In the bright private room, Deanna and Landon dined while reminiscing about amusing past events. The atmosphere was light and harmonious.
After some time, Deanna's phone on the table rang. A message filled with obvious jealousy appeared before her eyes.
"You've been eating for almost two hours. What food takes you so long?"
Seeing this message, Deanna couldn't help but laugh. Landon noticed the change in her expression and craned his neck to ask, "Is it Lance messaging you?"
"Yes, he says we've been eating for too long." Deanna nodded and replied without hiding anything, her hands busy typing a response to Lance, saying it would be a little longer.
Landon snorted and teased, "What, does he have to control even when you eat with me now?"
"Well, maybe your presence gives him a sense of crisis?" Deanna teased back.
Just as Landon was about to feel smug, a gentle voice interrupted, "But we have indeed been eating for too long; it's almost nine o'clock. How about this, next time I'll call Julia. She said the three of us used to have small gatherings often. Just because I've lost my memory doesn't mean we should cancel this tradition."
Looking at the smiling woman across from him, Landon understood the underlying meaning. He snorted, "Don't talk about next time. Just say you want to leave now and go back to your dear boyfriend."
Realizing her thoughts had been seen through, Deanna rubbed her nose in embarrassment. "Since you've figured it out, I won't hide it. I'll head back now; otherwise, it'll be hard to calm him down if he gets jealous."
She finished speaking and gave Landon a cheeky smile. Watching her cheerful demeanor, a fleeting bitterness crossed Landon's eyes, though his face remained brightly smiling as he waved impatiently, "Go on, go on."
Deanna said goodbye and left with her handbag. As the door closed behind her, Landon's smile vanished instantly. He looked at the remnants of their meal, as if still hearing their earlier laughter.
Moments later, Landon's voice echoed in the room, "Waiter, waiter!" A sound of quick footsteps followed, and within two minutes, a waiter in uniform entered the room.
"Hello sir, what do you need?"
"Bring me two more bottles of whiskey." Landon wanted to drown his sorrows. But then he remembered Deanna's earlier warning about being monitored. If he got drunk here, who knew if he'd be watched too?
Just as the waiter was about to leave for the drinks, Landon quickly stopped her, "Wait, never mind. Bring me the bill instead."
"Yes sir!" Though puzzled, the waiter complied.
Meanwhile, Deanna exited the restaurant and saw a private car parked by the roadside. She smiled and opened the door to get in. "Nightingale, you're getting more considerate by the day. I haven't even..."
Before she could finish, she noticed Lance sitting in the back seat and quickly closed the door. "What are you doing here?" she asked in surprise.
Lance looked at her with obvious displeasure. "What do you think?"
Deanna chuckled awkwardly, "We were talking about old times and lost track of time."
"Old times?" Lance raised an eyebrow.
"Yes," Deanna explained. "Landon was telling me about when he, Julia, and I went to school together."
Unexpectedly, this made Lance's expression even colder. "You two sure had a lot to talk about."
Hearing his jealous tone, Deanna laughed and leaned in to hug him affectionately. "Alright, don't be jealous."
Her voice was soft as she tried to soothe him. Lance looked down at her and snorted without saying anything.
Deanna continued, "Besides, this dinner wasn't for nothing. I helped you get rid of a rival in love. Unlike someone who hasn't dealt with his admirers yet. If anyone should be upset, it's me."
Lance's expression turned awkward at her words. Nightingale, sitting in the driver's seat, stifled a laugh but couldn't help chuckling aloud, drawing their attention.
"Uh, I'll put up the partition," she said and did so immediately.
The car fell silent and the atmosphere grew awkward. Lance cleared his throat and changed the subject, "Did you eat enough tonight?"
"Quite full," Deanna replied graciously, not pressing the previous topic further.
She then asked with concern, "Did you eat?"
Lance's eyes darkened as he looked at her with a hint of grievance in his voice. "How could I eat when my fiancée is dining with her suitor?"