Dylan, who was at the hotel taking care of Imogen, replied privately to Austin.He sent Austin a voice note asking, “You traveled so far just to become a chef?”Austin sat on the sofa as he replied, “Am I not allowed to? It’s a very challenging role to be the O’Connors’ private chef. I just wanted to see if I could pass the test. Luckily, I beat all my competitors. I’ve pretty much achieved the impossible.”Dylan was speechless for a moment before he replied, “It feels more like you ran for president than a chef. How long do you plan on staying there? Christmas is around the corner. Aren’t you coming home?”“I might not this year. I’ll go back when my boss gives me the boot.”“With your ability, I don’t think your boss can fire you. You firing her is more like it. I just don’t understand why you had to go that far. You have your restaurant and can cook anywhere, but you just had to go miles away. It’s cold there, no? Can you stand it?”Austin retorted, “It’s not like we’ve never
Dylan hurriedly supported her. An ache pounding in his head, he asked, “What’s up with you now?”“I… need to go…” Imogen slurred with her eyes closed.“You need to go to the bathroom?” Dylan was in a bad mood now.Imogen could not walk steadily and if she went to the bathroom alone, he was afraid she would fall. He could not help her into the bathroom though. He was a man!Imogen nodded and started walking again.Dylan asked as he supported her, “Can you go by yourself?”Imogen did not reply. She was so drunk she did not even know who was with her.Seeing the state she was in, Dylan could only help her to the bathroom, muttering under his breath all the while. Once he got her inside, he hurriedly retreated to let her handle her business.However, Imogen did not appear even after ten minutes. Dylan knocked on the door only to be answered with silence.Opening the door to just a crack, he peeked in but did not see Imogen. Where was she? He opened the door wider in confusion and
“This is the hotel, but of course, this isn’t the room you were staying in. I brought you back to your room after you got drunk, but not long after you lay down, you puked everywhere and even got it on the bed, so I had to move you.” Dylan sat back down and commented, “You’re really hard to handle when you’re drunk. I think you better refrain from drinking so much in the future.”Imogen was silent for a moment. “I don’t have any recollection of that at all. All I remember is I drank quite a lot with you and it was really delicious. When I return to Huntington, give me a case of the same whiskey. I want to have some on my own at home when I’m in a bad mood.”“You still need more?” Dylan did not believe she needed more. She definitely had lots of good alcohol at home too.“I don’t need more whiskey, but I don’t have whiskey from you.”After a pause, Dylan conceded again. “Fine. When you leave Wiltspoon, I’ll give you a case of the same whiskey we had last night and some of Wiltspoon’
The two had breakfast together before leaving the suite.The hotel butler would tidy the place and put things back in their original places for Zachary’s next visit.Imogen went back to her room to catch up on sleep.Meanwhile, Dylan called Grandma May. When she picked up, he asked, “Where are you, Nana?”“I’m at Wildridge Manor. What’s up? Do you miss me? If you do, come back and have lunch with me,” she said. “My fish is done grilling! It smells so good.”Dylan was speechless for a moment. “It’s early in the morning and you’re grilling fish to eat?”“I’m not talking to you, I’m talking to my friends. And what’s wrong with eating grilled fish in the morning? It’s not that early anyway—it’s past nine. Can’t you see the sun is so high up in the sky?“It’s warmer out today, too, so I went fishing with a few old friends and we are grilling our catches. It feels like we’re having a picnic and it’s pretty nice.”Dylan could imagine the scene. There was a stream at the foot of the hi
“No, Nana. I’m not smart at all. I’m really dumb. You’re the smartest.” Dylan buttered Nana up. It was not empty flattery either because she was amazing.The public thought they were amazing people in their own right, but they still could not escape their nana’s grasp. She was like an immovable mountain while they were like tigers—they could be kings of the mountain but still could not touch her.“I didn’t play any tricks, Nana.”“That’s your business. You can do whatever you like. I’ve already helped you pick a candidate. It’s your choice whether or not you pursue her. A year should be enough time for you to think about it. But let me remind you that Yorks don’t cheat and are loyal. Don’t ruin our good name.”Dylan said sheepishly, “I know, Nana. I’m about to start driving, so I’ll talk to you when I get back.”“Drive carefully,” Nana admonished before hanging up and handing the phone off to Sam. “My fish!” She was worried someone else had eaten her fish.Sam said with a smile
Grandma May said to her friends, “It’s a little cold today. Do you guys want to have a drink to warm yourselves up?”“Madam,” Sam immediately objected when he heard this. “You mustn’t. If Mr. Zachary finds out, he’ll blame me for not taking good care of you.”“How would he know if you don’t tell him? Zack’s beginning to resemble his grandfather by the day, that control freak,” she grumbled.Her friends laughed and said, “He’s just worried about your health. At our age, it’s better to drink less alcohol.”“It’s fine if we have a bit of fruit wine. Sam, get two bottles of fruit wine. It’s not satisfying to have grilled food without alcohol.”Sam did not object further. He called the main residence to have the fruit wine delivered. Apart from the fish they caught themselves, Sam had prepared other foods to grill for the ladies. There were a few kids too young to go to preschool enjoying themselves too. Sam had prepared fruit juice for them.This was the kind of life Grandma May enjo
Grandma May heard Dolly’s words. She waved at Dolly and said, “Come here, Dolly.”Dolly walked over. “Are the drumsticks ready to eat, Old Mrs. York?”She thought Grandma May had called her over to eat the drumsticks. Grandma May pulled Dolly over and hugged her. She smiled. “The drumsticks aren’t done yet. It’ll be ready soon.“Why do you want to take over Sam’s job?”Everyone in the manor knew Grandma May adored Dolly. The Yorks had not had a daughter in their family for generations. Since Grandma May had failed to have a daughter or granddaughter, she was hoping to get a great-granddaughter instead. She did not know if her wish could ever come true. Grandma May often told her employees they could bring their daughters over to Wiltspoon to live and study. If the children had time, they could even use the playground in the manor. Grandma May thought her odds of getting a great-granddaughter might increase if there were more little girls in the manor. “Uncle Sam is incr
Even when Dolly heard a car honk, she only glanced over for a moment before going back to devouring her barbecue. “I’m back, Nana.”It was Dylan’s voice. He got out of his car with a bouquet and called out to Grandma May as he walked over. He said, “It smells great. This weather is perfect for a barbecue.”Winter in Wiltspoon had always been weird. Grandma May did not even want to go outside yesterday as it was too cold. However, the temperature rose that day. It was nearing afternoon, and the sun was shining brightly. It even began to feel a little warm. The Yorks would have barbecues occasionally throughout winter, but only during vacations, of course. On the other hand, Grandma May could have a barbecue whenever she wanted. Dylan thought, ‘When I get married and have a son, I’ll pass my business to him the moment he’s old enough to take over. I want to retire early and enjoy a relaxed life like Nana.’Living a happy life was more important than becoming immortal. “Mr.