Chapter 19

“It looks like we’re interrupting both of you!” Veronica teased, leaning closer to Caleb, subtly hinting at intimacy. He glanced at her, then at Adrian and Yasmin, seated a foot apart. He let Veronica's gesture pass.

“No, no! Not at all!” Adrian stood, waving his hands. “I—I was just… admiring Yasmin! Yes, I admire her very much!”

Veronica wasn’t dissuaded. “Then, what exactly were you two doing?” she asked playfully.

“Yasmin skipped lunch, so I came to check on her,” Adrian replied, scratching his head. Yasmin remained silent, her gaze eventually meeting Caleb’s. His intense stare felt like a predator's.

“We haven’t eaten either. Let’s all have lunch together!” Veronica exclaimed. “There’s a five-star private restaurant nearby, and I know the owner well!”

Yasmin had no intention of going, but before she could refuse, Adrian blurted, “Sure.” Yasmin looked at Caleb. He was on a date with Veronica; why would she join them? But before she could object, Caleb started walking. She decided to follow. Adrian, her senior and someone she’d recently rejected, would be spared embarrassment.

Trailing behind, Adrian whispered, “Is that Mr. Grant’s girlfriend Mr. Evans mentioned? They look really great together!” Caleb, impeccably suited, and Veronica, in Chanel, appeared the picture of a perfect couple.

“I’m not sure,” Yasmin replied, her lack of interest evident. Adrian wisely dropped the topic.

The five-star restaurant was exclusive and pricey. Veronica seated herself beside Caleb, ordering with the air of a hostess.

“I didn’t mishear, did I? Mr. Elsher, you like our dear Yasmin, don’t you?” Veronica asked, sensing Caleb’s irritation. Her goal was simple: to fuel his anger toward Yasmin.

“Our dear Yasmin?” Adrian looked at Veronica, then at Yasmin. Veronica smirked. “Yasmin and I are very close!” Yasmin thought, What a joke. Sharing the same last name made denial impossible.

Adrian awkwardly admitted, “It’s true. I like Yasmin… a lot! But I’m not good enough for her. She’s already rejected me.”

Caleb, leaning back, scrutinized Adrian. Adrian, oblivious, looked at Yasmin. “But if there’s a chance, I’d love to try again!”

“You don’t stand a chance,” Caleb interjected, his first words since entering. Silence fell.

“Huh?” Adrian stared, shocked. Veronica patted Caleb’s arm. “Caleb, you’re scaring Mr. Elsher!” Yasmin noted Caleb’s lack of flinching; Veronica seemed an exception to his aversion to physical contact.

The food arrived. The waiter presented Yasmin with clam chowder without scallions. “Ms. Whitmore, this doesn’t have scallions. We remember your preferences.”

Yasmin and Veronica both turned. The waiter, realizing their shared surname, apologized. Noticing Veronica’s stiffness, Yasmin smirked. “Didn’t you say you were familiar with the owner? You’ve never eaten here before?”

Veronica retorted sarcastically, “Your memory is impressive.”

“Mr. Grant has brought Ms. Whitmore here several times and specifically told us to remember her preferences,” the waiter replied.

Adrian and Veronica looked at Caleb, who calmly sipped his chowder. His calm demeanor seemed incongruous with the fact that his last name was Grant.

Adrian recalled Caleb’s attention to Yasmin at work. His eyes widened in shock. He’d just called Caleb and Veronica a great couple!

“I—I need to use the restroom. Excuse me!” Adrian fled.

Yasmin put down her spoon, the sound echoing in the silence. She stared at Caleb. He scoffed. “Minnie, just look at the kind of men you choose.”