Ivy lifted her gaze to Balfour, her eyes brimming with curiosity.
Balfour, sitting a short distance away, caught her gaze and nonchalantly nodded in acknowledgment.
To her surprise, it was actually happening.
Balfour was genuinely going to take her to a movie.
âAlright, letâs eat quickly, and the movie starts soon,â Alyssa announced, standing up and pulling Ivy toward the dining room.
The staff had already prepared tonightâs meal, and Alyssa led Ivy to the table, serving her some food.
Ivy was filled with wonder. After they finished, Balfour, holding his car keys, gestured for her to head out.
Despite still feeling a bit odd about it all, Ivy followed Balfour to the car under the joyful gazes of Dean and Alyssa.
âBalfour, are you really taking me to the movies?â Ivy couldnât help but ask as they got into the car.
Balfour started driving, not turning to look at her as he replied, âWhat? Donât you want to go?â
âItâs not that,â Ivy muttered, looking down. She did want to see a movie, but it felt strange to be going with him.
They rode in silence; Ivy didnât initiate conversation and instead turned to gaze out the window, watching the landscape change.
It had been ages since she last saw a movie. Before, she had felt it was too expensive and sparingly indulged, only going a few times with classmates during college.
After graduation, Tessa started controlling her life, and without freedom or enough money, she stopped going to the cinema.
Arriving at the cinema, Balfour collected the tickets and glanced at the movie title, âOf all the movies.â
Ivy, hearing his comment, realized that perhaps this wasnât his choice of film, and moved closer to take a look.
âWho picked this movie?â she inquired.
Balfour turned to her, almost bumping foreheads, âGrandma did.â
That was when Ivy fully understood.
The movie outing wasnât Balfourâs idea, but Alyssaâs insistence.
Without Alyssa, Balfour likely wouldnât have thought to take her to the movies.
Yet, Ivy wasnât hurt. She wasnât Balfourâs real wife, and he wasnât obligated to spend much effort on her.
But Alyssa had arranged this movie night, and Balfour, not refusing, had actually taken the time to accompany her. That alone made Ivy happy.
âFancy a milkshake?â Ivy suggested with a smile, pointing to a nearby milkshake bar, âSince you treated me to a movie, and let me buy you a milkshake.â Balfour wasnât usually one for such drinks, but seeing her hopeful expression, he didnât decline.
âGot a preference? If not, Iâll just pick my favorite,â Ivy asked before darting off to the milkshake bar.
She returned with two cups, handing one to Balfour, âIâve had shakes from here before, and theyâre pretty good. Give it a try.â
Balfour took a sip, and it was surprisingly decent.
With twenty minutes to go before the movie started, they sat in the cinema lobby, a touch awkward.
Ivy wanted to say something to Balfour multiple times but couldnât find the right words, so she chose to stay silent instead.