Keith shifted his sharp and observant eyes between his two grandsons. He could sense they were hiding something.
Squinting at them, he asked outright, "You know who she is?" Niles shook his head, but on second thoughts, he nodded. "Not really, but Wesley does."
Wesley instantly cast him a warning glance. Niles flinched in fear and moved his eyes away, avoiding any eye contact with his brother.
"Okay, that answers my question." Keith slowed his pace as he was deep in thought. 'So Wesley likes her?' That was something new to the old man. From what he knew, Wesley never showed any interest in girls. Megan was the only girl around him.
Seeing his grandfather's contemplative face, Wesley had no choice but to remind him, "Don't read too much into that, Grandpa. She's engaged."
"Oh…yeah." Keith shook his head. "What a shame…"
'But wait. I noticed Wesley looking at her, and then looking away before their eyes could meet, ' the old man suddenly realized.
Wesley thought his family would drop it, so he sighed with relief. However, his grandfather suddenly questioned, "Do you like her? Did you try dating her? Or is it the other way round? She loved you but you turned her down?"
Wesley's heart skipped a beat. He felt like a secret was discovered out of the blue. Sometimes it wasn't a good thing to have a smart grandfather.
Wesley wanted to deny everything, but his grandfather added sternly, "Wesley, listen. Think it over before you answer. I've told you many times. An honest man is a good man. Don't lie to me."
Niles was trying his hardest to stifle his laughter. Nonetheless, still one or two laughs reached Wesley's ears. The officer glared at the young doctor. He would remember that. Then he turned to the old man again. "You've gotta be tired. That was a long flight. I'll explain it to you after you get some rest."
"Alright." Keith knew he shouldn't push Wesley too hard. Anyway, his grandson would have to confess everything to him sooner or later.
On the other hand, Blair had a hard time explaining herself to Wesley's mother. "Wesley…he… I've admired him for a long time. But that's all. It's nothing. Besides, I've got a fiance and we'll get married after I graduate."
Although Cecelia liked Blair, she knew she shouldn't press the issue, since Blair was already engaged. You shouldn't break up a couple. So she stopped asking about Wesley and Blair. Before they got in their cars, Wacian told the Li family, "Grandpa Keith, my grandpa knows you're here, so we're having a dinner party. We've booked a room. How about we head to the restaurant now?"
Keith had planned to meet some old friends—Gilbert was one of those friends, so he was quick with a "yes." Then they all got into their own cars and drove off, making for the restaurant.
Blair sat in Wacian's car. After a moment of silence, she requested, "Wacian, please drive me to Joslyn's house. I told her I'd be by when I was done here."
Wacian didn't notice anything unusual about her. With his eyes on his phone, he replied casually, "Why? Call Joslyn and take a rain check. We're having dinner with the Li family. You should come."
"I'd rather not. I don't know them very well. I just met them today." Blair just wanted to avoid seeing Wesley again. She felt so embarrassed.
Wacian thought for a second. "Well, okay. I think Wesley's mom likes you, and she'd probably be happy if you came. But… It's up to you. Just tell the driver the address." If Blair weren't engaged, Wacian would try and hook her and Niles up. He was around the same age. Moreover, Cecelia liked her. But he remembered she was engaged, so he dumped the idea.
Finally, the driver dropped Blair off near Joslyn's house. She didn't take her luggage out since she would return to the Ji family's house later that night.
What Blair didn't tell Wacian was that Joslyn wasn't home. She was in her hometown too and wouldn't be back until tomorrow. Blair just randomly found an excuse to bow out of dinner with the Li family. She looked up at the sky. It was nearing dusk. She then looked back at the traffic on the road. Wesley's huge, eye-catching vehicle still could be seen among the traffic. She grinned and walked along the busy street.
She hadn't been home in six months, so she wanted to walk the streets by herself.
Wesley saw Blair get out of Wacian's car from the rear-view mirror in his car. When he lost sight of her in the crowd, he forgot about it.
His mother's nagging rang in his ear again. "I'll stay here for a few more days. I have a friend here. Her daughter is the same age as you. Why don't I call her up and you guys can go out? Who knows? Maybe you can get married, and I don't need to worry about it anymore."
Wesley was with his parents in his car, while Niles and Keith were in the car behind them.
"Don't bother. I don't have the time," Wesley refused bluntly.
Cecelia wasn't surprised by his refusal. She had an obvious question in her mind. "Son, be honest. Are you…gay?" Cecelia decided to ask it.
Wesley caught a glimpse of his mother's worried face from the rear-view mirror. He replied calmly, "If that will stop you from setting up any blind dates, then yeah, I am."
'What? He didn't deny it?' Cecelia was shocked by how much her son resisted seeing a girl. That was a heavy blow to a mother.
Baldwin scolded his son, "Watch your mouth. Don't scare your mom."
Wesley fixed his eyes on the road ahead of them, but Blair's smiling face popped up in his mind. He thought of how she looked when she held the bouquet of flowers. "I'm not gay, Mom. But I don't want to go on any blind dates."
Cecelia rolled her eyes at him. "Your EQ is even lower than your brother's. You frighten every girl away. So if I don't arrange a blind date for you, when do I get to be a grandma? When my hair is gray and my teeth are gone?"
Wesley said slowly, "Then try it on Niles. Your youngest son will intern in a hospital here. He's kind of hard up, too. Besides, he's as light-complexioned as you. He'll give you a cute grandkid."
Niles resembled their father in appearance but had the same complexion as their mother.
Wesley was on the opposite. He looked like their mother but his skin was as dark as their father's. He used to be light-skinned, but after military school, he had a permanent tan.
"Niles? Humph! Neither of you can make me happy. The Ji family has two sons as well. What a pity that they don't have a daughter. If they had a girl, our two families could be joined by marriage. I was so happy to see Blair just now. But she's already engaged. Ugh! I'm sad." Leaning over Baldwin's shoulder, Cecelia put her hand on her chest to show her heartache.
Baldwin squeezed her hand and comforted, "Honey, take it easy. Hartwell's a few years older than Wesley, but he's not married yet, right? Young people think differently from us."
Cecelia sighed heavily. She finally dropped the issue. "What about our rooms tonight?"
"I'll sleep in my dorm, you all can stay in my apartment." Wesley knew his mother didn't like checking into a hotel room, so he had it all planned out. His apartment had three bedrooms, so it was enough for them.
"Okay." Cecelia nodded. She hated staying at a hotel. "But you don't need to head back to your dorm. You can share a room with Niles."
Wesley remembered how ugly Niles looked when he was asleep. A dash of disdain flashed in his eyes. He didn't like the idea. But anyway, he nodded in agreement since it was only for a few days.
When they reached the restaurant, Gilbert, Adalson and Natalia were already there.
The two families hadn't seen each other for a long time. They greeted and embraced each other enthusiastically. After a few warm pleasantries, they all settled down at a table in the VIP room.
Adalson's gaze swept over the guests. He asked Wacian, "Where's Blair?" His question attracted everyone's attention.
That was when Cecelia noticed Blair's absence.
Wacian explained, "We dropped her off halfway. She said she made plans with Joslyn and she'd head back later."
