Chapter 28

Quintin sent me the address of the Italian restaurant just a few blocks from Generoso Real-State Estate Company. He was already sitting at one of the tables when I came, waving his hand, which made me see him easily. He had a meeting after lunch, so he chose that place. It was a forty-five-minutes drive, but not a problem. I drove myself an hour before his lunch break, and I wasn't expecting to see him waiting patiently for me that early. He's not a bad person to be friends with, is he? It only happened the first time I saw him, which was not good. He stood up from his seat and reached for a chair for me. Someone like him knows the moves to impress a woman very well, but that won't work for me. "You look stunning today," Quintin complimented me when I sat down and when he went back to where he was sitting earlier. "When I wasn't?" I jokingly asked, and he chuckled before agreeing. I chose a summer dress with tiny printed sunflowers. That day, I was just looking plain and simple. Even my makeup was light. My hair was in a bun, and I wore small diamond earrings and skin-toned wedge heels. In short, I only made a little effort because it was just Quintin, and I didn't ask for lunch to impress or date him. However, I needed his help. "So, where have you been? You just vanished, and I wouldn't even call your number," he asked, returning to his seat across from mine. "Nothing, I was just busy, and the signal was weak where I went; how are you? It's been a while since we last met," I replied, continuing the conversation. "I'm still handsome," he replied crisply, making me grin. "But still single," I added, and we both laughed. "Your charm doesn't work anymore, it seems," I added after that one good laugh. "Well, it does, but I guess the girl is hiding from me on purpose," he replied with a serious expression. "Perhaps she discovered what you were doing to your life and now hides from you, or maybe she's already looking for you." "It's good if she's looking for me as well, and I hope she's noticed how I'm changing now and decides to introduce herself." "W-Wait! W-What? You've changed?" I exclaimed, taken aback by his declaration. "Well, yeah! Do I appear to be lying?" "I've only been gone a few days; have you come to your senses?" "I considered your advice, and I realized you were correct; that's why I no longer let the pressure get to my head; it doesn't matter if I wait until I'm fifty before getting married." "Oh, that's too bad. Perhaps your father will—" I paused. I knew he would get what I meant, but his words appeared genuine. Quintin looked different than usual that day. I could see how happy he was in his eyes. I was delighted for him. "By the way, what kind of help do you need?" He suddenly changed the topic. I had almost forgotten why I had invited him to lunch. "Let's get some food first," I suggested. "Good idea!" he agreed and called the attention of one of the waiters. We gave him our orders, and when the waiter left, he returned his attention to me and asked, "So, what was it?" That question couldn't be postponed any longer. Before responding, I looked around to see if anyone was watching us, and to my surprise, there was one on a nearby table. I didn't know the man, but he seemed like a foreigner based on his skin color and facial features. When our eyes met, he suddenly looked away with shock in his expression, which surprised me a lot. "Is there something wrong?" Quintin inquired when he noticed me staring at the man at the other table. "Nothing; where are we again?" I asked, shifting my gaze to him. "I mean, I was just thinking about where to start the story, but let's just get to the help I need: I need to see a trustworthy doctor," I explained in response to his question. "D-Doctor? Is there something wrong with you? If you need a doctor, I can take you to the hospital, not here," Quintin was perplexed by my response. Even I was confused because he was about to stand up from where he was sitting, but I immediately stopped him. "Calm down first; this isn't an emergency, so just sit there," I instructed. "Okay, but why do you need a doctor? Specialist in what? I may know someone. My cousin's wife is a doctor with a Ph.D. in Psychology—" "She's exactly who I need," I cut him off. Because of this, he frowned at me and parted his lips as if he wanted to say something but couldn't think of the right word. "Can I trust her with my personal information?" I wondered, not knowing why I had to keep things private. "I suppose my cousin's wife could do that for you; from what I've heard, most of her patients keep everything confidential, and those details aren't something you know," he replied, putting my mind at ease. "Thank you, we're friends," I said with a smile, but he frowned. "No friend simply vanishes without a trace." I wasn't expecting him to say something like that, but he had a point. "Well, I'm sorry for leaving without giving you notice." I apologized right away because he looked downcast. He pouted, took his cell phone from his pocket, and started scrolling through it. He also had a childlike demeanor. But maybe if I had told him where I was going that day and what I was about to do there, surely he wouldn't let me leave. "I'll send you the clinic number and address, and if I don't have a meeting later, I'll accompany you there after we eat." "You don't have to accompany me; I can go by myself; don't worry about me," I said as I received the notification on my phone. I took it to see if what he forwarded had arrived, and there it was. "Thank you, Quintin!" I exclaimed as I slid my phone back into my bag. "You're always welcome; I'll just call Lilia to let her know you're coming so she can schedule you for today." He went back to his phone and started typing. I locked my gaze on him as he did so. He was a nice guy, a gentleman, and a good friend. "You know, Quintin—stop being so nice and sweet; maybe later I'll fall for you," I remarked sarcastically. I saw him grin when he heard it. "That's the last thing I'd consider doing; I'm naturally sweet; I was born this way," he replied loudly and proudly without removing his gaze from the phone. He nearly made me vomit. "Eww! But if that's the case, watch out for the ants!" I chuckled, and the silly guy laughed with me. He looked at me as he slid his phone back into his pocket. "You're hilarious. I suggest you stop making me laugh whenever we see each other because I'll be the one who falls for you later." His statement made me stop laughing. "That's not funny anymore." "You started it, so don't blame me!" "All right, I'll take it as a compliment," I said, and we laughed together. I suddenly forgot where we were, and I froze in shame when I noticed everyone staring at us. I stopped and motioned for Quintin to look around, but that man didn't give a d**n about them. Our conversation continued. Quintin updated me on what he was doing when I was away and how bored he was during those days. Our orders arrived, but the food didn't stop him from talking. Someone suddenly approached us while we were eating. "Hey! I didn't expect to see you both here!" I recognized the voice right away. None other than that gay, Felicity. Quintin and Felicity exchanged greetings, and when it was Felicity's turn to greet me, I averted my gaze. He already knew what I meant by not looking him in the eyes. He immediately left us and went to the table where a woman was in her 50s. After a moment, another lady entered the restaurant and rushed to Felicity's table. I heard her apologize for being late, and I noticed Quintin turn his head and follow the woman until she sat down. "Do you know them?" I inquired. "I'm not sure, honestly; it seems like a yes and also a no," he replied, his gaze fixed on them. "It's obvious you do; you're just confused," he said quickly. His brow remained furrowed. "I need to confirm with Felicity," he said, bowing his head to look at the pasta on the plate. "How interesting! I guess Cupid struck you." His expression became solemn with a glimpse of a smile on the corner of his lips. When he confirmed it, he would tell me. We parted ways after lunch. I nearly dragged Quintin out of the restaurant because he refused to leave. He kept stealing glances at the woman at the table with Felicity. I told him to calm down. He wouldn't come with me if I didn't remind him of his meeting. I called the number he gave me to ask if a walk-in patient was possible. They say it was by appointment, and three patients were scheduled for their sessions that day, but that didn't stop me from going.