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After speaking, Eva didn’t want to waste any more time with Vivian. She packed up her things and quickly left the coffee shop.
Instead of going home, Eva stood on the side of the road, watching the passing cars. The heavy weight on her chest finally lifted. She felt a sense of relief, knowing she had repaid her debt of gratitude. Unable to resist, she took out her phone and dialed her father’s number, eager to share the news. But after several rings, there was no answer. Glancing at the time, Eva assumed her father was likely busy with work, so she put her phone away without calling again.
The rest of the day passed slowly as Eva stayed with Granny Blackwood at the nursing home. Due to her earlier conversation with Vivian, she had arrived later than usual. One of the caregivers greeted her with a gentle reprimand. “Mrs. Blackwood, you’re over half an hour late today. Granny has been waiting for you.”
Eva felt a pang of guilt. “I’m sorry. I was delayed by something on my way here.”
“That’s alright,” the caregiver replied with a smile. “Please go inside now.”
Eva quickened her pace, feeling the weight of her tardiness. When she reached Granny Blackwood’s room, she found it empty except for the elderly woman, sitting by herself, staring blankly at a photo in her hand. Although Eva could only see Granny Blackwood’s profile, the sorrow radiating from her was palpable.
“Granny…” Eva called softly as she stepped into the room.
Hearing the footsteps, Granny Blackwood snapped back to reality, her face expressionless as she looked toward Eva. “Eva, you’re here,” she said, her voice devoid of emotion.
Eva’s heart ached at the sight. She immediately approached and sat beside her grandmother, feeling the need to make things right. “I’m sorry, grandma. I should have called ahead if I was going to be late.”
“Don’t worry, silly,” Granny Blackwood replied, her tone warm despite her somber expression. “How long could grandma wait for you? There’s nothing to do here anyway.”
Eva shook her head, unsatisfied with the answer. She squatted down beside Granny Blackwood and rested her head on the older woman’s lap, playfully protesting. “But I want to at least let you know when I’m coming, so you don’t have to wait without knowing when I’ll arrive.”
Granny Blackwood was clearly touched, reaching out to gently smooth the strands of Eva’s hair. “You little rascal…” she murmured fondly. “Well, why don’t you tell me what happened on your way here? What delayed you?”
Eva hesitated for a moment before smiling. “It’s just work stuff. Nothing you’d want to hear about. But how about you tell me one of your stories instead?” She lightly touched the photo Granny Blackwood was holding. “For example, the story behind this picture.”
Granny Blackwood paused, giving Eva a knowing look before lightly tapping her forehead. “You clever girl…”
Eva leaned in closer, pressing her forehead against her grandmother’s palm as she coaxed, “Please, Grandma, tell me the story.”
“Alright,” Granny Blackwood finally agreed, her voice softening. “I’ll tell you one.”
Later, around noon, Eva received a message from Adrian, asking where she was.
She replied briefly: “At the nursing home.”
Not long after, Adrian responded: “I’ll come by during lunchtime.”
Surprised, Eva texted back: “Isn’t your company busy?”
Adrian’s reply was quick: “Yes, but I’ll make time. It’s important.”
Eva didn’t know what to say to that, but she appreciated his thoughtfulness. It was clear he cared for his grandmother. She felt a quiet sense of gratitude toward him for making the effort to visit.
Meanwhile, in a conference room far from the nursing home, Adrian had just finished a long, grueling meeting with his executives. Everyone left looking drained, their faces pale from the intensity of the discussion.
Adrian, adjusting his tie, glanced at his watch. It was time. He headed out of the conference room, expressionless.
Suddenly, a graceful figure dressed in white, with long hair flowing behind her, stopped him.
“Adrian.”
The woman’s soft, clear voice drew the attention of all the high-level executives around them. Adrian paused when he saw Vivian approaching, holding an insulated food container.
Seeing her, Adrian’s normally cold expression softened, though only slightly. He moved toward her, his voice warmer than before. “Why are you here?”
Vivian, feeling a little shy under the scrutiny of those around them, spoke in a soft voice. “You’ve been so busy lately, and I thought you might not have had a decent meal. I cooked some dishes that I know you like.”
Nearby executives couldn’t help but murmur among themselves.
“Mr. Blackwood is a lucky man today.”
“Yes, indeed! He’s living the high life!”
Vivian smiled, pleased by the attention, but Adrian’s reaction was swift and chilling. His face hardened, and he shot them an icy glare. The group of executives immediately went silent, awkwardly stepping away as they exchanged uneasy glances.
Vivian, startled by his sudden shift in demeanor, looked up at Adrian, trying to gauge his reaction. Did she do something wrong? Those comments had seemed harmless, even flattering. Why was Adrian upset?
The tension in the air was thick as Adrian, his frustration mounting, turned to Vivian. “What’s wrong with you?” she asked, perplexed.
Adrian paused, blinking as if snapped out of his own thoughts. “It’s nothing,” he muttered, but his irritation was clear. “What did you come here for today?”
Vivian, momentarily caught off guard by his change in mood, repeated her earlier explanation. “I just thought you might need something to eat.”
Adrian’s mind seemed elsewhere as he listened, still distracted. Once she finished, he frowned, clearly still preoccupied. “Thank you for the trouble, Vivian. But I have something to do today. I need to go.” He turned to his assistant and instructed, “Please have someone take her back.”
Vivian stood frozen, stunned by the abruptness of his dismissal. What had gone wrong? She had been trying so hard to be considerate, to show him how much she cared. But instead, she was left standing there, feeling more out of place than ever.
