<b>Chapter </b>397
Geo <b>fished </b><b>out </b><b>his </b>phone from his pocket, surprised to see that Nick was calling him. He quickly answered the call.
<b>“</b>Nick, what’s <b>up</b>? <b>You </b>never call out of the blue,” Leo said, curious <b>and </b>a bit amused.
Across the table, Emmitt looked up from his te of a half–eaten burger and fries, his gaze shifting to Leo<b>. </b>
Nick, <b>gripping </b>his phone, sat hunched over hisptop, his eyes scanning an article on thetest news. “I just caught wind of the buzz online,” he mentioned casually.
Realization dawned on Leo. “Oh, that. It’s all water under the bridge now, Nick. No need to sweat it.”
“Be more careful next time,” Nick replied, his tone light. Though his face was still a shade too pale, he looked markedly healthier than before.
“Yeah, I <b>got </b>it,” Leo acknowledged with a nod.
Something seemed to click in Nick’s mind, prompting him to rise from his chair and push open the balcony door to step outside. “By the way, how are you feeling? Did you get a check–up recently? How’s the recovery going?”
Leo hadn’t shared the details of his health with Emmitt, so he responded vaguely. “I’m back to a hundred percent now.”
Nick paused<b>, </b>not probing further, and simply advised, “Even if you’re feeling better, try to avoid any rough sports for a while.”
Leo tapped his nose, a signature gesture when he was about to reveal something. “What I mean, Nick, is that I’mpletely healed.”
Nick’s grip on the phone tightened. “What do you mean?”
Standing up, Leo walked over to the floor–to–ceiling window, lowering his voice slightly. “Mirabe hooked me up with this remedy, and after taking it, I <b>was </b>good as new. It’s quite the miracle.”
“A remedy from Mirabe?” Nick sounded puzzled
“Yeah, it’s a long story. I’m grabbing a bite with Emmitt right now. Do you want to say hi to him? Leo nced back at Emmitt, a gentle offer in his tone.
“No need. You two enjoy your meal. Send Emmitt my regards,” Nick said, his voice calm and even.
Leo touched his nose again and replied, “Will do.”
“I’ll leave you to it,” Nick said before hanging up.
Leo pocketed his phone and returned to the <b>table</b>. “That was Nick. He says hello.”
Emmitt, who seemed lost in thought, nodded silently, his appetite waning as he picked at his food with his
fork.
After finishing their meal in quiet, they didn’t linger for chitchat. Once they called the waiter over to settle the bill, they left the private dining room.
As they stepped out of the restaurant, Leo retrieved his car keys and turned to Emmitt. “Guess I’ll head out now, Emmitt.”
Emmitt gave a brief nod, his voice <b>filled </b>with genuine concern. “Take it easy on the road.”
“I will.” Leo waved and <b>was </b>about to head to the parking lot when a waiter from the restaurant hurried out
after them.
“Sir, you’ve left something behind.”
Leo stopped in his tracks and turned to see the waiter holding a beautifully wrapped box.
Instinctively, Leo looked at Emmitt.
Emmitt nced at the box in the waiter’s hands, then quickly averted his eyes, his voice detached. “Your must <b>be </b>mistaken. That’s not ours.”
Without another nce at the waiter, Emmitt told Leo, “Let’s go,” and strode off toward the parking lot.
The waiter, puzzled, scratched her head. “But… I’m pretty sure this was on your table…” The private dining room had been cleaned right before their arrival; it couldn’t belong to anyone else.