Nerissa had been all out of sorts the entire day thanks to her mother’s phone call yesterday.
While she tried her best to stay focused at work, she dared not leave her phone on too long.
The moment she powered it up, Margaret’s calls came flooding in — her ringtone barely paused before starting up again.
Left with no choice, she switched it off again.
She’d finished the measurements on the third floor yesterday, so today she stayed up on the sixth all shift — and didn’t run into Jace once.
When she got off work that evening, she was caught off guard to see Quentin waiting at the hospital door.
“Professor Lowell?
What are you doing here?” Nerissa blinked at him, clearly surprised.
“I wrapped up early and thought I’d come pick you up for dinner,” he said, half teasing.
“You never seem to eat properly — someone’s got to keep an eye on you, right?”
Nerissa flushed a little with embarrassment.
She’d only been at work two days and had already mooched several meals off him — and not just quick bites either.
These were fancy, sit-down dinners, the kind she wouldn’t have dreamed of indulging in during her student days, not even once a year.
“Professor, honestly, my stomach isn’t that sensitive.
The hospital gave me a meal card and I’ve been eating just fine.
I really don’t want you going out of your way for me.”
“It’s nothing, just a bit of pocket change,” Quentin waved it off casually.
“Since I’m already here, how about giving your teacher some face and joining me for dinner?”
Since he’d already said that, there was no way Nerissa could turn him down.
She nodded without hesitation.
“Sure.
Once I get paid, dinner’s on me next time.”
“I’m gonna hold you to that.
You owe me a meal now.” He chuckled heartily, then reached over to grab Nerissa’s toolbox himself as they headed out together.
“Mr.
Lowell, I should carry that myself.” Nerissa looked flustered — how could she let her boss carry her tools?
“This thing’s heavy.
With a man around, there’s no reason for you to lug it,” Quentin said with a relaxed smile.
“Just follow me.
You’ll get used to it — no need to stress.”
Nerissa felt oddly touched.
Mr.
Lowell really was nice.
Probably the kindest, most easygoing mentor she’d ever had.
In her head, she silently hyped herself up: ‘Nerissa, you got this.
You gotta do well to make it up to Mr.
Lowell.’
Once they got to the underground garage and Quentin started the engine, a black Range Rover cut in smoothly ahead of them.
That plate number was way too familiar.
Without missing a beat, Quentin rolled down the window.
“Dr.
Whitmore, off work already?”
Jace glanced over through his half-lowered window — his eyes landing immediately on Nerissa sitting in the front seat.
His eyes paused briefly before he gave a light response, “Yeah.”
Quentin said, “I’m taking Nerissa to Maison Céliane for dinner.
You wanna join us?”
Jace glanced at Nerissa in the passenger seat again.
The girl didn’t even look his way, turning her head deliberately.
She couldn’t have made it clearer — she didn’t want to be involved.
Wow.
Like he was some kind of plague.
Jace gave a cold, ironic curl of his lips and looked away.
“No.
Got stuff to do.”
Quentin nodded casually, not pressing.
“Alright then, catch you later.”
The two cars drove out of the garage one after another.
The black Land Rover quickly vanished into traffic.
Sitting in the passenger seat, Nerissa let out a quiet breath and finally felt a bit of relief.
Phew, that was close.
Thank god he’s not coming.
Otherwise…
way too much pressure.
She always felt like Jace had this weird, sharp look in his eyes whenever she was around Quentin.
It made her feel uneasy like she was constantly being watched.
“By the way, Nerissa, did you know Jace before?” Quentin suddenly asked out of nowhere.
Nerissa’s heart skipped, then she quickly shook her head.
“N-Nope.
Why do you ask, Mr.
Lowell?”
“Nothing much, just felt like he was looking at you a bit strangely.” Quentin smiled faintly.
“But I know what he’s like — cool and distant, like plain water.
Not into women, honestly kind of boring.
He probably won’t do anything.”
Nerissa pressed her lips together, not daring to say a word.
Suddenly, she realized…
maybe none of them really knew who Jace was.
Especially when it came to that whole ‘not into women’ claim…
Half an hour later, the car pulled up in front of Maison Céliane.
Quentin had already booked a table.
Nerissa followed him inside.
Compared to the last place they went, this restaurant was definitely on another level.
Soft piano music flowed through the space, and the waiters were all super polite.
It was Nerissa’s first time in such a fancy place, so she couldn’t help feeling a bit out of place.
Quentin noticed and made sure to take care of her.
He pointed out a few of their signature dishes and helped her choose a few things off the menu, saving her from the stress of overthinking.
After the waiter walked off with their order —
Not long after, two new figures appeared at the table next to them.
They stood out so much that Nerissa glanced over without really thinking.
That one look?
Totally threw her off.