Samuel couldn't believe it. Taking a deep breath, he looked from Gwenda to Olivier, then asked incredulously, "The person you were bringing is Gwenda Evans?"
Olivier raised an eyebrow. "Is there a problem?"
"Of course" Samuel began.
"Of course not!" Tyrell interrupted, giving Samuel a pointed look before sitting down. "It's just that we didn't expect to see Miss Evans again so soon after lunch."
"Oh?" Olivier turned to Gwenda. "You two know each other?"
"It's a long story," Gwenda replied weakly, still shaken.
"Yes, Miss Evans is our benefactress," Tyrell explained. "She saved my son." He briefly recounted last night's events, omitting Piper's attempt to make Gwenda her daughter-in-law. This omission made the situation seem less unusual. Olivier, unsurprisingly, didn't suspect anything. He simply nodded, a smug look crossing his face.
"That's pretty much it," Tyrell concluded, feeling suddenly parched from the unusual length of his explanation.
"Quite a coincidence," Olivier said, turning to Samuel, who remained frozen, staring at Gwenda. Frowning, Olivier added, "Even if he's surprised, shouldn't he be this surprised?" A flicker of awkwardness crossed Tyrell's face. He frowned and called out, "Samuel!"
Samuel didn't respond.
"Samuel Kinney!!" Tyrell called louder.
This time, Samuel snapped out of it. "Huh?"
"Come sit," Tyrell said, giving him another look.
Realizing his gaffe, Samuel coughed into his fist before sitting down.
Gwenda chuckled. "I didn't expect such a serendipitous connection."
"Yeah, no kidding," Samuel mumbled, inwardly panicking. For fck's sake, he thought, Mother really knows how to stir up trouble! She introduced Olivier's girlfriend to me! Does she want me dead?!*
"Calm down," Tyrell said, patting his shoulder.
Samuel took a deep breath and composed himself. "Well," he said, teasingly, "I was wondering what to say to Mr. Petit's girlfriend, but I guess we're all acquainted now."
"Girlfriend?" Gwenda blushed, turning to Olivier in astonishment.
Olivier smiled, holding her hand under the table. "What about it? Is there a problem?"
Gwenda was speechless. "You" she began, realizing his audacity.
"If there's no problem, let's order," Olivier said, handing her the menu. Gwenda's face clearly showed her stunned silence. The Kinney brothers exchanged confused glances.
The waiter arrived, and the four of them chatted over their meal. When Gwenda went to the restroom, Samuel immediately turned to Olivier. "What the hell is going on between you and Gwenda? You're not together, are you?"
"That's true," Olivier admitted.
"Bloody hell, mate! Are you shameless?!" Samuel exclaimed. "How dare you claim her if you're not even together?"
"She was mine from the start," Olivier stated matter-of-factly.
Samuel rolled his eyes. "Shameless bastard."
"I think you're jealous," Olivier teased, eating gracefully.
"Maybe she doesn't even like you," Samuel retorted. "It's too early for you to say that."
Olivier smirked, dismissing him. Samuel, wanting to get back at him, decided to infuriate Olivier. "Gwenda and I got along really well this afternoon. I even walked her home after lunch."
The air grew cold as Olivier's face darkened. Nearby, Tyrell shook his head helplessly, looking at Samuel as if he were watching a man walk to his doom.