Emmeline hesitated for a moment, then gently asked, âBut hasnât she been getting along well with you?â
âWhat do you mean by âgetting along well?â Waylon countered.
Isnât she and the kids staying at my place due to an emergency? Itâs time for her to find her place and move out. Besides, itâs inappropriate for them to live with a single man like me. How would that look to other people? And itâs been nothing but a hassle for me!â
Emmeline grumbled, âLet people think what they want. Why would it be a hassle for you? Is your villa not spacious enough, or youâre saying there are not enough rooms for you?â
Humph, blockhead! Iâm trying to play matchmaker here! No wonder youâre still single at thirty-two!
Waylon thought to himself.
Of course, itâs troublesome for me. Iâve been lucky that nothing inappropriate has happened so far. But if it did, who would be at fault? Would it be Doris for supposedly seducing me, or would I be the scoundrel in the scenario? She needs to move out.
âEnough.â he snapped, his tone firm.
âStay out of this. Itâs not your place to interfere!â
Emmeline grumbled a little upset, âDid you have a crush on Lily? Is that why youâre so keen to have Doris leave?â
Indignant, Waylon shot back, âNonsense! After all this time, do you not know me better than that?â
Emmeline was speechless.
He has a point. How could a man of Waylonâs discerning taste fall for someone like Lily? She wasnât even close to being worthy of him.
âI canât win an argument with you!â Emmeline muttered. âAnyway, you should look out for Doris even though she has moved out. Sheâs a single mother. Things are difficult for her!â
âIs her being a single mother my fault?â Waylon asked, clearly surprised.
âIs that what I mean? Why are you being so defensive? Iâm just asking you to look out for her. Whatâs so wrong with that?â
He scowled, pausing for a moment before speaking softly, âEmma, you need to understand that not everyone has the same luck as you. I canât take on the role of a guardian for another sister, especially one with two children. Thereâs only one Erma Adelmar in this world.â
She sighed, her tone tinged with sadness. âI know,â she replied. âIâm not forcing you to do anything. But canât you help her in whatever way you can?â
âI donât need lessons in compassion from you,â he retorted. Im not heartless, alright?â
Emmeline nodded, âYouâve got a point. When you have time, letâs gather at the Nightfall Cafe.â
Waylon agreed, âNo problem. Tell me what you want to eat. Iâll bring it over.â
|||
O âIâll send Sam to buy the ingredients. When are you coming?â
Waylon replied, âAround noon. Iâll ask Bowie, Kenny, and Ben to join us.â
âThatâs a good idea.â
Emmeline was pleased when all her brothers came over. She said. âIâll ask Sam to buy more ingredients.â
âHmm, good girl,â Waylon said, ending the call.
It was just past ten in the morning when Waylon finished his breakfast.
After getting dressed, he was ready to leave, and his driver was set to take him to the Imperial Palace.
As they were en route, their path took them through Starhill Garden.
The driver turned to Waylon with a curious look, âIsnât that Ms. Doris over there?â
âWhat?â
Waylon caught off guard, sat up abruptly in the passenger seat and peered intently in the indicated direction.
Sure enough, there she was. She was dressed in a white shirt and skinny jeans, talking to a salesgirl. It was unmistakably Doris.
Her hair was swept up into a casual, loose ponytail, and her face bore the glisten of sweat under the bright. morning sun. Her fatigue was apparent, likely the result of an intense morning spent searching for the perfect home.
Waylon narrowed his eyes. He thought to himself. She wants to buy instead of renting? Thatâs wise.
Doris grumbled in her heart.
Initially, I wanted to rent a house. After running around all morning. I still couldnât find a suitable place. I figured I should buy a small apartment and provide a stable home for my children and myself!
Waylon said to the driver, âPull over.
The driver took the order. He put on the car signal, drove to the roadside, and parked behind a large bush.
Waylon rolled down the window and watched Doris from a distance. She was talking and gesturing animatedly with the salesgirl.