Chased by a Gentleman

Chapter 10

❝Is this what they called third-wheeling? ❞

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Bridget smacked her lips together to evenly spread the lip gloss she had just applied. She parted her blonde hair into two sections, putting the left section in front of her chest and the other chunk of hair loosely behind her back. She smiled at herself in the mirror before gathering her belongings and leaving her apartment.

She got into her vehicle and began driving to her destination. All throughout the ride, she kept taking deep breaths to calm herself. This is the first time she will see Terrence outside the hospital. But the question is, is he even going to be there?

Terrence has never stated whether or not he will show up. So why is she out at 9 o'clock in the evening just to visit a bar to see a man who isn't guaranteed to be there? Bridget also realized that she barely knew this person. What if this was a setup? What if he advised her to go to that pub and a gang was waiting for her, ready to harm her? What if a gang paid him to set up a trap for her because he appeared trustworthy? Her head was ready to erupt.

"I can still go back," She repeatedly said to herself.

But what if all of this overthinking will be the cause of her love life to end before it even started? Just what if. If she does make it to the bar and he happens to be there, they might get closer and eventually start dating. But if she turned her car around, she might miss the chance to get to know her potential boyfriend.

Pause! What boyfriend? What dating? They never even reached the first name basis. He freaking calls her "Ms. Carlisle".

"Dang it! I'm going back." Before Bridget can do the latter, she has already arrived at the pub.

The bar's name was lit in purple, with the last few letters flickering. She looked for a parking space before entering the place.

The stage was the first thing that drew her eye as she entered the bar. A girl with a cute braid and secretary glasses sat on a stool as she sang her heart out with a guitar as an accompaniment. Bridget scanned the area and her instinct was right. He was nowhere to be found.

She sat on the empty seat with no one to share the table with. Bridget has no intention of getting drunk tonight if she still wants to go home in one piece. She ordered some fries to satisfy her stomach.

"What is even the point of being here?" She muttered to herself as she aggressively dipped her hands inside the bowl of fries.

What irritated her, even more, is that the chairs' legs were made out of metal which resulted in constant screeching. She popped another french fry into her mouth and was startled by the loud squeak made by a chair. Bridget took a moment to realize that the attention-seeking sound came from the chair beside her.

She turned around to see a man seated next to her with broad shoulders.

"Glad that you didn't have trouble finding this place."

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"Fancy seeing you two here." Miles and Eloise stopped walking in synchronization. Miles knew immediately who it was, but refused to believe it.

"Brahms? What are you doing here?" Eloise asked.

"I'm supposed to be the one asking that. What are you two doing here together?"

Miles didn't know what to tackle first. First, Brahms randomly shows up in the middle of their meeting. Second, Eloise called him by his first name. Third, why does Brahms care if they're out together?

"Miles here invited me. His cousin apparently has her work displayed here," Eloise explained.

"I see."

The three walked together as they admired the art pieces. But it was most likely Eloise and Brahms walking together, while Miles followed behind them. Miles didn't even glance at the paintings since he was too preoccupied burning a hole in the back of Brahms' head.

Miles noticed how Eloise and Brahms' outfits corresponded to each other. Though Brahms wore slacks while Eloise wore denim pants, they almost looked like a couple who tried so hard to match their entire wardrobe. Brahms' white cardigan paired with the color of Eloise's t-shirt and her jacket's color coordinated with his t-shirt.

Is this what they called third-wheeling?