The Wrong Woman

Candice studied Elio with a furrowed brow, perplexed by the bitterness in his tone.
Had she misinterpreted something?
Visibly disheartened, Elio met her gaze for a tense moment before abruptly exiting the car. "Sean, please take her," he instructed
icily before slamming the door and striding away. Candice was utterly bewildered.
Following Elio's directive, Sean swiftly started the engine and executed a sharp U-turn.
As the car continued along the road, Sean spoke up, "Ms. Candice, do you have an address in mind? I'll take you wherever you
need to go." Candice hesitated, puzzled by Sean's question.
Wasn't he supposed to take her back to the hotel to rest?
Just as Candice was about to respond, her phone rang. Glancing at the caller ID, she saw it was Mervyn calling.
Upon picking up Mervyn's call, Candice was met with his inquiry about her work progress and dinner plans, followed by a request
to meet up.
After a brief exchange with Mervyn, Candice turned to Sean and politely requested, "Could you please drive me to Regalia
Restaurant? Thanks."
Sean acknowledged her request with a respectful nod. With that, he proceeded to navigate the car toward the restaurant.
Glancing into the rearview mirror, he caught sight of Candice engaged in a lively conversation with Mervyn over the phone, her
face adorned with a radiant smile.
Observing this scene, Sean couldn't help but let out a resigned sigh.
Upon arriving at Regalia Restaurant, Candice disembarked from the car and informed Sean, "You can head back now. I'll
arrange my own transportation back to the hotel later." "Ms. Candice, it's not safe for you to be alone," Sean insisted.
"But I have Mervyn with me, don't I?" Candice countered.
With a hint of reluctance, Sean eventually departed.
Meanwhile, Candice stepped into the restaurant, her eyes scanning the surroundings.

Rising from his seat, Mervyn called out, "Candice, right this way!"
Candice's face lit up as she approached Mervyn with easy, carefree steps, gracefully taking a seat across from him.
She found herself drawn to his radiant presence and captivating smile, feeling as though she were enveloped by his charm
effortlessly.
"It's been ages, Merv!" Candice exclaimed, unable to hide her delight.
A smile graced Mervyn's lips as he admitted, "I never expected to bump into you here on a business trip."
Candice couldn't help but chuckle at his remark. "Nor did I, honestly."
Without skipping a beat, Mervyn promptly retrieved the menu and offered it to her. "Take a look and see what appeals to you."
After perusing the menu, Candice casually opted for a set meal.
Despite the restaurant's mediocre cuisine, the ambiance exuded romance and tranquility.
Soft melodies drifted through the air, while warm golden lights enveloped the space. With only a handful of other diners present,
the setting felt intimate and secluded.
Mervyn's smile lingered as he looked at Candice, a touch of nostalgia reflecting in his eyes.
Unable to resist, Candice lightly touched her cheek. "What's the matter? Do I have something on my face?"
Mervyn shook his head in disbelief. "It's been quite some time, and you've only become more stunning. I almost didn't recognize
you," he remarked.
Candice was surprised by his compliment. "Oh, stop it. I haven't had any cosmetic work done. How could there be such a drastic
change that you didn't recognize me?"
Mervyn couldn't help but chuckle, his amusement evident.
Candice joined in, her laughter bubbling forth.
Mervyn warmly engaged Candice in conversation about her parents and contrasting genuine family, interest in her work and
delving into discussions about their lives.

Inside the restaurant, the atmosphere was cozy and inviting. While outside, the sky darkened, and a brisk north wind swept
through the streets. Before they knew it, a torrential downpour began.
The rain-soaked streets were empty, with only a few vehicles passing by.
The softly glowing street lights cast a gentle ambiance as rain cascaded down, forming puddles on the pavement below.
From the restaurant's floor-to-ceiling windows, an ethereal glow spilled onto the rain-slicked streets.
Driven by gusts of wind, the rain fell steadily outside.
However, within the restaurant, warmth and laughter embraced the patrons, offering a stark contrast to the tempest raging
beyond its walls.
Half an hour later, a sleek luxury car glided to a stop by the roadside.
With a creak, the door swung open, revealing a towering figure impeccably dressed in a tailored suit.
Unfazed by the cold rain, he strode confidently through the puddles, navigating the street with determination.
The cold rain trickled down his short hair, tracing a path to his cheeks, its icy touch penetrating his skin and chilling him to the
bone.
His eyes adopted a reddish hue as he kept his gaze firmly fixed on the couple behind the glass window.
The woman's joy was unmistakable, her infectious laughter filling the air.
Encountering the one she loved in a foreign land ought to be a moment of sheer bliss, shouldn't it?
As the unyielding rain obscured his sorrowful eyes, he clenched his fists with unwavering determination.