Stanley Zachmann was quite puzzled as to why Stella Iversen had sothing to discuss with Nathalie Quinlan. Walking over with a look of confusion, he softly asked, "Nathalie, what did Professor Iversen just say to you?"
"Nothing much." Nathalie rely cast him a glance, then nonchalantly started walking toward the street. "I’m hungry. Let’s go eat first."
Stanley hit a wall with the cold response, but knowing that he had been withholding the truth earlier, he sheepishly rubbed his nose and dared not voice any objections.
If even Stanley had no objections, then Audrick Zachmann—who lied after the fact—was even less inclined to say anything. He followed Nathalie like a docile chick, only missing a sign on his forehead that read, "I want to kiss up." "Nathalie, what do you want to eat? It’s my treat. Anything you want!"
Nathalie turned back to glance at him; her face betrayed no visible emotion. She averted her gaze, took out her phone, and said, "No need. I’ll book a spot myself."
"Where would you even need reservations?" Audrick muttered under his breath, scratching the back of his head.
Then he beca aware of people pointing and whispering in his direction.
That’s when he rembered—he had returned to his ho country!
With so many people around here, his public identity made it inappropriate to linger in a crowd.
Before he could react, Nathalie, completely unfazed, waved down a taxi, opened the front passenger door, and called out to the two behind her, "Get in."
Audrick could sense more and more people noticing him, their gazes turning toward him. He quickly pulled open the backseat door and darted inside.
Stanley followed, climbing in right after him.
Once the car doors were shut.
Nathalie gave the driver an address for a dining location.
The taxi hit the accelerator and sped away from the terminal of Capital International Airport.
Outside the car window, the scenery zipped past in a blur. Sitting in the backseat, Stanley looked visibly tense. He tried multiple tis to start a conversation to break the awkward silence, but his words faltered, unsure of what to say.
Audrick did manage to bring up a few topics, but Nathalie wasn’t particularly interested. She didn’t completely ignore him, but her responses amounted to no more than a brief "Mhm."
Which was barely any different from not responding at all!
In short, he kept hitting walls!
The taxi cruised steadily, and even the chatty Audrick in the back seat gradually quieted down. Nathalie pulled out her phone and sent a ssage to soone to inform them she had arrived.
After a mont of thought, she glanced at the rearview mirror and caught sight of the upright figure of the culpable-looking young man seated properly in the back. Her head throbbed. Then, she flipped through the contacts in her phone book and made a call.
*
Govert Griffin was hanging out with Nadya Tucker and their group when his phone rang.
He glanced at the caller ID.
Imdiately setting aside his ga, he tossed his hand of cards to soone nearby, asking them to take his place, and briskly got up, phone in hand, to step outside.
Outside the private room at Rivendell, where refined man-made rock formations and flowing spring water enhanced the atmosphere, he hurriedly strode out while nervously answering the call.
"Hello, Ms. Quinlan, is there sothing you need?"
"Can you make a reservation at the Hot Pot restaurant you took to before?"
The girl’s voice was as husky as always, a bit raspy, unlike the sweet and coy tones typical of girls her age.
Although Govert didn’t dare slack off for even a mont, he imdiately replied, "Yes, of course! Ms. Quinlan, would you like to reserve a spot? For how many people? The main dining area or a private room?"
"For three. I’d like a private room." Nathalie said indifferently, "Is it possible to book the entire place?"
Audrick’s identity was far too conspicuous dostically—he had too many fans. If Audrick rely sat down at the venue and anyone spotted him, Nathalie figured she wouldn’t even be able to have a proper al.
Govert was montarily stunned by her proposition of booking the entire venue. (⊙o⊙)... Well, it did co off as a bit excessive!
But.
"It should be possible!" He recovered quickly and made an imdiate decision. "How about this, Ms. Quinlan? When you arrive, wait for there. I’ll co over right away. They don’t know who you are, so it’ll be more convenient if I talk to them."
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