Chapter 94 Awkward Dinner
Ryan had arranged a dinner, and Francis picked up Jennifer from the studio after work. Since they were meeting an elder, Jennifer dressed simply and neatly - a well-fitted white Chanel suit paired with a pearl necklace and earrings. When Francis called, Jennifer was talking with Sandra. Sandra saw the name on her phone and smiled, "Your boyfriend's here to pick you up. Go ahead, I'll handle the rest."
Jennifer smiled a bit embarrassed, "We have plans tonight to meet a very important senior in the industry."
"It's fine. When my family had that emergency a few days ago, you managed everything alone for so long. We're partners - we should look out for each other." Sandra patted her shoulder, signaling her to go.
When Jennifer reached the door, she realized it was raining, and she hadn't brought an umbrella. She was hesitating whether to go back for one or call Francis when she saw the tall figure of Francis walking toward her with an umbrella. Francis tilted the umbrella and reached out his hand to her, water droplets rolling off the umbrella behind him, forming a fine curtain. Jennifer was momentarily dazed - Francis could be so thoughtful when he was in a good mood. She still remembered when they first met; it was pouring rain, and he just let her get soaked. She placed her hand in his, and Francis gently pulled her into his arms. His embrace was warm, and she didn't get wet at all.
After getting in the car, he glanced at her and asked, "You're meeting your idol today - why are you dressed so plain?"
Jennifer opened the passenger side makeup mirror to check her appearance and smiled slightly, "Mr. Mitchell is an elder. Elders all like simple and proper young people. You can tease me now, but don't say anything silly in front of Mr. Mitchell later."
Francis snorted softly, "Don't worry."
When the two appeared at the restaurant arm in arm, Ryan had already been sitting for a while. He stood up to greet them. Jennifer called out with a sweet smile, "Mr. Mitchell."
Ryan smiled warmly and asked them to sit down. Next to him was a cup of coffee with milk stains on the spoon. It looked like the person he wanted to introduce had already arrived but had stepped away temporarily. Ryan passed them the menu, "I've already ordered, take a look and see what else you'd like."
Francis took the menu and asked Jennifer in a low voice what she wanted to eat. He and Jennifer put their heads together to order, their behavior intimate and natural. Ryan watched them both, his eyes showing a touch of nostalgia - when he was young, he and his lover used to talk with their heads close together like this. Except back then, he was poor and couldn't afford fancy restaurants like this. Perhaps his eyes were playing tricks on him, but he suddenly felt that Jennifer's gentle laugh looked a bit like his first love, Skylar. Ryan was about to ask when he heard a voice, "Mr. Mitchell, I'm back."
All three at the table looked toward the newcomer. Ryan smiled and said, "Aurora, perfect timing - they just arrived. Let me introduce you. This is Francis, the son of a good friend of mine, and his girlfriend Jennifer, who like you is a jewelry designer." Ryan didn't notice the slightly odd looks on all three faces, assuming it was because they didn't know each other.
Aurora placed her bag by the table, swept back her long hair, extended her hand, and said, "Francis, I didn't expect the person my teacher wanted to introduce me to would be you. Nice to meet you again."
Francis politely shook her hand, "I didn't expect you and Mr. Mitchell would have this connection either."
Ryan raised his eyebrows in surprise and laughed, "So you already know each other - looks like I was being unnecessary."
Aurora turned her head and said seriously, "How could that be? Mr. Mitchell's care for me is the greatest help. Besides, Jennifer and I aren't really that familiar."
Jennifer was quite shocked - Ryan was Aurora's teacher, and Ryan's attitude toward Aurora was very caring. She paused before answering, "I've seen Aurora once or twice, but we haven't really talked."
Ryan smiled, "Aurora has a rather cold personality and few friends. I thought since you're close in age and both juniors I admire, you should get along well."
Mindful of Ryan's attitude, Jennifer took the initiative to chat with Aurora a few times, and Aurora responded with lukewarm interest. The meal began in this awkward atmosphere. Aurora looked at Jennifer's white suit and smiled, "What a coincidence, Jennifer - you're also wearing white like me. Is white your favorite color, too?" She loved white, and Francis knew it, so did he deliberately find a woman who copied her?
Jennifer looked down at herself. Both wearing white dresses, she somehow didn't seem as elegant and sophisticated as Aurora - she was being outshone. Francis squeezed her hand and said warmly, "Her favorite is pink, but women can't just wear one color all the time."
The warmth of Francis's palm gave her strength. Jennifer smiled and said, "That's right. Aurora, you do look beautiful in white, but wearing white every day would be a bit boring."
Aurora looked at their clasped hands, her eye twitching. Showing affection in front of her - was that on purpose? Before she could think of a comeback, Ryan spoke up, "Francis, you and Jennifer have such a good relationship. Jennifer, how come you've never mentioned your mother?" He still wanted to ask - he kept feeling Jennifer's smile looked somehow familiar. Could her mother be related to Skylar?
The smile on Jennifer's face faded. She lowered her eyes, looking a bit sad, "My mother passed away when I was very young."
"I'm sorry, that was thoughtless of me." Ryan quickly made amends, pushing a plate of dessert toward her, "Try this, it's very sweet."
Jennifer was respectful and took a bite, then smiled sweetly, "It really is delicious." Francis, holding her hand, asked her to feed him. Jennifer glanced at Ryan and Aurora across from them, signaling him to tone it down. But Francis still didn't let go. This standoff was drawing even more attention, so Jennifer had no choice but to feed him.
Ryan watched them, thinking how sweet young people in love could be. Aurora looked down and stabbed at her cake until it was a complete mess.
Later, Jennifer mentioned she was preparing for the jewelry competition semifinals. Aurora said with some pride that she had finished long ago and only needed to make a few small adjustments. She also said with concern, "Jennifer, are you having some difficulties? Maybe you could share them and let Mr. Mitchell give you some guidance. Although our topics are different, I could help you, too."
Jennifer's throat tightened, and she smiled, "I didn't expect Aurora to be so helpful, but that's okay - I'll figure it out myself."
Ryan also said, "This is a competition, so it wouldn't be appropriate for me to say much. But after the competition ends, if you have questions about design, you're welcome to ask me."
Jennifer knew he meant it sincerely, so she immediately raised her glass to express her genuine thanks. Jennifer drank a bit too quickly and choked. Francis quickly took his napkin to wipe her mouth, saying with concern, "How can you be so careless? Do you need to go to the restroom to clean up?"