Phillip's voice was as cold and deep as the night sky: "You might not even make it to your engagement. And if you do, well, let's talk about keeping my distance after you've put a ring on it." In their few meetings, Phillip had always come across to Alfred as someone who maintained a perfect balance in his interactions, a paragon of manners straight out of an etiquette guide. But today, Phillip's unyielding and aggressive stance caught Alfred off-guard: "You...?"
"If you have an issue, come to me, not her."
Phillip handed him a business card and, without another word, turned on his heel and disappeared into the night.
Alfred stood at the hotel entrance, business card in hand, a look of utter confusion on his face as he watched the silver-topped Maybach merge with the darkness. Tina and her best friend were glued to the floor-to-ceiling window of the executive suite, watching the car drive away before they finally breathed a sigh of relief. "What a showdown," her friend said, imagining the scene she hadn't witnessed. "How could you just come up here? Weren't you afraid they'd actually come to blows?" "Do you think Phillip looks like someone who would get into a fight?" Tina asked. "But he doesn't seem the type to argue much either. Hope Alfred didn't make him cry." Her friend gave her a look that said it all: "Hello?? The guy is a big shot in the finance world. Alfred's lucky if he doesn't get played."
Tina pondered for a moment: "Guess you're right."
Her friend: "You should be more worried about yourself. If Alfred complains to your dad, you're the one who's going to get it." Indeed, Alfred did call Hamilton, but pride kept him from admitting that Phillip had outmaneuvered him with just a few words. The next afternoon at five, Tina received a call from Hamilton.
"I've booked a table at a French restaurant. Go have dinner with Alfred and report back to me."
It was an order that couldn't be refused.
Since Hamilton had spoken, Tina had no choice but to comply.
Coincidentally, Phillip was finishing work early today and had planned to have dinner with her.
Remembering last night's dramatic
encounter, Tina decided to avoid
more trouble and lied on a whim: "I've got plans with my bestie
tonight, can't have dinner with you."
Phillip, who never interfered with her plans, simply said: "Call me when you're done."
The French restaurant was filled
with sophistication, a silver-haired gentleman in a tailcoat playing the violin with a romantic melody filling the air.
Alfred, feeling threatened by Phillip's appearance the night before, had gone all out with his outfit.
Too all out in fact, dressed in a
white suit with a black bow tie, looking like he was about to walk down the aisle. His hair was slicked back so heavily it looked likeat could fry a steak.
Tina almost turned around and left right then and there.
Alfred waved at her from his table: "Tina, over here."
As Tina approached, Alfred stood up and gallantly pulled out a chair for her.
This was something Phillip did effortlessly, but it was the first time Tina had seen such a gesture of chivalry from Alfred.
He even wore cologne, flashing her a fawning smile.
"Babe, what would you like to eat?"
Hearing him call her 'babe' made Tina physically uncomfortable.
"Don't 'babe' me."
"Why not?" Alfred immediately reacted, "We're getting engaged, aren't we?"
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