An hour passed before Gray realized it.
The clinking of utensils had softened now as the main course was done. It was replaced by the sweeter aroma of desserts as they started being served.
Plates of rich chocolate mousse, glazed fruit tarts, and airy cheesecakes were laid out elegantly across the table.
Fortunately, as ti passed by, Gray had already loosened up and beco more comfortable with the people around him. It was also thanks to the fact that reporters no longer pressed him with prying questions about business or personal matters.
Instead, they traded funny stories from their coverage, tales of embarrassing mishaps on their job, and gossip about colleagues.
Gray even found himself laughing at them. In a short ti after he t them, he learned a lot of gossip in the industry. Most were people in the business industry who had a bad attitude towards the press and the staff.
’I guess I need to be mindful of my actions around them. The reporters and staff are not that a lot, so stories and gossip can really be heard by everyone.’ That was the only thing on Gray’s mind as he continued to listen to them.
When the last of the desserts had been served and the plates started to be emptied and cleaned, people began rising from their seats. After eating, so of them had already bid their formal goodbye.
Each person who wanted to go already, because they have prior commitnts, stopped by at their table first to say thank you to Conrad and express their gratitude for the lunch. They also said their congratulations on the partnership.
And with each goodbye he received, Conrad happily said his good wishes to them too. It was obvious by then how Conrad treated everyone with dignity and respect. It must be the reason why he was so respected, not just as a businessman, but also as a person.
When the crowd started to thin, Conrad glanced at Gray.
"So, Gray. What are your plans for the rest of the day?"
"Hmm..." Gray appeared to be thinking at first.
"Honestly?" He exhaled and ran a hand through his hair. "I’ll go ho and rest. It’s been a tiring week for all of us. I think we all deserve a break."
"Alright. That’s nice. You should rest well, young man." Conrad gave a firm nod, as if satisfied with the answer.
Selina pushed back her chair then, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Grandfather, I’ll head out too," she said softly. Then her gaze slid toward Gray. "I’ll go with him."
Conrad froze for a mont. His brows lifted, eyes narrowing faintly in surprise. "Go with Gray? What do you an by that? You’re visiting his house now?" His voice was calm but there was a hint of suspiciousness in it.
"That will cause quite a commotion, my dear."
Selina’s cheeks instantly reddened. She shook her head quickly, her earrings swaying with the movent.
"N-No, nothing like that, grandpa!" Her voice wavered slightly, but she forced herself to clarify, "It’s just... we live in the sa condo. That’s all."
The old man blinked at her words, montarily stunned. "The sa condo...?" He turned his gaze to Gray, as if silently demanding confirmation.
He had no idea about this!
Gray sighed and scratched the back of his head.
"It’s true, but it’s purely a coincidence."
Conrad’s lips pressed into a thin line. For once, the man looked surprised.
For a heartbeat, Conrad’s silence stayed.
Then, unexpectedly, the sternness on his face broke into a hearty laugh. It wasn’t the polite kind he often gave in public, but the genuine laugh of an old man who seed amused by what he had just learned.
"Hah! I see, I see," he said, stroking his chin as if mulling it over.
"Living in the sa condo, purely by chance... What a coincidence indeed!"
The people who were still with hem with them turned their heads at the sudden laughter.
Their curious gazes slid between Selina, who was visibly flustered, and Gray, who looked as though he’d been caught in the middle of sothing he hadn’t signed up for.
"A coincidence, they say?" one reporter on their table muttered slyly, her lips curving into a grin.
"Pure coincidence? I don’t think that’s only it," another one teased, earning a few chuckles from the small crowd.
Selina ducked her head, her face turning even redder now, while Conrad only seed to enjoy their reactions.
Conrad leaned back on his chair and chucked again.
"Well then, my dear, now that you’ve ntioned it, I will surely have to visit your condo one of these days. I want to see for myself what kind of place you’re living in."
Selina’s eyes quickly widened as she waved her hands quickly.
"Grandpa!"
Gray, on the other hand, exhaled quietly and shook his head, his lips pressing into a thin line.
’That doesn’t sound good... not good at all.’
He already knew that Conrad’s visitation would only an one thing. That old man has a wicked plan on his mind again!
Conrad’s laughter sounded on the table again, clearly entertained by the sight of both their reactions. Around them, a few more teasing remarks slipped out in hushed voices, adding fuel to Selina’s embarrassnt.
Selina buried her face in her palms for a second before raising her head again, her voice rushing out in protest.
"It’s not what you’re all thinking!" she blurted, shaking her head so fast her hair swished over her shoulders.
But her defense only invited more knowing chuckles. Soone muttered sothing about "neighbors today, maybe more tomorrow," and laughter echoed around the table.
Even Conrad, though clearly amused, was enjoying himself far too much to intervene.
Selina’s lips pressed tight. Her eyes narrowed faintly, and then, in a sudden motion, she reached out and grabbed Gray’s wrist before standing up.
"That’s enough," she muttered under her breath, tugging at him firmly. "We’re leaving."
Gray blinked, startled, but didn’t resist as she pulled him toward the exit. Behind them, Conrad’s warm laughter followed, joined by a chorus of playful teasing remarks from the remaining guests.
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