(Devan's POV).
"Frey.... No, I mean, Vivian..."
"Are you going to keep doing this to me?"
I cursed inwardly as I mispronounced her name and ended up glaring at me. I almost lost her when she suddenly stood up from her chair and exited the restaurant.
"Sorry, this is my mistake. Please don't leave."
She sat back down even as she grumbled. I let out a sigh of relief.
Silence engulfed us for a few moments. I didn't know what to say. It was the first time in my life that I lost my words in front of a woman.
Damn.
"Do you often do fundraising events like that?" I asked, trying to break the ice again. But it seemed she was still annoyed by my cold stare.
"Our family does it a lot," she replied.
"I heard that your father recently passed away. I'm sorry to hear that."
"Thank you."
She was really keeping her distance from me. For some reason, I couldn't take my eyes off her. I raised one eyebrow as she took the cell phone from her small bag. And I saw her facial expression turn troubled.
"What's wrong?" I asked worriedly.
"I'm sorry, but can we finish our dinner sooner? I don't mean to run away from responsibility, but Adam... he's looking for me."
"Adam? What's wrong with him?" I immediately stood up and went over to her.
"He's had a fever since this morning..."
"I get it. We can go home right now. I'll drop you off," I interrupted, "should we take her to the hospital?"
"No, thank you. Tristan is there to look after him. He's getting better anyway."
"Vivian?" I muttered. "I insist. My car is faster than you have to find a taxi out there."
"You're drinking wine," she said.
"I ordered a replacement driver so that you can rest easy." I took some money and put it on the table as a tip.
It may sound crazy, but I felt a little grateful that I could share a car with her and spend more time together. Although she stares out the window more often and ignores me beside her.
Excessive worry. It was a mother's instinct.
"Are you sure you don't want to take Adam to the hospital?" The corner of my lips lifted as she turned to me. Finally, she looked at me too. I had missed her bright blue eyes that always seemed to sparkle. But now they felt so empty.
"No, I'm not. We have a family doctor. Adam is afraid of being in the hospital."
"Why? Did something ever happen to him?"
He paused as if bothered by my question.
"I'm just curious. Don't worry, I have no intention of hurting Adam or you. Just a conversation between two people," I said quickly.
"An accident. He fell off a playground when he was three years old. He broke his left arm and had to stay in the hospital for a long time. It made him hate being in the hospital. Since then, I decided to have a family doctor."
I was stunned. This was the first time I had heard her talk this much and open up to me. I felt grateful and sad. Whether she was Vivian and not Freya, I felt very sorry for what had happened to Adam.
"He's a tough boy. I'm sure someday his fear of hospitals will go away," I said soothingly.
"Yes." She gave me a faint smile.
It's not long before we arrive at Vivian's house. I intend to open the door for her but she's already out on her own.
"Thanks for taking me home," she says, "and sorry for the short dinner."
"Is there another dinner substitute?" I chuckled.
But before she could answer, the front gate opened. I saw Tristan emerge from it.
"Vivian," he called.
"Oh, Tristan."
My hands clenched into fists as I saw his arm around Vivian's shoulders. As an older brother, why did he like hugging his little sister like that so much?
Damn it.
Why do I have to feel this much annoyance?
"How's Adam?"
"In his room. Still looking for you. I saw you come home, so I came and told Silvanna to look after Adam," he told her, "you're the guy from yesterday, right?"
"Yes." I forced myself to smile. I saw him extend his hand to me.
"I'm Tristan Harrow. Vivian's brother," he introduced himself.
"I'm Devan Harrison Haven."
"Ah, you are the son of Mr. Gallen?"
"Yes."
"Do you know his father?" asked Vivian.
"His father recently became a colleague of our company. Did you stand in for your father on the night of the auction?"
"Yes. He had to take care of my mom in the hospital, so I filled in for him."
"Oh, your mom is sick?" asked Tristan.
"Just an ordinary illness. But she'll be discharged tomorrow," I replied. I glanced at Vivian who was silent as she looked at me.
"I wish your mom a speedy recovery," Vivian said. I smiled widely. I felt my chest rumble as she talked about my mom.
"Thank you. Then, I'll go," I said and quickly left them, then got into the car without looking back at them.
I sighed heavily as I sat in the back seat.
Why did I have to feel jealous every time Vivian was with Tristan? They were brother and sister. It was only natural that they looked intimate.
"Shit!"
"Sir? Are you okay?"
"Yes. Just focus on driving." I glanced at the replacement driver and closed my eyes again.
After this, I didn't know what to do to see Vivian again. I didn't have enough reasons to ask her out. Especially with her keeping her distance from me.
I growled in annoyance. "What should I do?"
It's only been a few minutes since I've seen her, but I already miss her so much. I wanted to hold her... to have her by my side at all times.