"The woman married a businessman and now lives in Los Angeles; she has a son, and her husband's enterprise is successful."
Chris listened to the entire information given by his assistant with a breath that was held back due to the anger he had been harboring for many years. Chris pulled the corners of his lips together and smiled sarcastically at the fact that the life of the woman he had been searching for all these years was okay.
"You've already met with the son."
Chris immediately turned to Mark when he heard the things that his assistant had mentioned. Chris met the son of the woman he despised the most; how could he have missed this?
Chris smirked even wider when Mark handed him the tab he had been holding up until this point.
"Darren Hayes."
"Owner of the textile company H Group and the network of all of their business associates, including his start-up business in Los Angeles."
Chris placed the tab on the table. He had just recently met the man, and it turned out that fate had made it easy for him to find them.
Chris snorted, "Interesting," with a terrible grin.
Dania was preparing to meet Sarah and Olivia for lunch outside because they were both in the mood for ramen at a Japanese restaurant that they had time to visit the day before.
"We should cut costs!" Olivia complained that Dania would constantly tease her by offering her delicious food. They were both allowed to dine in the workplace cafeteria for free.
"Not every day, you agree?" Dania laughed hysterically.
"Yeah, I appreciate that you guys also took me out to lunch." As she strolled alongside Olivia and Dania, Sarah clapped her hands joyfully. Sarah was so pleasant to be around that she even greeted Nenna and Jessy when they arrived for their shift.
Dania walked, fussing with her wallet because she always forgets to bring money.
"Dany...." Dania was looking through her wallet when Olivia, who was walking first, suddenly stopped moving with the sound of her call. In spite of this, Dania turned her head to face Olivia right away. However, she noticed Darren, who was standing there in full formal clothes and had just parked his car at the lobby entrance.
Dania stiffened up right away, as she always does when she meets Darren, but the man smiled softly, as if he had never done anything wrong to Dania and was attempting to build a positive reputation among Dania's friends.
When Darren approached Dania, she was still silent and standing still. Olivia smiled because she was aware of Darren's kind attitude and the unfailing concern he had for her friend.
"Did I bother you, baby?"
Dania shifted her body as soon as Darren raised his hand to rub her soft cheek out of fear that he might strike her face with it like he used to. Dania's cheek immediately hurt as she remembered the trauma of Darren's treatment at the time.
Darren was shocked by Dania's response. He took back his hand, then smiled once more, seemingly unconcerned about what had just happened.
Dania and Darren were talking when Olivia interrupted, "We'll go for ramen at the restaurant over there."
"You two may just go out on your own, and we'll eat lunch together next time, Dany."
"No! I also have a craving for ramen noodles." Dania firmly rejected Olivia's request to go alone with Darren.
"Ramen? I am aware of exactly where to find good ramen like in Japan. Sweetheart, do you want to try it?"
This time, Dania was unable to deny it as Darren's palm softly touched her cheek before taming her slightly unruly hair.
"I, I've promised to go with them."
"It's alright, we can bring your friends along," said Darren, as he grinned and turned to face two of Dania's friends. "Let me be the treat, please."
The moment Olivia heard the words, she was naturally delighted, and she immediately responded with a nod of the head. The girl was too easily seduced, so Dania had no more chance to reject Darren.
Darren led Dania and her two friends into the car. The man shut the door with his palm, allowing Dania to enter without her head striking the door. Even though Darren was already seated in the driver's seat and Dania was calmly sitting next to him, Darren secured a seat belt for her.
"You're okay, Honey?"
"Gosh~" Olivia shouted in enthusiasm when she saw how much attention Darren was providing to her friend.
Darren continued to catch his smile, even though Dania was ignoring him. He does a great job of acting the part of the boyfriend. With his acting talent, he ought to be a professional actor.
Even Olivia did not imagine that the location Darren was referring to was at the upscale mall to which Darren's car carried them away in southern Manhattan.
"The only difference between our tastes was in the quality, it turned out."
Sarah giggled at Olivia's reaction as Olivia grimaced at herself.
In the restaurant's garden, a little fish pond with colorful koi fish can be found. Despite the fact that each seat is made of wood, the interior as a whole has a contemporary feel. Dania imagined a Geisha playing the shamisen, her face expressionless due to the soothing melodies. Since the service is friendly, Dania can sense that the food is pricey here. A nice approach to explaining a menu is as having a predetermined budget for the five days.
"The taste must be genuine because the seafood here is imported directly from Tsukiji, Tokyo." Darren spoke persuasively about a restaurant that he frequents.
Once more praising Darren, Olivia was astounded and appeared to be telling Dania how fortunate she was to have Darren.
"I don't really suggest ramen noodles here because they have other, more unique menus. Would you like to try some of my recommendations instead?" Darren grinned as Sarah and Olivia nodded in agreement with his proposition.
Salmon sushi, wagyu sandwiches, aburi salmon roll, wagyu steak, mochi, houjicha chocolate, and strawberry ginger as a sweet dessert are all available completely at the table. Olivia and Sarah are at a loss for where to begin, but Dania has a different idea. Darren orders a wagyu steak, and before the girl gets her medium-rare grilled meat, he helps Dania cop it.
"You like wagyu, right, honey?" Dania pulled Darren aside with the justification that she needed to take the cutlery as Darren grabbed her hand.
Darren is becoming increasingly upset by Dania's continued rejection of him. Darren would behave pleasantly in front of people even though Dania despises him and is usually silent.
"I just drove your dad, too bad he shouldn't be able to stay here longer, isn't it?" Through her father, Dania was under Darren's authority. Dania also frequently loses anytime her father's name is brought up.
"Thank you." Dania said it gently. Dania's shoulder was warmly stroked by Darren as soon as he spoke.
The food on the table ran out quickly, despite the fact that Dania could only forcibly eat the wagyu steak in front of her. Her throat felt dry, and despite the fact that the meat was extremely tender and tasted like something, she was unable to savor it.
"It appears I need to use the restroom." Olivia hugged her belly and gave permission. Dania was prepared to get up from her chair and catch up with Olivia, but Darren grabbed her arm tightly.
"Wait for me!"
When Sarah finally caught up with Olivia, Dania was aware that if she was left alone with Darren, she would hear something unsettling.
Before saying what Dania had already predicted the man would say, Darren sighed and shifted his seat sideways. He then turned to face Dania, who could only lower his head. Dania was startled when Darren's hand again touched her cheek, and her whole body shook and gasped. However, Dania was aware that if she continued to avoid him, Darren would undoubtedly lose it later.
"You're terrified?" Dania easily heard Darren's quiet voice despite its volume.
"Did I frighten you, baby?"
Dania shrugged her shoulders, but she still lacked the courage to turn to face the man.
"If you're scared, you shouldn't avoid me like this, right?"
Dania felt as though her heart had stopped beating as Darren's hand began to move more rapidly. The strange situation that occurred when Olivia and Sarah went back to her desk, though, was one that the girl was still able to survive.
"Are we going back now?" Darren yanked Dania up out of her chair and stared at the young woman to tell her to act as normal as she should.
Darren paid all the bills that came to half of Dania's pay for one month. The two friends were obviously grateful that they could eat a wonderful supper, even if it was only once in their lives.
"When you finish your work, I'll pick you up!" When Dania and her pals returned to the workplace, Darren got out of his car to wave them off.
"Mr. Chris?" Darren and Dania could hear Olivia's speech clearly despite it being low before they turned to look at her and began to follow her gaze.
Chris gazed at Dania and Darren while standing among his recently arrived staff before turning to his watch.
"It's too late."
"Sir, I'm sorry." Dania stands for an apology from her pals.
"Don't waste time going out for lunch the next time when we have a fantastic and decent food choice in our canteen."
Dania was about to enter the building when Darren pulled her body while gazing at Chris. Despite the fact that Dania was about to deny it, Darren gently gave her a hug. Darren held onto her tightly.
"Keep in mind what I said."
After once again apologizing, Dania released Darren from her embrace and she and her two friends entered right away. It was a good thing Chris did not punish them, because Olivia might have regretted her appreciation for the delicious food she had just consumed.
While still standing there, Darren met Chris's gaze, which, despite appearing cool, revealed rage, particularly since Darren had just given Dania a hug. Darren didn't fear Dania's boss, but he didn't like anyone wanting his own. Chris eventually departed and didn't even acknowledge Darren when they met.