102 Missed Her

Hugh took a leave of absence for three days. He was now inside the dean's office of La Delicatesse.

"Hi, I'm Dennis Devan, one of the teachers here. The dean is not around as of the moment. Please, have a seat. What can I do for you?" Dennis extended his hand.

Hugh shook the other man's hand and sat on a long sofa. "Thank you. Dr. Hugh Bisset, just call me Hugh. I'm actually here for a girl who is studying her."

Dennis took the single seat at Hugh's right. "Bisset? Are you related to one of our teachers here, Riley Bisset."

"Yes, we're related. He is actually my younger brother."

"Oh, that's good to hear. Concerning the girl, what's her name so I can call her?"

"To be honest, I don't know her name yet but I have her picture." He showed the picture.

"What are you to this girl, Doctor?" As Dennis saw it was Sheila, he was discrete. She was a scholar from another country, he had to protect her.

"I meant no harm. Actually, we've met at the airport. I just forgot her name. Please allow me to meet her."

The teacher was careful but as he saw that Hugh was not a threat to Sheila, he acquiesced to the doctor's request. He called the secretary to look for Sheila.

"How about your brother? Do you want me to call him?"

"No need."

Dennis saw the doctor's reluctance to meet his brother. "Haha, so I see. Not in good terms, I presume?"

"Hmm, let's say, we are in good terms but he wished to be left alone for now." Hugh had no other desire than to cut the irrelevant topic of his visit.

The secretary came as soon as Hugh finished his sentence. "Monsieur, Mademoiselle Hernandez is not here. She left with the dean early this morning."

Hugh turned his head to the secretary who was standing at the door. "When will she be back?" Hugh asked.

"Probably a week later but I'm not totally sure. They left for a crash course by one of the famous chefs in Paris and they'll be on a trip promoting the school after." Devan answered for the secretary as he dismissed her with a wave of his hand.

"Never mind, at least I know she studies here. I'll be back. Nice meeting you, Monsieur." Hugh stood up and was ready to leave but Dennis stopped him.

"You've traveled far and you missed the person. Why not join us for lunch before leaving? You can also stay here for the night and leave tomorrow. Paris is far so I suggest you enjoy a change of environment and breathe some fresh country air before going back." Dennis sincerely offered.

Hugh saw Dennis' sincerity and accepted the offer. He too wished to have a good rest after a half day drive.

Oblivious of the unexpected visitor, Sheila and the school's team was back that night. The promotion and demo trips were canceled for some unknown reasons of which the dean was the only person who knew why.

Sheila woke up early and was the first in the mess hall. Her body was still asking for the bed so she decided to rest for the day. As she entered the east wing's hall, Hugh came out from his room and only saw Sheila's back. It never occurred to him that it was her. He missed her again.

Sheila remained in her room and her team leader didn't report to Dennis that they were back. So she had no inkling of her admirer visiting. The two had their moments of unplanned hide and seek that day. Instead, Riley heard of Hugh's visit and decided to meet him. He knocked on Hugh's bedroom door. "Bro, open up."

Hugh recognized that voice and opened the door. "Oh, I thought you decided to forget we're family."

Riley unashamedly went in uninvited and jumped on Hugh's bed. "I don't mind speaking to my good brother but what brought you here?"

"Ohhh, what brought me here? I think I forgot." Hugh gave Riley a quizzical face.

"Ah hahaha, I know, I know." Riley rested his body on the bed, his hands supporting the back of his head. "You want to meet the woman in the photo."

"I believe you won't allow me to meet her. Am I right?" Hugh crossed his arms on his chest and leaned his back on the windowsill, as he faced his brother on the bed.

"Absolutely." Riley gave Hugh a smirk.

"Are you serious with her?" Hugh was curious about his brother's truthfulness. This younger brother never had had a serious relationship with any girl. None of his so-called girlfriends lasts for even a week.

"Not sure but I like her."

"If you're not serious then let me meet her."

"Whoa! What was that? I think I have an ear problem." Riley wiggled a finger in his ear.

"I said I want to meet the girl in the photo you sent me." Hugh's voice rose a pitch higher. He struggled to contain his impatience.

"Are you serious?" It's now Riley's turn to ask his older brother. This brother of his was aloof to any woman, aside from his puppy love. He would not even look at a woman's eye when talking unless the subject was related to work.

"Yes, I'm serious." Hugh's face was red again.

Hugh blushing was a laughable thing for Riley, but it was not at this moment. "Of all women surrounding you, why her?" Riley's face became serious. He sat up with his feet firmly on the floor. His fists clenched, lightly resting on his legs.

Sheila's face appeared in Hugh's mind. His facial muscles relaxed. Hugh replied with dreamy eyes and a delightful smile on his face. "I can't explain but I really want to meet her."

"Man, I know you. I've seen this same facial expression of yours before." Riley stood and pointed out Hugh's face. "That was the time you courted that girl who rejected you after you confessed."

Hugh jerked Riley's hand from his face. "Go away. I was still a high school boy at that time. This is different."

"Bro, am I hearing wedding bells now?" Riley was externally laughing as he talked but was disturbed inside. He loved this older brother so much but to fall for the same girl he liked now, was a different thing.

"Hmm," Hugh squinted his eyes, stared on the floor but his mind was not on it, and said, "probably."

Riley didn't want to hear more or he might give in to his brother and introduce Sheila. So he stood and hurried to the door. "I think I'll take my chances before you meet her. Bye."

"Hey! You …" A door slammed on the background as Riley left, stopping Hugh from speaking.

At this moment, Sheila chose to come out from her room and Riley saw her. He suddenly ran, pushed her back to her room, and closed the door behind her.

Hugh came out that instant and saw Riley standing at a door at the east wing, his hand holding the doorknob. It didn't occur to Hugh that it was Sheila's bedroom door. He was exactly very close to meet the woman he was running after.

"Hey! I'm still talking to you." Hugh said, but Riley ran down the stairs, baiting Hugh to follow him. The unfortunate big brother took the bait willingly and missed Sheila, who came out to check if Riley was still at the doorway. Sheila only saw Hugh's back as he ran after Riley.

"What was that all about?" Sheila muttered to herself.

So the day ended with Riley dragging Hugh away from the school. Hugh failed meeting Sheila again. Fate made Hugh suffer even more by taking away all the chances to meet her. Before night time, the dean called Sheila to presume their travel and she left with the school team that night.