Chapter 139:

Elyse took a taxi to the mall instead of driving her car, texting several people, but all were unavailable—even Tracy. Engulfed in loneliness, she meandered down the street. Suddenly, her phone rang. Startled, she answered, her smile fading as she recognized the voice.

“Ms. Lloyd, you seem disappointed. I saw you. Were you expecting someone else?” Richie’s voice was thick with sarcasm.

Embarrassed, Elyse whispered, “Are you nearby? I didn’t see you.”

Richie snorted, his annoyance evident. He instructed, “Look up.”

Obediently, Elyse looked up and spotted Richie on the second floor, waving through the glass. He invited her up. “My work is almost finished. I’ll take you to dinner soon.”

Relieved, Elyse hurried to the second floor, where Richie waited at a doorway. “Take a seat. My interview is almost over,” he said, ushering her into the room and returning to his interview, which was being recorded.

Elyse sat awkwardly in a corner, watching the proceedings. Once the interview concluded and the host finished recording some final questions, everyone began to pack up. Richie, choosing not to return to the office, donned his hat and mask and left with Elyse.

“Why didn’t you eat at home? If I hadn’t seen you wandering the streets, where would you have been going?” Richie had noticed something was amiss during his last encounter with Jayden, Elyse, and Judy, and had spoken up for Elyse then. However, he hadn’t expected her to be so easily defeated. Noticing Elyse’s disappointment, he saw her inexplicable guilt and her touching her nose to hide her embarrassment. “I just wanted to get out for dinner, that’s all,” she mumbled.

“And what would you like to eat?” Richie was skeptical. Her sadness was obvious. He saw right through her. Elyse was unsure. She responded dismissively, “Anything’s fine. You choose.”

Richie rolled his eyes. “I’m treating you. Let’s go.”

They entered a restaurant and were seated in a private room. As they did, the glass door opened, and Theo, accompanied by several men in suits, entered. Both Elyse and Theo looked away, startled. Elyse, gazing down at her shoes, wished she were elsewhere, but Richie had already placed their order. “Trust me, the food here is excellent,” he assured her, talking nonstop to distract her. Without looking at Theo, Elyse avoided eye contact.

Once settled, they briefly chatted about music. Then Jayden called, and Elyse couldn’t hide her smile as she excused herself to take the call. However, Theo leaned against the door, a half-smoked cigarette dangling from his lips—he’d clearly been there for a while. Repulsed, Elyse stepped back and demanded, “What are you doing here?”

“I’m waiting for you,” Theo replied, extinguishing his cigarette and discarding it. His voice held an unwitting hopefulness. “Your birthday’s coming up. What do you want? I’ll buy it for you.”

Elyse realized her birthday was the following week. Why should she accept a gift from him? She dismissed him firmly. “Don’t worry about it, Mr. Ward. Mind your own business.”

Theo, anticipating rejection, wasn’t upset but persisted. “I’ve never celebrated your birthday with you. Let me make it up to you this time.”

Theo’s plea was earnest, as if he truly wanted to atone. But it was too late.