MTLNOVEL Chapter 577: Sorry for the trouble.
Brenda watched him, her gaze turned heavy with emotion.
Aiden's threat didn't offend her; it rather reassured her. For Arwen.
No matter what threat appears in front of Arwen in future, with Aiden by her side, she would be able to conquer it all, unharmed.
"Madam, he might not ease up until he finds out," Margaret said; she was referring to Aiden. All the while she had been there, and not just she heard, she even witnessed the firm resolve that Aiden carried in his gaze when he said he would find it on his own.
Brenda smiled, but it wasn't the smile that reached her eyes. Even she has seen the firm determination in his gaze. She knew he had all the reasons to dig into it. And she holds no power to stop him from it.
Maybe it was time for her to let go and let fate decide.
"Then let him find out on his own," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I did all that I could. And even after that, if I could save it, then it was never meant to be saved."
***
In the meantime, Ryan was leaving for the day when he spotted Zenith in the lounge area.
He stopped for a second, noting the way the woman's brows were furrowed in seriousness. She looked like she was caught up in some trouble.
Before he could even register what he was doing, his legs happened to move on their own, walking over to her.
Since Zenith had her back in the direction from where he was approaching, she didn't notice him. She only realized his presence when she heard his voice close by.
"You haven't left yet?"
She turned to look at him, slightly caught off guard. "Oh, I was about to leave, sir." Her gaze dropped to check her phone, where the app was still showing 'no cabs available' down the screen.
Ryan didn't notice it. He simply pulled his hand up to check the time on his watch and said, "It's past 7. Although not very late, but quite past the office hours. You should leave and not stay —"
"No, no, sir," Zenith denied immediately, guessing her boss's thoughts. "I am not planning to stay. I was really leaving. It's just that the cabs aren't available around. So, I am waiting to get one."
And it was then that Ryan noticed it. His brows knitted slightly. "For how long have you been waiting?"
Zenith checked the time on her phone, and her gaze narrowed a little in awkwardness. "For approximately forty minutes now. Since it's the peak hour, I guess it will take some time."
"..." Ryan frowned, and he turned to check around. Although there were still people around, most of the employees seemed to have left.
Zenith saw him watching around. She didn't know what he was looking around, but she took the cue of what she understood and quickly said, "It's fine, sir. I will get the cab soon and leave. I won't stay here and make you worried."
"I am already worried," Ryan spoke, turning back to look at her with a subtle frown. "If you haven't gotten the cab up until now, the probability of getting one anytime soon is not that strong. And, it's already late," he gestured for her to look around and then continued, "There aren't many people around. And the ones who are —well, it would be better if you come with me."
He then didn't wait for her to refuse. Turning, he was ready to walk, leaving her the cue to follow when her confusion stopped him.
"With you?" she asked, as if she didn't understand.
Ryan turned, his expression gentle but slightly serious, like he was thinking about something else in his head. "Yes, come with me. I will drop you at your place."
"But sir, my place doesn't fall in your way," she told him honestly. It was instead in the complete opposite direction.
He didn't know where her place was. But given the record that Zenith had recently been discharged from the hospital, he wouldn't leave her here alone. "But I have the car, which can you the way your apartment. I don't mind dropping you first before returning."
She wanted to refuse, not wanting to be a trouble. But when she saw the seriousness on his face, she dared to.
Nodding, she agreed. "Thank you, sir. And sorry for causing this trouble."
Ryan shook his head. "It's not a trouble," he said and then gestured for her to follow him.
Since his car was parked in the parking lot, they took the elevator down to the underground level.
"Send me your address," Ryan said, slipping into the driver's seat.
Zenith nodded before passing him the location link.
He checked it before connecting it to the GPS. "It's quite far from here and might take time," he told her, and it only made her feel like a burden. Although she knew he didn't mean it like that.
"Sir, it's also on the opposite side of your place. So, it would also be good if you could drop me off at the closest subway here. I will be able to —"
Before she could finish, Ryan asked her to look behind. She looked behind but didn't understand what he meant.
"Sir …?"
"Put on the seatbelt. I don't have all the time," he answered her, already putting on his, and reaching to start the engine. "I have to drop you first before returning. So …"
His gaze turned back to her, and her hands moved to pull on the seatbelt.
Once she clipped, he started the engine and drove out of the premises.
————
Meanwhile, after completing the client meeting, Arwen finally returned to her office.
As she sat behind her desk, her gaze trailed to look toward the drawer of his desk. She stared at it for a moment, before pulling it open to reveal the same brown leathered diary from before.
This diary was hers … but she had no remembrance of it. How?
She knew she had forgotten something from her childhood …
But just how much has she forgotten?