THE SUSPICIOUS LADY

Leaning over the car, crossing his hands over his chest Eric waited for Vilian to come. After a while, he heard her maid's voice trying to convince someone about something, he didn't know. He gazed up in that direction.

A grey leather coat over a black turtle neck sweater paired with skinny blue jeans and black knee-length boots walked Vilian, toward Eric's car. Her sight hitched his breath. With every move, she took, her golden hair locks that were tied up into a loose high ponytail would sway.

Eric took a deep breath and tried to calm his beating heart. As she neared the car, he opened the car door of the shotgun seat for her. She neither bothered to thank nor glanced at him. Her familiar wildflower smell wafted his nose, reminding him of the memories he had tried to bury for so long, but it was of no use.

"My mother and father aren't here. They will join us at the dinner," said Eric looking at Vilian as he started the engine, but he got no response from her.

That was all that he spoke. The ride toward the restaurant was a deafening silence. Eric tried to initiate a conversation, but it was of no avail. Vilian diverted her focus to her mobile phone, knowing very well of his gaze that lingered now and then.

Not soon, the ride came to an end. Vilian didn't wait for Eric to open the door. She got down and headed straight toward the restaurant. But Eric held her wrist. She gazed down at her wrist and glared at him.

He took off his hand and apologized as soon as he realized what he did. "Dad messaged me that he's nearby. Let's wait for them," he said in a low voice. Vilian rolled her eyes as she stood away from him, waiting for them but it didn't take them so long to reach. She saw the car being parked right beside Eric's.

The chauffeur came out and opened the door for the Fenans. As soon as Mrs. Fenan saw Vilian, she walked toward her and hugged her as she greeted her with so much enthusiasm and patted Eric with love. Vilian felt weird.

'I guess she does not know what kind of a monster her son is. Well, no mother would lead her son to rape a girl, right?' thought Vilian. Sighing out incoherently, she put up a smile and followed the Fenans. Eric walked beside her but didn't near her. She felt more than glad but didn't let her guard down.

As they entered the lavish restaurant, she saw a man who looked in his forties dressed in a navy blue suit heading toward them. He introduced himself as the manager and was more than happy to welcome them personally with extra care. With the look of it, he seemed so excited to serve them. After all, who would not, when the Fenans were rich and famous?

He led them to an open space decorated with colorful fairy bulbs. It was a beautiful and peaceful setting for one to enjoy their time while they had dinner.

Vilian took off her coat and was about to hang it behind the chair, but Eric did it for her and pulled the chair out for her. She could do nothing but accept it, faking a smile in front of his parents.

Mr & Mrs. Fenan looked at them happily. Eric politely gave a smile to his mother. She raised her eyebrows at him teasingly.

"So... Vilian dear... I got to know from your mother that you're still proceeding with your college of education..." Mrs. Fenan broke the silence.

"Yes, I am, ma'am," agreed Vilian,

"Dear, don't be too formal..." chuckled Mrs. Fenan as she said it. Vilian nodded her head. The dinner went smoothly. They had their dinner with no rush. Eric didn't push her much as she thought he would. He was strangely too nice. But it didn't mean she was ok with him. The only thing that made her comfortable was his mother.

Dabbing her mouth with the pale white napkin, she excused herself to the entice. In the entice, Vilian leaned toward the wall-length mirror and stood in front as she gazed at her whole body reflection.

Adjusting the turtle neck collar, she tightened her ponytail. Pulling the fringes of her hair to the side, she took a look at herself in the mirror.

Suddenly, the entice door burst open, and in came a lady wearing a beautiful grey dress. The young lady was talking to someone over the phone.

Vilian didn't mean to eavesdrop on her conversation, but if she was right, she heard her mention 'Astrel Watson,' which piqued her interest. Vilian pretended as if she rinsed her hands while she eavesdropped on the lady's conversation.

"Uff... don't worry about that, Mr. Gary. I'm the closest to him. I'm pretty sure, he would not suspect me..."

Something felt fishy. Vilian took out her phone and started recording the conversation secretly. The door of the cubicle barged open. Vilian dropped her phone out in panic, but the lady didn't seem to consider it. She continued to converse as she rinsed her hands.

Vilian took her phone and placed it inside her hand purse. Trying to act normally, she kept it on the black marble and pretended as if she was redoing her make-up while she made sure, she was listening to what she was saying.

"Uhh... Astrel hasn't yet shown us the models of it. I'll try my best to send you the pics... Yes... But we better be cautious this time. He has rebooted the network systems and the security has been updated... Mmm... I'm sure he's monitoring every move... No worries, I'll handle it... Ok, bye..." She hung up the phone and applied the lip gloss over her lips.

After a while, she turned to look at Vilian, who smiled at her and left the entice with her purse. Once she returned to their table, she saw Eric and his parents. They were waiting for her just so they could leave.