Day Sixty-Two…
~~*****~~
Nathan was now standing at the door of Jane's and Vincent's booth. He didn't know whether he should grab the door knob and open it or just wait outside. If he suddenly barged in, he didn't know how he would justify his action.
It would be embarrassing on his part to be caught spying on her. But he was curious about the person she was meeting today. Was it her ally? Was she trying to scheme? But she already promised not to do anything against the Syphiruz Mafia.
Nathan stared at the door knob for a long moment, undecided. Unable to open the door, Nathan stepped back only to bump into someone.
"Ouch!"
Nathan frowned when he heard that familiar voice. He turned to his side only to see Aiden rubbing his nose.
"What are you doing here?" Nathan asked his best friend.
Aiden's eyes widened when he recognized Nathan. "Nate! You are also here." He got excited upon seeing his best friend. But his cheerful mood changed instantly as he remembered why he came to the restaurant. "I want to mend my broken heart so I am here, hanging out with friends."
Nathan cocked his eyebrow. When Aiden mentioned friends, he knew that he was referring to some ladies.
"So this is your way of moving on?" Nathan pursed his lips.
Aiden pouted his lips and scratched the back of his head. He lowered his gaze, feeling a little bit embarrassed. He was aware that dating women could not help him forget Cherry's rejection easily.
"I'm just desperate, Nate," Aiden mumbled, putting on a pitiful look. "By the way, why are you here? Do you have a business meeting?" he asked him. Then he shifted his gaze to the closed door of booth 303.
Aiden's question reminded Nathan of the reason why he was standing there. While looking at Aiden, Nathan got some idea of what he would do.
"Can you open that door and check what they are doing inside?" Nathan requested Aiden, not informing him who were the people inside the room.
"Oh, you haven't entered the room yet?" Aiden asked him, clueless.
Nathan just nodded his head.
"Okay! I'll check on them for you!" Aiden responded cheerfully.
Nathan smirked inwardly before stepping to the side. He would use Aiden to find out what Jane was doing inside. He made sure to hide at the back.
Without knocking on the door, Aiden entered the room only to be greeted by two pairs of sharp eyes. Aiden froze on the spot when he met Jane's deathly glare.
'What the hell is he doing here?' Jane asked herself as she watched Aiden.
Aiden held his breath, darting his gaze back and forth between Jane and Vincent.
"Sorry. Wrong booth!" Aiden blurted out before dashing out of the room.
Bam!
He slammed the door close and grabbed Nathan's arm. He dragged him away from the booth as if he was running for his life.
"Hey, what did you see?" Nathan asked him. But Aiden just continued pulling him, bringing Nathan to his booth.
Upon reaching his booth, Aiden began questioning Nathan. "Why didn't you tell me that Phantomflake is inside?! She's one scary woman. If only one look could kill, I should have died already!"
"Who is with her?" Nathan ignored Aiden's complaint. He was eager to know who was with her.
Aiden took a deep breath, trying to calm his fast-beating heart. "I think she's on a date!" Aiden blurted out.
"Date?" Nathan frowned as soon as he heard that.
Aiden bobbed his head. "Yes. She is with a handsome guy. And they are eating lunch together!"
"What does he look like? Do you recognize him?" Nathan asked in annoyance.
Aiden paused for a moment, rubbing his chin. "No. This is my first time seeing him. Oh, thinking about it… the guy resembles you a little bit. I think he is a young rich bachelor too."
The crease on Nathan's forehead deepened further when he heard that. 'What? She is having a lunch date with a guy who resembles me?' Nathan was displeased. He became more curious about the guy.
"Nate, where are you going?" Aiden asked him when he traced his steps toward the door.
Nathan didn't respond. He just wanted to see them with his own eyes so he decided to go back to Booth 303.
Meanwhile, Jane and Vincent started talking about the guy who suddenly barged in.
"Do you know him?" Vincent asked Jane as he noticed that Jane and Aiden exchanged glances with one another a while ago.
"No. I don't know him at all," Jane denied with a straight face.
Vincent just shrugged his shoulders. "I should have locked the door so no one will barge in."
He stood up, walking toward the door. He was about to lock it when suddenly someone opened the door again. Vincent was surprised when he saw Nathan standing outside with a serious look on his face. The two men stared at each other for a long moment.
This time the smile on Vincent's face disappeared. He didn't expect to encounter Nathan Sparks today. What was he doing here? There was heavy tension surrounding the two men as they continued staring at each other.
Jane took a peek and was stunned upon seeing Nathan. "Nate?" Jane also stood up from her seat. A look of surprise was visible on her charming face.
When he heard her voice, Nathan shifted his gaze from Vincent to Jane.
After a long silence, Nathan finally spoke up. "Wrong Booth."
Jane: "..."
Vincent: "..."
Jane and Vincent heard the same words again. Aiden also used the same excuse a while ago.
'What's wrong with them? Can't they recognize the booth number?' Jane said inwardly.
It did not take long before Vincent let out a sarcastic laugh. Jane observed him and she could see the animosity in his eyes as he looked at Nathan. But Nathan, on the other hand, didn't recognize Vincent at all. This was his first time meeting him.
'Who is this guy? What is his relationship with Phantomflake?' Nathan wondered to himself, his eyes scanning Vincent from top to bottom.
"Jane, do you want to eat at another restaurant? I can't enjoy my food after being interrupted twice by people who get lost and couldn't find their right booth." Vincent was clearly mocking Nathan and Aiden. He saw Aiden standing behind Nathan.
"Maybe next time. I have another appointment today." Jane blatantly refused Vincent's suggestion in front of Nathan. Then she glanced at Nathan, giving him a questioning look. She didn't know if it was just a coincidence or intentional that Nathan showed up. But Nathan just feigned innocence.
Meanwhile, Nathan turned around to leave. Jane must not know that he was following her.
"Nate. Our booth is 330, not 303," Aiden said meaningfully, trying to make a good alibi to cover up for both of them.
Nathan bobbed his head, playing along with his best friend. But he looked at Vincent one last time before he left.
A cold glint flashed through Vincent's eyes as he watched Nathan's back. He had forgotten that Jane was still there silently observing him.
'Vincent… I can feel his hatred toward Nathan… What did Nathan do to him? But I'm confused. It looks like Nathan doesn't know this guy at all.'
Visit freewe𝑏nove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺 for the 𝑏est n𝘰vel reading experience