And that night, Gery didn't leave the house. He usually preferred to spend the night at his favorite cafe or studio to relieve stress after work by playing billiards and drinking with his friends or business colleagues. He had to give in and stay home to wait for dinner with his dear grandmother.
He knew she had something important to talk about because it was unusual for her to ask him to dinner at home. Yes, Mrs. Daphne had been giving Gery free time in the evenings since she had been driving him all day in the company. That wise woman would know that a young man of Gery's age would also need time to himself to enjoy his life as a young man without the restraints and strict supervision of his grandmother.
"Am I interrupting your big plans for tonight, Gery?" asked Mrs. Daphne when they finally gathered in the large dining room with the large, luxurious oval table that would, unfortunately, be occupied by just the two of them eerily quiet.
It was also the reason why the two of them very rarely had dinner together at home because, at that time, there would be a feeling of emptiness there. It was different when they were having breakfast together, even though they were in the same room. Still, they had a lot of things about work to think about, so they needed more time to get carried away with the quiet conditions in that magnificent house.
"Not really, Grandma. I just missed one night out of many. No problem," Gery replied, trying to be friendly this time because she still felt guilty about forgetting the flowers for her grandmother.
"That's good, then. I didn't want to interfere your plans with your girlfriend," Mrs. Daphne said as her eyes deliberately darted toward her grandson, wanting to watch Gery's expression upon hearing her words.
Just as expected, Gery then shook his head. "Ah, come on, Grandma. Don't tell me that you want to bother me again about a future wife!"
Mrs. Daphne waited to respond. Instead, she put food on her plate while telling her grandson to start eating.
"Come on, Gery. We should eat this before it gets cold. The chef says this soup is best when eaten warm," Mrs. Daphne said, turning her attention to the garlic soup served by the family chef.
"Oma knows very well that Maggie always manages to execute various soups. The flavor won't change even if it gets cold." Gery replied as if refusing to divert their conversation from the critical matter that her grandmother had planned since the beginning.
Mrs. Daphne continued to savor the delicious soup of the meat stew, which, though simple in appearance, had a unique flavor typical of the dishes from the hands of Maggie, the mainstay chef of their family. Meanwhile, Gery hadn't even touched anything. He had a bad feeling before he heard what her grandmother would talk about that night.
He kept silent until he was finally forced to feed himself as he received a sharp glance from Mrs. Daphne. He certainly didn't want to spend the rest of the evening being lectured at length about how it was rude to refuse to eat food that someone had worked hard to prepare or to leave his parents eating alone or anything else.
It was when they finished eating that Mrs. Daphne reopened the conversation.
"Gery, you must know that I am no longer young. Every day my age allowance is getting less and less while my biggest dream is yet to be realized."
Gery let out a long sigh. That sentence was undoubtedly the opening words. It would be followed by a series of requests for Gery to introduce her future wife immediately, or else her grandmother would introduce him again to the girls from any trade union or the daughter of their business partner. Ah, Gery was tired of being nagged like that.
"I told you I will get married when ready, Grandma. Not with any girl that you introduce. So far, you have always brought girls unsuitable for me, so please don't try that stupid thing again. You're acting like you're sure I am so incompetent to find a wife on my way that you have to interfere," Gery complained.
Mrs. Daphne let out a long sigh. Her old face was now made to look pitiable to break the ice of her grandson's cold demeanor.
"Don't you feel sorry for me when i am gets too old and can no longer hold grandchildren, and you still haven't given me another grandchild, hm? Have a pity of this old grandma, Gery."
It was Gery's turn to exhale harshly. It was always age that Madame Daphne used as an excuse to force him. And he couldn't help it even though he knew very well that he couldn't possibly accept any of the candidates brought by his grandmother. Yes, his heart was only for Cheryl Andrews. Forever only the girl of his first love will reign in his heart and one day become his wife in one way or another. He just needs to find the right way for that.
"You can't accept that Gery will only marry Cheryl?" asked Gery, about to get up from her chair. It seemed clear that the rest of the conversation would be more damaging to him if it continued.
"You're the one who can't accept that Cheryl has clearly rejected you and ran away from you. Where's your dignity as a man of honor and power if you're going to be humiliated like that with that woman, silly boy!" Madam Daphne lost control whenever she heard her grandson's girlfriend's name mentioned. She was hurt because what that sly girl had done to Gery was cruel. Unfortunately, Gery had already loved her half to death and had difficulty moving on and forgetting her. Gery stupidly kept waiting for the girl to return to him for who knows when. What a crazy thought!
"She didn't run away but asked a permit, Grandma. And she also promised to return as soon as she accomplished all her dreams," Gery argued as his expression hardened.
"And by then, you might have gray hair or even use a walking stick, Gery!" Mrs. Daphne responded harshly.
Gery still needs to answer. It had been almost two years, and Cheryl had not told her when she would return to New York and resume their relationship. She had gone to Germany for college and a job offer as a model there. It's okay if there are plans to return and become Gery's wife, but the problem is that even to Gery himself, the girl doesn't want to give any commitment. She only said wait if you can wait for me. What kind of agreement is that? It was unbelievable for Gery to be fooled like that.
"Just take your grandmother's word for it this time, Gery. Try to meet the candidates I've provided--"
"All of them are not suitable for me, Grandma. We've got so many tries, haven't we?" protested Gery, who was getting tired of the various marriages arranged by her grandmother.
"No, this time, i am sure the result will differ. Listen, just one time. It will be the last time. I swear!!"
Hearing Mrs. Daphne's promise, Gery frowned thoughtfully. There was no harm in obeying his grandmother's wishes again this time. Hopefully, it was confirmed that this was the last try. Hopefully, Mrs. Daphne would resign herself to waiting for Cheryl to return to be her granddaughter-in-law, Gery's future wife.
"Alright, tell me when and where to meet," Gery replied.
And Mrs. Daphne smiled with relief. Her mind already imagined how exciting the meeting between Gery and Eve would be!
Eve has been working overtime at night for the past few days. She had yet to hear that the new employee could work late at night. But because of Mrs. Jenny's strict attitude, Eve didn't dare to argue. Moreover, recently, she had seen her boss woman behaving strangely toward her. There seemed to be something wrong, but she didn't know what.Even though she had a tough day at the office, Eve considered it a test during her internship. Maybe Vinestra is the company that initially molds its new employees into tough workers. Hence, it immediately imposes heavy work with long overtime hours. Perhaps it's just their way of finding the best of the best, Eve thought, consoling and encouraging herself.And when Mrs. Jenny became increasingly nasty by blaming her for things that weren't her fault, Eve kept patient."What's wrong with her? It's like she's having problems with her husband, oh gosh!" grumbled Eve as she stepped out of the room with a permit to the bathroom, even though Eve avoided
"But, Sir. So what if I feel attracted to Eve and want to get close to her? Isn't that okay if it doesn't interfere with my work?" Dave finally asked. He was starting to wonder about the prohibition that his boss had just stated. Why was he strictly forbidden to get close to Eve? What could it be? His mind was wandering all over the place.Hearing the assistant's protest, Gery was outraged. He thought it was a deliberate act of defiance."Oh, now you dare to go against my orders, right? Whereas usually you always say yes to whatever I want. See how you've changed since you got to know that girl. That's why I told you to stay away from her, Dave. It's all for your good!" Gery argued with his opinion that everything was Eve's fault.Dave was getting suspicious. "I have been obeying all your orders because they are worth obeying, Sir. But this time, I'm sorry that I have to ask your absurd prohibition because, in my opinion, my closeness to Eve in this office is none of your business."G
"Oh, hi, Eve. I was just talking to Sofia about you," greeted Mrs. Daphne, who welcomed Eve into her office.The woman glanced at the clock on the wall that didn't show the break time for regular employees, so she thought Eve must have an urgent business this time. Was Gery making things difficult for her again? Mrs. Daphne wondered to herself."I'm sorry, Ma'am. But I dared to come here again because Mr. Gery is making trouble again. Mr. Gery fired Dave because Dave briefly chatted with me in the corridor. I don't think that's a mistake worth punishing so severely, Ma'am." Eve babbled on what she had come to the room.Mrs. Daphne seemed surprised to hear the news."Oh my! What happens to that child?" Mrs. Daphne complained later. She had to sit back on the sofa to calm herself down because acting out her emotions would not suit her heart health.With Sofia's entrance, Mrs. Daphne told her assistant to call Gery. However, she was even more surprised to find Sofia's response."I'm sorry
Gery was quite angry when he learned Eve once again complained to her grandma about Dave's dismissal. However, before he could confront his grandma for being too kind to give Dave a job in another division, he was already preoccupied with the amount of work left behind by his former assistant.Sofia immediately reminds him that he needs to find another assistant to replace Dave. And the woman who had been considered like her own family by Gery even ignorantly proposed Eve's name. Meanwhile, Mrs. Daphne kept quiet and watched her grandson's reaction, pacing back and forth in confusion."How about asking Miss Eve to take Dave's place, Sir?" suggested Sofia.Of course, Gery was flabbergasted. "Oh, my God! Don't ever mention that name in front of me, Sofia. Otherwise, from now on, I will stop considering you as a wise counselor!" Gery sarcastically scolded.Sofia let out a long sigh. "But finding a competent assistant is not that easy, Sir. You'll be in trouble if you don't get a replacem
"Good afternoon Eve. Please take a seat. I've been waiting for you," Mrs. Daphne replied.Eve drew her lips into a smile despite the pounding in her chest, wondering what Mrs. Daphne had for her that day.She then sat before the Madame, trying to make herself comfortable. Sofia soon returned with a tray of cold drinks for her."Thank you very much, Mrs. Sofia," Eve said as she sipped her drink. It was enough to cool her throat and hopefully cool her down. God, next time she would have to thank Sofia specifically because the woman often saved her from uncomfortable moments without even being asked.A moment of silence reigned. Mrs. Daphne seemed to wait until Eve had finished her cold drink, and then she spoke up."Are you busy in your division, Eve?" the Madam asked to start the conversation."Yeah, quite a lot, Ma'am. Mrs. Jenni has given me a lot of assignments since day one, and I haven't even touched some of the files because there are so many, hehe." Eve was immediately provoked
"Oh, my! Does it have to be right now, Sofia?" asked Gery as she cast an unhappy glance at Eve's presence in his room."I told you that, Mrs. Sofia. He would have refused," Eve said softly from behind Sofia's body."Sir, this is Mrs. Daphne's order. Besides, I think you need Miss Eve's help right now. Just look at that," Sofia replied as she pointed to the pile of files that Gery had just taken from Dave's room.Gery had been looking for data to present at the upcoming meeting but needed to know where Dave kept it. As a result, he had to look for it among all the piles, with no clue at all. And that gave him a headache! Yes, the fact was that he needed help immediately. But from Eve? Oh no!"If you mind, I can go back to Mrs. Jenni with great pleasure," Eve said, hoping Gery would agree.Gery then turned to Eve and gave her a piercing look, "Oh, you won't be happy if you stay here, huh? Okay, Sofia. Then leave her here. I'll try to see what she's capable of." Gery decided as he said t
In the afternoon before work, Mrs. Daphne deliberately went to Eve's room to inform her directly of the invitation. "Eve, can you come to our residence tonight?" asked Madame Daphne after being in the small room where Eve worked. "Wh-what, Madam? To Madame's residence? But what for?" asked Eve, surprised at the sudden invitation. Come on, going to Gery's house, boss she hated? Impossible! "I invited you to have dinner with us, me and Gery. We need to get to know each other better so we can work together better," Mrs. Daphne replied, accompanied by Sofia. Sofia didn't say anything this time. But it was evident that she was one of the initiators of Madame Daphne's plan. Eve's brain immediately thought about what excuse she could use to refuse the invitation. A refusal that wouldn't offend the boss who had helped her so much, of course. But not a single reason came to mind. Unusually, her brain felt suddenly dull this time, and she could not come up with any ideas. "I'll take your re
"Who's outside?" Mr. James asked his wife as a luxury car pulled up in front of their gate. Since Eve didn't have a house attendant, Mrs. Kate rushed to open the door for the guest."That's the driver from the Foster family, the boss at Vinestra. You know, our daughter was invited to dinner by Mrs. Daphne, the owner of Vinestra," Mrs. Kate replied with a proud smile.Mr. James furrowed his brow, "Wow, can that be so, huh? To be picked up in such a luxurious car," said her husband in surprise."Well, let's just pray Eve doesn't make any trouble. You know she can't be restrained. And her young boss is quite authoritarian, it seems. I'm afraid Eve will be rude to them," Mrs. Kate complained, still worried about Eve's attitude there."I think Eve will be able to care for herself, Kate. Don't worry about it," comforted Mr. James, then paused to smile at his daughter, who was now heading towards them."Ready for your special dinner, Sweety?" asked Mr. James pleasantly.Eve nodded her head b