Chapter 29: The Charming Friend

As the evening glow faded, the city's neon lights began to brighten. Duncan and I sat in an elegant restaurant, enjoying a fine dinner. The restaurant was filled with a faint fragrance, and soft music echoed in our ears as if the whole world had fallen silent. Duncan was unusually not in formal attire, showing me an extremely private casual side of himself.

"You've been staring at me," Duncan said without looking at me, focusing on cutting his steak. "If it's to apologize, that's fine, but if there's something else, I don't mind you telling me directly."

I took a deep breath, finally made up my mind, and put down my cutlery. "Duncan, I've carefully recalled our interactions."

Duncan nodded and put down what he was doing like me. "We've known each other for many years."

"Of course, we've had many meals together before, but it was more like... a working meal? I don't know if that description fits."