Chapter 195
Love’s Cunning Ruse ( Mr.Kieran And Julie )
Chapter 195
After getting Ivan all dolled up, Julie and Daphne glanced at their watches and realized it was almost time for their rendezvous. So, Julie and Daphne took Ivan and headed to the restaurant a bit early.
âJulie, you and my godson just chill at this table, if things get too heavy,â
âIâll jump in to help!â Ivan said, glancing at the menu while talking to Daphne.
Daphne and Ivan high-fived in agreement, âYouâre awesome!â
âFix your collar!â Julie stood up to fix Daphneâs outfit.
Daphne gave Julie a bear hug, saying, âDarling, if the guy turns out to be a total dog, come over and pretend to be my true love, okay?â
âSorry. I just donât swing that way.â Julie patted Daphneâs shoulder, âGo get âem, brave girl!â
âHold the fort!â Daphne, clutching her newly bought mini skirt, gracefully walked over to the table next door and ordered a lemonade.
Truth be told, Daphne wasnât too hopeful about this blind date. She had read too many horror stories online and was pretty much prepared for the worst.
Yet, to her surprise, the guy her momâs friend set her up with wasnât bad at all.
He was dressed casually in a white shirt, a dark grey blazer and black slacks. Not exactly a knockout, but he was neat and tidy. He seemed to recognize Daphne and gave her a slight smile.
Then he walked over to Daphne, holding a single red rose, and offered it to her like a true gentleman.
One rose, a polite gesture, not too over the top.
Based on the first impression, Daphne was quite pleased with him.
Julie also quietly observed the man across Daphne, he was way more promising than her last blind date.
âHello, Ms. Daphne, Iâm Nigel Ted.â The man flashed a set of pearly whites as he spoke, instantly winning brownie points.
âHi, Iâm Daphne.â She took the rose from him, giving him a slight smile. âThank you.â
Julie thought it was a good start. She was about to order when she saw Ivan engrossed in his phone.
âIvan, what are you doing?â Julie asked curiously.
âIâm chasing a girl!â Ivan said proudly.
âWhat?â Julie looked over and saw Ivan trying to add Julien as a friend on his phone.
Julie thought for a moment, and then said to Ivan, âDonât you think youâre a bit too young for this?â
âHmm. Mommy knows best!â
âSo, you and Julien?â
âIâm just getting in line. Who knows if she and my godfather might break up?â He suddenly looked hopeful and reached out to Julie, âMommy, I heard godmother say you know Julien, right?â
Julie nodded, a bit confused. The kid had only met Julien once when Julie was kidnapped, how did he become so fond of her already? But then she remembered that the little guy called her mommy the first time they met. That didnât seem so weird anymore.
She reluctantly took out her phone, but instead of giving it to Ivan, she asked, âCan you tell me why you like Julien so much?â
âSheâs cool! She can protect me!â
This unique perspective left Julie speechless.
Ivan took Julieâs phone. âThank you, mommy!â
Julie knew that based on Julienâs personality, the kid was in for a disappointment, so she didnât stop him. It might be more effective to talk to him after he got rejected.
So Julie simply turned to look at Daphne and Nigel. But to her surprise, they were suddenly acting quite chummy. They were chatting away like old friends, so much so that anyone who didnât know better might think they were a couple!
Julie was taken aback. She didnât expect Daphne to warm up to her blind date so quickly. Just as Julie thought Daphne was quite satisfied with Nigel, she saw Daphne actually taking the initiative to hold his hand. Looks like she really liked him!
However, the truth was, Daphne was patting Nigelâs hand in sympathy, asking him, âMr. Ted, be honest, do you have some sort of problem in the bedroom?â
Nigel gave Daphne an embarrassed look, then smiled, âYou misunderstood, Iâm perfectly normal.â
âMr. Ted, donât get me wrong. I think itâs okay, modern life is stressful! Having issues in that department is quite normal. Anyway, you donât mind my past. I think youâre very honest, which is a good thing. If you really have problems in the sack, no worries, I know a great doctor.â
Seeing that Daphne was about to go off on a tangent, Nigel quickly held her hand, explaining, âIâm perfectly normal, you can rest assured. Like I said, I had two girlfriends and we didnât sleep together because I believe in not rushing into things. I think people should have principles, maybe I just didnât think they were the right ones for me!â
He looked at Daphne seriously, âAlthough I have my own principles about this, what I just said was from the heart. I donât mind about Ms. Daphneâs past, given the chance, Iâd rather get to know you in my own way, not through rumors and gossip.â
âOkay, so youâve seen the tabloids?â Daphne had a hunch when Nigel mentioned rumors and gossip.
Nigel laughed, âIâve heard that the media can be quite imaginative. If you donât mind, Iâd rather hear your story from you when the time is right.â
Daphne was actually quite interested in such a gentlemanly and elegant man. It wasnât until they were holding hands that she realized it. She quickly pulled her hand back, then looked at Nigel with a full smile and said, âOf course, if I have the chance, I would also like to get to know Mr. Ted personally. Nice to meet you!â
âNo need to be so formal. Iâll call you Daphne, and you can call me Nigel, okay?â He proposed.
Daphne immediately agreed happily.
The meal was quite enjoyable. Nigel works in investment and financial management and had work in the afternoon. After the meal, he insisted on taking Daphne home, but she declined, saying she had made plans with friends. So she sent Nigel to his car.
1/2
10:45
Chapter 195
Only after Nigel had turned around and left did Daphne run over to Julie and put her arms around her shoulders. âWhat do you think of Nigel?â
âYouâre the one who held his hand. Why donât you tell me what you think of him?â Julie retorted.
Daphne reminisced. âHeâs a good guy, and he doesnât mind my past relationships. I think I can try dating him.â
âYou need to get to know him more to understand his true character. But I have to warn you.â
âWhat?â Daphne looked at Julie, puzzled.
Julie pointed to the billboard across the street and said, âAre you sure youâve cleared things up with the guy on the billboard?â
Seeing Ivan beside Julie, Daphne had been holding back for a long time but ultimately didnât dare to mention the one-night stand. She looked at Julie and said, âIâve seen ugly ducklings turn into swans, but Iâve never seen a pheasant turn into a phoenix. The ugly duckling can become a swan because it was a swan to begin with. Cinderella could marry the prince because she was from a wealthy family. Just like you and Mr. Hernandez, you two were meant to be. But Mr. Lionel and I are not suitable.â
Rejecting herself? Although Julie thought Daphneâs thinking was wrong, she didnât refute her. Because she understood, if her own financial condition was not good, she might not have the courage to pursue Kieran for so many years.
The economic foundation determines the superstructure. This saying is not without reason.
But she sincerely said to Daphne, âDaphne, I think your analysis is quite reasonable. But you only considered the status of the two people and forgot to consider your own feelings. In your heart, what kind of person is Mr. Lionel?â
âHeâs got a good personality, a good body, thatâs it.â
âWhat?â Ivan, who had been playing with his phone, suddenly looked up at Daphne, âGodmother, do all you girls like guys with good personalities and good bodies?â
Julie gave Daphne a look.
Daphne quickly laughed and explained to the little guy, âI mean heâs good-tempered, has a nice personality!â
âExactly, thatâs what she meant.â Julie gently touched Ivanâs head.
Ivan seemed a bit confused, then he nodded, âNo wonder Kerry is always so popular.â
âKerry is indeed a heartthrob!â Daphne laughed happily as she dialed her momâs number.
Julie glanced at the time on her phone, worried that Kieran might be busy, so she chose to text him, âWeâre done here, should I take Ivan home first?â
âBring Ivan to the office! And bring me lunch.â Kieran replied quickly.
Julie didnât expect it was so late, and Kieran hadnât eaten yet.
So, after saying goodbye to Daphne, Julie gave Kieran a call..
âWhat do you want to eat?â
âWho else could it be but you?â Kieranâs voice came from the other end of the phone.
Julie was taken aback, unsure how to respond. Then the manâs voice came over the phone again, âKarl actually asked me who has the final say on hiring a secretary.â So he was answering Karlâs question just now, not hers?
Julie stood in place, stunned.
âWhat did you just ask me?â
âNothing.â
âCould you bring me a salad? You come to the office. I have some news to tell you.â The man finished speaking, hung up the phone, the smile on his lips deepening.