Strangely enough, Vespera and Gerard might have been more exhausted than Dominic. Everyone else in the headquarters had a bit of breathing room once they wrapped up their responsibilities. Some even managed to sneak in a day or two of sightseeing around Londarion.
However, Vespera and Gerard were busy even in the evening. They were glued to Dominic''s side, following him from one event to another.
Gerard looked even more emotionally wrecked. Ever since that night, he hadn''t had a single moment to recover. Every day, he dragged himself around like he was clinging to life by a thread. Now and then, he would shuffle up to Vespera with a face full of despair, muttering hisints.
Vespera would offer a few sympathetic words in return, but honestly, she didn''t mind the workload. Being swamped meant she didn''t have time to think about messy feelings andplicated rtionships.
She would get back to the vi each night and take a shower before passing out the second her head hit the pillow. Even her sleep quality had improved. And it wasn''t all for nothing. She had met plenty of people through the banquets and gatherings.
...
The final day of the trip was a Sunday. The branch office visitation had officially concluded, and the rest of the team was preparing to return in the afternoon.
Even though it was the weekend, Dominic still had two gatherings left on his schedule. He needed to go horseback riding at a noble''s private estate during the day and to a wine tasting event in the evening.
Originally, they were all set to fly back together the following afternoon, but that morning, Dominic said, "I''ve got some business to take care of here. You all go ahead without me tomorrow."
Vespera wondered what business Dominic had, but she didn''t say anything and just nodded along with Gerard.
Still, the sudden announcement stuck with her. Dominic hadn''t said a word about this before. And now, he was not leaving with them? It shouldn''t have mattered as he wasn''t obligated to exin his ns to her, but that didn''t stop her from feeling heavy. The feeling followed her all the way to the estate.
Outside the stable, Vespera nced at Dominic, who had changed into a riding outfit in the near distance. She couldn''t help but ask Gerard, "Do you know why he''s staying behind?"
Gerard smiled helplessly and said, "If he didn''t tell you, he''s definitely not telling me. Vespera, why do you always assume I know everything?"
Vespera felt defeated. She mumbled, "Probably because he likes bringing you along more than me..."
Gerard wasn''t paying attention. To his ears, it sounded like she was saying Dominic liked him more. Instantly, he asked, stunned, "Where did that ideae from?"
Vespera pursed her lips and answered, "Isn''t it kind of obvious?"
Gerard stared at her, baffled. How was it obvious?
Vespera let out a sigh. Meanwhile, in the distance, Dominic was already mounting his horse in one smooth motion. His tall and lean frame looked sharp in ck riding gear. His ck hair and handsome face stood out easily next to the owner of the private estate, who had blonde hair.
Still, Vespera couldn''t shake the question echoing in her mind. Why was Dominic staying behind?
At noon, the owner of the estate prepared avish lunch. Vespera and Gerard were invited to ride that morning, but both declined. Neither wanted to risk getting kicked by a horse. Nevertheless, they joined the meal.
Halfway through, Dominic answered a phone call. The table was too long, so Vespera couldn''t hear the other person on the line. She only caught one line from Dominic. He said, "I''lle alone. I''m not bringing anyone with me."
Then, Dominic ended the call. He nced across the table only to find Vespera staring at him. She seemed a bit terrifying.
After lunch, Dominic called Vespera outside and asked, "What''s wrong?"
Vespera pursed her lips. She wanted to brush it off by saying it was nothing, but at thest second, she changed her mind. She asked, "What are you doing tomorrow?"
Dominic asked, "You''ve been distracted all morning over this?"
Vespera replied, pretending to be uninterested, "Forget it."
Dominic looked at how Vespera put on a long face and chuckled. He pinched her cheek and said, "If you really want to know, I''ll tell you. It''s nothing major. It''s just ast-minuteworking event. It''s probably very boring, but I couldn''t get out of it.
"I saw how wiped out you were these past few days and figured it would be better to head back early. But if you would rather stay and keep mepany, I would love that too. I just didn''t want you to be exhausted."
Everything Dominic said made perfect sense, but Vespera couldn''t help feeling that something about it didn''t add up. But what was she supposed to say? He hadid out the perfect exnation. If she kept pushing, she would seem annoying. Vespera nodded and muttered, "So, it''s aworking event."
Dominic asked, "Do you want toe?"
Vespera responded, "You already told me to go home. You''re the president. Of course, I''ll listen."
Dominic gave her shoulders a gentle squeeze and said, "You guys should leave tomorrow. I''ll be back the night the day after. It''s just one day apart. It''ll go by fast." Vespera nodded and hummed in response. So, Dominic was still going alone.
In the afternoon, they returned to the vi. Seeing how exhausted Vespera was, Dominic only brought Gerard with him to the wine tasting event that evening.
Vespera went out for a bit of shopping. She picked up the items Reba had asked for and bought souvenirs for her parents, grandmother, and uncle. By the time she got back to the vi, the maid had already prepared dinner for her and Calvert.
They were halfway through the meal when the doorbell rang.
Vespera muttered, "Don''t tell me Nancy has escaped ande here."
Nancy had gonepletely silent for days, making Vespera half convinced her phone had been confiscated and she really had been grounded.
"I''ll get it," said Calvert, setting down his fork and knife.<fn4f31> The rightful source is FιndＮovel</fn4f31>