Chapter 8
Agustin was still in his black suit, paired with a crisp white shirt.
His natural dignity and poise made him the center of attention in the cafe shop.
“Mr. Conner, why are you here?” Jaelynn asked, surprised. “Do you work nearby?”
“Yeah, I just finished a meeting.”
Glancing at the computer and documents in front of her, Agustin asked softly, “Are you very busy with the exhibition you’re handling? Would it bother you if I sat here and had a coffee?”
Jaelynn smiled.
“Not at all.”
As she tidied the files on the table, she added, “Don’t you need to go back to the office? I thought we agreed to have dinner tonight, but I probably won’t be free until after six.”
don’t need to go back. I’m done with work for the day.”
Agustin looked at her, his dark eyes unreadable, as if hiding countless unspoken thoughts.
His voice deepened slightly. “Mind if I ask, have you ever been on a blind date before?”
“No, this is my first,” Jaelynn
”
Meling
He met her gaze, casual but thoughtful. “So, did you agree to this blind date
choice?”
cause your family:
pushing you
marry,
or was it your
ir own
Jaelynn paused.
“It’s kind of embarassing to admit, but I’ve thought about the age Fidget married and have kids since I was a
“My mom respects my decisions. She hasn’t pressured me to marry. It’s just I’ve reached an age where I want to get married.”
She trailed off.
kid.
Then, she said thoughtfully, “Marriage is a big deal. There’s no perfect time, but there can be the right or wrong person.
“What about you, Mr. ?”
Agustin replied earnestly, “This is my first blind date too. My family hopes I’ll get married soon.”
“Sounds like you’re under some family pressure.”
“Exactly.”
Just then, Agustin glanced at his watch. “Ms. Norton, what would you like for dinner? I
“Anything’s fine. You decide.”
Jaelynn closed her laptop and stood up. “I’ll just go to the restroom first.”
Her phone rang, an unknown number flashing on the screen.
She hesitated for a moment before answering.
“Is this Ms. Norton?
can make a reservation now.”
A rough, slightly slurred voice asked, giving the impression of someone used to drinking and socializing.
‘I’m Zain Conner. We had a blind date scheduled last week, but I got caught up with work and completely forgot.”
Jaelynn froze, glancing at the man sitting by the window.
He wasn’t Zain!
She realized she had mistaken her blind date.
11,02
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< Chapter 8
But why was he pretending to be Zain?
Zain’s voice continued on the phone.
“Ms. Norton, I’m free Saturday evening. How about…”
Before he could finish, Jaelynn interrupted quickly.
“Mr. Conner, I’m really busy lately. Let’s not meet for now.”
After hanging up, she returned to her seat, her mind racing.
Agustin looked up at her with a polite smile. “There’s a restaurant with amazing steak. I’ve reserved a table. Shall we head there now?”
“No.”
Jaelynn didn’t want to waste time and spoke bluntly, “You’re not Zain.”
The man’s expression flickered with surprise at being exposed.
“Sir, I misunderstood you that night, but I don’t understand why you didn’t correct me. I don’t appreciate being misled like this. Let’s unfriend each other on WhatsApp. I’m leaving.”
With a stern expression, Jaelynn gathered her things, ready to walk away.
“Ms. Norton.”
238
Th
Agustin suddenly stood, looking a
anxious.
He handed her his business card.
“Weren’t you trying to meet me?”
Jaelynn paused, taking the card and glancing at it.
“Agustin Calhoun, President of the Calhoun Group.”
Her eyes widened in surprise, her voice tight. “You’re Mr. Calhoun?”
་་་
the h
THE THE TIL FAIS HARD TIL
F
དཔེ་ཤག་སྲིད་ག་།་་་དང་ངག་གི་མི་འད
She sat back down, her posture becoming more formal.
She had assumed that mistaking someone on a blind date was just a simple error.
However, if the person she had mistaken was Agustin Calhoun she was meant to meet, maybe this mistake wasn’t so bad after all.
Her smile was uneasy, but she felt a small sense of relief.
“Mr. Calhoun, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it was you.”
“It’s fine.”
Agustin said, “I noticed your message on the reservation list. You’re the designer of ‘Wishing Girl, right?”
“Yes.”
Jaelynn nodded.
“That’s my only work. When the Norton family went bankrupt, all our property and artwork were sold off at auction. I want to feature my piece
in this exhibition, so I reached out to you to request borrowing it for the show.”
Agustin reviewed her exhibition plan with careful attention.
For some reason, Jaelynn felt a little uneasy.
“Your exhibition concept is very compelling. You’re the designer, so I can approve your request to borrow the collection.”
He lowered his eyes.
I’ll need to consider the borrowing fee, though.”
11,02
< Chapter 8
“That’s fine. I’ll wait for your call,” she replied, exhaling with relief.
Just then, Agustin’s phone buzzed with a message from a restaurant.
“Ms. Norton, since this is our first collaboration, would you honor me by having dinner together?”
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C
