Loreen hesitated to answer the call as she glanced at Harold’s name flashing on her phone screen.

She wasn’t fond of Harold and could easily see through his shallow intentions. He was clearly trying to get close to her, aiming to win her heart.

The mere thought of him annoyed her, prompting her to hang up immediately.

Yet, Harold was persistent and didn’t take her silence for an answer. After multiple attempts, Loreen finally picked up the phone and answered coolly, “What’s up, Harold?”

On the other end, Harold quickly responded, “Loreen, I just heard you’ve been appointed as the sales director! Is it true?”

Loreen was taken aback. “How did you find out so quickly?”

Harold chuckled. “I have friends at Emgrand Group who told me about the official announcement, so I wanted to call and congratulate you.”

“Oh,” Loreen replied, “Yes, I’ve been appointed as the sales director.”

“Congratulations!” Harold exclaimed with enthusiasm. “That’s a position with a lot of power! You’re so lucky!”

Loreen responded flatly, “Thanks.”

“You’ve been in Aurous Hill for some time now, but we haven’t seen each other often. I’m sorry about the unfortunate incident at Heaven Springs the other day. To make it up to you, I’d love to take you out to dinner tonight. It’s a special occasion with your new role, and it deserves a celebration. What do you think?”

Loreen instinctively began to decline, “I might have to work overtime tonight…”

“We should celebrate while it’s still fresh! Otherwise, the excitement will fade by tomorrow. Besides, you don’t have many friends in Aurous Hill. How about I reserve a table just for the two of us? It’ll be a quiet celebration. What do you say?”

Loreen felt a bit touched by his offer.

Truthfully, she was eager to celebrate her accomplishment, but Claire was unavailable, and she couldn’t think of anyone else to share the moment with.

Harold’s call, despite his insincere nature, became her second-best option. Two people celebrating together felt better than being alone.

Finally, she relented, saying, “Alright, send me the address.”

“Great! I’ve reserved a table at Aurous Bistro. Just mention my name when you arrive.”

Loreen nodded. “Sounds good, I’ll be there shortly.”

***

Loreen left her office and took a taxi to Aurous Bistro, one of the top restaurants in Aurous Hill, though it didn’t quite compare to Heaven Springs.

As she arrived, she spotted Harold standing at the entrance, tall and poised. Dressed in a suit with a slick hairstyle, he tried to appear smart and sophisticated. However, the bandage on his arm was an unwelcome distraction that marred his polished look.

Loreen, on the other hand, wore a casual T-shirt and jeans, exuding a youthful and vibrant energy. She caught the attention of everyone around her as she stepped out of the taxi.

Harold grinned awkwardly and quickly approached Loreen, saying, “Hi! You look beautiful today. Let’s head inside, our table is ready.”

“Thank you,” Loreen replied with a polite smile.

Once seated, their meal was promptly served.

Harold ordered a bottle of fine red wine and then turned to Loreen, suggesting, “It’s such a happy occasion; why don’t we toast with some wine?”

Loreen quickly shook her head, saying, “I think I’ll pass. I’ll just have some juice.”

“No way!” Harold exclaimed.

He hoped to get Loreen tipsy, thinking it might create an opportunity for him, but her immediate refusal left him disappointed.

Loreen apologized, “I’m really sorry, Harold. I’m not feeling well today, so I can’t drink. Let’s plan to have a drink together another time.”