Veronica longed to retreat to her room for a relaxing bath and some quality skincare. She had a date with the hunky Moran tomorrow, and she couldnât afford to let her complexion become any less than perfect.
âEllinor, are you going out to buy gifts later? Maybe I should come with you. Itâs too much to handle three kids alone.â Veronica offered.
Ellinor nodded nonchalantly. âWeâll head out once Tristan⦠Adrian wakes up. Iâll have the driver take us to the local toy store. You donât need to join us. Go and have some âmeâ time.â
She almost slipped and used Tristanâs name instead of Adrian. Luckily, Veronica didnât seem to catch it.
Veronica agreed. âAlright, Iâll go take a bath then. Call me if you need anything, Ellinor.â
âSure.â Ellinor replied.
Veronica left the children with Ellinor and retreated to her room to run a bath.
No sooner had Veronica left than Ellinorâs phone buzzed. She looked at the message, and her eyes widened in surprise.
Noticing her motherâs reaction, Layla frowned. âMommy, whatâs wrong?â
Ellinor quickly regained composure and shook her head. âNothing. Letâs go change your clothes. Once your brother wakes up, weâll go buy gifts.â
Layla and Baber both agreed cheerfully.
Crescent Society.
Lunch hour.
Ida had been busy all morning, and her stomach was growling. She checked her wristwatch and thought of inviting Chase to grab a burger or something. The cafeteria food just didnât appeal to her that day.
As she was about to grab her blazer from the chair, there was a knock at her office door.
âYes?â She answered while turning towards the door.
âMs. Gipson, a Mr. Howard is here to see you. He claims to be a good friend of yours. Shall I let him in?â The secretary reported from outside the door.
Mr. Howard?
The only man with that last name who could possibly be looking for her was Byran. That guy had changed a lot over the past three years, especially in how he treated women.
Ida felt a shiver run down her spine at the thought of encountering him. She swiftly settled back into her chair, massaging her temples. âTell him Iâm not here.â
âUnderstood. The secretary replied and retreated.
But before long, Ida heard the secretaryâs helpless protests from outside. Soon, the door to her office was pushed open.
Byran sauntered in with his hands in his pockets while smirking at her. âSo you donât want to see me?
Despite being here, you tell people youâre not!â
Ida looked up at him, feeling displeased. âByran, youâve certainly grown more mature, but donât you think youâre also becoming increasingly rude?â
Byran pulled up a chair and sat down in front of her. âI only show courtesy where itâs due, And with you, I donât think itâs necessary!â