Chapter 67 - Father And Baby

[ From: Miss Lin

Enjoy your lunch. ]

Lewis's heart instantly throbbed loudly against his chest as his breath hitched. He discreetly looked around, just to see few people dining inside the restaurant.

A woman's intuition was sharp. That thought crossed his mind as he cleared his throat. He felt guilty, as if that short message reminded him about loyalty.

"Are you alright, Mister Qin?" His date, Miss Huang, inquired worriedly, making him raised his gaze at her.

Lewis sported a smile that didn't reach his eyes while putting his phone back inside his suit pocket. "Yes, Miss Huang. However, I'm afraid I had to excuse myself first."

"Oh." The beautiful lady pursed her lips, nodding in understanding. As she watched him stand up, she hastily asked, 

"Will you make it up for me for leaving early today?" 

Lewis quirked his brow as his eyes fell on her. He narrowed his eyes into slits, tilting his head to the side.

Miss Huang took a deep breath, smiling charmingly. "I know you're a busy man, and I don't blame you for leaving early. So, will you take me to dinner some other time?" 

"Oh." Lewis intoned, nodding in understanding. "It seems you misunderstood, Miss Huang." 

He walked over to her seat, his fingertips trailing the edge of the table before he stood behind her chair. Lewis spread his arms, placing his hands on either side of the armrest as he bent over.

His brows raised, noticing she stiffened with his actions. "Dull," He whispered in her ear. "Can't you be more obvious, Miss Huang? Maybe, if you do that, you could've gained a second of my attention, but honestly? I doubt that."

Lewis drew away, standing straight with a satisfied smile on his face. If one didn't know him, they'd think he had just whispered words of love.

"I see." Miss Huang's cutlery trembled under her grip as she turned around and faced him. "I heard rumors about you, Mister Qin. I didn't know they're true." 

Miss Huang spat out in dismay. There were tons of rumors about Lewis, but it was hard to believe them with the image he had portrayed in the public. Who would have thought that Lewis being a jerk was true?

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, then." He smirked smugly, shrugging his shoulders, before walking away with an air of nonchalance.

He had told himself he'd stay for at least thirty minutes before he would excuse himself politely. But it seemed with Devon in his mind, ten minutes would be impossible from now. 

"You left your date too early, young master." Derek went to his side as they walked out of the restaurant. "It's only been nine minutes and twenty-four seconds."

"I felt defiled with her stares, my dear assistant." Lewis glanced at Derek. "So, which brother of mine won the bet this time?"

"It's most likely the third young master." 

Lewis nodded, thrusting his lower lip. "You should tell them to stop betting."

"I just told them…" Derek trailed off as he sighed. "… for the nth time."

The duration of each Lewis' date had become an official sport for his brothers. His brother would often bet on how long the date would last; considering Lewis' schedule, the current situation of the company, his mood, and the personality of his date. They're that engrossed in it, and Lewis just let them.

When they reached the car and he hitched in, Lewis took out his phone as he opened Devon's message. Without thinking twice, he called her and immediately put his phone in front of his ear.

His eyes narrowed when the call wasn't answered. No one had ever let his calls ring for over three times unless they're worth waiting for. But Devon didn't answer his call, so he tried again.

'She just sent me a message,' He thought, listening to the rings. 'Did she just toss her phone away?' he wondered, checking his wristwatch to see what kind of drama she could be watching.

Just when the line could be disconnected, his brows flinched when he heard her voice.

"My friend?!" Her tone was excited but unsure. Just hearing her voice brought joy and relief to his heart, making his eyes softened.

"Are you there?" she asked, tilting her head to the side. "Is this not working?"

"No, it's working," Lewis answered with a faint chuckle. "Have you eaten lunch?"

"Oh! My friend! I can hear you! Are you far right now?"

Lewis chuckled as he glanced at the window. "Why? Do you need me?"

"Young Master, you have a meeting in thirty minutes," Derek commented from the front seat, which Lewis ignored.

"Oh… no."

Lewis furrowed his brows as she suddenly sounded dejected. He then heard her say, "I'm glad to hear your voice even though you're not here."

He smiled gently. "Do you, perhaps, miss me? It hasn't been a day, though?"

"But it's just…" Devon trailed off, pondering whether to admit that she missed his presence. But because Ghost Lin threatened her, she could only be honest with herself and to him.

"Of course, I do. The house feels empty without you."

Lewis kept silent, tapping his finger against the back of his phone. He knew her intentions were different, but it still warmed up his heart.

"If you say it like that, I might just rush home to watch dramas with you," He muttered, seriously taking that into consideration.

"But it will put you in a predicament if you fail to carry out your duties."

"Derek, will I be in trouble if I skip today's meeting?" Lewis cocked his head to the side, staring at Derek's shoulder.

Derek turned his head back and answered, "No, young master. The company will. The meeting had been delayed because of your sudden vacation, so we cannot postpone it."

"It's fine, my friend. I will be burdened if you'll be in trouble because of me." Devon expressed from the other end of the line. "I will just wait for you."

"Mhm," Lewis rolled his eyes, as he knew Derek wouldn't let him off easily. 

"Miss Lin? Third young master is here," Suddenly, Lewis heard Agnes' voice followed by Dion's voice.

"Sister! I came to pick you up!" Dion exclaimed happily, making Lewis frown.

"Baby, can you pass the phone to Dion?" Lewis asked. Devon frowned, which he had guessed accurately, but said nothing and passed it to Dion.

"Father wants to talk to you," she said, and Dion scrunched up his nose.

"Fa — father?!" Dion gasped, wondering what does Devon's father want.

Lewis then heard her say, "My Daddy.." making his jaw fall.