Chapter 508
Chapter 508:
And then there was another thing.
There was once a potential plan to purchase the land the orphanage was on for real estate development.
Agate had been concerned and mentioned the potential land acquisition to Yelena in passing. Strangely enough, shortly after she brought it up, and the plans for the acquisition were unexpectedly dropped. To this day, Agate felt as if fortune had truly smiled upon them.
“It’s getting late. Would you like to stay for dinner?” Agate invited. Normally, Yelena might have accepted, but with Austin’s presence, she hesitated and instinctively looked his way.
“Is that your boyfriend?” Agate inquired, eyeing the figure of Austin in the background.
Austin stood partially obscured by shadows, leaving Agate unable to clearly see his features.
Yelena quickly corrected, “No, he’s just… a friend p>
Realizing her response, Yelena reflected on her relationship with Austin. They weren’t really friends in the traditional sense, more like acquaintances through her role as his doctor. Yet, she felt a surprising familiarity with him, as if they had known each other far longer, prompting her to label their connection as friendship.
She pondered what Austin would think of being called her friend. Agate, misinterpreting the pause, chuckled. “Not now, but soon.” Yelena wished she could halt Agate’s assumptions. Surely, Austin was too far to have heard their conversation, right?
“I’m not talking to you anymore,” Yelena playfully chided.
Then, she quickly walked toward Austin, saying apologetically, “Sorry.” Slightly out of breath, her cheeks flushed with a charming glow.
Austin, observing her approach, thought she resembled an adorable, flustered rabbit. He was momentarily captivated. Seeing her flushed face, he assumed it was from her brisk walk and didn’t read further into it.
“Why are you apologizing to me?” Austin asked, his smile warm.
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Catching her breath, Yelena explained, “We were supposed to only meet up and discuss the design today, but it ended up being such a hassle for you p>
“If you really feel bad about it, you can treat me to dinner,” Austin suggested playfully.
Yelena paused, taken aback momentarily, and then thought, “Is that all p>
If resolving her indebtedness was as simple as a dinner, it didn’t seem too daunting.
Yelena disliked owing favors; if she couldn’t repay them quickly, it would linger on her mind and keep her awake at night.
Fortunately, Austin’s suggestion gave her an immediate way to settle her perceived debt, preventing it from preoccupying her thoughts.
“Where would you like to eat?” Yelena asked.
“Anywhere is fine,” Austin replied casually.
Yelena observed Austin and then, with a spontaneous pull at the corners of her mouth, flashed a playful smile that lit up her face.
Austin’s heart fluttered, thinking how Yelena’s beauty shone through in every expression.
“How about Bearded Chef’s Bistro?” he suggested.
Yelena was briefly surprised, but then nodded enthusiastically. She had been considering that same option herself but hesitated to suggest it, feeling it might be too presumptuous.
After visiting the bistro once with Austin and John, she had looked it up online and discovered its excellent reviews. Yet, she knew reservations were challenging, often booked months ahead.
She had once thought of bringing her family there but was deterred by the long wait.
Despite this, the unique flavors of the bistro lingered in her memory.
The duck dish she had last time? It was one of the best she’d ever had!