Chapter 21
Myra stared at the vegetables on her plate, feeling speechless and a bit perplexed. He asked me to stay because he has comments on the design draft, she thought. But as the silence of the breakfast stretched on, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. Tony, sitting across from her, ate his meal with the same meticulousness one might expect at a fine dining restaurant, even though it was just a simple breakfast at home.
Her thoughts drifted back to the interview earlier that morning. A man like him is truly the best of the best. He’s top-tier among those who are already at the top.
Once breakfast ended, Myra noticed Tony wiping his mouth with a napkin in the same elegant manner. She had planned to bring up the Sunny Bay Project, but before she could, he got up and casually said, “I’ll send you home later, and we can discuss it on the road.”
Myra was caught off guard. She had intended to politely reject the offer and take a cab, but by the time she thought of it, Tony had already gone upstairs. A peculiar feeling rose within her as she watched him disappear.
When Tony returned downstairs, now dressed in a suit, they made their way to the elevator. As they descended to the basement parking lot, they encountered a middle-aged man in a suit. The man looked at Myra with curious eyes before turning to Tony.
“Young man, is this your current girlfriend?” The question was asked in such a casual, almost intrusive way that Myra immediately felt awkward. She blushed, her words caught in her throat.
Before she could speak, Tony turned to the man, his expression indifferent. “Mr. Renaud, you’re heading to the office so early?”
The middle-aged man chuckled, eyeing Myra once more. “Well, you know that Philip went off to study medicine, so there’s no one left in the family to take over the business. Unlike your father, who can retire early and travel the world.” The two men exchanged a knowing smile, and Myra could feel her frustration building.
Once they got into the car, traffic was heavy. The quiet, tense atmosphere seemed to mirror the unease Myra was feeling. She glanced at Tony, who hadn’t said a word, and the silence was almost suffocating.
Finally, she spoke up, “Just now, you should have explained that I’m not your…”
Her voice trailed off as she felt embarrassed. The way Tony had spoken earlier could easily make anyone think she was his girlfriend.
Tony noticed her anxiety and, with a slight smile, smoothly changed the subject. “Have you looked into my preferences?”
Myra, slightly flustered, responded, “I’ve researched what I could, mostly official sources and some personal observations. For example, some sites claim you like modern classicism, but your home is decorated in a modernist style—minimalistic and elegant.” She paused before adding, “What do you think about the building style for the Sunny Bay Project?”
Tony’s expression softened as sunlight filtered through the car window, illuminating his face and making him look less cold, more approachable. He replied in a low, melodious voice, “Though Sunny Bay is a high-end region, it’s still just an apartment project. Modern classicism works for the overall structure, but it isn’t suitable for the interior.”
Myra froze, a glimmer of excitement in her eyes. “Director Hart, I’ll do my best to create a great design plan!”
Her excitement was evident as she spoke, and her face lit up with a smile, making her appear much more cheerful. Tony watched her, intrigued by how something so small seemed to bring her so much joy.
He leaned back in his seat, a slight smile tugging at his lips. “Did you look into my preferences just for the design plan?” His voice was quiet, but there was an unmistakable curiosity in his tone.
Myra felt a flutter in her chest, and she quickly glanced away, embarrassed by his piercing gaze. “Everything is for the apartment design that satisfies you, Director Hart. It’s important for both the Chase Group and me.”
Tony’s gaze softened as he saw her discomfort. His eyes lingered on her before he casually asked, “Did you watch my interview yesterday morning?”
Myra’s stomach tightened. She wasn’t sure what he meant—was he referring to his business talk or the more personal aspects later on? Her heart raced as she asked cautiously, “What did you mean by that?”
Tony pressed the brakes as they reached a red light, turning to look at her with a faint smile. “What do you think of my responses from yesterday?”
The car came to a stop, and Myra’s nerves were on edge. She could feel the weight of his gaze on her, and she instinctively looked down, her palms starting to sweat. The tension between them felt suffocating. Please don’t let it be what I think it is, she thought.
In an attempt to cover her nervousness, she muttered, “Uh… What interview?”
Tony studied her for a moment, his gaze sharpening before he broke into a slight smile. “Forget I asked.”
The light turned green, and he released the brakes, resuming the drive. Myra let out a quiet sigh, relieved that the conversation had shifted.
As they drove, Myra, sensing that Tony was in a better mood, hesitated before asking, “Director Hart, could you provide me with Young Master Shawn’s phone number?”
Just as she finished speaking, the car came to a sudden stop. Myra was jolted forward by the sudden braking, slamming back into her seat. Dazed, she looked up and saw another red light ahead.
Tony turned toward her, his eyes narrowing. “What do you need it for?”
Myra cursed Estelle under her breath. She quickly shook her head, trying to downplay it. “It’s fine. If it’s not convenient, forget it.” She thought, Well, at least I tried.
Without a word, Tony rattled off a number. “13xxxxxxxxx.”
Myra quickly entered the number into her phone, grateful that her memory was good. She had no time to process the meaning of his words before she noticed Tony’s mood shift. His usual indifference had returned, and the tension was palpable.
When they finally reached their destination, Myra hurriedly exited the car. Tony watched her go, his lips pressed tightly together. He couldn’t shake the image of her whispering another man’s name in his arms the night before.