."
"Who... said we were fighting?" I replied awkwardly.
"It was me, all my fault. I won’t do it again, but you can’t keep pushing me away," he said.
I looked down and muttered, "Fine."
I made a mental note to stop letting Dominic’s drama get under my skin.
Seeming satisfied with my response, Dominic let out a sigh of relief.
"But don’t be so touchy-feely all the time," I protested.
I didn’t regret that slap one bit.
Dominic’s lips curved slightly. "Mmm."
From his tone, I could tell he wasn’t taking my warning seriously at all.
