Chapter 44 The Cooperation Between Benjamin and Rachel
Dusk had settled over Dawnlight City, and the streets were alive with traffic, bathed in vibrant neon lights.
Rachel had invited Benjamin out for dinner at a swanky, upscale restaurant.
When she arrived, the pianist was playing "La La Land," and the golden sunset streamed through the large floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a warm glow on the pianist's tuxedo-clad figure.
For a moment, her memories blurred.
She remembered the first year she and Steven were dating, they watched that movie together. She cried her eyes out at the ending, and he said, "I'll love you, always."
Later, on her birthday that year, Steven played that song for her, even though he didn't know how to play the piano. He learned that piece just for her.
A shadow fell over her, blocking the light behind her head. A cool, deep voice drifted into her ears along with the soothing melody.
Rachel blinked in surprise and turned around, unexpectedly meeting a pair of cold, indifferent eyes.
She instinctively opened her mouth, "You're here early?"
"Not really. It's six twenty-eight."
Alright, he came right on time.
The sadness that had just surfaced in Rachel's heart vanished instantly with his presence and his words.
"Let's go in and sit," she said, a hint of embarrassment flashing in her eyes as she turned and walked forward.
Benjamin's gaze slowly moved from her to the pianist.
He remembered that "La La Land" had a sad ending. The heroine married someone else, and the hero remained single.
When the piece ended, he looked away and followed her inside.
Rachel had reserved a table by the window. After they sat down, the waiter brought the menu, and she pushed it towards Benjamin. "Mr. Wright, see if there's anything you'd like."
Benjamin didn't stand on ceremony. He flipped through the menu while naming dishes to the waiter.
Rachel's phone suddenly beeped with a notification.
[Steven and Nancy will be dining at The Golden Fork at 7 PM. They also bought tickets for "Letters to Tomorrow" at Starlight Cinemas.]
Her pupils contracted.
The Golden Fork was the very restaurant where she and Benjamin were dining.
Benjamin finished ordering and noticed she was distracted. He waited a moment before handing back the menu, tapping the table lightly, "Your turn."
Rachel snapped out of her daze, "You're done ordering?"
Benjamin nodded, noticing her absent-mindedness but didn't mention it.
Time ticked by, and soon it was seven o'clock. Rachel finally saw Nancy and Steven at the entrance.
Coincidentally, Nancy also looked over, and their eyes met mid-air.
Nancy's eyes flashed with surprise, then panic, but when she saw Benjamin's back, a playful smile spread across her face. She walked over with a spring in her step.
"Rachel, what a coincidence, you're dining here too."
As she approached, she turned her head and saw Benjamin, momentarily stunned. "Mr. Wright? Rachel, I didn't realize you were so close with Mr. Wright. Last time at the Dawnlight City anniversary event, I didn't notice."
Steven walked over with a stern look, his brows deeply furrowed, his tone slightly cold, "Why are you having dinner with him?"
Rachel looked at them, feeling a sense of melancholy.
She ignored his question and asked, "Why are you two together?"
Steven felt uneasy at her question and replied without thinking, "This place has good truffle mushroom soup. I came to get some for you."
"Is that so?" Rachel elongated her words, looking at Nancy coolly, "And you? Also here for the soup?"
Nancy replied, "No, I came for the steak. I came here with my boyfriend before, and it was good. I was feeling down today, so I came for a treat."
She pouted and sighed, emphasizing "feeling down."
Rachel's calm gaze fell on Steven, "Is it really a coincidence?"
Steven, looking sincere, his eyes behind his glasses tinged with suspicion, said, "It really is, honey. But why are you having dinner with Mr. Wright?"
He recalled the photo Nancy had sent him that afternoon, and jealousy churned within him.
Benjamin's cold voice cut in unexpectedly, "She hit my car. This dinner is an apology."
Rachel was taken aback, not expecting him to explain for her.
She glanced at him, then stood up, feigning anger as she looked at Steven, "What? You and Nancy always have these convenient coincidences, and now you're turning it around on me?"
Her sudden outburst threw Steven off balance.
Steven hesitated, about to speak, Rachel had already grabbed her bag and coat. She turned to Benjamin, "I'm really sorry, Mr. Wright, for making a scene. This dinner doesn't count. I'll make it up to you next time. Enjoy your meal, I'm going to pay the bill."
"Rachel!"
Steven didn't think twice before chasing after her.
Benjamin took a sip of water and flashed a faint smile. The previously deep, cold look in his eyes softened slightly.