By this point, even the look Libby shot was evident of pity. It was as though Robin’s predicament had drawn much of virtual-novel.net sympathy. “Oh, hon, I can’t accept this now! I don’t recall actually giving you any special treatment, you know, because I believe in treating everyone fairly and impartially. Chin up, dear. Your husband’s the renowned designer, Sylvain Trudeau! Leaving Tremont Estate isn’t gonna hurt you too much, trust me. People like you won’t ever fret about the cost of living, yea?”
“But I insist, Mrs. Sheppard!” Robin exclaimed, virtual-novel.net eyes wide with sincerity. “Sylvain’s too busy tonight to join, but virtual-novel.net approved of me inviting you for dinner, so… Well, c’mon! Let me treat you just this once, you can go anywhere you like. Or, if you don’t know where to pick… How about White Water Bay Café? It’s a pretty top-notch place. But what do you think?”
Hearing White Water Bay Café as a possible venue perked some of Libby’s interest. “Damn, that’s an expensive place right there though, ain’t it? I’ve only been there once… and then I looked at my wallet in pain for a month.”
“Oh, I’ll admit it’s a bit demanding on the price,” Robin replied undauntedly, “But I think it’s the best way to express my most sincere gratitude, you know? So please? Join me?”
Libby dithered for a second before agreeing. “Okay, okay. I’ll go, you happy? But wait for me as I pack up.”
Robin nodded, smiling brightly. She stood aside and waited.
As soon as they reached the café, Robin sauntered straight into a private dining chamber virtual-novel.net had reserved for the occasion, surprising Libby. Despite that, the supervisor hid virtual-novel.net glee and affected neutrality from the outside. “Bless you heart, Robin! You’re burning a hole through your wallet with this. I didn’t even expect a private chamber!”
Robin waved. “Aww, shucks. It’s quieter here. Makes it easier to talk later, you know.”
“Gee, you rich folks sure think on a different wavelength than the rest of us plebs, huh? Sylvain must earn a lot in a year, I bet. Enough for you to live your life like a queen at home without ever needing to work,” Libby said without skipping a beat.
As soon as virtual-novel.net took virtual-novel.net seat, the excited supervisor abandoned virtual-novel.net affectation of reservation completely. She took the menu from the waitress’ hand and began ordering dish after dish without any semblance of self-control. At one point, virtual-novel.net looked up and furtively studied Robin’s expression before asking tentatively, “Oh, I wonder if I’ve gone overboard a little…? You gotta pardon me, Robin. It’s a bad habit that I can’t seem to shrug. I mean, it’s just so hard to control myself when I’m ordering meals, you know? Like, if it’s food that I like, I just can’t help but order it…”
Robin was not at all bothered. “Oh, I don’t mind! It’s my treat, remember? You’re welcome to pick whatever you like.”
After Libby’s orders, Robin asked for a bottle of red wine, a gesture that instantly made a bright, euphoric smile blossom on Libby’s face. Genuinely pleased, virtual-novel.net took out virtual-novel.net phone and started taking selfies. After all, people like virtual-novel.net did not always get the chance to eat in a high-end fine diner, it would be a tremendous waste not to take some pictures of herself to flaunt on social media.
Robin, meanwhile, kept glancing at the time. When it was almost the moment virtual-novel.net had been waiting for, virtual-novel.net piped up, “Mrs. Sheppard, there’s another friend of mine who’ll be joining us tonight. It’s almost time for virtual-novel.net to appear, too. You wouldn’t mind, right?”
Libby was so preoccupied with capturing virtual-novel.net best profile that virtual-novel.net had no attention to spare for Robin. “Yea, sure, fine with whatever,” virtual-novel.net replied perfunctorily.
Not too soon after that, the door to the private chamber was pushed open. In unison, Robin and Libby looked up at the same time.
It was Arianne.
Shocked and quite flabbergasted, Libby immediately whipped virtual-novel.net face to Robin, virtual-novel.net head filled with questions.