Seeing Scott Livinus about to leave, Maggie’s face twisted with disappointment. She held out the lunchbox, looking as if she might cry.
“Scott, I made this just for you.”
“Apologies, Miss Maggie,” Scott replied, his tone as cold as ice. “Save your meal for someone who’ll appreciate it.”
“Livinus, where are you going? I’ll come with you!”
“That won’t be necessary,” Livinus replied, a faint sneer crossing his face. “I don’t make a habit of dining with strangers.”
As Sophia stepped into the elevator, she could practically feel Maggie’s wounded gaze burning a hole in her back. The elevator doors closed, and Sophia sighed. “Was it really necessary to hurt her like that?”
Livinus stared at the elevator doors, his voice calm and unfeeling. “I didn’t bring her into this. She jumped in of her own accord.”
“You could have let her down more gently. She did make the lunchbox for you, after all.”
Livinus cast a brief glance at Sophia, letting out a small scoff. “What makes you think she deserves anyone’s sympathy?”
Sophia paused, realizing his meaning. To Livinus, Maggie’s actions were her own doing, and he had no tolerance for insincerity. It was Maggie’s lie that had started all of this, after all, with her attempt to profit from a falsehood. Livinus was simply too honest to play along.
Sophia assumed they’d eat somewhere nearby, but Livinus drove her several miles away to a small, unassuming restaurant. The place had an understated Italian vibe, with a modest exterior and a cozy interior, well-maintained and welcoming. It was clear that the owner took pride in keeping it pristine.
“Old Livinus t!” a man called out as he stepped into the dining area.
He looked about the same age as Livinus, wearing a simple white T-shirt and exuding a comfortable, friendly energy.
Sophia smiled politely. The man seemed surprised to see her. “And who’s this lovely lady?”
Scott sat down without a word. “Bring the food.”
The man rolled his eyes. “Like I’d ask your opinion! I’m talking to the lady. What would you like to eat?”
He handed Sophia a hand-drawn menu filled with charming little illustrations of each dish, complete with some playful depictions of the cooking process. The artwork made her smile.
Sophia ordered a few of his recommendations, and to her surprise, he pulled on a chef’s jacket and went to the open kitchen to start preparing their meal.
She raised an eyebrow. “You’re the chef?”
He chuckled. “Do I not look the part?”
“Well, you have a clean, put-together vibe. I wouldn’t have pegged you for a chef.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.” He prepared a light appetizer, then took out a fillet of cod, expertly cooking it while smiling at her. “I’m Liam.”
“Sophia.”
“Wait—are you the Sophia my sister Nancy’s been talking about, the one who treated her rhinitis?”
Sophia realized why he looked familiar; he bore a strong resemblance to Nancy. Both had fair skin, fine features, and soft-colored eyebrows and hair. “You’re Nancy’s brother?”
They chatted briefly, and it didn’t take long for Scott to grow impatient. “Hurry up with the food.”
Liam scoffed. “Always the charmer, aren’t you? No wonder you’re still single.” He turned to Sophia apologetically. “That’s just how he is, don’t take it personally. By the way, have you lined up a lawyer for the divorce yet?”
Sophia gave an awkward laugh. “Not yet.”
“That’s a shame! I was hoping once you were free, I could introduce you to Old Livinus here. That way, he’d stop pestering me all the time.”
Livinus’s face went stone-cold, while Sophia forced a smile to hide her discomfort. This pair of siblings sure had a knack for matchmaking. Scott Livinus? A top-tier bachelor settling for his soon-to-be-divorced ex-nephew-in-law? It was absurd. Besides, why would she want to date a walking, talking ice machine like him?
Soon enough, Liam brought out the food. Despite his knack for meddling in people’s business, he was an excellent chef. The meal wasn’t authentically Western, but rather a fusion that blended Western flavors with a touch of comfort—a style that was warm and homey.
“The food’s incredible!”
Liam grinned. “Glad you like it! Back in college, Old Livinus and I couldn’t find anything we enjoyed, so I adapted some Western dishes to suit our taste. After coming back, I opened this restaurant just to keep busy.”
Sophia smiled, amused. Despite the restaurant’s unassuming look, it was prime real estate, a fact that suggested Liam’s “keeping busy” excuse might have been a cover for something else.
At one point,Livinus excused himself to the restroom.
Sophia took the opportunity to ask, “Why doesn’t this place have a sign out front?”
“Who says restaurants need names?” Liam laughed. “I figure, let people come if they want to. If not, no problem!”
Sophia chuckled.
“Oh, speaking of names—do you know the meaning behindLivinus’s name?”
Sophia paused, thinking it over. “Scott Livinus… Herbs associated with ink are generally used to stop bleeding.”Liam’s eyes widened, impressed. “You’re good! A true traditional medicine expert. What else can you tell me about its uses?”
Sophia smiled. “As I said, it stops bleeding—useful for treating things like coughing up blood, nosebleeds, or postpartum hemorrhage.”
Liam laughed heartily. “Exactly! Back in school, we used to tease him about it all the time.”
At that moment, Livinus returned, and Liam quickly fell silent. Scott narrowed his eyes. “What were you saying?”
“Nothing at all… as if we’d dare say anything about you!” Liam smirked, turning back to the kitchen.
As Sophia ate, memories of her childhood study of medicinal herbs drifted back to her.
Livinus—the herb is spicy, and warm in nature.
They had a surprisingly enjoyable meal together, and soon after, Nancy was buzzing with gossip on WhatsApp, eager to know all about Sophia’s lunch with Livinus. Her tone was almost conspiratorial as if some clandestine affair was brewing between them.
Before they left, Liam handed Sophia a box of cake. “When life’s tough, have a little cake. It’ll help!”
Sophia thanked him with a smile.
