Meanwhile…
Haines glanced at the chairs where his nephew had been seated, watching as they were splashed with water. Hugo managed to dodge it, but now he had to deal with the other customer, who had been splashed before he got out of the way.
“Hey, man. It’s not my fault—it was her! She should’ve splashed the water differently, but I guess she’s not used to it. My point is, why are you angry at me? I’m not the one who splashed a glass of water at someone!”
Haines shook his head mildly, seeing Hugo trying to reason with the other customer. He exhaled deeply and refocused on his own date. His eyes fell on a woman in her mid-fifties or perhaps, more. She was stunning and elegant.
Well, all of his dates were beautiful in their own way. He just wasn’t interested in any of them, though he was sure they all deserved someone just as wonderful as they were.
“When the Old Madam told me she was trying to find you a match, I didn’t expect she’d ask me to e along,” the woman said, raising Haines’s eyebrows. “It seemed like you weren’t paying attention earlier. My name’s Mildred.”
Haines flashed her a meek smile. “I was paying attention, Madam Mildred Pierson.”
“I see.” Mildred nodded in understanding. “Well, that’s surprising. I thought you weren’t paying attention, but it seems a wise man like you might not look like he’s paying attention, but he’s actually listening.”
“One of the things I’ve learned in life is to be highly aware of your surroundings.”
“That’s true.” Mildred laughed meekly, a very different tone than what Penny had remembered. “I have a question for you, Mr. Haines Bennet. I hope you don’t mind.”
“I always mind when people tell me they have questions without asking them directly.”
“But I’ll ask anyway, since you wouldn’t be so heartless to your niece’s… cousin-in-law?”
Haines chuckled, the first time engaging in conversation. “That’s right,” he admitted. “I’m surprised you know I’d force myself to talk just for Penny.”
“The matriarch of our family is surprising, and the more I hear about her, the more amazed I am,” Mildred said. “For her to be like that, I was sure the environment around her was the same.”
“I’ll take that as a pliment,” Haines shrugged. “So, what is it that you want to know, Madam?”
“Nothing. I’ve already gotten my answer.”
“Hmm?”
Mildred’s eyes squinted as her grin stretched wide. “My original question was: ’Are you only talking to me because I’m from the Pierson family?’ but you’ve already answered that with our brief exchange earlier.”
“Ah…”
“But if I’m going to think of another question, it would be… how was your previous date?”
“It was… okay.”
“Horrible?”
“No. All of them were wonderful people. However, no one piqued my interest.”
“No one piqued your interest, or is it that you think you’re undeserving of them?”
Haines slowly arched a brow. “I don’t remember this being a therapy session.”
“Haha…” Mildred laughed, leaning over to pick up her tea. “As I mentioned earlier, the Old Madam asked me to help find you suitable partners. She wouldn’t have asked if I hadn’t done this before. We’ve done this many times—I’ve assisted with almost every marriage in the Pierson family.”
“Oh.”
“My point is, I’m not an expert, but I know quite a bit.”
“You don’t have to humble yourself. You’re an expert.”
“I’m not.”
Haines chuckled weakly, relaxing more as he exchanged words with Mildred. “To be truthful, it might be what you think it is. But I’m not lying when I say no one piqued my interest. Now that we’re at it, I might as well ask you why you’re here.”
“Old Madam asked me to… for some reason.”
“I know, but my question is: how e a witty person like you hasn’t married yet?”
“Would you tell me your reason if I gave you mine?”
This time, Haines didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he kept his eyes on Mildred, weighing his options.
“Fine. I won’t ask if you’re not fortable—”
“Sure.”
Surprise flickered across Mildred’s face upon hearing Haines’s reply. After a beat, she smiled in appreciation and nodded.
“Then, how about a walk?” she suggested, glancing at the cane resting on the chair within Haines’s reach. “You can take a walk, can’t you?”
“Of course, though I’ll have to walk slowly.”
“You don’t have to worry about that.” Mildred laughed, pushing herself up from her seat. “I’m getting old, so a short and slow walk is all I can manage.”
As Mildred stood, Charles, James, and Allen winced in distress. The trio had expected Mildred to pick up her tea and splash it at Haines, but to their surprise, she didn’t. Instead, Haines reached for his cane and stood up carefully.
Haines then walked over to her, offering his arm. “Is it fine for you if I use you to get my cousin off my back?”
“Of course.” Mildred chuckled, holding Haines’s arm. “Don’t look in their direction. Let’s keep moving.”
“Mhm.”
With that, Haines and Mildred left the restaurant. They walked past Hugo’s table, where he was still arguing with the other customer. Then past Slater, who was fuming in anger while tugging at his damp shirt. Finally, they passed Atlas, who was currently wiping his face with a handkerchief. The three of them paused what they were doing, their eyes following Haines and Mildred as they walked out of the restaurant.
As for Charles, James, and Allen, their mouths fell open, rendered speechless for a moment. When they recovered, James and Allen’s eyes gleamed with happy, proud tears.
’Finally, someone in this group is making progress!’
Charles, on the other hand, blinked and kept his focus on Haines’s figure. Unlike the other two, who were almost jumping with joy, he tilted his head to the side.
’Does he think I don’t know him?’Charles wondered. Then, after a moment of reflection, he sighed. ’Well… I guess whatever they needed to discuss was something he didn’t want me to see or hear. I’d just let him off for now.’
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