The Returning EX (John and Sophia) novel Chapter 1994

Chapter 1994 Dinner’s Over

Gary didn't pry further, and he nodded.

They ate slowly, and Gary wanted to pay in the end. Cindy wouldn't let him, and she insisted on paying the bill herself.

Gary sighed. "I know the boss, and I can enjoy a price cut. We're adults here, so you should know that this is a better deal."

The waiter knew Gary, so he said, "Mr. Frye is a regular here. We have a discount for him."

That still didn't sit right with Cindy. "It's alright. I can pay the full price."

She tried to pay, but Gary held her hand. "Now you're being too formal."

Cindy frowned. She didn't want to step back. "You do this every time. I won't come out with you next time if you do this."

Gary gave it some thought. "Why don't we go around, and you can treat me to something else."

Cindy might have given him an ultimatum, but she owed Gary a big favor, so she could never refuse him completely every time he called. Since Gary was stepping back, she stepped back as well. "Fine, but no next time. I need to repay you somehow."

"Okay, okay. Fine. No next time," Gary said.

After he paid the bill, they came out and took a stroll. Night had descended, and everyone was coming out to enjoy their night life. Stalls were being set up on the streets, and Gary didn't ask her to treat him anything too fancy. They only got some snacks and juice.

The snacks weren't too heavy. They might have had dinner, but they could still eat it. They only got the juice because it came with the snack. They didn't like it, so they held it all the way.

A while later, Cindy's phone rang again. She thought it was from her mother again, so she didn't even bother to look. As they walked down the street, Gary talked about how he built his business, and Cindy listened closely. Gary might make it sound simple, but she could see that he used to be in a difficult state.

And that was why she knew Gary built his success up bit by bit. He could take the hits, so he could build his empire. She admired people like Gary, but she didn't want to be like him. Even though he was successful, that didn't change the fact that he used to suffer a lot. Even when Gary was recounting his tale, she could hear the sadness in his voice.

They went around, and eventually, they finished their snacks, though they didn't drink much of their juice. They went back to the restaurant, and she got in Gary's car. Cindy finally took her phone out, but to her surprise, the one who called her earlier was Ian.

Since she didn't pick up, he texted her to ask what she was doing and why she didn't take the call. Cindy felt frustrated. She didn't know it was Ian, but she couldn't call him back now since she was in Gary's car. In the end, she put her phone away and decided to call Ian back when she got home.

They were silent all the way. They exhausted all topics during the dinner and the stroll earlier. After Gary sent her home, she got out of the car and said goodbye to him. "Drive safely." She saw him off, and when she came back home, Aurora called her first.