âOh, sure!â Jennie did not expect Waylon to agree to her invitation, she continued, âI will give Doris a call now.â
Waylon said, âRemember to send me the location after you have made the reservation; I will pick Doris âAlright! Letâs meet at the Struyria Banquet! I will leave Doris to you.â
Waylon hung up the call and texted Emmeline, âI am busy.â
Emmeline checked her mailbox; she was confused by Waylonâs reply. What does he mean? Does he not care that Mr. Thomas is here for Doris?
Emmeline was worrying while Doris came downstairs. She said, âEmma, can I leave earlier today?â
Emmeline thought to herself, Did Mr. Thomas text Doris that he was here? Did he tell her that he was waiting for her?
Just when Emmeline was still debating whether to grant the leave, Doris continued, âJennie won the divorce lawsuit. She invited Mr. Adelmar for dinner. I am joining them.â
Emmeline hurriedly said, âSure, you may leave early today! Send my regards to Jennie!â Did Waylon send those texts on purpose? Is he trying to act calm? I bet he knew about Jennieâs lawsuit when I texted him!
Daniel stood up and said, âDoris, I am here. I am waiting for you to get off work.â
Doris was surprised. âMr. Daniel, why are you here?â
âI have been here for a while. I didnât intend to disturb you when you were working.â
Doris said hesitantly, âI apologize, Mr. Daniel. You should have heard it; I have a date with my sister tonight.â
Daniel said, âI did. You should join your sister; I am always available. We could do it another day.â
Doris smiled and said, âI am sorry to have kept you waiting.â
Daniel pointed at the table and said, âDonât worry about it; it hasnât been long. I havenât had my dessert yet.â
Sam said from the side, âI could pack it for you; it wonât go to waste.â
Emmeline said, âHow about another box of durian-flavored mochi? You can enjoy it at home.â
Daniel said, âThank you for offering; a box is more than enough. I have something to ask Doris.â
Doris nodded and said, âGo ahead.â
âA friend of mine is getting married the day after tomorrow. Could you come with me?â Daniel asked.
Doris hesitated, saying, âI donât think itâs appropriate for me to go with you.â
Daniel said, âIt is. I could only ask you. Please say yes.â
Doris gave it some thought. Mr. Daniel had been waiting for me to get off work. I felt guilty if he wasted his time. Besides, even though he was the son of an official, he never treated me rudely. She said, âSure, I agree. I will prepare a present for your friend.â
âThere isnât a need for you to prepare a present. You are my partner; you shall just attend the wedding with me.â
âAlright.â Doris nodded.
âItâs settled. I will pick you up the day, after tomorrow. It is in the evening. It wonât delay your work.â
Doris-replied, âThatâs great.â
Daniel took the coffee and dessert that were packed by Sam and left in satisfaction.
Emmeline thought to herself, We had blocked the date for tonight, but we failed to stop the date on the day after tomorrow. Waylon, you must hurry up!
Waylon came to the Nightfall Cafe after Daniel had left. Emmeline saw him across the road. He opened the door, and she pretended she had just noticed him.
She said exaggeratedly, âWow, look! Someone is here!â
Waylon snorted and flicked her forehead, saying, âStop playing dumb. You should have seen me crossing the road.â
âI didnât; I was too busy with my stuff. You appeared out of nowhere!â Emmeline laughed.
âNaughty!â Waylon looked at her softly.
Emmeline said playfully, âAre you here for Doris?â