Chapter 386 Happy Birthday to You

Chapter 386 Happy Birthday to You

Just before the end of the workday, Leopold announced they'd have dinner together that evening.

Lily looked up from her mountain of paperwork, exhaustion written all over her face. "I still can't get through to the bank, can't find any way to secure a company loan, and you guys are in the mood for dinner?"

Leopold deliberately said loudly, "If Lily's not going, are you guys still in?"

Oscar laughed. "She's the only girl in the company. If she doesn't go, I'm not going either."

Erik's fingers paused on the keyboard. He looked through the door toward the office area.

Liam stood up. "Lily, whether we get to eat tonight depends entirely on you."

Lily had no choice. "Leopold, you did that on purpose. Fine, I'll go."

Leopold called out to Erik, "Erik, you pick the restaurant and make a reservation."

Erik replied, "Okay."

When no one was paying attention, Erik's lips curved slightly.

After work, the group arrived at Flower Creek Restaurant. Just from the décor, you could tell it was a great place for dates.

Liam frowned. "Why so fancy for a work dinner? People might think we're here for a business meeting."

Oscar laughed. "You really don't get romance. Only you would think of a business meeting. This décor, this atmosphere—it's perfect for a date." He looked at Lily. "Right, Lily?"

Erik walked ahead, coordinating with the server about their table, not catching what the others were saying behind him.

The server confirmed the name and phone number Erik had given and gestured for them to follow. "This way please, table nineteen."

Leopold walked alongside Erik, saying meaningfully, "This restaurant is perfect for coming with someone you like."

Erik remained silent, only coughing awkwardly.

The table was in the best spot in the entire restaurant, with a view of the central piano performance and, through the floor-to-ceiling windows, the lake scenery and the illuminated elevated bridge.

Night had fallen, the evening scene peaceful. Lily rested her chin in her hand, gazing out the window, her mood inexplicably lightening.

Erik sat in the chair next to Lily, glancing at her slightly. Seeing that Lily really liked it, he lowered his eyes and smiled faintly.

Liam sat across from them, watching Erik's carefulness. He figured Lily was probably the only person in the entire company who didn't know how Erik felt.

He decided to be a good guy for once and asked, "Leopold, what's the theme of tonight's dinner?"

Leopold said, "You'll have to ask Erik. He organized it."

Oscar asked, "Mr. Rivera, tell us, what's the theme?"

Everyone's eyes, including Lily's, turned to Erik. Erik felt uncomfortable under their gaze but maintained his expressionless face.

"Today," he looked at Lily, "is Lily's birthday."

Lily froze, taking two seconds to process. "Wait, my birthday? What's today's date?"

She quickly pulled out her phone, checked the calendar, and laughed. "It really is! That's impressive, Erik. You really are the top secretary—such a good memory."

The five people at the table all had different expressions.

Erik felt complicated being praised like this, slowly adjusting his glasses.

His feelings were so obvious—she still hadn't figured it out?

Leopold let out a laugh.

Liam looked at Erik, rubbing his forehead, lips slightly curved. He suddenly felt a bit sorry for Erik.

Oscar's reaction was more subdued, his smile the faintest, but when he looked at Lily there was a hint of awkwardness. Today was actually her birthday?

The server came to bring the food, along with a large bouquet of flowers and a cake. The piano music suddenly switched to the birthday song.

Lily accepted the flowers. "Thanks, Erik. After working together all these years, you're really a good friend!"

Leopold laughed loudly. "Erik, you're really a good friend."

Liam couldn't hold back anymore. "Erik, have you heard this saying?"

Erik's face was completely red, but he still had to act serious. "I don't want to hear it."

Liam said, "I'm going to say it anyway. If you hesitate, you'll lose your chance."

Oscar scratched his eyebrow. Although Erik was his competitor, he was grateful Erik had never made things clear.

Lily unknowingly rubbed salt in Erik's wound, asking, "I heard the delivery guys from this cake brand are all handsome. Why didn't you have him bring it to me?"

Erik's composed expression finally showed a crack. "Sorry for preventing you from seeing a handsome guy. I'll keep that in mind next time."

Lily grabbed Erik's sleeve. "Don't be mad. Thank you for the cake, I really like it."

She didn't notice her small gesture of grabbing his sleeve, but Erik glanced at her hand near his, his eyelashes trembling slightly. He felt too awkward to pull away. "As long as you like it. Blow out the candles."

Someone put in the candles, someone lit them, and Lily closed her eyes to make a wish.

Erik took out his phone to take photos of her—the restaurant, candlelight, flowers and cake. Her smile was more beautiful than the flowers.

To have a legitimate reason to keep the photos, Erik asked a server to take a group photo of all five of them.

That evening, a post appeared on Erik's Facebook with two photos and the caption: Happy birthday to you.

During the meal, Erik went to the restroom, and Leopold followed right behind.

Leopold approached the automatic faucet, washing his hands while saying, "Lily hasn't thought about it that way. You should just confess to her directly."

Erik pulled out a paper towel. "I've been this forward—isn't it obvious enough?"

Leopold smiled. "Yeah, it's so obvious, and she still doesn't get it. So tell me, is what you've done obvious enough?"

Erik crumpled the paper, thinking for a moment, then sighed.

Leaving the restaurant, Erik said, "Lily and I live in the same direction. I'll take her home."

Oscar said, "I'm going that way too. I'll take her."

Erik looked at Lily, giving her the choice. "Whose car do you want to take?"

Leopold frowned. Why was Erik giving up the choice at a time like this? But then he thought maybe this was right—whoever Lily felt closer to had a better chance, and it would show who she had more feelings for.

It seemed Erik was making a decision tonight. If Lily didn't have feelings for him, his love would end tonight.

Lily held the flowers, still able to smell their fragrance. She blurted out, "I'll go with Erik. Oscar, your place is still two blocks past mine."

Erik opened the back door, without any victor's pride, calmly helping Lily in, then sitting in the passenger seat himself.

The three watched Erik's car drive away.

On the way back, the more Leopold thought about tonight's dinner, the more interesting he found it. He'd probably never see a scene like that again.

After tonight, Erik would definitely confess to Lily.

When Leopold got home, he caught Caroline just as she was about to shower. He insisted on telling her about the dinner.

When Caroline heard about Lily complaining that Erik didn't let the handsome cake delivery guy bring the cake to the table himself, she laughed so hard she doubled over. "Isn't Lily pretty sharp? How can she not see it?"

Leopold said, "You can't blame Lily. In her mind, someone who can be a secretary at Erik's level is top-tier in the secretary world. She has some admiration for him. So it's understandable that she wouldn't think of it that way."