Chapter 18

Thanks to Zachary’s help, her uncle found a kidney donor and had a successful surgery. Yvonne breathed with relief. She spent a few days by her uncle’s side in the hospital. Once her uncle was recovering, she kept her promise and returned to work at Zachary’s office. When Zachary saw Yvonne at work in her old-fashioned outfit, he looked at her from top to toe and said, “Yvonne, you are not doing yourself justice with those clothes! Such a waste! In the future, don’t dress in those old-fashioned clothes anymore. I will be in a better mood at work if you dress up better.” Just like before, Yvonne ignored his remarks. She proceeded to make Zachary his cup of tea before she began looking through his work schedule. Zachary narrowed his eyes as he sipped on his tea. Letting a long sigh, he said, “You make the best tea, Yvonne. Although it is just a few days of not seeing you, it feels like forever. I could barely work during those few days because I couldn’t see you.” In the past, he had always spoken harshly to her. Now, he grinned every time he talked to Yvonne. Either way, she pretended he was invisible as she continued to lower her head and look down out of respect. After talking to himself for a short while, Zachary lost interest in her when he realized she was not going to answer him. He wiped the grin off his face and began working seriously. Soon it was the afternoon. Zachary raised his wrist and glanced at his watch. “Come on, accompany me to lunch today!” “Lunch?” “Yes!” Zachary brought Yvonne to Hynes Restaurant, the most expensive restaurant in South City. Jackson had brought her there multiple times before when they were still together. There was a heavy reluctance in Yvonne’s heart to go to that familiar place that now felt foreign. However, she could not make Zachary switch locations. So, she ignored her feelings of discomfort and walked into the restaurant with Zachary. Zachary acted like a true gentleman and pulled out her chair for her. When she sat down, he told her, “I heard that this restaurant serves the best food in all of South City. I tried out their menu when I came here the other day, and I agree that it tastes great. That’s why I brought you here.” Yvonne did not say anything. The chef at Hynes Restaurant truly has impeccable skills. After the two had sat down, Zachary ordered Hynes’ signature dishes, which consisted of pan-seared foie gras, baked escargot, and red wine steak with pepper sauce. His phone rang when he finished placing his order, and he walked away to answer the call on his phone. Yvonne felt more relaxed now that Zachary was not with her. She looked around her and was surprised to see Fiona. Fiona was wearing a white dress and looking gorgeous in a seat not far away from her. She seemed to be waiting for someone. When Yvonne saw how elegant Fiona looked now, Yvonne chuckled, recalling how Fiona and Susan Lowe looked when they first joined the Summers family. Who would have guessed that she was once an ugly duckling? As she was thinking to herself, she caught the sight of a tall figure entering the restaurant. It was Jackson. He used to enjoy having meals with her here in the past, and now he was about to enjoy lunch with his new woman. Didn’t he find it odd to come back to the same place but with a different person by his side? She shook herself out of that thought. Women were like clothes to men like him. How would someone like him think that it is weird to have a different outfit in the same place? Yvonne did not want Jackson to see her there. So, she sat at Zachary’s seat with her back facing them. When Zachary ended his call and walked back to the table, he looked puzzled to see that she had switched seats. However, he did not bring it up and sat down where Yvonne was sitting before. As he sat down, he saw Jackson and Fiona. “I didn’t expect Jackson to be having a meal here as well.” Yvonne hummed in response. “Do you know him well, President Quimby?” “Not personally,” Zachary responded. “Jackson Miller is one of South City’s most well-known entrepreneurs. Weren’t you born and raised in South City? You would know him as well, wouldn’t you?” Yvonne forced a smile on her face. “President Quimby, you said so yourself that he’s a well-known entrepreneur. I’m just a mere office worker. How could I have known someone with a social standing like his?” “Listen to what you’re saying. Jackson and Yosef have the same social standing, haven’t they? How could you not know Jackson if you know Yosef? Weren’t they both high-achievers at the South City University too? If I’m not wrong, you attended the same university, right?” “Yes!” “Yvonne, you must have been the queen bee during your university days, right?” “Of course not. How could someone with my looks be the queen bee?” Yvonne denied. “Were you not the queen bee? Who else was the queen bee if someone as good-looking as you were not?” “I’m not sure. People like me go to school to study hard and earn our keep. Where could we find the time to pay attention to the queen bee and cute guys?” “Is that so? Too bad you hadn’t gotten to know me before this. I would not allow you to suffer so much had we known each other earlier.” That sentence sounded too familiar that Yvonne immediately lifted her head to look at Zachary, whose eyes were glimmering with devotion. Her lips curled upwards as she said, “President Quimby, I am just your assistant. Please do not talk to me that way. I don’t think I deserve that!” “Of course you deserve it. Yvonne, you’re the only woman I’ve ever spoken to in that way!” Zachary said as he smiled at her. Just then, Jackson suddenly turned over and saw them. With just a glance, he recognized the woman sitting with her back toward him. He clenched his jaw, and the smile on his face faded when he saw Zachary smiling at Yvonne.