Chapter 71: Preparing for a date
After carefully weighing all the pros and cons, I finally decided to accept Christian’s proposal.It wasn’t just an impulsive decision, but a conscious choice based on thoughts about how it would affect my life, Ruby, and our future.
In the end, I realized that this could be a chance for something better and more stable than what we had now. After all, Ruby deserves a normal life, with both parents around, not just an aunt who has to do everything on her own.
When I told Christian that I agreed, his face lit up with such sincere joy that for a moment I even felt awkward.
"Thank you for trusting me," he said, and there was so much relief in his voice that I felt a little guilty for perhaps not seeing our hypothetical future union in quite the same light as he did.
Well, in any case, we discussed the details and ultimately decided to set our "date" for this Saturday.
We chose a cozy coffee shop in the city center — a place that wasn’t too formal or too expensive, perfect for a first meeting. Besides, the day was not chosen at random: Christian and Ruby didn’t have classes that day, which made it even more convenient.
When I told Edison that I was going on a date, he seemed genuinely stunned by the news.
"What? You’re going on a date?" he asked, his eyebrows shooting up.
"Yes, so clear my schedule for the afternoon," I said, fixing my hair.
Edward Edison coughed, clearly not knowing how to react.
"Um, ma’am, are you sure you’re going on a date...?"
"What’s wrong with that?" I asked, somewhat puzzled by his uncertain tone.
It seemed to me that a date was a perfectly normal thing, especially for an unmarried woman in the prime of her life.
"Um, well... I just wanted to make sure it was really just a meeting and nothing more," muttered the butler, looking away in embarrassment.
His words caught my attention, and I felt indignation boiling up inside me. To be honest, I was a little offended when the butler said that.
After all, it had been three years since I had set foot in a brothel or any other questionable establishment! I had changed my life dramatically, leaving behind everything that was connected with Grace’s past.
Nevertheless, the old man was still quite suspicious of my statement that I was going on a date.
Apparently, the butler’s impression of his mistress’s previous lifestyle was still quite vivid. Although I was a little annoyed by this, I explained to the butler that I was indeed only going on a date.
"As you wish, ma’am. Then I will clear your schedule," Edison finally replied, and I felt relieved that this conversation was finally over.
After this issue was resolved and Edison cleared my schedule at my request, it was time to choose what I was going to wear. After all, considering that it was a date, I would have to look a little more dressed up than usual, right?
Well, luckily, I didn’t have a problem with that.
After all, my closet was still full of Grace’s old dresses, which I hardly ever wore.Even though I had sold most of Grace’s wardrobe during my first year in this world to pay off some of my debts, there were still so many dresses that some of them were still stored in my closet.
All these dresses were terribly expensive and looked too fancy to wear in everyday life.So most of the time they just sat in the closet, gathering dust and reminding me of a past I was trying to forget.
Nevertheless, sometimes, when the moment came when I needed to go to an event, I had no problem choosing an outfit. In the end, what I already had in my closet was more than enough.
So this time, I didn’t think too much about it and decided to just wear one of those dresses. I chose an elegant blue dress with a light train — it wasn’t too provocative, but pretty enough to make an impression.
In other words, I was looking forward to this day without any particular excitement in my heart.And on the day of our date, I wasn’t particularly nervous about it either. I don’t know, maybe my feelings about it would have been different if I had actually had feelings for Christian.
But for the most part, I saw it as just another business meeting aimed at entering into a marriage for the sake of Ruby’s upbringing.
So yes, I saw it as just another deal in my life and didn’t feel particularly excited.
On the other hand, it was even good that I wasn’t particularly nervous. After all, excitement would only get in the way, so it was very helpful that even in such a situation I kept my emotions under control.
Our date was supposed to take place this afternoon. I was sitting in my office, looking through some documents, when I suddenly heard a knock on the door. Edison came in unexpectedly and told me the news.
"Ma’am," he began, bowing slightly, "you have a visitor."
It was Christian Lockwood.
I froze for a moment, staring at Edison. Christian Lockwood? Here? Now?
We were supposed to meet at four o’clock, and it was barely two. What could have brought him here so early? I was somewhat puzzled by this, but nevertheless quickly pulled myself together.
"Show him into the living room," I said calmly, getting up from the table and adjusting my dress.
Edison nodded and left, and I walked over to the mirror, quickly smoothed my hair, and took a deep breath.
I wasn’t particularly nervous, but for some reason, I still felt a sense of inner tension about the situation. I couldn’t even figure out what it was, but I had a feeling that something was about to happen.
In the end, when I went out into the hall and expected to meet Christian in the living room — Edison had indicated that the guest was waiting there, by the entrance — my confusion only grew.
Christian Lockwood was standing outside by the carriage. He was dressed in his usual business suit: a brown frock coat and white shirt. His hair was slightly tousled by the wind, and his face... it looked tense and pale, as if he hadn’t slept all night.
I stepped out onto the porch, feeling the cool autumn breeze touch my skin, and smiled, trying to lighten the mood.
"Mr. Lockwood, good afternoon. Please come inside. Nura is just about to make tea."
But Christian shook his head, not moving from his spot. His eyes, usually warm and confident, now avoided my gaze, sliding over the ground, the carriage — anywhere but me. It was strange.
"No, Lady Weinstein, thank you. I... prefer to talk here. At the gate. It won’t take long."
I was a little confused, but I nodded anyway.
"All right, as you wish," I replied, stepping down the steps and approaching him.
Even though the atmosphere was rather strange at that moment, and my not-so-good feeling intensified, I still asked the question:
"Mr. Lockwood, has something happened? Why did you come so early today?"
There was a momentary pause, during which I heard the distant sound of leaves rustling in the wind. Finally, Christian looked up, but only for a second, and said:
"Lady Weinstein, I actually have something important to tell you..."
"Hmm? What is it?"
"Unfortunately, I think we’ll have to cancel our date for today..."
When the man suddenly said this uncertainly and faltered, I was momentarily speechless.
"What? But why? Do you have something else to do?" I asked immediately.
"No, not exactly..."
Christian shook his head and his shoulders slumped.
"Then why?" I insisted, stepping closer to get a better look at his face. "I need to know the reason for this."
"Lady Weinstein, I sincerely apologize, but I really... I can’t go with you today."
This sudden news came as a bolt from the blue. And I certainly didn’t expect what he said next.
"I also have to inform you that I will have to resign from here."
"What?"
No, really, what suddenly came over him? Wasn’t everything fine just yesterday? So why is this man suddenly making such statements now?!
"Don’t worry," he added hastily, as if anticipating my next question. "I will pay you all compensation and penalties in accordance with the contract due to my sudden resignation."
I stood there stunned, still trying to make sense of what I had heard.
"No... But can you at least explain why you made this decision?" I exhaled.
Christian was silent for a moment, his lips pressed into a thin line.
He finally looked me straight in the eye, and that look... Why does he look so troubled or scared of something? It’s as if he’s afraid of me, although that can’t be.
The man said very quietly, his voice almost trembling:
"It’s because I realized that I’m not worthy of you."