Eleanor finally texted back a simple reply: "Okay, on my way."
When she arrived at Xavier''s apartment, she was greeted by the warm aroma of home-cooked food and the sound of children''sughter. The two little girls were lying on the living room floor, engrossed in a puzzle.
"Mommy, you''re here!" Evelyn shouted, running over to give her a hug.
Xavier poked his head out of the kitchen, an apron tied around his waist. "You made it. Go wash up, dinner''s almost ready."
Eleanor stood in stunned silence for a moment. Xavier was cooking? She walked over to the kitchen doorway. "Did your housekeeper take the day off?"
"No, I gave her the day off. I wanted to cook for you myself tonight," Xavier said with a charming smile. "I apologize in advance if it''s not very good."
Eleanor inhaled the delicious smells wafting from the dining table and smiled. "It smells amazing. Thank you for doing this."
She felt a pang of guilt. He had watched the children and cooked dinner. It was too much.
Just then, her phone, which she had left in her purse on the sofa, began to ring. She went to check it and saw the name shing on the screen: Ian.
With Xavier still busy in the kitchen, Eleanor stepped out onto the balcony to
answer.
"Hello?" she said, her voice calm and even.
There was a brief silence on the other end, as if he was surprised she had answered so quickly. Then,n''s deep, slightly weary voice came through. The background was quiet. "Have you had dinner yet?"
Before she could answer, Evelyn and Vivian came running out onto the balcony. "Mommy, who are you talking to?" Evelyn asked loudly.
Eleanor turned to the phone. "Evelyn''s here. Do you want to speak with her?"
"Yes, let me hear her voice,"n replied.
Eleanor handed the phone to her daughter. "It''s your daddy."
Evelyn took the phone, her face lighting up. "Daddy, guess where Mommy and I are!"
"Evelyn, is that your dad?" Vivian asked, leaning in.
Evelyn nodded. "Yep, it''s my daddy."
"Are you at Mr. Vaughn''s house?"n''s voice came through, a hint of amusement in it.
"You guessed it! Mommy and I are at Mr. Vaughn''s for dinner, and he cooked for us himself!" Evelyn reported happily.
"Oh, did he?"n asked, his tone unreadable.
"Daddy, what are you doing?"
"I just woke up."
"Oh, is it morning where you are?"
"Evelyn, my uncle says it''s time to wash our hands for dinner!" Vivian chimed in.
"Okay! Daddy, I have to go now. Time to wash my hands!"
"Alright, you go. And remember to thank Mr. Vaughn before you leave, okay?"
"I will! I miss you, Daddy. Bye!" Evelyn said, her voice soft and sweet.
Eleanor took the phone back. Seeing thatn hadn''t hung up, she put it to her ear. "If there''s nothing else—"
"You''re having dinner at Xavier''s?"n asked.
"Yes," Eleanor replied tly.
"With the holidays just around the
corner, would you be able to get
Evelyn to Goodwin Manor to have dinner with my grandmother?" asked content
"Fine," Eleanor agreed.
"How have you been?"n''s voice suddenly held a note of concern.
"You don''t need to worry about me," she answered coolly.
"Mommy,e eat!" Evelyn called from inside.
"I have to go," Eleanor said.
There was a pause, and thenn''s voice, now slightly hoarse, came through. "... Alright."
Eleanor hung up and went back inside. Xavier had already served the two girls and had set a bowl of rice for her.
Feeling a bit overwhelmed by his kindness, she sat down. "Thank you."
"Go on, try it," Xavier said, his eyes fixed on her face, full of anticipation.
Under his watchful gaze, Eleanor
took a bite. It was delicious. Sheet
looked up at him in surprise. "This is really good, had no idea you were such a great cook
Her praise was genuine, and Xavier''s face broke into a wide smile, as if he had just received the highest honor. "If you like it, eat up. I taught myse When I was studying abroad