Defying Fate: The Unstoppable Eileen

Chapter 164

The thermal box was stuffed with grilled chicken wings.

Eileen walked over, glanced at the box, then at Egbert. “Where’s Aaron?” she asked.

Egbert didn’t answer, he just opened the box.

Instantly, the aroma filled the office.

Eileen swallowed hard, her mouth practically watering. But she remembered she was a woman of principle. “Don’t think you can tempt me with food. I won’t falter!” she declared.

Five minutes later.

Eileen held a chicken wing, gnawing until every bit of meat was gone, even chewing the bone before tossing the remains into the trash.

Egbert handed her a napkin, helping wipe the grease from her lips. “Take your time,” he said.

Eileen let him wipe her mouth, baring her teeth in protest. “I’m a woman of principle! I’m still mad at you!”

“Uh-huh,” Egbert responded softly, holding a straw-filled cup of juice to her lips. “Freshly squeezed.”

Eileen took a big gulp.

Tart and sweet. Yum!

She ate chicken wings and sipped juice until more than half of the box was gone. Finally, she looked up at Egbert. “Will there be more tomorrow?”

Egbert paused, then smiled. “As long as you want it.”

Eileen was pleased but feigning anger she taunted, “Didn’t you say you wouldn’t save any for me?”

“Indeed,” Egbert got up.

He took a dry towel from Eileen’s washbasin, standing behind her, drying her damp hair as he said, “But I couldn’t bear it.”

“Bear what?” Eileen turned to ask.

“I couldn’t bear disappointing you,” Egbert looked into her eyes.

Eileen was stunned.

The office fell silent.

She frowned, looking at Egbert’s face.

His expression remained the same. He just looked at her.

Eileen turned back, continuing to gnaw at her chicken.

After finishing the wings and juice, Eileen got up to wash her hands.

When she returned, she picked up her washbasin. “I’m leaving.” This is property © NôvelDrama.Org.

“I’ll walk you,” Egbert said calmly.

Eileen’s frown deepened.

She eyed Egbert up and down before blurting out, “Egbert, you’ve been acting weird today.”

Egbert chuckled. “How so?”

“Just weird. You’ve been extra sweet and attentive. Are you…”

Egbert’s smile deepened. “What?” he asked in a slightly husky voice.

“You’re not hiding something, are you?!” Eileen exclaimed.

Egbert was speechless.

Eileen was convinced that was a real possibility!

Furious, she grabbed Egbert’s collar, threatening, “You’re not actually hiding something from me, are you?”

Egbert took a deep breath, his eyes betraying fatigue.

“Spit it out! What are you hiding from me? Say it!” Eileen urged.

Egbert reached out, holding Eileen’s hand that was clutching his collar. His warm palm enveloped her hand.

He was silent for a moment, then slowly said, “There is indeed something I haven’t told you.”

Eileen narrowed her eyes. “What?”

“I…”

“Mr. Reed?” Outside the office, Aaron stood holding a set of keys, a puzzled look on his face as he watched them.

Egbert and Eileen froze at Aaron’s appearance.

Eileen knew the drill. With the boss around, she let go, stepping aside and lowering her head, playing innocent.

Aaron was confused. It was her shift and she was checking the office doors were locked. But someone was in her office?

She thought she locked it when she left.

Aaron scratched her head. She looked at Egbert, then Eileen, recalling what she had just seen.

A man and a woman standing close, holding hands…

Aaton fell silent. After a moment, she ventured, “Were you two… secretly dating in my office?”

Eileen was mortified, quickly denying, “No! We were just eating some food!”

She pointed to the empty thermal box on the table, trying to explain.

Aaron was even more confused. “Why would you eat in my office?”

How would Eileen know? She shot Egbert a glare.

“It was my mistake,” Egbert admitted. “I’m sorry.”

Aaron eyed them suspiciously before raising her keys. “I’m locking up.”

Eileen grabbed her washbasin and headed out, Egbert quickly followed.

Aaron watched their retreating figures, shaking her head and muttering, “They were definitely dating. I could tell from a mile away!”

Outside the office building was a bustling courtyard with soldiers running about.

Egbert caught up to Eileen, walking her towards the women’s barracks.

Eileen was fuming. She turned to glare at him, “You see how awkward that was? You used Aaron’s office to meet me and didn’t even leave her a wing! That’s just

mean!”

Egbert chuckled. “I’ll apologize to her tomorrow.”

Eileen frowned again, “Is that what you were hiding? That you stole Aaron’s office key?”.

Egbert didn’t respond.

Eileen sighed deeply, trying to reason as they walked, “Stealing is wrong. You’re a trainer now, a soldier! Even if it’s just a disguise, you need to respect the law. You’re in the military, you can’t do this anymore…”

“No.”

Egbert’s denial startled her.

Eileen was taken aback, staring at him.

Egbert suddenly put a halt to his steps.

Eileen hesitated for a moment, then also came to a stop, standing face to face with him.

They were standing on a small path outside the school yard. Surrounding them were swaying tree shadows, and behind them was a round playground flickering with night lights.

The soldiers’ chants were echoing in the distance.

Egbert stood in the soft moonlight, staring intently into Eileen’s bright and deep eyes.

A gust of wind blew over. The faint scent of her body wash wafted into his nostrils.

Egbert gently bit his lip, then slowly opened his mouth, “There’s one more thing, I haven’t told you.”

Eileen looked into Egbert’s eyes.

She couldn’t help but swallow, then mumbled a response, “Go on.”

“I love you”