"Then it''s a deal," Mansfield said with a smile.


    The waiter began to bring in the dishes, filling the table with exquisite cuisine, each te a work of art and delicious to behold.


    "Try this." Mansfield ced a slice of fish on her te. "They say it was freshly caught from the sea. It''s very tender."


    Eleanor smiled. "I can get it myself. You should eat. You must be hungry after rushing back to the country."


    Mansfield paused, a warmth spreading through his chest. He had indeed just gotten off the ne, taken a quick shower at home, and then rushed straight here to pick her up.


    They started talking about their recent lives. Mansfield shared some amusing stories from his work, and Eleanor talked about the award ceremony. The atmosphere was light and pleasant.


    "My dad thinks very highly of you too. He''s always praising you," Mansfield said, putting down his utensils and picking up his teacup. From behind the rim of the cup, his gaze was earnest and deep. "He really admires you."


    Eleanor was slightly taken aback, then smiled, feeling ttered. "Thank you for Mr. Ellington''s high praise."


    Mansfield looked at Eleanor, his admiration for her impossible to hide. "I''m very proud to have a friend like you."


    He emphasized the word "friend," but his tone wasced with a deeper affection.


    Eleanor ced a piece of meat in his te. "Eat more. I feel like you''ve lost some weight."


    Mansfield smiled. "And gotten tanner?"


    Eleanor looked up. His features held an innate heroic and cool demeanor. Even without his uniform, his sun-kissed, wheat-colored skin gave him a natural ruggedness and masculinity.


    Eleanor studied him with an appreciative gaze. "Yes, you''re quite a bit darker, but it doesn''t detract from your good looks."


    Just then, her phone buzzed with a video call. She picked it up and saw that the call was from Joslyn''s WhatsApp. Eleanor assumed it must be her daughter. She looked at Mansfield and said, "It''s probably my daughter."


    "Go ahead and answer. It''s been a while since I''ve seen the little one, too," Mansfield said with an expectant look.


    Eleanor answered the call, and Evelyn''s adorable, rosy little face immediately appeared on the screen.


    "Mommy!" the little girl eximed excitedly.


    "Evelyn, have you had dinner?" Eleanor asked her daughter.


    "Yes, I have." Evelyn looked at Eleanor through the screen, and then she asked, "Mommy, are you having dinner with someone?"


    Eleanor shifted the camera slightly, and her daughter''s eyes instantly lit up. "Mr. Ellington!"


    Mansfield leaned closer to the camera and smiled warmly. "Evelyn, long time no see."


    "Mr. Ellington, so you''re having dinner with my mommy!" Evelyn said, then asked expectantly, Mr. Ellington, can you catch ke me to fireflies at your ce again next time?"


    Mansfield let out a low chuckle. "Of course. You''re wee anytime you''re free."


    Beside them, Eleanor quickly rified, "Evelyn, there are no fireflies now. They onlye out in the summer."


    "Oh, okay!" Evelyn said, then walked around with the phone. In the background,n''s figure


    inadvertently came into view. H


    was sitting on the sofa in Eleanor''s ving room, his Sharp gaze shings across the screen for a moment.


    Mansfield clearly noticed him and asked with a smile, "Are you with your dad, Evelyn?"


    "Yes! My daddy''s taking care of me," Evelyn said, then aimed the camera at her father. "Daddy, do you want to talk to Mommy?"


    Arge hand covered the camera lens, andn''s deep voice came from off- screen. "No, it''s fine. Let your mother have a nice dinner with her friend."


    Eleanor couldn''t help but feel a little awkward. She hadn''t knownn would be at her house. She said to her daughter Evetats all for now. Mommy will be back early tomorrow."