anwhile...
Haines glanced at the chairs where his nephew had been seated, watching as they were splashed with water. Hugo managed to dodge it, but now he had to deal with the other custor, who had been splashed before he got out of the way.
"Hey, man. It’s not my fault—it was her! She should’ve splashed the water differently, but I guess she’s not used to it. My point is, why are you angry at ? I’m not the one who splashed a glass of water at soone!"
Haines shook his head mildly, seeing Hugo trying to reason with the other custor. He exhaled deeply and refocused on his own date. His eyes fell on a woman in her mid-fifties or perhaps, more. She was stunning and elegant.
Well, all of his dates were beautiful in their own way. He just wasn’t interested in any of them, though he was sure they all deserved soone just as wonderful as they were.
"When the Old Madam told she was trying to find you a match, I didn’t expect she’d ask to co along," the woman said, raising Haines’s eyebrows. "It seed like you weren’t paying attention earlier. My na’s Mildred."
Haines flashed her a ek smile. "I was paying attention, Madam Mildred Pierson."
"I see." Mildred nodded in understanding. "Well, that’s surprising. I thought you weren’t paying attention, but it seems a wise man like you might not look like he’s paying attention, but he’s actually listening."
"One of the things I’ve learned in life is to be highly aware of your surroundings."
"That’s true." Mildred laughed ekly, a very different tone than what Penny had rembered. "I have a question for you, Mr. Haines Bennet. I hope you don’t mind."
"I always mind when people tell they have questions without asking them directly."
"But I’ll ask anyway, since you wouldn’t be so heartless to your niece’s... cousin-in-law?"
Haines chuckled, the first ti engaging in conversation. "That’s right," he admitted. "I’m surprised you know I’d force myself to talk just for Penny."
"The matriarch of our family is surprising, and the more I hear about her, the more amazed I am," Mildred said. "For her to be like that, I was sure the environnt around her was the sa."
"I’ll take that as a complint," Haines shrugged. "So, what is it that you want to know, Madam?"
"Nothing. I’ve already gotten my answer."
"Hmm?"
Mildred’s eyes squinted as her grin stretched wide. "My original question was: ’Are you only talking to because I’m from the Pierson family?’ but you’ve already answered that with our brief exchange earlier."
"Ah..."
"But if I’m going to think of another question, it would be... how was your previous date?"
"It was... okay."
"Horrible?"
"No. All of them were wonderful people. However, no one piqued my interest."
"No one piqued your interest, or is it that you think you’re undeserving of them?"
Haines slowly arched a brow. "I don’t rember this being a therapy session."
"Haha..." Mildred laughed, leaning over to pick up her tea. "As I ntioned earlier, the Old Madam asked to help find you suitable partners. She wouldn’t have asked if I hadn’t done this before. We’ve done this many tis—I’ve assisted with almost every marriage in the Pierson family."
"Oh."
"My point is, I’m not an expert, but I know quite a bit."
"You don’t have to humble yourself. You’re an expert."
"I’m not."
Haines chuckled weakly, relaxing more as he exchanged words with Mildred. "To be truthful, it might be what you think it is. But I’m not lying when I say no one piqued my interest. Now that we’re at it, I might as well ask you why you’re here."
"Old Madam asked to... for so reason."
"I know, but my question is: how co a witty person like you hasn’t married yet?"
"Would you tell your reason if I gave you mine?"
This ti, Haines didn’t answer imdiately. Instead, he kept his eyes on Mildred, weighing his options.
"Fine. I won’t ask if you’re not comfortable—"
"Sure."
Surprise flickered across Mildred’s face upon hearing Haines’s reply. After a beat, she smiled in appreciation and nodded.
"Then, how about a walk?" she suggested, glancing at the cane resting on the chair within Haines’s reach. "You can take a walk, can’t you?"
"Of course, though I’ll have to walk slowly."
"You don’t have to worry about that." Mildred laughed, pushing herself up from her seat. "I’m getting old, so a short and slow walk is all I can manage."
As Mildred stood, Charles, Jas, and Allen winced in distress. The trio had expected Mildred to pick up her tea and splash it at Haines, but to their surprise, she didn’t. Instead, Haines reached for his cane and stood up carefully.
Haines then walked over to her, offering his arm. "Is it fine for you if I use you to get my cousin off my back?"
"Of course." Mildred chuckled, holding Haines’s arm. "Don’t look in their direction. Let’s keep moving."
"Mhm."
With that, Haines and Mildred left the restaurant. They walked past Hugo’s table, where he was still arguing with the other custor. Then past Slater, who was fuming in anger while tugging at his damp shirt. Finally, they passed Atlas, who was currently wiping his face with a handkerchief. The three of them paused what they were doing, their eyes following Haines and Mildred as they walked out of the restaurant.
As for Charles, Jas, and Allen, their mouths fell open, rendered speechless for a mont. When they recovered, Jas and Allen’s eyes glead with happy, proud tears.
’Finally, soone in this group is making progress!’
Charles, on the other hand, blinked and kept his focus on Haines’s figure. Unlike the other two, who were almost jumping with joy, he tilted his head to the side.
’Does he think I don’t know him?’Charles wondered. Then, after a mont of reflection, he sighed. ’Well... I guess whatever they needed to discuss was sothing he didn’t want to see or hear. I’d just let him off for now.’
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