This time he hatt reserved a restaurant, knowing Elara preferred domestic cuisine..
They sat down and chatted briefly before Soren lowered his voice, concern creeping into his expression
“Llara, i saw online that Leander is looking for you.”
As expected, this topic had come up
Para nodded. “I figured this would happen. With the Everhart family’s resources, they’d discover I faked my death sooner or later.”
“Well if you need help, the Callaway family can assist you. My parents really like you,” Soren said tactfully, making Elara smile.
“It’s fine, Leander won’t do anything to me. He and I will have to meet eventually, Let’s not talk about him today–it’ll ruin our appetite.”
“Alright, whatever you say. But if you run into trouble, you must think of me. I’m actively pursuing you right now–I’d walk through fire for you.” Soren said brazenly, always managing to lighten the mood.
Elara couldn’t help but laugh again: “Tell me then, what exactly do you like about me?”
“Are we at the confession stage? I’ve been waiting for you to ask.” Soren suddenly grew serious, then smiled again the next second. “I’ve liked you since before you returned to the States. Five years ago, I was planning to come find you because I heard from your mother that you’d been in a serious car accident. But just before 1 left, I learned you were planning to marry Leander. I knew I had no chance then, so I stayed abroad. But I never got over you–I just never expected we’d meet again under these circumstances.”
“Elara, those years were hard on you. I don’t want to pressure you, so it’s okay if you don’t accept me. I just don’t want to regret not trying again.”
Such earnest, serious words left Elara stunned. She hadn’t imagined that someone in this distant country had been silently caring for her all along.
She couldn’t help wondering–if Soren had actually come to find her five years ago, would things have been different?
Probably not. Five years ago was when her love ran deepest. Even if she had broken up with Leander then, she wouldn’t have had eyes for anyone else.
Only now was the timing right.
She opened her mouth to respond to his words when a server pushed through the door.
“Excuse me, your dishes are ready.”
The interruption broke their intimate atmosphere. Soren said nothing, simply directing the server to place Elara’s favorite dishes within her reach, while Elara watched his thoughtful behavior and smiled helplessly.
So much for saying he’d be fine with rejection–he was clearly afraid of her answer, which was why he’d deliberately let the moment pass.
She didn’t call out his little scheme, but this meal felt more satisfying than any before.
After dinner, Soren did as usual, casually taking her hand.
“This stretch has no streetlights. Be careful.”
Elara nodded, walking quietly and slowly with him through the dark path.
When they reached the lights, that hand loosened, but Elara actively took hold of it.
“Take me home.”
She turnest to smile at him making Soren pause.
Then his grip tightened
Belund them a server from the restaurant looked at her phone in confusion. Her colleague mudged her.
“What are you doing? You’ve been distracted ever since serving that table.”
“I think that woman at the table looks like the one being searched for online.”
The server pulled out her phone, showing the photos and information about Elara that Leander had posted online.
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