Love's perfect match novel (Elspeth and Callum)

Yelena looked up at the expressionless man before her the moment her trip down memory lane ended while feeling a touch of gratitude and sentimentality. "You don't have to be troubled by what happened, actually. I've long moved on from the incident. So, you can live a normal life now." She knew that the incident had cast a shadow over him all this time, which was precisely why he had steadfastly stayed by her side. This also emboldened her to do whatever she liked.

Federick replied, "I'm glad to hear that you've moved on from it, but I still don't feel like drinking." It wasn't that the incident earlier had hurt him badly; it was just that the long period of abstinence from liquor had caused him to cease feeling any enjoyment in liquor. It truly didn't matter whether he still drank.

She didn't quite understand what he meant, but she nodded nonetheless, saying, "You'll be responsible for taking me home, then." She switched to drinking mode, downing one glass after another.

As she continued to drink, Federick began to realize how wise his decision not to drink was. Every now and then, groups of men in twos and threes would stare at her for a long time before coming over to flirt with her, only to be shooed away by him like annoying mayflies. Similarly, some foolish women would come over with drinks in an attempt to hit on him, only to be rebuked and impassively sent away by him.

He stayed faithfully by Yelena's side without moving an inch.

She really couldn't hold her liquor and was a terrible drinker. A crimson flush spread over her face and down her neck to her chest only after five drinks. To make matters worse, she started giggling like a child as she playfully threw herself upon Federick, grabbing his ears and twisting them like toying with a piece of gum. "You're quite adorable, you know."

Her behavior was somewhat improper, and he really felt like grabbing her by the neck and tugging her away. However, when he heard her utter the word 'adorable' in a soft voice, he found himself unable to act. He even thought it amusing that this little lady was clinging to him. Moreover, her spoiled demeanor was rather cute.

His Adam's apple bobbed as he looked up and fixed his gaze on her face. "Are you drunk?"

She shook her head and protested with a snort, "I'm not drunk at all! I've only had four drinks!"

At this point, Federick was very certain that she was drunk after surreptitiously casting a glance at the five glasses on the table before them. In fact, she became much bolder after getting wasted. Not only did she grope him all over, but she also spoke with greater audacity. "Federick, I think something isn't right with your head. Why didn't you get married after all these years?"

Federick replied bluntly, "Because I'm waiting for you."

Yelena was taken aback by his reply, the strong impact of his words half sobered her up in an instant. "You've got to be kidding."

"You were the one who started it," retorted Federick. I meant the first half of my sentence, he silently added in his mind.

Of course, she hadn't a clue about what he had in mind. Nevertheless, she breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing him say that.

He took the opportunity to suggest, "Let's head back if you really can't hold your alcohol. Don't end up puking here instead." Although he had never gone so far as to throw up from drinking, he had seen how uncomfortable people could get after undergoing such an ordeal.

Meanwhile, she could feel her head spinning even though she was on land. So, when she heard his suggestion, she obediently nodded, saying, "Alright, then. Let's go back."

Federick picked up the coat from the chair next to him, which Yelena had shrugged off after sweating thanks to her hard drinking. Then, he held her hand as they headed toward the exit.

Unfortunately, they had yet to walk a few steps when someone blocked their path.

He wasn't the least bit baffled when he saw them as he had anticipated the person's arrival. Instead, he made a show of checking his watch before remarking with a touch of sarcasm, "You're late."

Hank countered with a poker face as per usual, "Whether I'm late or not isn't for you to decide. Anyway, I'm here, so you may leave now."

Federick argued, "I'm the one Yelena's going out with today. So, I'm the one who's supposed to take her home. What do you mean by telling me to take off?" He had already understood almost everything that had happened between Yelena and Hank. Thus, he knew from Yelena's exchange with him that he didn't have to back down right now.

Hank's face turned as black as thunder when he heard this. "You two had a date today?"

"That's right. As you can see, she brought me here." Federick deliberately raised his hand that was holding Yelena's, flaunting it in front of Hank.

Hank took a deep breath as he tried desperately to maintain his composure. "I know you two had a blind date today."

"Well, Mr. Damazio, the news you received is quite accurate."

Hank shoved his hands into his pockets as if certain that the man was lying. "I know she doesn't like going on blind dates."

Federick was surprised by Hank's statement. "What does her willingness or unwillingness to go on blind dates have to do with anything? We met again after a long time apart, so she brought me here on a whim. What's the problem with that?"

Hank hated the fact that he was presently not Yelena's husband or boyfriend. Still, he couldn't afford to appear weak in front of a love rival. Besides, he was an attorney, so he had even more of a reason to keep his pragmatism and thoughts organized. "You're just a friend of hers. Don't make it sound like you two are lovers."

Suddenly, Federick burst into peals of laughter, displaying a hint of frivolity that wasn't typical of his usual demeanor. "Sure, but how can you be so sure that friends can't become lovers?"

"Yelena doesn't love you."

"If she doesn't love me, then does she love you?"

Hank replied confidently, "Yes, she does." He had never doubted this fact. Even though Yelena refused to be with him, he knew that his place in her heart was indelible. Not just any man can surpass me, especially a man like this one before me, he thought.

Perhaps it was precisely because of the man's overwhelming confidence that Federick somehow felt kind of frustrated. Thus, he blurted, "Well, since you're so confident, I've decided that I'll court Yelena starting today. Don't get ahead of yourself just yet. It's not guaranteed who she will choose in the end. If she really loved you, she wouldn't have given you absolutely no response over the past five years." Then, he scooped up the drowsy Yelena, who was leaning her head on his shoulder, and gestured to Hank to get out of his way. "I'm taking her home now."

Alas, Hank stood in their way, not budging an inch.

Federick didn't find this bothersome, though. After a brief standoff, he said nonchalantly, "This is Yelena's father's request."

Today's blind date was arranged by Francis, so Federick was indeed responsible for Yelena's safety. At the thought of this, Hank quietly clenched his fists and stepped aside. "Thank you."

In the end, Federick beamed at him and left with Yelena in his arms.