?Chapter 23:


    The day brought an outing by the creek organized by thepany’s staff. Eileen, haunted by Bryan’s text message, walked downstairs just in time to witness the preparations for the gathering.


    Upon spotting her, someone from the group extended an invitation to the pic. Eileen epted the invitation, although spending time with colleagues was not her usual choice. Her days were often filled with work, leaving little room for social circles. Even during team-oriented events, she would always stay by Bryan’s side.


    But today was different. As she left the confines of the hotel, she was greeted by the sun. Despite the heat, the light breeze offered a hint of relief, soothing her lingering headache.


    It wasn’t long before she found herself amid a cluster of chattering colleagues, with the conversation veering towards the nature of Bryan’s feelings for Vivian.


    “Miss Warren’s return has been lengthy. Mr. Dawson should have left his current wife to be with Miss Warren long ago.”


    “You’re right. The media had much to say about Miss Warren. There were stories, but the Warren family managed to quiet them. But Mr. Dawson remained silent through it all.”


    “Eileen, what’s your take on this? Doesn’t Mr. Dawson like Miss Warren?”


    The group’s musings turned to Eileen, seeking her insight.


    Clearing her throat, Eileen maintained herposure. “Mr. Dawson’s matters are his own. My insights aren’t any deeper than what you all already know.”


    “You’re always around him, Eileen. Take a guess—we’re all ears.”


    With a gentle shake of her head, Eileen replied, “Spection isn’t my game. I’m as in the dark as you.”


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    Amidst the nudges for a revtion, Eileen’s smile barely concealed her difort. Bryan’s private sentiments were a riddle to her as well.


    “Perhaps Mr. Dawson’s affection for Miss Warren isn’t as profound as we think.”


    The whisper from Roxanne Gomez in the secretary department sparked a wave of intrigue.


    “Why would you say that?” someone asked.


    Roxanne cast a cautious nce around before saying, “I couldn’t help but catch a snippet of conversation between Miss Warren and her brother today. There were tears—she was upset because despite sharing a room with Mr. Dawson, it seems their nights have been quite tonic recently.”


    The implication hung in the air, leaving little to the imagination. Eileen’s understanding clicked. Vivian had deliberately made Bryan share a room with her; two evenings had passed without anything happening between them. Vivian must be frustrated about that.


    Eileen knew Bryan had ns for the evening today, hinting at further disappointment for Vivian.


    “I suspect it’s payback from Mr. Dawson against Miss Warren,” someone said.


    “Could it be a reprisal for the years she left him on his own?” another questioned.


    “That’s possible. Miss Warren can’t expect Mr. Dawson to ept her as soon as shees back to him. She was the one who left him before, after all. It’s natural for Mr. Dawson to be a bit mad at Miss Warren. But he’s probably doing this because he still cares about her.”


    Eileen found herself silent, her thoughts a tangled web she couldn’t weave rity from. The spective chatter cast a shadow over her mood, nudging her to seek solitude.


    “I need some air. You guys have fun,” she said and left.


    Map in hand, Eileen sought the tranquility of the creek-side floral tapestry, a spot the others had explored the day before.


    As she neared the area, the scent of flowers greeted her, mingling with the warmth of sunlight and the caress of the breeze. The vibrant tableau of flowers beneath the vast sky buoyed her spirits.


    Caught in the beauty of the field, Eileen let the hours slip by, even forgoing lunch. It was only as dusk began to paint the sky that she returned to the hotel for the evening meal. From afar, she spotted Bryan and the others already gathered for dinner.


    Vivian’s smile was radiant as she sat by Bryan, his face a mask of unreadable calm. She weed the group back as though they were her employees.


    Eileen took her ce at the table among some of her colleagues.


    As soon as Eileen took her seat, Vivian said, “The day’s activities must have worn everyone out. You’re all pretty tired now, right?”


    Heads bobbed in agreement around the table. The day’s exertions had indeed taken their toll.


    “Perhaps we should all go to sleep early tonight. After all, it is our final evening here,” Vivian suggested, her tone light but hopeful, casting a nce toward Jacob.


    “I n to call it an early night today,” Jacob responded. “Tomorrow’s agenda is packed. I must rest well tonight.”


    Kian echoed the sentiment. “I’ve got an early departure. Tonight, rest is also essential for me.”


    Vivian’s gaze flitted to Bryan, hinting at her disappointment.


    “Then we all agree—early rest it is,” she shared, reaching a conclusion.


    Bryan’s reply was gentle yet firm. “Actually, I havemitments this evening.” His tone was light, but his eyes were kind, as if to cushion the letdown for Vivian. “Get some rest. There’s no need to wait for me tonight.”


    Around them, the hushed exchange didn’t go unnoticed. Nearby colleagues exchanged fleeting nces, feigning ignorance.


    A hint of color drained from Vivian’s cheeks as she spoke, her voice steady butced with tension. “What’s so important tonight? You’re not in thepany, after all.”


    Eileen watched them quietly, wondering how Bryan would reply to Vivian’s question.


    But the next moment, Bryan turned to Eileen. “She has the details.”


    This caught Eileen off guard, her heart skipping a beat as all eyes at the table turned to her.


    Gathering herposure, she told Vivian, “Mr. Dawson is ted for a crucial international meeting this evening. It involves the Apex Group’s global project, and even his parents are joining the call.”


    A colleague chimed in, having witnessed Eileen’s earlier diligence. “That exins your morning calls. It was all for this meeting’s prep, right?”


    With a confirming nod, Eileen felt the weight of the table’s gaze lift slightly. “Exactly,” she said.


    Vivian seemed poised to continue, but Bryan suddenly said to Eileen, “Could you ensure the kitchen hurries with our meal? We need to be timely for the meeting.”


    With a nod, Eileen excused herself to hasten the service.


    Upon her return, the air was heavy with unspoken words, the disappointment in Vivian’s fate evident.


    The dinner was a silent affair for Eileen. Once done, she retreated to her room to organize for the impending meeting.


    Bryan arrived shortly, and his expression shifted upon seeing her diligence. A smile cracked his solemn demeanor. “Impressive. You really prepared for the meeting,” he said.


    Eileen’s response was a quietugh, knowing theplexities the evening held after Roxanne’s revtion. That was why she had preemptively rescheduled the meeting for tonight.


    It was unclear whether Bryan had done that on purpose.


    Regardless, Eileen maintained herposure and said, “Have a seat, Mr. Dawson. I’ll get you a cup of coffee.”


    Bryan arranged his papers on the table before settling into thefort of the sofa.


    Returning with coffee, Eileen was momentarily taken aback by the sight of Bryan under the soft lighting.


    d in casual attire, the contours of his face were highlighted, emphasizing a stoic detachment.


    As he perused the documents, Eileenposed herself and ced the coffee before him, taking a seat across from him.


    “Mr. Dawson, we’re here to go over the Apex Group’s project progress and our prospects within it,” she began, turning the focus to the business at hand.


    They engaged in earnest conversation, maintaining professionalism despite the informal setting.


    Thirty minutester, the online meetingmenced. Eileen jotted down notes while Bryan engaged effortlessly with the remote participants.


    A knock interrupted them, and Bryan’s brief nce was Eileen’s cue to open the door.


    Vivian stood there, a te of fruit in her hands. She squeezed past Eileen and stopped behind Bryan. Seeing that he was indeed having a video conference on theputer, she ced the fruit down and whispered to Eileen, “Eileen, how long will the meetingst?”


    “It’s hard to say. The time depends on how the dialogue with our international team unfolds. It could be extended for hours if there’s more to debate,” Eileen replied.


    Vivian’s sigh barely masked her disappointment. She mustered a smile, gesturing to the fruit. “Thought you might need a little something during your marathon.”


    Eileen thanked her, and as Vivian left, she settled herself onto the bed, seemingly in no rush to depart anytime soon.


    Eileen gently closed the door and returned to her spot at the coffee table to resume her note-taking as the meeting continued.


    As they worked, time slipped away beneath a canopy of stars. Vivian, lost in thought, drifted between the bed and the window seat, her nces toward Eileen and Bryan carrying a tinge of mncholy.


    Dawn crept upon them silently. Eileen discovered that Vivian had sumbed to sleep, her form curled and delicate against the backdrop of the morning light.


    Observing Bryan, who had been fueled by caffeine throughout the meeting, Eileen noted the weariness etched into his features. Catching her eye, he acknowledged her silentmunication with a nce.


    Without words, Eileen signaled toward Vivian’s sleeping form. Understanding something, Bryan briefly used his phone before setting it aside.


    A knock on the door soon followed.


    Puzzled, Eileen answered Bryan’s cue and found Kian outside the door. Kian came in and gently lifted Vivian, exiting the room with her in his arms.


    The door clicked shut behind them, sealing the room in quietude once more. As the meeting’s dialogue flowed on, Bryan’s voice became a soothing luby for Eileen, who started to feel sleepy and closed her eyes.


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