Free Web NovelChapter 1156: Chapter 1156: Date
She only knew that Arthur Sutton had things to do today but didn’t know how late he’d be busy.
Many times, she picked up her phone to ask, yet worried that Arthur Sutton might find her nosy and bothersome.
"Ding—"
Just as Janelle Tollman was hesitating, a message popped up in the chat she had with Arthur Sutton.
Arthur Sutton: [Are you with your friend? Where are you having lunch?]
Janelle Tollman secretly thought that Arthur Sutton’s question might be a hint to invite her to lunch.
She really wanted to see him but felt that not even sharing a meal with her "friend" would seem too fake, so she glanced around at the nearby shops and replied: [We’re planning to eat Sichuan cuisine, how about you? Are you done with your work?]
Arthur Sutton: [Yes, I have a meeting in the afternoon, should be free around three. How long will you be hanging out?]
Janelle Tollman quickly responded: [She has something to do in the afternoon, we were thinking of watching a movie and then splitting up, should finish around three or four.]
Arthur Sutton: [Okay, contact me afterward so we can have dinner together.]
Janelle Tollman smiled at her phone: [Okay.]
Arthur Sutton: [What do you want to eat? I’ll book the restaurant in advance.]
Janelle Tollman: [I’m fine with anything; you can decide.]
Arthur Sutton: [Alright, I’ll take care of it, see you later.]
After arranging things with Arthur Sutton, Janelle Tollman’s worries instantly vanished.
Even a solo lunch felt less lonely because there was something to look forward to.
After the meal, she peacefully watched a movie, took a stroll along the street, and once the time hit three, she proactively sent a message to Arthur Sutton: [Are you done?]
Arthur Sutton quickly replied: [Yes, just finished, heading to the parking lot now, how about you?]
Janelle Tollman: [I just put her on the car. Should I wait for you at the hotel or meet somewhere else?]
Arthur Sutton: [Where are you now?]
Janelle Tollman: [Near Celestial Plaza.]
Arthur Sutton: [The restaurant is booked nearby, just wait there, I’ll come find you.]
Janelle Tollman: [Okay.]
Arthur Sutton: [I’ll be there in about ten minutes.]
Janelle Tollman sat on a bench under Astra Avenue, never feeling that ten minutes could drag so long.
She kept checking the time over and over, and as ten minutes passed, she was too shy to look around, sitting straight and pretending to look at her phone.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
A gentle and deep voice rang out, making Janelle Tollman turn her head immediately, stand up, and smile: "That was fast."
"How was it? Did you have fun today?"
"It was alright."
"Tired?"
Janelle Tollman shook her head: "Not tired, just came out of the cinema."
"It’s a bit early for dinner, shall we take a stroll first?"
They walked side by side up the escalator leading to Astra Avenue’s second floor, Janelle Tollman watching a couple ahead, fingers interlocked, chatting and laughing.
Nonetheless, she and Arthur Sutton seemed more like colleagues inspecting the area, always feeling a bit distant.
She thought perhaps it was because they had just started dating, maybe, with time, it’d be different.
As she was pondering this, her palm suddenly felt warm.
She looked down and noticed Arthur Sutton holding her hand: "Watch your step."
He gently reminded her, as if holding hands came as second nature to him.
Janelle Tollman was momentarily dazed, and just as the escalator reached the top, causing her to stumble, Arthur Sutton helped her regain her balance.
She felt a bit embarrassed; Arthur Sutton simply smiled at her and changed the subject to ease her discomfort: "Let’s pick out some gifts for the kids, what do they like?"
