Chapter 10
After studying under Mr. Shaw, nearly all Seren’s time was spent practicing the fundamentals with him.
Seren barely interacted with anyone, rarely attended those extravagant parties the wealthy love to throw.
Nadine and Seren were close, but Seren didn’t know a single one of her friends- least of all this Jasper she kept mentioning.
Seren declined instinctively, “But I don’t even know him. That would just be awkward p>
Nadine let out an exasperated sigh. “What’s so awkward about it? If you don’t know him, then this is your chance to get acquainted p>
Honestly, Seren was like a total homebody – never glued to her phone, no gaming, didn’t care about celebrities or Netflix. Any spare time she had went straight to painting.
Seren had no social life and cared nothing for gossip or entertainment.
It totally explained why Seren didn’t know who Jasper was, even though he was apparently a big-shot actor.
Suddenly, something seemed to occur to Nadine. Her eyes widened in disbelief.
“Wait, you really don’t know Jasper? That can’t be right he used to ask me about you all the time. Even the three years you were away in Riverbend, he kept checking in for updates p>
“I always thought he had a thing for you p>
That genuinely surprised Seren.
Seren racked her memory, but Seren was certain-she’d never met anyone by that name.
Nadine just shrugged, unconcerned.
“Well, it’s not strange that you don’t know him, but it makes perfect sense that he knows you. Back then, everyone who was anyone in Seaside City’s upper crust knew your name p>
“Mr. Shaw’s chosen protégé, the prodigy with a gift for painting untouchable, admired from afar. The perfect ice princess p>
“And it wasn’t just Jasper. A lot of guys used to ask me about you p>
But after Seren left for Riverbend City, Jasper was the only one who kept asking.
Nadine had always thought the men in Seaside City were hopelessly unambitious, letting someone like Seren slip away to another city.
Now that Seren was finally back, she was determined to play matchmaker.
“Anyway, I’m working the night shift tonight, and you’re not doing anything at home. Why not go? What have you got to lose p>
“Besides, knowing the Powers family, they’re bound to keep pestering you. Better to have someone in your corner p>
Originally, Seren had no intention of showing up. But Nadine’s persistence wore her down, and in the end, Seren agreed.
After all, it wasn’t like Seren had anything better to do. Seren was a little curious, too-what kind of man could earn such high praise from Nadine?
They’d arranged to meet at six, right in the middle of rush hour.
Seren left an hour early and arrived by five-thirty.
The meeting place was a riverside bistro with a charming name: Wait For You.
The private room had already been booked. When Seren stepped inside, she was greeted by a panoram view of the water through huge floor-to-ceiling windows.
The river met the sky at the horizon, endless and serene.
Inside, the room was furnished in a classic style, carrying the faint scent of polished wood. A long table stood
the center, set neatly with teacups and a carved teapot, the aroma of tea curling in the air.
A man was already seated at the table.
He wore a black dress shirt with the sleeves casually rolled up, leaning back in his chair with a relaxed confidence.
Seren could only see him in profile-elegant, self-assured, commanding attention without effort.
He gave off a strange sense of déjà vu, as if he were someone she should remember from somewhere deep in her memory.
He turned at the sound of the door, revealing sharp, refined features and a tightly set mouth.
Their eyes met, and for a moment, Seren was taken aback.
He really was someone Seren knew.
Just last night, they’d run into each other in Riverbend City. Seren never imagined they’d meet again so soon, hundreds of miles away in Seaside City.
For a second, Seren wondered if this was pure coincidence or fate.
Seren double-checked the room number Nadine had sent her. No mistake-she was in the right place.
Seren hesitated, then asked, “Excuse me, sir, are you sure you’re in the right room p>
Seren had seen photos of Jasper before coming, but the man in front of her looked nothing like them.
In the pictures, Jasper was the picture of youthful energy-a screen idol with gentle eyes and a clean-cut, boy-next-door charm.
But the man before her was mature, composed, exuding an unmistakable air of authority. One look, and you knew he was someone used to being in charge.
He answered in an unhurried, steady voice, “Seren Bradley, isn’t it p>
“I’m Lennon Crestwell. Your new blind date p>
He added, perfectly at ease, “Jasper couldn’t make it, so I’m filling in for him p>