Chapter 187

Chapter 187

"Cheers!"

As the words left his lips, all three raised their drinks and clinked glasses happily.

The server had already brought out all the dishes. Days spent together had made Nicholas's care for Eugenie increasingly natural and familiar.

Yvaine observed all of this, genuinely happy from the bottom of her heart that her best friend had found happiness. After several rounds of food, Eugenie went to the restroom partway through, leaving just the two of them at the table.

Yvaine set down her utensils and looked across at Nicholas, who was wearing gloves and peeling shrimp. Her tone became more serious. "Mr. Whitaker, while Eugenie's not here, there are a few questions I want to ask you."

Nicholas's movements didn't stop; his tone casual. "You can call me by my name directly. Ask whatever you want."

Yvaine didn't dwell on the form of address and called him by name. "Nicholas,how well do you really understand Eugenie?"

Placing the peeled shrimp in a clean bowl beside him, he kept his gloves on and spoke earnestly. "I have some understanding of her family situation. Her mother passed away early. Her father remarried and had a younger brother and sister, but they don't treat her well."

"When it comes to food, she's not picky. She doesn't like the taste of spices. She likes eating fish and shrimp but doesn't have much patience for deboning or shelling them herself. She has a good temper, is reasonable, and very rational."

He said it all in one breath, pausing occasionally to think. Overall it came out quite smoothly. She was still a bit skeptical. "Did she tell you all this herself?"

Nicholas denied it. "No. I observed all of this."

He was attentive enough. Yvaine felt slightly reassured, then asked, "So what are your feelings toward her? If you're just playing around, I suggest you find someone else. She takes relationships seriously—she's not the best choice for passing time."

Yvaine was different from Eugenie. She'd dated several boyfriends and had rich romantic experience. Precisely because she'd seen many people, she understood even better how good men were at disguising themselves.

Some people approached you with ulterior motives. Observing details about the person was a basic requirement. Based on these details alone, you couldn't judge a person's level of devotion.

So she put the ugly truth upfront. Even if it offended him, it didn't matter to her. Everything was worth it for the sake of her best friend's future.

Nicholas pondered for a moment, then looked up. Their gazes then met in the air. Yvaine's gaze was firm and uncompromising.

Realizing she was very serious, Nicholas treated it with equal seriousness. "As you can see, I do like her. She also knows my feelings. I'm not someone who treats relationships casually. Once I've decided it's her, it will always be her."

"You've confessed to her?" Yvaine was genuinely a little surprised. She hadn't heard Eugenie mention it before.

Nicholas admitted it openly. "I have, but she didn't accept. I could feel she had reservations at the time. I'm willing to give her time to understand her own heart. Even if she rejects me in the end, that's fine—as long as she's happy."

Reject him? Based on Yvaine's understanding of Eugenie, that possibility was not very high. Yvaine's gaze swept across his exceptionally handsome features. He could talk and knew when to advance and when to retreat—a rare normal man.

Being pursued by someone like this, developing feelings was just a matter of time. But of course, it also varied from person to person. Yvaine didn't waste time on this.

"Can you guarantee you'll treat her well for a lifetime?" Yvaine turned to ask this somewhat tricky question, wanting to see how he'd answer.

Nicholas heard this and laughed softly, answering sincerely. "Your question is a bit too absolute. I can't make you that promise, but I can commit to treating her well for as long as I live, as long as she'll accept."

Making empty promises was easy—actually doing it was what truly mattered. Yvaine naturally understood this point. Hearing his answer, she wasn't too surprised. "Anyone can say pretty words. I'll be watching you."

Nicholas showed no fear. "As long as it's not out of line, supervision is welcome."

Having finished the serious conversation, it was time to chat about less proper topics. Yvaine crossed her arms, her eyes slightly narrowed. "How's your physique? Will my best friend have a good life?"

Regarding the shift in topic span, Nicholas only needed three seconds to react. "I work out regularly. I think it's pretty good."

Yvaine nodded with a crooked smile, then asked, "How's your health? No minor issues, right?"

He smiled slightly. "I get a physical every year. The results show I'm healthy. The reports are all at home—she can look at them anytime."

Yvaine was about to ask something else when Eugenie returned. She timely ended the topic. By visual assessment, this man was viable. As for more specifics, she'd wait for her best friend to thoroughly explore.

Eugenie sat down beside Yvaine. Sensing the atmosphere was somewhat strange, she suspiciously swept her gaze across them both. "I went to the restroom and you two didn't fight, did you?"

Nicholas good-naturedly shook his head in denial. "No, why would we?"

"Exactly. Is this the image you have of me in your heart?" Yvaine protested loudly beside her, her face written with grievance, waiting for Eugenie to coax her.

Looking at the situation, it really didn't seem like it. Eugenie also set down the weight on her heart, proactively picking up a spoon to add soup to her bowl. "Don't be upset. Have some soup."

After finishing the dessert served last, Nicholas proactively went to pay, letting them chat properly.

Once he'd walked away, Yvaine proactively gossiped beside her. "Just now, while you were gone, I asked everything for you. His physique should be quite good. You can verify it when you get back."

Eugenie was so embarrassed that she went straight to cover her mouth. "Oh my god, you asked directly? We haven't gotten to that step yet. Won't asking like that make me seem desperate?"

Yvaine reached out to pull her hand away, mysteriously leaning close. "Don't just be shy! Life is short—seize the day. I'm doing this for your own good."

Having Yvaine was truly her blessing. Eugenie's cheeks flushed red as she buried her face in Yvaine's shoulder with a whimper, not lifting her head.

Her best friend was so shy. Yvaine found her adorable, holding her like a man would, unable to help but laugh quietly. "When you two make further progress, will we be able to chat about adult topics?"

Eugenie instantly understood her meaning. The temperature in her cheeks only rose, never fell. She reached out to pinch the soft flesh at Yvaine's waist, gritting her teeth. "This isn't a topic for little girls to discuss. Stop talking about it."

"You're in your twenties—what little girl? You were always so clueless before, you had me so worried!" She'd matured early romantically and had seen a lot. Unfortunately, her best friend hadn't kept up, so there were many topics she hadn't dared to discuss, afraid of leading Eugenie astray.

Now things were good. Nicholas had appeared beside Eugenie. If things went smoothly, she estimated she'd be attending Eugenie's wedding before long.

Yvaine particularly looked forward to that day and eagerly anticipated its arrival.

"Having you is truly my blessing." Eugenie was really made to laugh by the leaps in her topics, feeling quite helpless.

Yvaine was somewhat smug. "I think so too. If there's anything you don't know in the future, you can consult me."

"I don't want to!"