“Evelyn, where are you now? What are you doing?"

Evelyn didn't see the messages until a few minutes Later. She quickly turned her head to scan the room, not knowing how to tell him. Finally, she replied, "I'm having dinner."

"Oh, with whom?"

Tightening her grip on her phone, Evelyn didn't know how to respond.

"Should I tell him the truth? If I do, he might not feel comfortable about it.' "With my parents."

Then he asked, “Only the three of you?’

Evelyn sighed and answered honestly, "No. Calvert is also with us.”

"Oh. ALL right." After that, Sheffield didn't text her anymore.

Evelyn put her phone away and continued with her dinner.

“Evelyn, what's up?" Debbie asked with concern. She could tell that

Evelyn was distracted.

After a short pause, Evelyn shook her head.

“Mom, I'm fine."

Calvert, who sat next to her, held her hand and asked softly, “Is the food not to your Liking?"

Looking at his hand holding hers, Evelyn thought of Sheffield. She pulled her hand back and answered, "Yes, the food's great. I'm fine.”

Looking at his empty hand, Calvert didn't get angry. Instead, he smiled, “Mr. and Mrs. Hilton, isn't Evelyn's birthday coming up? I'm planning to propose on her birthday and hope to have the wedding by the end of the year or early next year. What do you think?"

“Propose? Wedding?’ Evelyn put down her spoon and replied calmly, “Mr.

Calvert, aren't you rushing this? We aren't even together. There will be no proposing or wedding. We're just pretending to be together and all of us here know why. I don't want to make things more difficult than they already are. It's best that you drop those proposal and wedding plans of yours."

Carlos put down his chopsticks too. As if he didn't hear Evelyn, he turned to Calvert and said, "That sounds good. We have no objections to that."

Debbie was puzzled. ‘When did I agree to marry Evelyn to Calvert?’ She was about to say something but Carlos grabbed her hand and stopped her.

Debbie was furious, but she couldn't make a scene here in public, so she decided to save it for later.

Calvert beamed.

"When my father comes back from New Zealand, I'd Like to invite you and Mrs. Hilton and Evelyn to dinner. We'd love it if you come."

“We'll definitely be there." Carlos nodded.

Putting down the spoon in her hand, Evelyn stood up from her seat.