The Apple of My Eye novel Chapter 449

"I was asking you to have dinner with me tonight," Anthony repeated. He previously checked Lisa's hospital schedule and learned she was on day duty. So both of them would be free that evening.

"Are you free tonight?" he added. Lisa nodded immediately, and there was a mix of delight and surprise on her face. "Yes, yes, I'm free. And of course, I'll have dinner with you," she said trying to hide her excitement.

"It's settled then. I will pick you up at your house later," he said, face devoid of emotion. He thought, 'We live in the same neighborhood anyway so I can drive by her house.'

"Thank you. That will be good," Lisa instantly agreed. "I have to get back to work now," she said, adding," You then get some rest, okay?"

As Lisa walked away, Anthony went back to his office, a frown on his handsome face.

That evening, he drove to Lisa's house and parked outside. He dialled her number to say he had arrived and waited for her to come out of her building. She was made up beautifully, and caught the attention of many passers-by. But Lisa ignored them all, her eyes focused on Anthony alone.

She opened the passenger door and asked Anthony coyly," Have you been waiting long?"

He replied briefly," Nope." Anthony stared at Lisa, and noted she appeared to be underdressed. "Get in quickly. It's too cold outside!"

Lisa misread his concern. She quickly got in the car, and then inquired," So, where are we going to eat?"

She had expected Anthony to take her to a western restaurant. She quietly hid her disappointment when he drove to a hot pot restaurant instead. They ordered a two-flavor hot pot. At the end of their meal, Lisa's make-up, initially perfect, was now a mess.

Noticing that Lisa was contend with her food, Anthony spoke up. "I invited you to dinner because I wanted to apologize."

"Excuse me? Apologize, for what?" Lisa stopped eating to stare at Anthony. She was bewildered why he was apologizing.

"I wanted to say sorry for misunderstanding you that day when Autumn was admitted at the hospital," he began. He paused, thinking of how to go on.

Lisa dismissed his apology. "It's not a big deal," Lisa said bluntly. "No need to say sorry." She wanted to do something romantic. "Anthony, I heard there is a nearby park where couples go for a walk. Would you like to take a walk later?" Lisa inquired with a smile. Anthony had no reaction.

She added," It would be very romantic to walk in the park hand-in-hand, don't you think so?" She looked at him expectantly.

That was when it dawned on Anthony that Lisa had mistaken dinner for a date. The truth was he had two reasons to treat her to a meal. First was to apologize for his mean behavior recently, and second was to show his gratitude for her helping Autumn at the emergency room.

But it was never his intention to get back with Lisa. And this bothered him, so he had to set things straight. "I'm afraid you got all this wrong. I just wanted to apologize to you and thank you for helping Autumn. But I never meant to get back together with you," he said uncomfortably.

Lisa froze at his words. Suddenly, so many thoughts were running in her mind. 'I thought he asked me to dinner because he wanted to start dating again. He probably loves Autumn, but I believed he and I were still possible. She is a married woman, after all.'