After sending the text message, James Black finally set his mobile phone down, but he didnât keep it too far away, just within easy reach.
When he picked up his chopsticks again, the vegetables on the tabletop seemed to have become just a tad more appetizing.
Unaware next door, Jane Sampson, who had accidentally turned her phone on silent mode, neither heard Peter Gingery calling her nor saw the messages from James Black on WhatsApp.
By the time she and James Carter and Ms. Little finished their meal, she had no idea what time it was.
If it werenât for James Carter and Ms. Little needing to keep their schedule, Jane Sampson was sure they could have spent an entire afternoon chatting in the private room.
"Itâs already over one oâclock. We have some things to do this afternoon, and itâs a bit regrettable that we canât continue chatting. When we have time, we must make another date to do this, to eat and talk like today. Itâs really comfortable," Ms. Little said regretfully, patting Jane Sampson on the shoulder with a laugh. "Iâm very much looking forward to your cooperation with James Carter. However, I think Iâll be able to see you as James Carterâs MVâs female lead soon. A beautiful and hardworking girl like you should be luckier than others. Keep it up, Jane."
"Thank you, Ms. Little, and thank you, Mr. Carter, I really enjoyed chatting with you both," she said, as if a light suddenly dawned.
She was happy, but when Ms. Little mentioned that it was already past one oâclock, Jane Sampsonâs heart couldnât help but skip a beat.
Itâs over; someone at home must be quite displeased by now.
But, well, let him have a black face if he likes. At worst, when she gets back, sheâll stick to him persistently, dragging him out if she has to.
She didnât believe that someone who cared about their image could beat someone who didnât. For the sake of shopping, for the sake of buying, buying, buying, she could be shameless when necessary.
The three of them stood up, and James Carter opened the door, letting Ms. Little and Jane Sampson go out first while discussing the MV cooperation with Jane. He mentioned the shooting location, describing it as a small village he had discovered by chance, with pristine scenery.
Swayed by James Carterâs description, Jane Sampson was already looking forward to it, her smiling face full of anticipation.
Shortly after the three stepped out of the private room, behind them, James Blackâs voice suddenly rang out.
"Jane Sampson."
James Black had been waiting for Jane to reply on WhatsApp, and not getting a reply, he knew she must have been so engrossed that she didnât need to use her phone for entertainment.
He had been keeping an eye on the movements next door. Not being able to hear the conversation, but keeping the door of the room open, he could hear the noise of the others leaving, so he quickly followed suit.
Upon hearing the voice, Jane Sampson looked back and, with a sound of surprise, said, "How come youâre here?"
"What else would I be doing here if not eating?," James Black retorted with a question, "I heard the food here is good, so why shouldnât I come and try it?"
Jane Sampson scratched her head. Alone? To try it?
Wait a minute...
Was this guy definitely not here to supervise her?
They had agreed âone oâclock or donât wait,â could it be that he was deliberately waiting at the doorway to tell her âdonât waitâ if she was over one minute late?
"Who is this?" Ms. Little turned her head and asked Jane Sampson, "If I remember correctly, heâs your husband, right?"
Jane Sampson came back to her senses, nodded her head, "Yes, Ms. Little, Mr. Carter, let me introduce you two, this is my husband, James Black."
Jane Sampson moved beside James Black. "Ms. Little, you should be aware, and next to Ms. Little, thatâs Mr. Carter."