âEllinor, a nutritionist is dropping by at noon to whip up lunch for you. Any preference for dinner? I can pick up groceries on my way home after work.â Since Ellinor decided to stay, she wasnât about to let herself get the short end of the stick. She thought for a moment. âLetâs have some BBQ!â
Balfour seemed a bit miffed, and he frowned. âYou shouldnât be eating such spicy and stimulating food now.â
Ellinor didnât argue with him. âFine, Iâll just order takeout.â
Balfour sighed. âAlright, Iâll get some veggies and slices of meat after work. We can have BBQ together.â
Ellinor nodded and continued munching on her bacon. After a bite, she said in a heavy tone. âMr.
Howard, donât forget to get that painting you promised me as soon as possible.â
She really wanted that painting soon, so she wouldnât have to deal with Theoâs annoying threats.
Balfour nodded. âDonât worry, I wonât forget.â
Seeing that Balfour was in a good mood, Byran gathered up his courage to ask. âWe have exams today at school, so I have the day off. Can I skip cram school? I want to stay home with Ellinor.â
Balfour shot him an annoyed look.
At this moment, Ellinor said, âLet him take a day off; itâs boring staying home alone. Itâs nice to have someone to chat with.â
âAlright.â Balfourâs face softened immediately. He smiled at Ellinor and then turned to Byran, giving him a stern warning. âYou better behave yourself and not upset Ellinor.â
Byran was over the moon; he nodded. âDonât worry, I wonât let her get mad!â
Balfour finished his meal, picked up a napkin, and wiped his mouth elegantly. âIâm leaving now; you two stay home. Call me if anything comes up.â
Ellinor replied absentmindedly.
Once Balfour left, Byran immediately stood up, handing Ellinor a slice of toast with peanut butter. âHere you go!â
Ellinor raised an eyebrow, looking at the toast in front of her and then at Byran. âWhy the sudden kindness?â
Byran retorted, âCanât I be nice to you?â
Ellinor chuckled. âWhat do you want from me?â
Caught off guard, Byran chuckled. âNothing really! I just noticed you have a lot of sway around here, so if I can get in your good books, Balfour wonât beat me up.â
Ellinor laughed. âDonât overthink it; just stay home today.â
âWhy?â Byran frowned, seeming a bit upset.
Ellinor took the toast and started eating. âNo reason; didnât you tell Balfour youâd stay home with me?â
âI can stay home with you for a while, but this afternoon I want to go out and seeâ¦â
Ellinor cut him off. âNope, if you go out, Iâll call your brother.â
Byran got upset. âEllinor! How could you? I finally got a whole day to myself, and I want to see my girlfriend!â
Ellinor seemed nonchalant, looking at him like a child. âYou have a girlfriend? Who said you could start dating?â Byran was visibly angry. âIâm not a kid anymore. Iâm an adult! I have the freedom to date and to get married!â
Ellinor smiled. âDo you know who I am?â