Chapter 18: You should not have returned Winter
Lighting the cigarette in his hand, Eric took a deep drag and exhaled, all the while attempting to alleviate his anxiety.
He has been involved with Agnes for four years, believing she was the key to breaking through the Grayson family wall. But with Winter's return, his determination began to waver.
Eric initially intended to entice Winter, which he accomplished when the girl fell head over heels for him; however, her impulsive decision to leave her family derailed his plans. His only option was to break her heart.
He thought he'd get over it because the girl was nothing more to him than a pawn, but everything changed when she went ghosting him.
Winter not only slept with someone but also became pregnant, leaving him feeling betrayed.
He kept thinking to himself, 'How could she do that when she claimed to love him?' But he couldn't say it because he knew what he had done to her.
Eric not only deceived Winter, but he got engaged to her stepsister despite knowing how unfairly she was treated in her family.
"You should not have returned, Winter. Your mere presence is disturbing," Eric mumbled, taking another puff and gazing into the night.
He reached for his phone and searched for Winter's number. His finger hung over the screen as he considered whether to call, but he eventually gave up.
Eric didn't want to let those thoughts rise again, especially because he wasn't even close to achieving his goal. But in the back of his mind, he promised that once he had accomplished everything, he would marry Winter and start again.
*****
Meanwhile, a sleek black car pulled in front of a restaurant, and Lilac stepped out of the passenger seat.
She donned a red dress that highlighted her beauty. Her brown hair cascaded over her shoulder, and despite the minimal makeup, her beauty reflected in the night, bringing a lot of attention to her.
"You look nervous." A voice drew her attention, and she shook her head, refuting his claim.
Stanley, compelled to accompany her, displayed a sluggish expression. The tension was palpable, but the girl was adamant and would never accept it.
"I'm looking forward to meeting my date," she replied, watching Stanley's countenance alter.
Lilac was aware that Stanley would never acknowledge it, but he was affected, and now she will test his limits to see if he acknowledges her feelings.
"Go ahead," he said with the least bothered tone, bringing a smile to her face.
Satisfied, she spun around and walked into the restaurant, Stanley silently trailing behind her.
Lilac didn't want to settle down, but her grandfather kept sending her on date nights blind dates with the purpose of marrying her off so he could relax.
'Lucky brother, you managed to avoid the old man's onslaught.' Lilac scoffed, recalling Kalix's refusal not only to marry Dianna but also his threat to force Sylvester to meet his great-granddaughter.
Lilac would have threatened the old man only if Stanley reciprocated her feelings, but he did, leaving her with no alternative except to make him know what he was losing.
Lilac swiftly made her way to the table, where she discovered a charming man waiting for her.
She had purposefully avoided looking into his details since she knew she was going to reject him regardless, but when he turned to gaze at her, she stopped.
"Damien!" The name fell out of her mouth, and the man got up and approached her, wrapping her in a strong hug.
"Lilac? What a coincidence! Lilac was completely shocked to learn that her childhood friend Damien Roger was her blind date.
Stanley, who was observing them from a distance, clenched his jaw. He was unaware of the man's identity; however, the manner in which he embraced Lilac caused him to feel his blood boil.
Lilac regained her composure and pulled back. She was astonished but relieved that that person was not a jerk trying to get her into bed.
"Thank God it's you, Damien; when did you return?" She finally let go of him and settled into their respective chairs.
Damien Roger was not just her childhood friend but also the son of Smith Roger, an industrialist who had worked with J&K International for many years. She had heard that Damien had started his own business and was living abroad, so seeing him again surprised her.
"A few days ago, only for my mother arranged a blind date for me. I've met ten girls in the last few days, and none of them have impressed me," he said with a disappointed tone.
Lilac laughed at his reaction. Damien was a lovely guy, and whoever married him would be the luckiest girl.
"How about you? How did you end up here? Weren't you supposed to marry the man of your choice and out of love?" he said, watching her smile fade.
Lilac had always yearned for a love similar to her parents', but the world she lived in no longer favored it, and after their deaths, her grandfather never allowed them to waste their lives when things could be done quickly.
"It's a long story," she said with a sigh.
"And I am all ears," he said.
While Lilac and Damien enjoyed a pleasant conversation, someone was growing increasingly agitated. She smiled at Damien in a way that infuriated him, and when things turned challenging, Stanley stood up and left the restaurant.
Standing by the car, Stanley continued to smoke, hoping it would help him relieve stress and let go of the concept he couldn't entertain. And just as he finished, he noticed Lilac and Damien walking hand in hand.
He tossed the cigarette away and stomped on it. His eyes were gloomy as he watched her hug the guy and say goodbye before approaching him.
Stanley calmed down, but the rage in his eyes persisted until Lilac appeared.
"You seem to enjoy his company," he said, staring at Damien, who got into his car and drove off.
Lilac noticed the void in his voice and smiled.
"Yes, I do. He is a dear friend with whom I have lost touch. I'm glad Grandpa chose someone I knew. You know that makes it simpler to communicate and comprehend each other," Lilac said, watching his countenance darken.
"Good for you, because he appears to be your type," Stanley replied angrily as he walked toward the driver's seat and furiously got in.
Lilac laughed at his reaction and joined him in the passenger seat.
"Why, are you jealous?" she asked as she turned to face him.
Stanley was not one to lose his cool, but Lilac's encounter with that person enraged him.
"Jealous? And me? Are you crazy? In fact, I'm glad I finally got rid of you," he remarked, hurting Lilac's heart and making her smile vanish.
"And I am glad I found him," she replied, pressing his button once more before peering away and tightening her seatbelt.
Stanley had no idea why he said that, but seeing her appear unconcerned did something to his heart that he couldn't ignore.
"Good luck," he replied with the same cold tone and started off in the car, soon driving away.