Monts later...
"Hey, I’m sorry I’m late," Theo said as he sat across from Patricia. When he lifted his eyes, all he saw was his sister’s smile.
"It’s okay. I already ordered for us," she said. "Knowing you’ve been very busy and that we can’t just waste ti waiting for the food, I ordered your favorite."
"Oh, you did?" Theo’s brows rose in surprise before he smiled. "Then, thank you."
Patricia giggled before picking up a shopping bag from the side of her chair. "Here!" she said, passing the small bag across the table.
Confused, Theo looked at her. "What is this?"
"Just check." She chuckled, holding her hands together. "Co on, just take a look!"
"Alright...?" Theo carefully opened the bag, taking out a small box inside. Placing the shopping bag to the side, he glanced at her before opening the box. Inside was a tie. "A tie?"
Patricia bit her lip to suppress her smile. "I’ve been working part-ti at the company, thanks to Dad. I just got my first paycheck, but since it’s a small role, this is all I could afford for now. But I chose carefully—this is the best they had, even if it’s not the most expensive."
A brief hesitation flickered in her eyes, her brows rising. "Do you... like it?"
Theo just stared at her for a mont, surprised.
He knew Patricia had been working at Miller’s Company, which Haines had approved of. After all, Haines had suggested to their father—and even to Theo—that instead of just handing Patricia everything she wanted, they should teach her how to earn it. This idea ca up after Mr. Miller had comnted on how successful the Bennet children were.
Surprisingly, Patricia agreed. God knows how nervous the entire Miller family had been when they brought it up. Even Theo had been anxious, knowing this could strain his relationship with his sister again. Fortunately, Patricia was serious about turning over a new leaf.
Now, Patricia worked in the Miller family business as an... errand girl, since she basically knew nothing about the industry. Her days were filled with copying docunts, making coffee for her brother and father—and even Charles when he was there.
"Patricia..." Theo started, but before he could express what he felt, Patricia frowned slightly.
Even so, she forced a smile. "I know you already have a lot of ties, but... well, if you don’t like it, it’s okay. You can just give it away to—"
"Thank you." Theo smiled, nodding at her proudly. "I was just thinking about getting new ties, so this is perfect. I’ll definitely wear it for a week. Thank you."
The slight disappointnt in her heart vanished as she looked at him. Upon hearing his gratitude, warmth filled her chest. Her eyes softened, and her cheeks turned slightly pink. This wasn’t the first ti she had bought sothing for her brother, but it had been a long ti. And knowing she had bought it with her hard-earned money made it feel different.
"This is nice." Theo gazed at the tie as if it were a treasure. Looking back at her, he smiled. "I’ll take good care of it. But I didn’t get you anything..."
"It’s alright. I bought this because I didn’t have anything to offer as a peace offering last week," she said, shaking her head. "Next ti, I’ll buy Dad a pair of socks. Then maybe, I can get sothing for Mom next year."
"Huh?" He furrowed his brows, carefully placing the gift back in its bag. "Why would you wait until next year to buy sothing for Mom?"
"Because her taste is expensive," she remarked, rolling her eyes. "She won’t appreciate it if I just get her sothing common."
"Pfft—"
"She’s very picky, you know?" Patricia grumbled playfully. "But soday, I’ll be able to buy her sothing."
"Patricia." Theo reached out, giving her hand a proud squeeze. "You don’t have to buy us gifts every ti you get your paycheck. I appreciate it, but don’t hold back—spend it on yourself. And let know if you need anything."
"Didn’t Uncle Charles tell you not to spoil ?"
"Uncle Charles?"
"Mhm! He said I should call him that since we’re family!" She grinned. "And that I... will half-forgive Nina if he lets call him that."
"..." Deep lines appeared between Theo’s brows as he processed her words. A second later, he gasped. "Patricia, don’t tell you threatened Sir Charles?"
"Threatened? No, I negotiated with him." She fluttered her eyelashes while smiling. "Brother, I just learned that there’s a privilege when people think we’re close. Hehe."
Theo pinched the bridge of his nose while Patricia chuckled mischievously. When he peeked at her, a defeated sigh escaped him.
So things had changed about Patricia—she had beco more pleasant to be around. But so things... never would.
"Well, if he hasn’t complained about it, I guess he’s fine with it," Theo muttered in defeat, smiling. As long as Patricia didn’t do anything to harm the relationship between the Bennets and the Millers, everything would be fine.
"How about—" Theo trailed off when he noticed Patricia’s eyes veering over his shoulder. "Hmm? Why do you look like that? Did you see soone you know?"
Theo instinctively glanced back. The mont he did, his shoulders stiffened.
It was Nina and... Cassandra.
Nina and Cassandra were being led by a restaurant staff mber, and with the direction they were headed, they would have to walk past the Miller siblings’ table. Just as they were about to pass, Cassandra’s eyes landed on them.
"Oh," Cassandra slowed down, causing Nina—who had been on her phone—to look up at her. "Isn’t this... Patricia Miller and... Theo?"
As soon as Nina heard that, her shoulders tensed. Patricia? Her breath hitched, shock flickering in her eyes as she moved her gaze to Patricia.
Patricia just rolled her eyes at her before shifting her attention to the beautiful woman beside Nina. "And you are?"
"Just an old friend," Cassandra replied with a smile. "It’s nice to see you two here, especially you, Theo."
She nodded at them before looking back at Nina. Cassandra chuckled when Nina flinched slightly under her gaze.
"Let’s go, Nina," Cassandra said, not lingering since the restaurant staff was waiting.
"Uh... yes."
With that, Nina followed Cassandra, stealing a glance at Patricia.
One could understand Nina’s reaction—every ti she ran into Patricia, the latter would cause a scene. However, this ti, Patricia rely rolled her eyes and said nothing.
"Tch. Why is she acting like I’m about to grab her by the hair..." Patricia trailed off when her eyes landed on her brother. "Brother Theo? What’s wrong? Why do you look like you’ve seen a ghost?"
Her voice snapped Theo out of his daze. He forced a smile. "Uh, nothing! Ha... ha. It’s nothing, Patricia."
"..." Patricia didn’t press further, but she knew it wasn’t nothing.
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