?Chapter 100:


    Before Eileen had a chance to reply, Aaron was already bubbling over with enthusiasm, guiding Han through the rules.


    Eileen nced at Bryan, who was enjoying his meal with an air of detachment, as though the uing match held little weight for him.


    With no other options, Eileen found herself listening to Aaron’s rule briefing, eating little of her food.


    Aaron, in his zest, didn’t have the mood to continue his learning session. After the meal, he decided to start the game soon.


    Han, ever cooperative, partnered with Aaron to transform their backyard into an impromptu basketball arena.


    Eileen faced a snag of her own. Her attire, a short skirt paired with high heels, was far from ideal for sports.


    Observing the ready court, she pressed her lips together.


    “Retrieve your outfit from the car. Make sure you’ve changed before returning,” Bryan said. Suddenly, the familiar car key materialized before Eileen.


    Bryan extended the key to Eileen, and she furrowed her brow in mild surprise.


    Grasping the key, she pivoted and strode across the stone-adorned path.


    At the car’s trunk, a moment’s hesitation gave way to resolve, and she lifted the lid to reveal a set of women’s athletic wear, brand tags still affixed.


    The garments were her size, a perfect fit. With the shopping bag in hand, Eileen slipped into the car to change.


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    While changing, a flood of memories washed over Eileen—memories of moments shared with Bryan in this very car, on this very seat.


    The thoughts turned her cheeks red. She hastened her change of clothes and stepped out, only to find Bryan standing near the car, a cigarette held casually between his fingers. At the sound of the door, he nced back.


    Eileen was now d in gem-blue sportswear, the logo on her chest matching Bryan’s.


    The clothes showcased her great figure clearly.


    Bryan caught a glimpse of her blushing ears, an eyebrow arching yfully as his lips tilted into a subtle smile.


    “Let’s go,” he said.


    With a flick, he discarded the ashes and strolled back, nonchntly tossing the cigarette end into a nearby bin.


    As Eileen trailed behind, she smelled the mixed scents of tobo and pine on him.


    Taking a deep breath, sheposed herself, her thoughts pivoting back to the matter of thepetition.


    Unbeknownst to them, in the periphery, a car was stationed. Its upant had been discreetly capturing the scene since Eileen had emerged from Bryan’s car.


    A hand stealthily emerged from the slightly ajar window, maneuvering a phone to capture photos and record videos.


    Once Eileen and Bryan returned to the house, the observer from the car hurried to the fence to snap more photos.


    The game was dyed; Eileen’sck of skills in dribbling was apparent. So Bryan took a pause, dedicating a brief lesson for her benefit while Han and Aaron rested.


    Beneath the shade of the sun umbre, Han and Aaron watched Bryan and Eileen.


    “Dad, are you still pursuing Eileen?” Aaron nudged his father with a tentative question.


    “Why would I bother?” Han’s response cameced with frustration. “It’s clear what’s unfolding; I can’t rival him.”


    Doubts had only surfaced for Han when Bryan started imparting a one-on-one lesson to Aaron—an unexpected turn that suggested something amiss.


    “Dad, there’s still hope,” Aaron leaned closer, his voice hushed.


    “The news is abuzz. Bryan’s married, and there’s talk of infidelity. We hold the moral high ground—ouch!”


    Han’s hand met Aaron’s forehead with a quick tap, cutting him short. “Ignore the rumors. Focus on the fact he’s your tutor. We need him. Any concerns wait until after your exams.”


    Aaron quickly zipped his lips, his gaze returning to the impromptu court, where he sighed at the sight. “They look like the perfect match.”


    Eileen, her hair swept into a bun and d in athletic wear, carried the youthful air of a high school athlete.


    Beside her, Bryan’s maturity was evident, yet it didn’t overshadow his charm, whichplemented Eileen’s natural elegance.


    Ten minutester, thepetition officially began. Eileen, still green in the sport, struggled to keep hold of the ball, which Aaron often snagged away.


    But Bryan had the upper hand over both Aaron and Han in basketball prowess.


    Han, worn out after thirty minutes, called for a coffee break. Meanwhile, Eileen was on a bench, immersed in work discussions.


    Weekend rest was the norm for an intern like Eileen, yet the regrs, Essie and Aniya, were tied to the store’s schedule.


    Essie had hoped to exchange shifts for theing week, but Eileen, needing to tutor Aaron, had declined.


    Essie didn’t reply more, but she must be displeased.


    Putting away her phone, Eileen’s gazended on Bryan. He was leaning nonchntly under the gazebo.


    Eileen approached with a question. “This sportswear… Did you prepare it in advance?”


    The implication hung in the air that perhaps Bryan had anticipated ying basketball with her.


    “Is that a problem?” Bryan turned to face her.


    A shake of Eileen’s head was instinctive, but it loosened her hair, some strands cascading onto her shoulder.


    Her rust had little to cool her; her cheeks were flushed, a sheen of perspiration on her nose.


    Breathing slightly through parted lips, she uttered, “Thank you.”


    Bryan’s throat tightened as he found himself drawn to Eileen’s lips, kissing her on a whim.


    Her allure was undeniable, and resistance seemed a foreign concept to him, particrly because it had been so long since he had been intimate with her.


    He was overtaken by an intense longing, and in a moment of imbnce, Eileen found herself leaning against a post.


    Her breath mingled with his, the air charged with his palpable desire.


    With a gentle nudge, Eileen signaled for restraint, a silent plea forposure.


    Acknowledging the silent warning, Bryan looked down, his gaze heavy with unspoken words.


    “Han has prepared coffee. It might be good for you to join him,” Eileen suggested softly.


    Time stretched on before Bryan finally responded, his voiceced with frustration, “I have no taste for coffee right now.”


    As Eileen rolled her eyes, she caught a glimpse of him adjusting his attire hastily, ensuring his lower body was properly covered.


    Eileen’s difort was mirrored in his embarrassment.


    Though she looked away, her flushed cheeks betrayed her inner tumult.


    Han, astute as ever, remained inside, allowing them a prolonged moment of solitude before restarting the game.


    The game ended in the evening.


    With the day’s activities winding down, Eileen and Bryan prepared to leave. Bryan handed Eileen the car key. “Let’s return together,” he said.


    With a brief pause, Eileen took the car key and settled into the driver’s seat, noticing Bryan hadn’t joined her.


    Bryan gestured toward a spot nearby. “Wait for me there.”


    Eileen nodded, unsure of the reason but following his direction.


    Bryan sauntered in the opposite direction, his figure reflecting in a car window as he rapped on the ss.


    Raymond, seated inside the car, rolled down the window, greeting Bryan with a resigned smile. “Mr. Dawson.”


    “Let me have a look,” Bryan said, extending his hand.


    After a moment’s hesitation, Raymond surrendered his phone to Bryan.


    It contained a trove of photos capturing Bryan and Eileen’s moments throughout the day, including the kiss at the gazebo.


    “The photos are good. Send these to me,” Bryan instructed, handing the phone back.


    Raymond, momentarily taken aback, quickly regainedposure. “Okay,” he replied.


    “I know what to do next, right?” Bryan’s voice was firm and expectant.


    Raymond looked a bit reluctant. “Mr. Dawson, these photos are my work. I’ve got to give your grandmother something.”


    “Really?” Bryan arched an eyebrow, his gaze piercing. “Without the photos, you’re simply ipetent, but if you fail to even keep me in sight, then you’re of no value.”


    It was very easy for Bryan topletely get rid of Raymond if he wanted to.


    “Right, the photos will be in your inboxter. The rest I’ll delete,” Raymond said, eager toply.


    “Don’t follow me tonight,” Bryan left with a warning.


    Raymond slumped in his seat, deted as he watched Bryan walk away, his actions an enigma.


    He thought of Bryan, with a web of rtionships—a wife shrouded in mystery, a mistress with her mboyance, and Eileen, his secret.


    Eileen’s wait was brief. Bryan returned within five minutes, and during that time, her mind had raced with possibilities.


    Would he go to her ce?


    She had been looking forward to it, yet the purpose of his visit—the transactional aspect—unsettled her.


    Biting her lip, a wrinkle of concern etching her brow, she posed the question at a red light.


    “Dawson, do you want to go to my ce?”


    Bryan’s look was an open book of emotions. “Is there an issue with that?” he said.


    Eileen smiled as the traffic signal bathed them in green. “Not at all.”


    With resolve, she veered the car towards Springvale Lane.


    They stopped at the entrance, the seat belt still fastened.


    Without a word, Bryan leaned in, pressing Eileen back.


    The seat belt clicked open under his careful touch.


    His grasp was gentle but firm, drawing her hands to his waist. His need was palpable, nearly too much for her.


    But she believed they couldn’t do it in the car. Her lips parted, a soft insistence escaping them. “Let’s go inside.”


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