Naomi could not help but wonder what situation she landed herself in when trying to save Dylan. She looked down at Belle’s earnest face and replied, “He’s busy.”
“I see. Scott’s indeed a busy man, but he’s working hard to provide a future for you! Men are always very ambitious when it comes to their careers, but-“
Belle turned to shoot Dylan a murderous glare. “Dylan is the only exception! He’s a rascal!”
Dylan let out a sigh of relief at finally breaking free of Belle’s grasp, but he was now met with another problem-Belle chose to pester Naomi instead. If Belle were to pester Naomi the whole night, it would mean he would have to deal with her as well!
Naomi glanced at Belle. Even though she insulted Dylan, she could not disguise the look of adoration on her face when she gazed at Dylan. Naomi turned to glance at Dylan and judging by the exasperated look on his face, she could figure out what was happening between them now.
“Are we going to leave soon?” she asked him.
Dylan was so touched that he felt like he was going to burst into tears. Naomi was his savior!
Belle, on the other hand, was rather puzzled at this. “Leave? Where are you guys going? What do you have to do so late at night?”
Belle would have jumped to the conclusion that Dylan was off to have some fun times with yet another bimbo, but since Naomi was Scott’s wife, she did not suspect even a thing.
Dylan’s expression was solemn. “Why else do you think I’d be here at this hour?”
Belle lowered her head guiltily and avoided Dylan’s gaze. Instead, she turned to Naomi and muttered, “Do you and Dylan have something to do?”
Naomi nodded. “Yes, we do.”
She was not trying to help Dylan. She was simply telling the truth. Just as Dylan said; why else would they be doing at Floral Lodge at this hour?
Belle, now realizing she was in the wrong, felt so sheepish that she could not even meet Dylan or Naomi’s gaze. “I guess I must’ve misjudged you, Dylan, I-“
Tears brimmed in her eyes as she was overcome by her guilt. Naomi fell silent and shot Dylan a glare.
Dylan’s expression softened when he saw that Belle was about to cry, but all of a sudden, he recalled something and said sharply, “You should go home soon, Belle. Naomi and I need to head off now. Otherwise, we’re going to be late.”
He turned to the driver. “Please send her home.”
The driver nodded. “Will do, sir.”
With that, he approached Belle and offered her his hand. “Please come with me, Miss Simmons.”
Belle turned to gaze at Dylan with red-rimmed eyes. She did not want to leave, but she had no choice. Dylan was unfazed by her puppy-dog eyes. The look on his face was stern and unrelenting.
Belle finally gave in and whispered, “I’m sorry I misjudged you, Dylan. I’ll get out of your hair now.”
Then, she turned to Naomi and said, “I’m sorry I took up your time, Naomi.”
Naomi shook her head. “It’s fine. Go home and get some rest.”
Belle was just a young, naïve girl who had a lot to learn about the world around her.
“Alright. Goodbye, Dylan. Goodbye, Naomi.”
With that, Belle got into the car, but before she closed the door, something struck her, and she turned to Naomi once more. “How long will you be staying in Herland, Naomi?”